Joseph and Mary left their village heading to Bethlehem to be counted in the census. The village of Bethlehem swelled with people in town for the census. Mary and Joseph arrive to find every place filled with people. The Inn Keeper had no rooms left. Everything was full. No rooms anywhere. The only place available was in the stable.
Luke 2 7 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.
Today, a beautiful church sits over the cave which was once the stable. A star marks the spot where a hay trough once stood and where the baby was to be lain.
The Inn Keeper had no rooms except this stable. The bible doesn’t tell us, but it is interesting to thank about the person who sent Mary and Joseph to the stable to give birth. Have you thought about that Inn Keeper’s decision? I see two or three options here.
1. The manager of this place was out to make a buck putting people anywhere he could find. He cared nothing about the man, woman and baby needing a room. But he would make more money if he put people in the stable.
2. The city had people everywhere and getting the stable was special. He felt sorry for them. Mary being pregnant and all. He took time to find them the only place he could find.
I see one option being so similar to the person with a busy life that gives Jesus the small sliver of time left over in their lives. But the other person, the one trying to make room for Jesus, cares. He is trying to find Jesus a place in his life.
But neither one was really what the Lord of the Universe deserved. Neither is right. Yet it seems like all of us just give Jesus what is left over. Some people in a careless way never thinking about Jesus. The others making an effort to squeeze Him in.
Shouldn’t we be giving him our room. Saying I will give up my comfort or my favorite things for Jesus my Lord. We owe Him everything and most of us think we are remarkable if we let him stay in the stable.
Journal Exercise
Do you squeeze God in? Do you find him a place between all the other activities of your life?
Do you feel good about giving Jesus the equivalent of the stable in you life? You find him a place, but not the prime spot, not the best of your life. Do you treat Him like He is king or do you treat Him like the livestock?
Fourth Day Adventures 