By 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 (Luke 2:4-7).
As I was reading and thinking about these verses, my mind centered on the innkeeper. We are not told the innkeeper’s name. In fact, we know nothing about the innkeeper at all.
Though the innkeeper is unknown, we can safely draw a couple of conclusions. The innkeeper did not fill up the inn on purpose just to keep Jesus and His parents out. The innkeeper wasn’t simply being mean- deciding to turn them away for no reason. Business was booming and there was just no more room. Sometimes that is how our lives are in the day we are living.
We are working for a living- forty hour work weeks are short work weeks to many people. In fact, we may be working two or more jobs just to meet our financial obligations. Then we are caring for children and grandchildren. This includes traveling to games and various activities every season of the year. If more than one child is involved, the pace can be maddening. We are so busy that we seemingly make no room for time with Jesus. We don’t really mean to leave Him out and we certainly are not turning Him away out of meanness.
We are busy. We are stressed. Just maybe we have forgotten the most important part of living- our eternal well being after this life and our spiritual well being while we are living this life. Let us look closely at the following excerpt from Luke 10:
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:38-42).
Notice that Jesus did not say what Martha was doing was sinful. He simply was saying, “You are too busy and you are stressing yourself out.” He pointed out that Mary was doing the most important thing- listening to the Word of God and getting to know Jesus.
You know, a lot of things can be taken away from us in this life. However, our relationship with our Savior is not one of those things. So, during this Christmas season- and after it is over- let us make room for Jesus. After all, he is the real reason for the season.
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 