The familiar Christmas carol, Joy to the World, reminds us to, “Let every heart prepare Him room”. Is your heart prepared to receive the King? Today we will talk about being prepared for and making Jesus welcome in our heart, in our homes, and in our world. Mary was making preparations and anticipating her baby’s arrival. The little One that Mary was expecting came at an inconvenient time. This pregnancy had some interruptions. Taxes needed to be paid, and not just by mail, it had to be done in person. They had to make an unexpected trek to Bethlehem when Mary was not just with child, but ready to give birth. Her doctor probably wouldn’t have advised it. They had to travel on the back of a donkey from the hills of Galilee to the town of Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, Joseph found that there were no more rooms available. Each inn where they stopped had the no vacancy sign. They were without options. At last they found an innkeeper who had compassion on them and told them they had stable facilities behind the inn that could serve as a makeshift hotel room. That night, without much grandeur, the “Expected One,” unexpectedly was born. As we prepare for the blessed event of Christmas this year, how are you preparing room in your heart for the Expected One? How much attention are you giving your relationship with Him? Is He welcome in your celebrations? Are you giving Him the priority and importance that He deserves? He wants you to welcome Him into your life everyday of the year. Jesus wants to be Lord of all the rooms in our heart. Let’s give Him the honor He deserves!