Pause
Advent — a time to make room. To create space for God’s grace to change us. To set our hearts in a posture that is willing to drop everything for just a glimpse of His glory.
Contemplate His coming. Make room. It can change your life.
Ponder
“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!’”
When I think of the shepherds in the Christmas story, the word ‘footloose’ comes to mind, maybe because of the way they dropped everything and went to Bethlehem to see the newborn king. The term “footloose” came about centuries ago to describe sails on a ship that hung loose along the foot because there was nothing to attach them to. Blowing this way and that, those sails often took the ship in a different direction than planned, gaining a reputation for having a mind of their own. Through the years the word “footloose” has come to describe people with nothing to tie them down—free spirits we might say.
But were those Palestinian shepherds really footloose? Their life was never easy. Away from home for months at a time, they rose before dawn, roaming the hillsides to be sure their small flock would find enough to eat. At night they gathered with other shepherds for safety, sleeping under the stars while taking turns watching over the sheep. They surely couldn’t just pick up and go their own way on a whim.
But that’s just what those shepherds did.
There they were, settling down for the night when an overpowering light splashed across the night sky. Then an angel appeared and they were terrified. Who wouldn’t be? But the angel calmed their fears and told them where to go and what to look for to see this promised Messiah. Before they could catch their breath, the heavens filled with an angelic choir singing, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” What in the world was a shepherd to think?
That’s just it — they didn’t stop to think or debate what they had seen or plan their next steps. They didn’t hash out what to do with their sheep, or where they would stay in Bethlehem, a city bulging with weary travelers. One of them simply said, “Let’s go…” and they all took off. In that moment, they made room for God, and nothing would ever be the same.
Somehow, they found the baby lying in a manger, just as they had been told. Can you picture the scene as they surrounded the newborn King — rough hands, road-weary faces, hearts full of wonder? We don’t know how long they stayed, but we do know that they left transformed — men on a mission to tell the world what they had seen.
During these days of Christmas, may we, like those shepherds, be footloose—willing to drop everything and run to the Savior who still breaks into the routine of our days with thundering grace. What treasures might be ours if we, like them, are simply willing to make room?
Pray
Think of times when you have made space for God — when you paused, stepped away, or responded to His nudge. What did He show you? How did He meet you?
Spend a few minutes reminiscing with a grateful heart. Then ask Him: What would it look like for me to “drop everything” and make space for You today? This week?
Invite Him to show you one simple, concrete way to make room.
Practice
Ask God to invite you into something completely out of the ordinary today — a small act of obedience, kindness, or worship. Listen for His gentle whisper throughout the day, and when you sense it, drop what you can and respond. Notice how making room for Him changes the way you see everything else.
When we make room for Him, He fills the space with glory.