Was the Innkeeper Really So Unwelcoming?

I've been "gifting" in my blogs the last few days AND gifting is what I’m doing at my dining room table. No food allowed on that table right now because it's loaded with wrapping paper, ribbon, scissors, tape, gift cards and gift items to wrap. I’m getting my Christmas gift list checked off, one-by-one.

Speaking of lists, this time of year stirs up memories from my Holy Lands bucket list trip in 2017. Celebrating Christmas in June in Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity was awe-inspiring. Singing "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem", receiving Holy Communion and worshipping the King in the actual cave of His birth and the opportunity to go down to the grotto where a star is embedded in the floor that recognizes the actual birthplace of our Savior. We bent low to touch or kiss the star. It was a profoundly emotional and spiritual experience. Our guide said, "Say thank You, Jesus, for my salvation!" We did.

So what about that innkeeper? I've always thought he must have lived with regrets for turning down the “royal” family to stay in his inn. He appears to be cold-hearted. After all, he's the guy that shut the door on Joseph and Mary, right? I read this beautiful contradiction to that mindset by Jeff Taylor.

"I had never thought much about the innkeeper. He is depicted in Christmas stories and pageants generally in one of two ways. Either he closes his door in the faces of the couple, or he shows them around back to the stables with the animals. What is the truth about the innkeeper?

None of the biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus even mentions the innkeeper. In fact, the only reference to a manger or an inn is in the Book of Luke. “And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke.2:7). On the basis of that single sentence, we convict the innkeeper of shutting Jesus out. Perhaps we have been too hard on him.

I think the innkeeper is an improbable hero. He had no reason to know that the strangers at his door were about to bring the Messiah into the world. Had he known, perhaps he would have made room for them, but that would have meant that some other weary travelers would need to be displaced. Yet, rather than making excuses, the innkeeper was resourceful, and gave what he could give -- not a room or even a corner in his already crowded inn, but the stable (or cave) that demonstrates that the King of the world is at home with the humblest of the humble.

The arrival of the long-expected Messiah stood out in contrast to peoples’ expectations. He did not come in a manner befitting of a king. No pomp and circumstance, no great earthquake, no thunder and lightning, no burning bush, but anonymously and humbly. Jesus born in those surroundings would grow up to teach us to believe the unbelievable, to be prepared for the unexpected, and that the poor and meek will occupy a prominent place in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Less prominent than even the lowly shepherds and animals, the innkeeper is neither mentioned by the writers of the Gospel nor placed in the crèches that adorn our mantels and tables during Christmastime. Rather, he was and is behind the scenes, humbly and anonymously playing a major part in God’s great plan. He serves as a reminder to us that God uses what we have. Perhaps we should be more like the innkeeper.

Dear God, please give me the compassion of the innkeeper. Even when circumstances indicate that I have used up everything I have to give, give me the courage to stand out in contrast to the status quo, and the awareness and the resourcefulness to make room for Christ. Amen."

Thanksgiving? Advent? Christmas? Bah Humbug!!

I’m still in the thanks-giving and gratitude-living afterglow. BTW, I’ve loved seeing your Thanksgiving family photos. Beautiful families. Incredible displays of tables set with perfection. But, you may be one saying “Pleassse, no more Thanksgiving talk! No more cozy family photos.” I know not everyone can join the thanks-giving bandwagon!

You may be one not-so-invested in the holidays when it seems everyone else gets their holly-jolly-selves on! They're cheerful, happy, all caught up in their blessing moods while you are in the middle of bailing water out of your boat. You’re holding your breath that one more thing doesn’t capsize your boat and you go under. You may be one who dreads this time of the year as it holds so many memories past and you’re so very lonely. Or it is the season that reminds you that you don’t have very much or nothing at all to buy gifts for others – though you’re a “giver” and it breaks your heart that you can’t give.

I know not everyone is able to get into the “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” singing, dancing and ringing jingle bells or dreaming of a white Christmas. Your hope has been lost from the heaviness of the weight you are carrying. I know that because I know what those weights look and feel like. I’ve been there. Even as I type this blog today, I’m thinking of some dear family members and friends who are carrying, what seem to be, enormous weights of hopelessness.

