A prayer to put Jesus first this Christmas season, written by Debbie McDaniel and read by Kelly

Givens, and she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in cloths and laid

him in a manger because there was no room for them in the end.

Luke 2.7

No room for them, no vacancy, no place, words that seem to hang close, even today.

In a world that seeks to crowd Jesus out, where busyness abounds and hearts are stirred

to focus on other things, it can be hard to sometimes choose to keep him first.

It's all too easy to get caught up in the whole hurry dash of the holidays and to give

our attention to what seems more urgent.

Our focus gets blurred and the most important things get pushed aside.

It takes an active and daily choice to put Christ first, especially in a culture that

says you're too busy to focus there, or that life is too full and there's no more room.

May God help us to choose wisely, what voices we listen to, and where we give our attention

today.

He is the one who brings real peace in this all too often hectic season.

He is the only one worthy of our time and attention as we slow down the maddening rush around

our lives.

We can know all of this in our heads, but may he help us to really believe it in our hearts,

and choose to live it out this season.

Renewed, refreshed, making room for him first.

Dear God, help us to keep our focus first on Christ this season.

Please forgive us for giving too much time and attention to other things.

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