by Gene Cline <revgenecline@nwonline.net>

I’m an Innkeeper by trade. My inn is nothing like the inns you are accustomed to seeing. No fancy rooms, no maids to come in every day and change the linens and turn back the bed. My inn is my house, plain rooms with straw on the floor for passersby to sleep upon. That’s all there is. There are also a few stables out back for their horses and pack animals. It’s my income, my well-being, my occupation. I’m an innkeeper.

A few weeks ago I had unusual visitors stop by. A group of men called Christ’s people, or better known to you as Christians. I had heard of these people. They were troublemakers. So much hostility has happened in Israel because of them and their beliefs. These Christ people had a leader they called Jesus. They saw him die, but they didn’t believe it. They believe he rose from the dead.

(Pause)

Do you know what they call this Christ? They called him the Anointed One of God, the chosen one of God, the long awaited Messiah. Imagine that!! The Messiah?!

They spoke of him as a great teacher, healer, and a worker of miracles.

They were talking about their Jesus, their Messiah. I was captivated by their discussion. I had never had any of these Christians stay here before. I was curious. So I listened to their conversations that evening and what I heard not only astounded me, but it began to trouble me.

They began by reciting our scriptures: scriptures that talk about the coming of the Messiah, and his birth, they said, in Bethlehem. Bethlehem!!!! I live in Bethlehem. Why, if the Messiah was to be born in such a small town as Bethlehem, you’d think we would know. There is no place for one to hide in Bethlehem. No signs are posted at the Bethlehem City limits proclaiming, "Bethlehem: birthplace of the Messiah." "No Messiah in Bethlehem," I said.

(Pause)

In their conversations they talked of a great star. This star shone and proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, they said. There was a star like that at one time. It was some years ago. It appeared about the time Cyrenius was Governor. Rome was taxing us again. I remembered seeing it, but I never paid too much attention to it. After all I’m an innkeeper and not an astrologer. Besides, the time of taxation was near and I needed to have my rooms ready for all the visitors that would be arriving. I didn’t have time to worry and wonder about a strange phenomenon. There are so many things in the universe that I don’t understand. A new star was just one of them.

(Pause)

They knew of this star. And it was important to them.

They also knew of other events about which strangers outside of Bethlehem would not be knowledgeable.

In talking about the birth of their Messiah, they mentioned how his birth was made known to shepherds. With great smiles upon their faces, they told how the shepherds came to the stable to see the Christ child and how they left there singing, proclaiming glory to God for what they had witnessed.

How did they know about the shepherds?

My friends and I have talked, and we have laughed about that very incident. Friends had seen shepherds in town one night, during the time of the great star. It was strange to see shepherds in town after dark. It would have meant that they left their flocks alone. Shepherds wouldn’t do that. We wondered why they would come to Bethlehem at night. None of the stores were open. They couldn’t get any goods. Why would they we be coming to Bethlehem at night? We just wrote it off.

You see, Shepherds are a very strange people. You would have to be a little odd, I would think, to give up your entire life to live with sheep. You become one of them. You smell like one of them. You are not welcomed in very many places. Shepherds are a strange lot. I considered it odd that they came to town that night. It’s strange that they sang. But remember, these are shepherds we are talking about: strange people.

But why did these Christian folks know this story? Why is it so important to them?

(Pause)

They talked about people they call wisemen, men from the east, who came to see the young child, this Messiah. I admit there were individuals here in Bethlehem at that time who fit such a description. They stood out among the rest of the common folk. My friends talked about these three men, in particular, because they did something quite peculiar. They came to Bethlehem in the light of day, but left secretly in the cover of night. It was as if they were hiding something. We wondered why. And now these Christians said they know why. They said these three visitors didn’t want Herod to know where the Messiah was born. They feared for the child’s life because of Herod. They feared that Herod would kill the child.

(Pause)

Killing infants. It happened a short time after these three strangers left Bethlehem. Herod killed the young boys, two years old and younger. Herod killed my son.

Herod was a mad man. He was absolutely out of his mind. For some reason shortly after the disappearance of these wisemen, troops came and took our young male sons and killed them. These men over here, these Christian men, said that our sons were killed because Herod was wanting to kill the Messiah, The King of Israel, God’s Chosen One, Our Savior. How did these men know of all this? They knew things only a person who lived in Bethlehem, would and could know.

I became more troubled as they talked. So I had to go and share with them. As I talked with them, they told me more about their Messiah. They told me more about their Jesus. The miracles they had seen work through his hands. The teachings he had shared with them. Now they were proclaiming his story.

I felt something in talking with them that I thought I could never feel. An overpowering sensation came over me. I knew these men were right. The Messiah was born here - born here in Bethlehem.

Oh, I wanted to believe. With all my might I wanted to believe, but I couldn’t let go. I was ready to voice my doubts. Sensing my growing disbelief, one of them put his hand upon mine, looked into my eyes and said, "Let me tell you how it all came to pass. With that he said these very words,

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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."

I began to cry uncontrollably. After a while I gathered my emotions. I told these men the reason for my outburst. You see, I remembered something. At the time it occurred it seemed so insignificant, not notable at all. I remembered a couple coming to my inn. The reason that I remembered them is that they came later than all the rest - so much later. I remembered them because the man’s young wife was so pregnant. You could feel for his poor wife. She was due to deliver at any moment. But I had no room for them. I was sorry, but they just came too late. I didn’t have room for them. The only room I told them that they could possibly find in the whole city of Bethlehem would be among the stables. And that’s where they went. That’s where I sent them.

And now these men are telling me that this same couple who stayed in my stable were God’s appointed parents of his Son, and that he was born in my stables.

I began to cry again. It happened right under my nose. I know it now. Words cannot express what I feel. But I feel that God was here. The Messiah was here. And I missed it!!!!

If only I had known they were coming. If only I had know the significance of this young couple. I would have gladly made room for them. But I didn’t, and I missed him.

(Pause)

There was so much happening: so much to be ready for at the time of taxation. In the midst of all this business the Messiah was born. He was born right here in Bethlehem and I missed it!!!

That’s the concern I have for you. That’s why I wanted to come and talk with you. You see at that time my house was filled with many guests. I had prepared for many guests. Yet the Messiah was born right here in Bethlehem and I missed it. God comes in God’s time, not ours. We must be ready!!!

Friends, I have seen your city streets, your running around, and your buying of gifts. I’ve heard the talk of Christmas celebrations, of bringing together family and loved ones for your holiday. It’s your time to celebrate the birth of the Messiah. Beware my friends. Beware.

I was so busy with my guests and my preparations that I didn’t have time. I wouldn’t let God in. I couldn’t let the Messiah in, and his coming passed me by.

I missed his coming, though the signs were all around!!!

That’s my concern for you: that in your Christmas rush, in your great feasts, in the opening of your presents - that the season does not go by, that the day does not go by and you not find room for the Messiah.

It’s why you are here today: to prepare. It is why you’ve gone to the trouble to buy gifts, to bring people together for celebrations; and the reason why you have decorated. It’s all in the name of the Messiah - all in the name of Jesus.

Remember that so that when you gather on Christmas morning, you are doing so because of Jesus. As you see the joy of children opening presents, as you see the joy of family reunited, let Christ be a part of that moment. Let him into your inn because he is already there, waiting for you to find room for him in your busy lives. He is the reason you gather for all your celebrations.

This is my concern. This is my prayer for you: that come Christmas morn, you and your family will herald what the angels sang about and what the shepherd proclaimed. Christ the Savior is born.