Here comes the lessons we learn again from Paul the Apostle who had the right to tell us what gratitude and hope looks like because he sure knew heavy weights. He said: “We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Hope does not disappoint us, because God poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us.” Romans 5:2-5

We can be thankful, even in hardship, because our future is based on God’s love, not on our present situation. We may experience temporary hardships but they all came TO PASS. The phrase “it came to pass” occurs again and again in the Old Testament. “It came to pass” describes events in history and even our own experiences. “It came to pass” reminds us that these tough times are soon over; they come, but they "come to pass." We may not always realize it, but it is always true. I know this scripture is true – I lived it. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5) Some of those nights were long, long nights, but they came to pass and they did pass. Wounds heal. Heartbreak mends. Tears cease. A new day dawns. A new sunrise dispels the darkness. Despair loses its hold. Grief is replaced with hope. It came to pass.

Being positive and faith-filled takes discipline. Can I hear a big “AMEN”? We can do this. Gratitude is in us. Let’s not waste this season with worry. Let’s not live in regret. Let’s not miss out on THIS day that He made with you and me in mind. Because this day – came to pass. We’ll never get this day back. And this Advent and Christmas will never come again. This is our opportunity to look up with hope and expectation that something good is about to happen. As we embrace the journey of a young, courageous girl and a supportive, noble man to the town of Bethlehem, may we too, take a journey of faith and hope that “Joy to the World” and joy to you and me dispels the darkness around us and the brightness of the Star of Bethlehem brightens our own little world with hope and joy. Isn’t it worth the effort to take the journey that might change everything?

“This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

I’m Still Under the Influence

Yesterday my grandson came over to help me get all my Christmas tubs back down so I can start reorganizing and filling them back up with all my Christmas treasures. But, this morning I’m still under the influence of Christmas and want it to last a little longer. Of course, my family tradition is to keep all the Christmas décor up until after Epiphany (January 6th) when the Magi came to the home of the Holy Family in Jerusalem so I’ll not use those tubs just yet.

I scanned the news headlines and was appalled by the rancor going on about our beautiful first lady. This time it was negativity about the shoes she wore while visiting the troops in Iraq! Lord, have mercy! I quickly shut down those stories because I felt a knot in my tummy! I was suddenly under the influence of the negativity of the world instead of under the influence of the love and light of Christmas.

In June 2017, I was blessed to go on a trip to the Holy Lands. It was a trip of a lifetime and during this wonderful time of the year the memories of so many holy places are stirred up within me. On the bus, as we made our way to Bethlehem, we sang "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem". The "littleness" was made real to us as Bethlehem really is a very small town. We celebrated "Christmas" in the Church of the Nativity. How meaningful it was to sing "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", receive Holy Communion and worship the King in the actual cave of Christ's birth.

Just think of it -- God, from the beginning of time Who created everything, was born in that cave. We were among many Christian pilgrims from around the world who came to pay tribute and honor to God for the birth of His Son there. Truly a STAR was born when Christ was born, and we made our way down to the grotto via narrow stairs to get inside the quiet cave where a star is embedded in the floor that recognizes the actual place of the birth of our Savior. In our deepest humility and thanksgiving for the Star of all Stars, we had to bend low to touch or kiss that star. "Bending low" seems the operative word for bowing before our Creator to give Him our worship and praise. It was a profoundly emotional and spiritual experience, to say the least -- the birthplace of our Savior over 2000 years ago. Our guide said, "Say thank You, Jesus, for my salvation!" We did.

Back to the start of this post and being “under the influence”. We have been "under the influence" of He Who is the originator of joy, peace, and love, so, of course, we are "high" on all that this beautiful season has held. At the announcement of Jesus' birth, the shepherds were under the influence of the angels. The magi were under the influence of HOPE and the Star they saw in the East. I, too, have been “under the influence” of this beautiful season where I heard God's voice in the music and in the lights shining so brightly and in my friends and family as we opened our hearts to His love.

