Skip to main content

There is Room After-all

The story of the birth of Christ includes many characters...Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Angel Hosts are some of the good ones.  Caesar Augustus is the emperor...can't help but equate him to Darth Vader!  Another character that seldom gets good reviews is the innkeeper in Bethlehem.

Luke 2:6-7 (NRSV)
6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

You notice, the text does not say there was an "innkeeper".  Like the legend of the Magi in Matthew 2, inferences have been made down through history about various aspects of the story.  It even says in vs 6, "While they were there, the time came..."  It's quite possible that Mary and Joseph were already in the town for a time when the baby Jesus began to come.  Since there was a census, the town would be bloated with extra people, and in all likelihood, since this was Joseph's ancestral home, there were many who traveled here to fulfill their obligations to the Romans.
Still, the idea that "there was no place for them in the inn" is troubling when you consider it means turning an obviously very pregnant woman away.  SO, the innkeeper gets bad press.

I was pastoring for about 4 years - back in the late 70's - when I first came across this story - a story that has been for me worth reading each year.  It reminds me of the way in which God comes to each of us, and when we're busy, pre-occupied, even angry or depressed, we're likely to push him away.  Yet, in each of our  hearts, there is that need to say "come in, there's room for you in my life".  Here's the story:

No Room in the Inn
The story, now a legend, is told how Wallace Purling added a new touch to the Christmas play in a small town in the Midwest. Wallace was a little slow in the learning department. He was nine at the time and should have been in the fourth grade but was still in the second. In spite of his mental slowness, he was liked by the other kids in his class even though he was quite a bit taller and bigger than they.
According to the legend, Wallace fancied being a shepherd with a flute in the Christmas pageant that year, but the director, Miss Lumbard, thought he might better fit the role of the innkeeper. After all, he wouldn't have too many lines to remember and, because of his size, he would be able to present a more forceful refusal to the much smaller Joseph.
So the big night came. Behind stage, Wallace was so totally engrossed in the play that Miss Lombard had to make sure he didn't wander onstage before his cue.
Then came Wallace's part.
Looking exhausted from the long journey, Joseph and Mary slowly approached the entrance to the inn. Joseph knocked. The door opened immediately, and with Wallace putting on his gruffest voice declared, "What do you want?"
'Seek elsewhere,' Wallace barked. 'This inn is filled.'
"We seek lodging," Joseph replied.
"Seek it elsewhere," Wallace barked. "This inn is filled."
"Sir, we have asked everywhere in vain. We have traveled far and are very weary."
"There's no room in this inn for you," Wallace stated strongly.
"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," Joseph pleaded.
For the first time, the innkeeper began to let down his guard and relax a little. There was a long pause ... and silence. Now the audience was beginning to feel tense.
"No! Begone!" whispered the prompter from the wings.
"No!" Wallace repeated automatically. "Begone!"
Joseph looked at Mary, put his arm around her, and with heads bowed in sadness, they slowly walked away.
But the innkeeper didn't close the door and go inside. He stood there with mouth open watching the forlorn couple leaving his inn. He was genuinely upset. His eyes unmistakably filled with tears.
Then totally unexpected, Wallace departed from his memorized script...
"Don't go, Joseph," Wallace called out. "Bring Mary back."
And then with a broad grin lighting up his whole face he spoke out loudly and clearly, "You can have my room."
Some in the audience felt Wallace had ruined the pageant. Others, however, felt it was the best Christmas pageant they had ever seen.

Peace

Comments

Paul said…
Way to go Wallace! Insignificant people can do awesome things.
December 19, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hands Full of Parcels

"A Man whose hands are full of parcels can't receive a gift."   - C. S. Lewis Romans 4:13-16 (ESV) 13  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14  For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15  For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all... The last four days have been best described by the word "fatigue".  It's not an uncommon word in our vocabulary.  Listless, tired, sore.  1300 miles of car travel, being sick, not sleeping well, and eating poorly all add up to the word - fatigue.   Someone onc...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1 comment
Read more

The difference between defending and explaining

The news of recent has focused the suffering of Christians in the middle east who have been martyred for their faith in Christ at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Through the centuries many Christians have lost their lives as a result of their faith. For us, who live in America, there is little chance that we would have this happen here - but it's entirely possibly that terrorism will strike out at Christians sometime.  But, for many Christians in the western world - especially here in the U.S. - being a Christians who believes God's word there is a form of persecution that is defined by words like "ostracized", "passed over", "ridiculed", and more. What do we do in the face of opposition to faith? When the Apostle Peter writes to the early believers who are undergoing great pressure, even persecution for their faith in Jesus, he gives them this charge. 1 Peter 3:8-18 8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lov...
1 comment
Read more