What a beautiful psalm to contemplate and live out as we approach Christmas!  As we enter into the Christmas season, we remember a simple truth: when the Son of God came into the world, there was “no room for them in the inn.” The door of the world, symbolized by the heavy wooden door of that Bethlehem lodging, was closed to its own creator.

Two thousand years later, we might ask ourselves: Has anything changed? Christ is no longer confined to a manger, but He still stands at a door, waiting. The difference is that the door He knocks on now is the door of your heart.

We often hear the gentle invitation, but we keep the door partially locked. Perhaps it’s locked by the clutter of worry, the bolt of busyness, the chain of old resentments, or the comfortable lock of self-sufficiency. We invite Him in, but only slightly, allowing Him into the ‘parlor’ of our lives while keeping the ‘mud rooms’ guarded.

But the late Pope St. John Paul II gave us a more radical instruction: “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ!”

To “throw open” the door is a gesture of radical surrender. It means sweeping away the clutter, casting aside the fear, and inviting the infinite light of Bethlehem into the darkest, dustiest, and most guarded corners of your soul.

This Christmas, make that choice. Do not just crack the door; throw it open. When you welcome the Lord into your life without reservation, He doesn't bring judgment; He brings the peace that surpasses all understanding, the joy that cannot be extinguished, and the love that was born in a stable just for you. Let us leave this place tonight, not as innkeepers who turned Him away, but as souls who have finally made room, praise God!

I would like to leave you with a song Harry D. Clarke wrote in 1924 called “Throw Open the Door of Your Heart.”  Let’s strive to live this song this Christmas season and always!

Throw open the door of your heart today, the savior stands waiting outside; He’ll cleanse you from sin, bring you peace within…

Throw open the door of your heart today, and bid the dear Savior come in; His presence will drive all the gloom away…

Throw open the door of your heart today, before the dear Savior departs; Eternity waits you, your doom is sure…

Throw open the door of your heart.  Open the door, open the door, throw open the door of your heart; why not accept Him?  Oh, do not reject Him!  Throw open the door of your heart.

Merry Christmas!
Fr. Jeremy