In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:1-14 ESV)
There was no room in the inn, because Bethlehem was over run with people. The normally small town, had too many people in it due to the census. But a pregnant woman could not find a room?
Is not the decent thing to do to give a pregnant woman a room, in a town filled with people who are all from the same family you would think that a pregnant woman who you are related to would get a room, and a bed, or at least a chair to sit on…
But maybe that is is, she was an outcast, Joseph was not the father and word had spread, no one wanted the girl who was pregnant out of wed lock in their house, their inn, their place of business. If word got around I helped her, then no one will come and shop from me, I’ll be ruined…
It is more of the unexpected, unreasonable way that God shows us who He is and how we are to operate. You see God does not do things that would be easy or con-formative in our eyes. He does not adapt to this world, but does what must be done to get our attention. Mary and Joesph were shunned because society did not expect the messiah to come this way, and they did not know it was God dwelling in her. Even if they were told this, they were slow to believe, and they could not associate with her or him because that would taint them. We have to look out for ourselves, and God says, “that is not the way it is to be, you need to be concerned with your neighbor, the last, the least, the lost, the little, those who can not stand up for themselves.” A pregnant woman far from her home is some one who needs our help, and turning her away is not what God would want us to do.
What can you do this Christmas that is unexpected and unreasonable to show forth the love of God?
aSacredRebel 