NO ROOM IN THE INN: by Dickey Porter

No Room In The Inn: by Dickey Porter

No room was in the inn on that fateful night that Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, the city of David, in obedience to the decree of Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

No compassion in the hearts of men greeted the impending birth and arrival of Jesus, our Lord and the Savior of the world, even though contractions had already started in the body of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, from the hard ride from Nazareth in the land of Galilee. The birth of Jesus would occur this night and very soon.

“You can stay in the stables with all the other animals” declared the uncaring Innkeeper as he, no doubt was tired from all the travelers who had recently arrived with their murmuring and complaining about having to pay taxes to the cursed Romans. When is Ben-Judah, our Messiah, going to come and deliver us from these Romans and restore the Kingdom to Israel?

He came unto his own, but his own received him not, because they were not looking for a suffering Messiah, but for a conquering deliverer. But it was necessary for Jesus to be born of a virgin, totally human, and yet still Son of God. He had to grow up in grace and favor with God and man, although he knew his purpose at the tender age of 12 years.

He grew into a man, was baptized in water by John the Baptist, and then heard the voice of the Father declare that “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. This was his license to begin the three and one half years of earthly ministry that would forever change the world. “No man ever yet spake like this man”, the soldiers reported to their superiors.

Because of his death, burial, and resurrection, not only did he remove all our sin, but even changed the way that we keep the calendar. Today is December 19th, in the year of our Lord, 2016. His name is above every name that is named both in heaven and in the earth. He is most loved by his saints, and his name is most hated by his enemies.

On the night of his birth, the angels celebrated with the announcement to shepherds as they kept watch over their flocks. What a miraculous event that must have been as the shepherds watched the heavens fill with the glory of God and untold number of angels with the grand pronouncement. Peace on earth and good will toward men.

Wise men from the East, were being led by a star to the place where the holy child was placed in a manager. They came bearing gifts. These were men who were following prophecies of old that spake of the birth of this holy child. They knew the times and seasons of his arrival, but Israel didn’t.

But those who believed the Scriptures did receive him, even today, while he can still be found. To those who receive him, power is given to them to become sons of God. The greatest gift that God has given to men and women is the gift of life and he resides in the mortal flesh of those who believe in him.

Another year has come and gone and we are in the season when everyone is celebrating the holidays, but I wonder, is there room in the inn for Jesus this year? Are we anticipating lots of presents and time off from work to spend with our families, football games on TV, colorful lights and decorations in all the neighborhoods around our town, and are we expecting Jesus to show up on Christmas morning as much as we are expecting Santa Claus?

Jesus, if you would come into a dirty stable 2000 years ago, surely, you will come into my heart and completely change me into your image. That is all I want for Christmas this year.

Abounding love, til time,

Dickey Porter