As Christmas approaches we often forget the inn. We often forget about a young girl, along with her husband who were traveling, trying to find room in the inn to have their precious baby. As the inn keeper shared with them there was no room in the inn, what do you think went through the mind of Joseph as he knew his wife he loved so much needed rest, needed warmth, and was ready to deliver the Savior of the world? Do you think he worried or do you think he knew God would take care of them? Do you think he asked God, "Why", or did he just trust? As there were no room in the inn, the keeper gave them room in the stable. As some may think the inn keeper should have given his room for the Savior of the world, I think this is just how God planned it. Jesus came into this world humbly, not in a fancy hotel, not in one of the top ten hospitals, he came into this world laying on hay. There is meaning there in those words we can read in Luke about the Christmas story. We often think we need the best, we have to go to the best places, we must eat of the best restaurants, but here in the manger, laying on the hay, Jesus shows us just what beauty can come from a humble little place. Our King of Kings was may have been born on hay, outside in the weather, but He still wore His crown of Holiness, trimmed in beauty. God showed He would take care of Mary and Joseph as they traveled. They may not have been in quaint little surroundings, but they were surrounded by the God who gave us a Savior. Can you see them counting his toes, his little fingers and saying, "He is finally here"? Can you see the look on their faces as they thought about all the things the angel said to them? Can you see the love in their eyes as they knew what a blessing they held that night? As they held their sweet babe that cold night, keeping Him warm, do you think they knew then that one day they would see their little baby's body broken and bruised for the sins of the world? Christmas is not about us, it is not about the tree, the presents, the snow, the feeling in the air, Christmas is about our Savior's birth, its about thinking of that day when he was born, born to die for our sins. It tells us that He was like any other child. He cried, he laughed, he learned to crawl, to walk and to run. He skinned His knees and learned to work as a carpenter as Joseph. He was a boy who came to save us, to show us a better way. In His life, it began in humble beauty and ended in humble beauty. There at the inn that night many things took place. Can you see it, can you hear the sounds, can you smell the manger, can you touch the face of God with your love? Our Savior's birth was the beginning of His life to be given for us. This season as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, may we reflect fully on that day, on the days leading up to His birth and the days to follow. As God created life that night at the inn, He created life for us through His Son. There is no greater love than the love we can find in that inn on that cold winter's night~ Luke 2:33-35" And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother,Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
Luke 2:4-7 "Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with Child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
