I can still hear my mom’s voice ringing out today and the thought of it makes my spine tingle. “Todd, Jennifer, and Jeff you need to go clean your rooms! Company is coming!” That we were listed as a triumvirate was the first sign that mom meant business. Akin to being called by all three of your legal names, when my mom invoked “the power of three” she was not to be kidding. “Man your battle stations!” “All hands on deck!” “This is not a drill” “Set condition level to Defcon-1!”
You should know that in my childhood home there were different stages of room cleanliness. Usually, we could pass inspection by kicking toys underneath the bed or secreting our mess in the closet. Not so when company threatened. Every crack and crevice was inspected to make sure it spotless and squared away. This always puzzled me as an 8 year old. In all my many years of experience, I’d never seen someone visiting our home check underneath the bed to examine our cleanliness habits. In fact, I would often ask people to look just show off many hours of toiling in the toy pits. A clean room became a badge of honor.
Luke records a similar call announcing the arrival of a distinguished guest. “And the angel said to them, “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12 ESV
It’s alarming news. Company is coming. You might expect the Shepherds to begin primping and preparing. Comb your hair! Brush the wool off your best robe! Try to look presentable! But, none of that is necessary. The baby Jesus invites us to come just as we are. You don’t have to perfect or even worthy, just willing.
One of my favorite songs of the season, Joy To The World, says it so well: “let every heart prepare him room.” Jesus has come into the world looking for a place to call home. Not a mansion or a throne. A statehouse or a schoolroom. He wants to set up His kingdom in our hearts. We need only to make space for Him. He’ll handle the cleaning. That is good news indeed.