No Room at the Inn...

While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have the baby, and she gave birth to her first son. Because there were no rooms left in the inn, she wrapped the baby with pieces of cloth and laid him in a box where animals are fed. Luke 2:6-7

Okay, so the version I grew up with said that she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and placed him in a manger. Swaddling clothes, the clothes they used to clean animals with. Jesus was born into the most humble of circumstances. His father, Joseph, was by far not the most prominent man in Nazareth, yet God chose him to be Jesus's earthly father. Mary was not a wealthy girl, but was humble of heart and willing to do ANYTHING for the cause of Jesus so she was chosen to be his mother. I think it is pretty significant that Jesus was born into such humility. Being born to poor parents made Him someone even the poorest person could identify with, and ultimately becoming the King of all Kings helped the rich to identify with Him. He is living proof that the poor will be rich in Heaven. And who wouldn't want to forsake earthly treasure for the riches that God has in Heaven?

And why was Jesus wrapped in clothes that were meant to wash the animals and put in something that animals were fed from? All because the inn was full and the innkeeper was too busy collecting money to prepare a place for them. Sure, it was prophecy fulfilled, but the innkeeper certainly played a part in that fulfillment.

The part that sticks out in the whole Christmas Story for me the most, though, is that there was NO ROOM AT THE INN. It makes me think and wonder, do I have room for Jesus in my Spiritual Inn? My body is the temple for Christ, but is it so crowded with all the earthly junk and treasures, that there is no room for Jesus to enter in? The innkeeper was too busy to see that the child that was in the manger was the Messiah. I wonder if, like me, he later realized that he was so busy that he had sent Messiah to a shed? I wonder if he got so caught up that first Christmas Morning in all of his success and happiness, that he didn't realize that a miracle was taking place right before his very eyes? I wonder if in all of my struggles and problems and dirtiness that I have, do I forget to invite Jesus in my inn to help clean up? I think that sometimes I forget that Jesus is THE ANSWER and there is no other who can love me like Him. Jesus's Yoke is easy and His Burden, light. So why am I so reluctant to let Him in?

Father God, I thank You for THE MOST WONDROUS GIFT of Jesus that You sent down from Heaven over 2000 years ago. I thank You that You were willing to sacrifice Your only Son so that I could live with You for eternity. Help me to remember this Christmas and always that perfect gift. Help me to refrain from letting my inn get too full. In your sweet name I pray...