No Room in the inn

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Jun Malazo

Beside New Year’s Eve, Christmas is considered to be the most celebrated holiday in the world.  It is celebrated mostly by Christians, but somehow it has found its way across many cultures and religions in varying styles and observations. 

The basic story of Christmas is known to millions of people.  Thanks to children’s books, movies, and other forms of media, almost everyone in the world knows the basic story of Jesus’ birth.  Christmas productions from amateur to professional levels are produced year after year, and yet the story never seems to get old. 

For many people, the Christmas season means added stress to an already hectic schedule.  This reminds me of what it may have been like for Joseph and Mary during the time of Jesus’ birth—the very first Christmas.  The narrative that tells us about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus is found in Luke 2:1-7 which says:

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And 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 2:1-7, KJV)

You have probably seen or read about the above event many times.  Mary and Joseph traveled a great distance because of the government’s law for census and taxation.  During this time Mary was “great with child.”  The journey was not easy for them especially for Mary who was about to give birth.  Joseph had to be careful as they travelled.  He had to travel at a steady pace or risk the health of his young wife and soon-to-be-born baby son.  This meant that by the time they reached their destination, every space for accommodation had already been taken.  Hence, the famous line “No room in the inn.” 

Many years ago I came across the following true story.  It is a story, though light-hearted, that teaches a great truth about having room for Christ in our lives during Christmas:

In the 1966 issue of Guideposts magazine there appeared a story by Dina Donahue.

She said that whenever Christmas pageants are talked about in a certain little Midwestern town, someone is sure to mention the name of Wally Purling. She said that Wally's performance in that little town's annual performance of the Nativity play had become legend, and that the old-timers who had been in the audience that night never tired of recalling exactly what happened.

Wally was nine that year and in the second grade, though he should have been in the fourth--but Wally was slow and had difficulty keeping up. He was big and rather clumsy, too, but he was well liked by the other children in his class, all of whom were smaller than he. But even though they liked him, it would irritate them when Wally would want to play ball with them, or to participate in any game where winning was important--and they would usually find a way to keep him out.

Wally would hang around anyway, though--not sulking, just hoping. He nearly always had a smile, and was always anxious to help any of his classmates, regardless of how they treated him. He looked out for the underdog. Sometimes, if the older boys chased the younger ones away, Wally would say, "Can't they stay? They're no bother.”

Wally had his heart set on being a shepherd with a flute in the Christmas pageant that year. However, the play's director, Miss Lumbard, felt that she needed to give Wally a part with not too many lines to learn, so she told Wally that she was giving him an important role--that of the Innkeeper. She also felt that Wally's size would lend forcefulness to his refusal of a room to Joseph.

A huge crowd gathered that night to see all of the children in their various costumes, with all of the extravagant props. No one on stage or off was more caught up in the magic of that night than Wally Purling. In fact, as he stood in the wings he was so fascinated with the drama that Miss Lumbard had to watch carefully to be sure he didn't wander on-stage before his cue.

But then came the time when Joseph appeared, slowly and tenderly guiding Mary to the door of the inn. Joseph knocked hard on the wooden door set into the painted backdrop. Wally the inn-keeper, swinging the door open, responded at that point just as he had been told--brusquely he said, "What do you want?”

Joseph answered, "We seek lodging." Looking straight ahead, Wally spoke awkwardly but vigorously. He said, "Seek it elsewhere. The Inn is filled.”

Joseph said, "Sir, we have asked in vain. We have traveled far and are very weary." But again, Wally looked properly stern and said, "There is no room in this inn for you."

Now Joseph was pleading. He said, "Please, good innkeeper, this is my wife, Mary. She is heavy with child and needs a place to rest. Surely you must have some small corner for her. She is so tired.”

At that point, for the first time the Innkeeper relaxed his stiff stance and looked down at Mary. There was a long pause--long enough to make the audience a bit tense with embarrassment.

The prompter whispered from the wings, "No! Begone!" Stiffly and somewhat automatically, Wally repeated the words: "No! Begone.”

Joseph sadly placed his arm around Mary, she laid her head on his shoulder and the two of them started to move away. But Wally the Innkeeper didn't follow the script at that point. He didn't go back inside his Inn. Rather, he stood there in the doorway watching the forlorn couple. His mouth was open, his brow furrowed with concern, and there were tears in his eyes.

And suddenly that Christmas pageant became different from all the others. Wally called out, "Don't go, Joseph! Bring Mary back!" And as a big, bright smile creased his face, Wally said, "You can have my room.”

Some people in the audience thought that the pageant had been ruined. But many, many others felt it was the most meaningful and heart-warming of all the Christmas pageants they had ever seen.

Wally’s “mistake” should be the attitude of every believer in Christ.  He did not reject Mary and Joseph but rather sacrificed his own comforts so that they could have room in the inn.  The Christmas season is a special time when we set aside time to worship and reflect upon our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  But worship and sacrifice are inseparable.   Sacrifice is the natural outflow of genuine worship.  In other words, if we are truly worshipping Christ then we must be willing to sacrifice our comfort zones for God.  This is exactly what the story above is teaching us.

               The Scriptures were not specific as far as how many inns Joseph and Mary went to trying to get accommodations before they settled in a stable.  However, I have to wonder, if the people had known Who that baby was that was soon to be born, if they would have made sacrifices so that the Messiah would have had a place to be born into this world.  I believe that God the Father could have made it so that His Son would have a room to be born in, but God never forces Himself on us. 

Have you made room for Jesus in your heart?  The Bible says, ”Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me"  (Revelation 3:20, KJV).  Jesus never forces Himself in but rather waits for us to invite Him into our lives.  Sadly, there are many today that claim to be Christians and yet, do not have any desire to live for the Lord.  This Christmas season, and for the rest of the year, let us make sure that we give Jesus room in our lives. (The author can be reached at armalazo@gmail.com)