Often during the Christmas season, we hear references to the amazing truth that God left all the splendor and glory of Heaven to be born as a newborn in the lowliest of settings – a manger bed in a stable. It’s one of the facts of Christ’s birth that brings us to our knees in thankful wonder and worship.

But I read a verse this morning that rivals that truth. Isaiah shares God’s own words as to where He chooses to live. It begins with an important reminder of the One who is speaking.
“For this is what the high and lofty One says – He who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place…’ ” I read those words and they make sense. It’s the right dwelling place for a high and lofty God whose name is holy. Everything about that scene looks right. But it doesn’t end there. God goes on to say, “ ‘but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit.’ ”

The high and lofty God whose name is holy once again chooses a manger setting – stripped of everything that would compete with His glory – as His dwelling place. Once again, He is willing to come to a place that seems so inappropriate for the King of kings – my heart.

I love the Christmas story. I love the reminder of a holy God born in a lowly setting, but am humbled by this reminder in Isaiah. I know my own heart isn’t worthy of a high and lofty God but am so grateful that He’s willing to make it His dwelling place. He doesn’t ask us to fix it all up so that it’s worthy of Him. He asks us to empty it out so that He can make it His own dwelling place. His presence, His glory, is all that’s needed to make it the perfect dwelling place of a high and lofty God.

I love the manger story, but am so thankful that the story continues and becomes intensely personal as we “prepare Him room” to live in our hearts.

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