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By Mike Caton

Luke 2:6-7, “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Joseph and Mary have travelled from their hometown of Nazareth to their ancestral hometown of Bethlehem. This was thanks to Caesar Augustus’ decree to tax the Roman world and requiring folks to return and register in those places. It was a long and hard journey for this new family, especially since Mary was pregnant. And once they arrived, Bethlehem was jammed full of folks who had returned as well.

That was when Mary told Joseph the time was coming, Jesus was about to be born. Just imagine how the couple must have felt; far away from home, far away from any support they might have had, no doctors or midwives too help Mary, this was their first child so they really didn’t know what to expect (maybe Mary had been there when other babies were born, but surely Joseph would not be invited into those places), fear, anxiety, the unknown. But thank the Lord, things went smoothly and baby Jesus arrived! And then imagine the excitement, wonder and awe this couple must have felt. It is an amazing feeling to hold a newborn baby in your arms! And yet they knew this was no ordinary baby, this was the Son of God! There was no way they could imagine what Jesus’ life would bring. They lovingly swaddled him in cloths and placed him in the manger, because there was no guest room for them.

Have you ever wondered about that, there being no room for Joseph and Mary? A very pregnant couple show up at the door looking for a place to stay and they get sent to the barn. I wonder how many times they got turned down. But think about it this way, you and I are also the innkeeper of our own hearts. And we get asked if we have any room for Jesus. It is not just at Christmas, though we think about both Jesus and the innkeeper more then, but every single day, Jesus is there knocking on our heart’s door. And are we going to let him in?

Father, help me open my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works full time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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