The Innkeeper: Do What You Can

2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 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. (Luke 2:1-7)

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It’s Dec 19th! Christmas Season is less than a week away! People are out and about gathering goods, some stressing about delayed deliveries, others about limited resources. The final frenzy is upon us.

Last minute gift suggestions about. “Only X number of shopping days until Christmas! Here are some great gift suggestions for that special someone. Guaranteed delivery by December 24, if you order in the next few hours!” (hourglass)

We have a busy week ahead - Chancel Choir Concert tonight at 6pm, Blue Christmas Service on Wednesday at 7:30pm for those feeling less than joyful, Coffee with the Pastor on Thursday morning at 7:30am, Christmas Eve Service on Friday at 8:30pm, Christmas Day gatherings on Saturday in different places, and Worship Celebration in Song on next Sunday.

There is so much to do, so much to look forward to! The final frenzy is upon us.

There was a time in ancient Palestine when the world was all a buzz. But the focus was not a celebration but a registration at a very inconvenient time, at least for Mary and Joseph.

Imagine the times in ancient Palestine. For the first time ever, the emperor issues a mandate for all the world be registered!

Everyone under Roman rule was set in motion to comply. Travel was required regardless of physical condition. Mary is in the latter stages of her pregnancy. During their time of great anticipation, they were met with an inconvenient decree.

They did what they could.

And so Mary and Joseph and millions of others got moving toward their towns of origin. Mary and Joseph went from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea. Imagine traveling 80 miles or so while 9 months pregnant; jostling about on a donkey’s back or on foot.

Along the way, I wonder if Mary ever thought to herself - “Why couldn’t Joseph have been born in Nazareth?!”

Four or five days later, they arrive in Bethlehem, hometown for those of the house of David.

Joseph’s is met with yet another plight

Because of his wife’s condition, he arrives later than most and there is no place at the inn.

There was no way to call ahead; no reservations; first come, first served.

Now he has to tell his wife there’s no place at the inn.

I wonder how that went with a tired woman in her third-trimester. Was she feisty or fragile? hmmm

What a predicament! More inconvenience at a more critical time.

Wonder if all the movement hastened the birth?

These are ordinary questions about ordinary people.

And we know the story rest of the story. They ended up staying in a stable; actually according to tradition, in a cave near the inn.

This was not a private space; it was not ideal; certainly not what they had in mind. But they did what they could under the circumstances.

While they were [in Bethlehem], ...she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger - a feeding trough for livestock.

As we read this familiar story, there is a character who remains unnamed - the innkeeper.

We know the innkeeper exists because Luke mentions the inn. Someone told Mary and Joseph there was no more room.

Many assume that the innkeeper was a callus man who turned away a couple in critical need.

BUT what if instead the innkeeper did what he could?

Imagine with me the conditions at the inn with the flood of people descending on this little town of Bethlehem for the census.

Imagine that as soon as the innkeeper received word of the decree, he started planning ahead; dividing quarters so he could accommodate more and more people. But they kept coming!

By the time Joseph and Mary arrived, the inn was well over capacity. The innkeeper had done all he could with what he had at the inn.

But the innkeeper offers the cave near the inn.

It’s not private, but it is dry shelter until perhaps something opens up.

We are told that the child was born during their time in Bethlehem, not necessarily the night of their arrival.

There was no place in the inn…but there was a place near the inn.

Lesson: We can find ourselves in less than ideal situations during any season.

When someone comes seeking help, we may not be able to provide exactly what is requested.

Do what you can.

We may be expecting a wave of guests in this season. Despite our best efforts to anticipate and accommodate, someone may not find the seat they desired but we can do our best to make space nearby.

Do what you can

We are the Innkeeper. In keeping with God’s way, in keeping with Christ’s way, do what you can, for as many as you can, for as long as you can.

Some may paint us in an unfavorable light because they only see a portion of a larger circumstance and pass judgment.

It is our role as innkeepers to always be making room for understanding in our hearts; making room for grace and mercy that follow us as people of faith.

This is the embodiment of love.

There's always room at God's table, in God’s stable, in God's house;

The prophets foretold the less than ideal conditions under which Christ would be born.

The gift is to do what you can with what you have;

extending our resources to others.

God never asks for the extraordinary of us.

Not even of our faith.

Matthew 17:20 records Jesus saying, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move a mountain; nothing will be impossible for you.”

Faith trusts in the power of God. Not by our strength but by the power of God.

This is God’s love

God does the extraordinary through the ordinary.

God did not require the innkeeper to go through incredible gyrations to make special arrangements for the very special Child.

4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

No secret service detail or special entourage accompanied God’s gift to the world.

No pompous circumstance

The gift came unwrapped in an ordinary, fragile infant body and had to be wrapped in bands of cloth.

This child who would be the Bread of life was laid in a manger, a feeding trough.

God does the extraordinary through the ordinary.

Do what you can.

Connection Kits

no tech

ordinary games for conversation and connection

Boxes of love.

We offer the ordinary out of love for our neighbor.

We have faith that God can do the extraordinary, through our ordinary efforts.

This Christmas Season and beyond receive the extraordinary love of God in the ordinary. Do what you can with what you have in hand.