| Room for Jesus Kip gazed at the huge columns inside the ancient building. He and his family were in Bethlehem, visiting the Church of the Nativity. “According to tradition, this church sits right over Jesus’ birthplace,” Kip’s father said. He was an archaeologist working in the Holy Land. Kip’s sister Mira looked down. “There’s a stable under us?” Their father nodded. “Yes, but not the kind you’re thinking of. The stable Jesus was born in may have been a cave. People often kept animals in caves back then.” The family went down some winding steps. There Kip saw an altar. In the marble floor underneath, a silver star marked the spot where Jesus was born. The people of Bethlehem had little room for Jesus at the time of the first Christmas. The only place they would offer him was a stable! How much room do you have for Jesus? Have you given him the most important place in your life? Or are your days too filled with other things? Ask Jesus today if you need to make more room for him. Bible Verse: [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. – Luke 2:7 Life in Bible Times: In the days when Jesus was born, newborn babies were washed with water. Salt was rubbed on their skin. Then they were wrapped snugly in strips of cloth called swaddling clothes. | 
