Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2:7 CSB

It was late at night when I received one of those dreaded phone calls. My son told me that his three-week old daughter was lethargic and in respiratory distress. They were at a hospital emergency room in the Dallas, Texas area. Hospital staff strived to achieve safe oxygen levels while desperately searching for a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) room to admit baby Katerina.

I prayed. And prayed. Worry and anxiety sickened me. Another call. Surely some encouraging news, I muttered in anticipation. No. No available rooms in the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. What now? More waiting. No sleep.

Finally, I talked with my daughter-in-law. She and Katerina had arrived by ambulance at three o’clock in the morning to a hospital in a small city hours away. Katerina was admitted to the last available PICU room. I was relieved, but also felt helpless. So many thoughts invaded my divided mind. Faith held me. Peace eluded me. It felt impossible to trust God with my tiny granddaughter.

I pleaded for wisdom, packed, and drove to the hospital. But first… I enlisted prayers. Peace calmed me. Our burden was carried by many. I stayed a week with Katerina in intensive care. She was diagnosed with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and secondary pneumonia. So scary.  A couple days later there was improvement. We kept praying and thanking God for His incomparable grace and care. Then, home at last!

Do you think that Mary and Joseph were stressed out about the lack of a suitable guest room in Bethlehem? Undoubtedly, but they accepted the crude livestock stall and feeding trough for Jesus’ humble birth—He who deserved royal accommodations. Jesus Christ willingly entered this world to rescue us from hopelessness and separation from God.

Does your heart have time and room for Jesus?  Please don’t turn Him away.

Don’t miss the Hope of Christmas. Let Him in.

Karen Sims