Scripture Verse

She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

Introduction

illustration
Adoration of the Shepherds
Matthias Stom, ca. 1650

Words & Mu­sic: Fran­cis A. Black­mer, 1915 (🔊 pdf nwc). Ap­peared in The Gol­den Sheaf No. 2 (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: Ad­vent Chris­tian Pub­li­ca­tion So­ci­e­ty, 1916), num­ber 69, alt.

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Black­mer (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

There was no room for Him in the inn,
Bethlehem’s heavenly Stranger;
He that had come to be king over men
Had to be born in a manger.

Refrain

No room, no room,
No room for the blessèd Jesus;
O why is there in the world’s cold heart
No room for Jesus?

Foxes have holes, the Master once said,
Birds have their nests, but how truly
He had nowhere He could lay His dear head,
Suffering for us so unduly.

Refrain

Filled was His life with slightings of men,
King, but the world never knew Him;
Spurning the Son God had sent to them,
Wicked hands took Him and slew Him.

Refrain

There is no room for Jesus today,
Deaf is the world to His pleading;
Steeled its cold heart, and outside must He stay,
Spurned His divine interceding.

Refrain

Wondrous, He waits, still loving and true,
Friend, at thy heart gently knocking,
Waiting all night in the darkness and dew;
Hasten, the bars now unlocking!

Make room, make room,
Make room in your heart for Jesus!
O linger not while He loving waits;
Make room for Jesus!