Luke 2:6-7 (NRSV)
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.
You notice, the text does not say there was an "innkeeper". Like the legend of the Magi in Matthew 2, inferences have been made down through history about various aspects of the story. It even says in vs 6, "While they were there, the time came..." It's quite possible that Mary and Joseph were already in the town for a time when the baby Jesus began to come. Since there was a census, the town would be bloated with extra people, and in all likelihood, since this was Joseph's ancestral home, there were many who traveled here to fulfill their obligations to the Romans.
Still, the idea that "there was no place for them in the inn" is troubling when you consider it means turning an obviously very pregnant woman away. SO, the innkeeper gets bad press.
I was pastoring for about 4 years - back in the late 70's - when I first came across this story - a story that has been for me worth reading each year. It reminds me of the way in which God comes to each of us, and when we're busy, pre-occupied, even angry or depressed, we're likely to push him away. Yet, in each of our hearts, there is that need to say "come in, there's room for you in my life". Here's the story:
No Room in the Inn
The story, now a legend, is told how Wallace Purling added a new touch to the Christmas play in a small town in the Midwest. Wallace was a little slow in the learning department. He was nine at the time and should have been in the fourth grade but was still in the second. In spite of his mental slowness, he was liked by the other kids in his class even though he was quite a bit taller and bigger than they.
According to the legend, Wallace fancied being a shepherd with a flute in the Christmas pageant that year, but the director, Miss Lumbard, thought he might better fit the role of the innkeeper. After all, he wouldn't have too many lines to remember and, because of his size, he would be able to present a more forceful refusal to the much smaller Joseph.
So the big night came. Behind stage, Wallace was so totally engrossed in the play that Miss Lombard had to make sure he didn't wander onstage before his cue.
Then came Wallace's part.
Looking exhausted from the long journey, Joseph and Mary slowly approached the entrance to the inn. Joseph knocked. The door opened immediately, and with Wallace putting on his gruffest voice declared, "What do you want?"
'Seek elsewhere,' Wallace barked. 'This inn is filled.'
"We seek lodging," Joseph replied.
"Seek it elsewhere," Wallace barked. "This inn is filled."
"Sir, we have asked everywhere in vain. We have traveled far and are very weary."
"There's no room in this inn for you," Wallace stated strongly.
"Please, good innkeeper, this is my wife, Mary. She is heavy with child and needs a place to rest. Surely you must have some small corner for her. She is so tired," Joseph pleaded.
For the first time, the innkeeper began to let down his guard and relax a little. There was a long pause ... and silence. Now the audience was beginning to feel tense.
"No! Begone!" whispered the prompter from the wings.
"No!" Wallace repeated automatically."Begone!"
Joseph looked at Mary, put his arm around her, and with heads bowed in sadness, they slowly walked away.
But the innkeeper didn't close the door and go inside. He stood there with mouth open watching the forlorn couple leaving his inn. He was genuinely upset. His eyes unmistakably filled with tears.
Then totally unexpected, Wallace departed from his memorized script...
"Don't go, Joseph," Wallace called out. "Bring Mary back."
And then with a broad grin lighting up his whole face he spoke out loudly and clearly, "You can have my room."
Some in the audience felt Wallace had ruined the pageant. Others, however, felt it was the best Christmas pageant they had ever seen.
Peace
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