Fourth Sunday of Advent Meditation

Tonight my husband and I are relaxing in our family room in the peaceful glow of the four lit candles on our advent wreath. It's hard to believe that Christmas is only a few days away. I still have a few things I need to get done, but I've been trying to pace myself this year and simplify as much as I can.

This year I made a 90-day commitment to an on-line study group which basically has been a spiritual discipline of reading a book and Scripture, journaling, prayer, and listening to or singing godly music each day, with the accountability of a weekly "check-in". I started this in mid-November, and I am so grateful that I did. I thought it would be a good way to help keep my inner life focused on spiritual things as I moved through the holidays and into the new year. I have not found it to be difficult at all, and I usually do it first thing in the morning before my day gets ahead of me. The whole discipline takes me about 45 minutes at the start of each day.

Now you know why I've posted so many Advent hymns lately. Along with my book, my Bible, my journaling notebook, I have kept a couple hymnbooks nearby, and I've enjoyed singing songs I haven't sung or heard for a long time.

So here is one more song that we don't hear too often in churches anymore, but I thought I would share these words with you tonight, and I pray that you will find room in your heart for Jesus in the midst of the busyness of this holiday season. Think on these words as you go through the last few days of Christmas preparations. Save room in your schedule for the King!

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

When the heav’ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”

My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.

(Listen to the melody here)