Today, in the second part of our Advent mini-series, we take another peep at the innkeeper as seen through the eyes of my dear friend and fellow author, Becky Scarlett. If you missed last week’s post, click here to explore Part 1 of this compelling story. To learn more about Becky’s superb collection of faith-based Christmas stories titled “Home for Christmas,” check out the info at the end of this post. Now let’s meet up with the innkeeper who is about to offer Joseph and Mary a rather unusual accommodation for the night…
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“So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:6-7 – NKJV
The Innkeeper
Rueben watched the couple finish their meal. He wanted to help them, but there was nothing he could do. What faith young Joseph had. Rueben turned away and experienced a strange feeling in his chest. As he stoked the fire, he couldn’t stop the trembling in his hands.
“We should go,” Joseph said. He helped Mary to her feet and made sure she was secure.
“We thank you again,” said Mary and she reached to hug Anna.
Joseph stepped toward Rueben with outstretched arms. “Thank you.”
Rueben embraced Joseph with an unexpected affection. He bid them farewell, but something was not right. His heart hammered in his chest.
“Wait,” he said. “It is not much, but you can sleep in the stable. It blocks the wind. The animals are there, but that will help you stay warm.” Rueben had no idea why he offered them a stable. Surely, they must think he was mad. No one would sleep in a stable.
Joseph looked at Mary, who nodded. “We would like that very much,” he said.
“Come. I will show you.” Rueben glanced at Anna, who stared with raised eyebrows.
As he started to lead the couple out into the darkness, Anna gently tugged on his arm. “Wait,” she said. She stepped into the next room and returned with two wool coverings. “They will need these.”
Rueben nodded and took the coverings from her. Hours later, Rueben couldn’t sleep. His heart no longer hammered, and his hands were steady, but something made him restless. Several times he got up and peeked outside toward the stable. All was quiet.
He finally drifted into a fitful sleep. He turned over, then turned over again, unable to find a comfortable position. Then he heard men’s voices outside. He jumped up, ran to the door, and jerked it open. Several men in rugged clothing were excitedly talking and gesturing. He stepped outside.
“What seems to be the matter?” He hoped they weren’t robbers.
“The most glorious thing has happened on this night!” One of them said.
“We are shepherds,” said another. “After the sheep were settled, we were talking and watching the sky. In the darkness, something—it must have been an angel—appeared in the sky and there was a great light shining all around.”
A third shepherd continued, “We were terrified and trembling. But the angel spoke to us and said, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’”
The first shepherd jumped back in. “The angel said that a Savior had been born today in the town of David. That the child is Christ the Lord.”
A fourth shepherd stepped forward and took up the story. “He said there would be a sign, that the baby would be wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Then there were more—many more angels—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”
“So after they left,” said the second shepherd, “we said, ‘Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.’”
Another shepherd stepped up. “And we found him! He is in that stable with his parents,” he said, pointing to Rueben’s stable, “lying in a manger, just like the angel said. How marvelous that God proclaimed this to us and that we saw the baby, our Savior!”
The shepherds kept talking and hurried off as Rueben stared after them.
Could it be? God brought the Savior—the Christ—into the world in a stable to be placed in a lowly manger? God, who could do anything, who could have brought the Savior into the world in a palace, among the riches and nobility of kings? He brought him here to be greeted by shepherds? It made no sense. Would anybody believe it?
But Rueben knew it was true. Didn’t he feel it before when Joseph and Mary were inside for their meal? He had turned them away. The Savior that God sent into the world. Guilt weighed heavily on his shoulders and in his heart. He found it difficult to breathe. What had he done?
As he stood gazing at the stable, a new realization slowly dawned upon him. It was God who put the idea of the stable in his heart and on his lips. God chose to bring him—Christ, the Savior—into the world here, to be born in Rueben’s stable. It was God’s plan all along.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you for bringing them here.”
He jumped up, suddenly filled with excitement. He ran back to the inn. He must get Anna so they can go out to the stable and worship the Savior—the baby in the manger.
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Friends, what’s your verdict? Did we shortchange the innkeeper, making him into a villain when all along he was simply part of the plan? For God surely had a plan, a plan to bring a Savior into the world, a plan to bring the promised Messiah to his people. No one on earth knew the plan, not the innkeeper, not the shepherds, not even Joseph and Mary. But God knew. He was orchestrating the circumstances of that night for His good purposes. He was working all things together for good, the long journey to Bethlehem, the fully booked inn, the vacant stable. He took those hard things and worked them for good, for the good of Mary and Joseph, for the good of the shepherds, for the good of the whole world. Centuries have passed since that most precious of nights, but God is still working. He is still in the business of taking hard things and transforming them for good.
Friends, wherever this Christmas finds you, glad and upbeat, worried and fearful, sad and struggling, know that God can make a way for you. Stand firm in the faith, remembering Mary and Joseph’s testimony. For despite the hardships of the journey, regardless of the uncertainty of their circumstances, never mind the no vacancy sign, Joseph and Mary chose to trust God with a plan they could not see or understand. Like you and me, they felt weary and burdened, Yet they obediently made their way to a bed of hay. From the meager shelter of a stable, they watched as the God of the universe came down into the messiness of this earthly life, into the muck and the mire, and there, before their very eyes, He brought forth His greatest miracle.
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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 – NIV
PRAYER
O Glorious God Almighty, You are the Way-maker. Thank You for the testimony of Mary and Joseph, for their indomitable faith that stood firm amid an onslaught of uncertainty. You led them to Bethlehem, to the innkeeper who had no room, to a bed of hay in a meager stable. You made a way, even when there seemed to be no way. You made a way, not just for Joseph and Mary, but a way to salvation for the whole world. Strengthen us to stand firm in the faith and trust You to work it all for good.
In the Powerful Name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen
Advent Blessings,
Anita
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Home for Christmas
By Becky Scarlett
Most of us long for home, especially at Christmas. Join the characters of these eight short stories as they find home, come home, or open their home to others. As you explore this heartwarming mix of Biblical and contemporary stories, you might chuckle, you might fume a little, and you might have to wipe away a tear. But your heart will be touched. And hopefully, you will gain a renewed appreciation for Christmas, home, and the Savior who cares for us all.
Becky Scarlett is a retired counselor, who has always loved a good story with interesting characters. Although she has written nonfiction, she especially enjoys writing fiction. In addition to her collection of short stories in Home for Christmas, she has written a novel for young teens and several children’s books. Her work has appeared in two anthologies and Daisy’s Rocking Chair was featured in the podcast, Six-Minute Stories, in 2022. She is currently working on a women’s fiction novel. Becky lives in Burlington, North Carolina with her husband and two dogs. She enjoys the beach, hiking on mountain trails, kayaking and painting.
Put “Home for Christmas” on your holiday shopping list! Now available on Amazon at – link: https://a.co/d/eZYrlQF
-APS 12/9/2024
Faith Beyond Sight 