Is there Room In The Inn?
Posted on Dec 24, 2014 by David Whetter
Merry Christmas!
Several weeks ago, my wife, Jill, and I had the privilege of traveling to Israel and while we were there we visited the city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. Now, we don’t have proof of the exact location of the place Jesus was born, but ancient tradition has identified what is believed to be his actual birthplace. In fact, not only has ancient tradition identified what is believed to be “the stable” in which his birth took place, but when you enter it, you see that they have marked the spot where Mary actually gave birth to him (show picture #1) and the spot where the manger set (show picture #2). I am pretty sure the gold star was not there, nor was the actual manger made out of marble.
Now as Luke tells the story of Jesus’ birth, he begins by telling us that Caesar wanted “all the world to be registered.” In other words, Caesar wanted to be able to collect more taxes. Does that sound familiar? Caesar needed money to fight his wars and to continue to build is build his empire. So Luke says that Joseph “went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 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 2:5-7).
The city was crowded and with no extra space for Mary and Joseph an Inn Keeper, apparently feeling sorry for them, allowed them to stay in his stable. Now, the stable was really more of a cave and based on what we know of homes and towns in those days, atop this “cave/stable” would have been the regular living quarters of the family that lived there. The stable was where the family kept their animals. It wasn’t very big, it wasn’t very clean and it wasn’t very comfortable and it most certainly did not contain the gold, marble and the many adornments you saw in the photos. But, whether the site we visited was the actual birthplace or not, there is something special about that place. In the midst of a town that today is often filed with violence, and disharmony; in the midst of a place that is under Palestinian control, a place where Israelis are not welcome and where there is often Palestinian-Israeli conflict, this little “cave” literally brought together hundreds of people from all over the world and for a brief moment allowed us to experience true peace and harmony. I’d like to share with you a little of that time right now (show the video). Now, remember, regardless of whether or not this is the actual birthplace of Jesus, it looked nothing like that 2000 years ago.
You know, as we waited in line for well over an hour with hundreds and hundreds of people, it was chaos. People were everywhere, talking loudly in their native languages, and everyone seemed to be focused on their own interests and friends. But when we entered into that dark, cramped space, everything change. Did you notice that there was no disharmony, and all of us were singing together. In our individual languages we began signing Silent Night and filing through in awe and peacefully. There was a feeling in that place like nothing I had ever experienced before. There was a peace and a serenity that was real. In that place, we felt Christ’s presence and I believe I actually felt Christ’s shalom.
In those few moments that Jill and I were able to spend in that small place of the nativity we experienced the real power of this Prince of Peace that we all seek this night. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, tonight “a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom” (9:6-7). From our Gospel text, through the word angel spoke to the shepherds in the field, "Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord (Luke 2:10-11). These words are the good news that God gave the world over 2000 years ago and they are words of hope and comfort that we still cling to today.
On that first Christmas night, there had never been a night like it before. In the midst of a world filled with violence, poverty, hunger, and darkness, Christ came as an infant and he made himself at home. Into our violence Christ came and brought his peace.
Isaiah promised that when the child came, he would be the Prince of Peace and that his authority would grow and there would be endless peace and those words that the angels brought to the shepherds truly were words of “good news and great joy.” And for a brief moment, on that day several weeks ago as we walked through that place of the Nativity in Bethlehem, I felt Christ’s real peace.
And so, since that day I have been wondering, why hasn’t the world experienced this everlasting peace, yet? I mean, have you watched the news lately? If you have then you are well aware that there isn’t peace on earth these days. Violence in places like Ferguson and New York remind us that peace is not, yet, a reality. War in Afghanistan, fighting in Israel, and conflict in South America, remind us that peace is not, yet, a reality. So, since there is not peace, yet, does that mean that God’s promise is not true? Does that mean Jesus failed?
Absolutely not! God’s promise that Jesus would be the Prince of Peace is absolutely true, but I have come to realize that we have not fully experienced that peace, because like a crowded Bethlehem some 2000 years ago, for most of us, there is no room in our “inn” for Jesus and his ways.
This story we have heard this night is a story of love. It is a story of a God, who loves his creation so much he sent his Son in to this world to show us how to live. Jesus loved those who hated him. The question for all of us tonight is, when will we, his followers, follow his ways? When will we make room in our hearts for his peace and his ways? When will we make room in our personal “inns” for his peace? He only needs a small place in our lives to make his peace a reality in us, just like he only needed that small stable for his birthplace.
A few weeks ago, amongst complete strangers in a very dangerous place, I experienced Christ’s peace and what I now realize, is that if that peace is to ever be experienced throughout the world, it will have to begin with us, each of us. Tonight, once again, we hear God’s angel say "Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people…” The Christmas story is a story of a Lord who is pleased to be born among the least of his people. This is a story of a God who keeps promises; and of a God who is in this world, even when we cannot see him or when it is hard to believe. With such a God on our side, we do not need to fear. We only need to seek his peace. So tonight, as the song says, “Let every heart prepare Him room.” Make room in your “inn” for the Prince of Peace. Amen.