No one has influenced and changed the world the way Jesus has done. And under His influence, more lives have been positively changed than by anyone else in history. People who encounter the risen Christ are totally transformed. Their outlook on life is altered forever. Many devote their lives to serving others, minimizing their own needs and desires -- all because of Christ's influence on them.

I don’t want to be counted among those who are under the influence of negativity and hatred and, quite frankly, the enemy of our souls. My desire is to always check out what, or WHO is influencing me. AND, what does MY influence look like in impacting others in a positive way? Perhaps it's time we all took a trip to the cave or stable. It just might be that we'll be influenced by the precious baby in the manger and we'll have a "STABLE" influence, not just in our own lives, but all those we influence, too.

Heaven Sent and Heaven's Scent

I have several friends who have recently welcomed new babies into their homes Oh, how they must relate to the Baby Boy born in Bethlehem at this time of the year. I sure did, when my baby girl was born on December 8th. I’ve told each of those friends how much I want to get my hands on their angels. Most of all – to smell their “heaven’s scent”. Don’t you love that smell? After all, that's where those precious little angels came from, so of course, they still carry the scent of heaven on them. And, how I love kissing those "heavenly" little faces. I just can't help myself. There is something indescribable in the face of a baby -- that subconscious awareness of the heart and face of God.

Don’t you know how astounded Mary must have been to hold her newborn baby and when it came to “heaven’s scent” – that was an understatement. Mark Lowery’s song, “Mary Did You Know” asked the question “Mary did you know that when you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God?”

Morgan Weistling, the artist of this amazing painting of Mary and Baby Jesus said: “I started to contemplate the awesome privilege that Mary was given, being able to hold God in her arms, but also keeping in mind that He was still her baby. This cute little child whom she bore was also God in the flesh. And yet, she cuddled and kissed Him, just as all mothers do with their babies. This thought propelled me right into this painting which I wanted to be a very human representation of divinity. My prayer is that the viewer will be struck, as I am, with the amazing way that God chose to send His Son into this world — in pure humility.”

As precious as little babies are, especially Baby Jesus, anyone who carries God's light within them, also has the "face of God", and especially those who let that LIGHT shine through them to others. Nothing explains that better than when I saw the incredible volunteers at Operation Care’s Birthday Party for Jesus on December 15th.

Anyone who stops to give a hug or a loving touch to someone that is hurting has the face of God. I believe it's in the one who serves at a food pantry or homeless shelter or hospital or nursery worker, church leader and caregivers of every kind -- anyone who volunteers their time and reaches out and touches someone less fortunate. Those are the ones who are obviously the face of God in our world. Mother Teresa had more wrinkles than anyone I've ever seen, but she had more love in her, and had the most beautiful face of God, giving His love as she touched so many.

Especially at this special time of year, isn't it time, we put on our "Game Face" -- our "God Face" that others see Him in us? They recognize "God's Face" on us. Isn't it time we lived on purpose to be "His face" to a dying, hurting world and show them LOVE in ACTION -- after all, we were all made in HIS IMAGE -- and that image is what this world needs so much? Indeed, "To love others, is to see the FACE OF GOD".

The World Needs a STABLE Influence

In June, an item on my bucket list, “Take a trip to the Holy Lands” was checked off. It was a trip of a lifetime and during this wonderful time of the year, the memories of so many holy places are stirred up within me. On the bus, as we made our way to Bethlehem, we sang "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem". The "littleness" was made real to us as. Bethlehem really is a very small town. We celebrated "Christmas" in the Church of the Nativity. How meaningful it was to sing "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night" there. Christmas Carols, Communion, and worshiping the King in the actual cave of Christ's birth -- made for a heavenly Christmas in June! By the way, it was a cave – not a stable. That's where most animals were kept back then.

