Innkeeper's Story Becomes A Testimony

There are two major types of people in the stories of the Bible, you have the hero and the architype (or villain if you will). Sometimes the person whose heart is turned cold to a situation is also warmed just enough to fulfill prophesy. That is what happened to the Innkeeper in the birth story of our Lord and Savior. He was a good businessman, both kindhearted and shrewd depending on the situation at hand. Little did he realize that his home would be the last pivotal point in the birth prophesy giving the child the humblest of beginnings, in a cold dark cave (FYI most stables at the time were holes dug into the sides of hills just outside of town). The only source of light and warmth were the lanterns, hay, and whatever blankets (usually of poor quality) were supplied to the animals.
Let’s get back to the Innkeeper. The call for the census had come and people from all over Judea and the surrounding areas occupied whose lineage were of certain tribes or royalty returned to their homelands to be counted. The Innkeeper was probably very happy that he had a decent turnover for the people as the census was going on for a good bit, but the overcrowding when Mary and Joseph arrived was just too much. Not a single spot was available. People sleeping wherever they could find a place. Being out on the streets and resting was highly discouraged but not unseen and finding enough food, well let’s just say that the people suffered and Rome did not care. According to tradition and translations, his was the last Inn in town that had even the smallest spots, barely enough for a child and he was not about to put anyone in the stable although the other places had done so. When Mary and Joseph came to him, the Innkeeper’s wife convinced him that they had to be placed there. She showed compassion where he had lost it. The wife was even willing to give up her own spot but the boss said no and placed them in the stable. Imagine the joy when the child was born and the Innkeeper coming out to see the child and realizing later that the one who was born in his stable was called Immanuel.
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A question has to be raised here even though we should never question God’s plan. How was it that this Innkeeper would, by divine design, have the coldest of hearts yet just enough sense to place a pregnant woman who was in labor into a stable? Did he get visited too and it was just not revealed? The stable was actually the best place, more sterile than any room, a perfect area for warming a child in a feeding trough filled with hay which became His manger.
Joseph, being the carpenter that he was probably was able to take surrounding materials and build a better shelter and a bed (with the Innkeepers permission of course) for Mary and Jesus. Remember, they had little money to begin with so this was the best and easiest place for them to be. Joseph’s skills probably earned him enough to repay the Innkeeper but I am sure there were other means granted.    
The Innkeeper in the birth story played a very important role in bringing Jesus into the world humbly, being surrounded by all creatures’ great and small. The perfect location for shepherds to find. Hidden away perfectly not to be disturbed by the local populous except those who quickly were informed (in the Inn) of the birth. Rest assured the Innkeeper was also probably informed to keep the birth as best a secret until the eighth day when he Jesus would be presented at the local synagogue names and circumcised. Think of the testimony this man and his wife would be giving today if they were invited to share their side of the story and the impact it had on their lives? Would it be filled with disharmony due to the Roman census? Would it be filled with joy at the witnessing of the birth? Would it be filled with a forgiving and giving heart? Would it be filled with joy? I for one believe so.

What is your testimony when you first met Jesus?  Do you have a "Christmas Story" on how Jesus came into your life? How long have you kept it silent until you spread it, or have you even opened up? Keeping the joy of Christ in your heart without sharing it is not in the rule book. We are required to speak of the Good News loud and clear as the angels did that holiest of nights. Do you know someone who has not heard about how Jesus has changed you? Don't you think it is time you did something about that?

​People all over the world need to hear the Good News right now. There are folks who try to ruin Christmas by saying it is a Pagan Holiday (well, it is just after the Solcist so I can understand that). Do not let that get you down. This year do not just share the birth story, share your story of when you met Jesus. Let your light shine on this season.

MERRY CHRISTMAS