December 12, 2023 – Advent Three

“So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2: 6 -7. New King James Version)

             We are not talking about the Holiday Inn or Best Western or Days Inn.  The “No Vacancy” sign, was hung out, so to speak, in front of some small house in Bethlehem, where it was already full because of the influx of people to be counted in the census. A quick search through the various translations we find the inn called a hostel, living quarters, lodging and the like.

 Call it what your will - no room. No room service. No chocolate on the pillow.  Bring your own towels.

There is a wonderful story about a Sunday School Christmas pageant. One little boy had a crush on the little girl who was to play Mary. He hoped to get the part of Joseph, but he ended up as the innkeeper. During the pageant, when Mary and Jospeh showed up at the inn and knocked on the door, asking for lodgings, the little innkeeper yanked Mary inside and shoved Jospeh back out of the way.

“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.”

It was not the last time that Jesus would find himself homeless. His family became refugees in Egypt for a while. During his ministry he seemed to be always relying on the kindness of strangers and friends for food and lodgings. He was always on the move. Always restless. Always looking ahead. To be with Jesus in those days was literally to follow, to go where he went. In fact, he said once, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20, New Living Translation). The Message Bible makes me smile: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.”

A few weeks ago, it was heartbreaking to see several Palestinian premature babies, all sharing one incubator as they were being moved to a safer location. What an awful way to begin life. The little tykes already had enough going against them. They too had no crib for a bed. No safe place to lay down their sweet heads.

Jesus identifies with those who have a rough start in their lives. He understands the plight of the homeless and the hungry. He moved among the restless, the lost, the hopeless, the forgotten, the down-hearted, the lonely, the desperate.  He made room for the least of these. He showed us an example of humanitarianism that was remarkable in its generosity, compassion and kindness, leaving no one out, not even the sinner. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36, NLT) Jesus never gave up on anyone.

                Wars, poverty, food insecurity and such leave far too many without any room in the world.  People’s prejudices, hatred, judgment slam doors in the faces of others. Our apathy and selfishness leave little room for those who are different.

                The Son of Man who had no place to lay his head has experienced the human story of homelessness, violence, hunger, pain and death. But that is exactly why we can trust that  he is truly Immanuel, God with us and God for us.

“It’s obvious, of course, that he didn’t go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That’s why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people’s sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed.” (Hebrews 2: 17 -18, The Message Bible)

        Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
        When Thou camest to earth for me;
        But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
        For Thy holy nativity.
        O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
        There is room in my heart for Thee.

Dale