THE INNKEEPERS STORY
This person had a front row seat to the birth of Jesus, I wonder if he told his story it would go something like this.
It’s been a long day today, my inn which is one of the biggest in Bethlehem is full to overflowing, people have been coming to this small town, they all need somewhere to stay, many come from out of town, they were born here, but have no house or residence here, so they have to stay somewhere.
The inns are all so full, mine included, it’s been a long day, why oh why did the Romans have to start all this census nonsense, they are so precise, but they are our rulers, it does bring in good business for me, money is flowing in.
It’s been a long day, and I try to rest my weary body, but just before I close my eyes, there’s a knock on my door, who could it be so late at night?
Wearily I go down to answer the knocking on my door, under the moonlight, I can see a young man, please help us sir, my wife is heavily pregnant, she is about to give birth and I have been to every other inn in Bethlehem, they all have said there’s no room, please help us.
He is beyond anxious, the pleading look in his eyes, I don’t mean to say this to him, but truly I have no rooms, but I do have a stable where the animal feed, there is hay and straw where you can rest and I can give you some water and a little food.
His eyes light up, thank you so much, so I take him to the stable, there is an oxen and my cows asleep, the couple are just so happy, she can’t be anymore than in her late teens, she has a great glow and he is very attentive to her.
They settle in, my animals have never had human company, they seem fascinated by their new visitors, they soon go back to sleep.
But during that night, well two things happened, first of all, the girl gave birth, her name was Mary, it was a boy, her firstborn, they called him Jesus, and they laid him in the animal trough used for feeding the animals.
Amazingly, they had visitors, you see these shepherds came because they had heard thousands of angels, telling them that the Saviour, would be born in Bethlehem and in my stable. They told everyone, I don’t think many believed them, after all they are shepherds and shepherds are always telling tall stories.
You know, long ago, one of our Prophets Micah told us that the saviour would be born in Bethlehem, I wonder, if this was him.
Jesus came into the world to save sinners like you and me, he came humbly and without any pomp and majesty.
He was born in a humble stable, no one recognised him, no one wanted to know, he came because we couldn’t get to God, He had to come to us.
Most if not all of the inns in Bethlehem refused entry to Jesus, that’s like the world today, it refuses to accept Jesus, it puts up a no entry sign to Jesus.
Others are like the innkeeper, they put Jesus in the stable, they will accept Jesus in, but place him away from their celebration of life, Jesus you go to the stable, we will celebrate with you outside in the stable.
The shepherds however heard the good news and came to see Jesus and they were transformed, they told everyone.
This Christmas, which one of the three are you like?