Just think of it -- God, from the beginning of time Who created everything, was born in that cave. We were among many Christian pilgrims from around the world who come to pay tribute and honor to God for the birth of His Son there. Truly a STAR was born when Christ was born, and we made our way down to the grotto via narrow stairs to get inside the quiet cave where a star is embedded in the floor that recognizes the actual place of the birth of our Savior. In our deepest humility and thanksgiving for the Star of all Stars, we had to bend low to touch or kiss that star. "Bending low" seems the operative word for bowing before our Creator to give Him our worship and praise. It was a profoundly emotional and spiritual experience, to say the least -- the birthplace of our Savior over 2000 years ago. Our guide said, "Say thank You, Jesus, for my salvation!" We did.

I started this post today with "The World Needs a Stable Influence". "Under the influence" is a phrase that is typically used in defining someone's mental or physical faculties that are impaired because they are intoxicated or on drugs. That phrase can also be used to describe those of us who are "high" on the Christmas spirit. We are "under the influence" of He Who is the originator of joy, peace, and love, so, of course, we are "high" on all that this beautiful season holds.

No one has influenced and changed the world the way Jesus has. And UNDER HIS INFLUENCE, more lives have been positively changed than by anything or anyone else in history. People who encounter the risen Christ are totally transformed. Their outlook on life is altered forever. Many devote their lives to serving others, minimizing their own needs and desires -- all because of Christ's influence on them.

At the announcement of Jesus' birth, the shepherds were under the influence of the angels. The magi were under the influence of HOPE and the Star they saw in the East. I, too, am UNDER THE INFLUENCE of this beautiful season where I hear God's voice in the music and in the squeals and delights of children. I see Him in in the lights shining so brightly and in my friends and family as we open our hearts to His love. I smell Him in the sweet aromas of holly, evergreen, cinnamon and spice. I taste Him in the yummy delicacies of fresh baked cookies and treats. I am under the influence of the REASON for this beautiful season when I hold a friend's hand, when I touch a pine cone or garland or tinsel or wrapping paper, when I write a love note to a friend or when I send them a Christmas card.

Not in the Christmas spirit this year? Then, better check out what, or WHO, is influencing you. AND, what does YOUR influence look like in impacting others in a positive way? Perhaps it's time we all took a trip to the cave or stable -- it just might be that we'll be influenced by the precious baby in the manger and we'll have a "STABLE" influence, not just in our own lives, but all those we influence, too.

Every Place We Live Can Be Bethlehem

 My post today was inspired by a dear friend and wonderful encourager, Carolyn Cline Boyle. She is radiant, joy-filled and exudes the love of Christ every time I see her. She is also one of my followers on Facebook. Her comments after my post, yesterday, were especially meaningful to me. My post was entitled "Mary, Did You Know?" This was Carolyn's comment to that post:

"Every morning your words bring me back to the meaning of this beautiful season. Life is moving so quickly, the world is so full of conflict and struggle and I need to realign my reason for being, when all this is swirling around. We have a manger scene in almost every room and I am going to take a deep breath and take time at each one with a special prayer each day. I am so blessed to have this world of faith “cocooning” me and I am so blessed to read your words, dear Donna!"

I shared those words with you not to impress you, but to impress upon you what I heard. Carolyn said she was going to take a deep breath at her manger scenes and offer a special prayer. I, too, have many nativity/manger scenes that I strategically place in my living, dining and kitchen area, but I moved them about my home to the bedrooms, office and even my bathrooms after I read her comments. I want my own journey to Bethlehem and the manger to inspire me and my visitors in every room.

When my now 16-year old granddaughter, was about 4 years old, she loved playing with all the characters in my larger nativity set. One day she started to play and baby Jesus was missing. She went into panic mode "Baby Jesus is gone. Where is Baby Jesus?" she cried. We later realized her big brother (age 5 years old at the time) had hidden baby Jesus from her. It was finally a "Silent Night, Holy Night" when Jesus was returned to His manger.

The Christmas Story is much more than a nativity set. It is a picture of how close Christ will come to us. The first stop on His itinerary was Mary's womb. Christ grew in Mary until He came out. And, Jesus gives us the same offer. "If you'll let Me, I'll move into you." He is IN us and I pray He will come out in our speech, in our actions, in our decisions. Then, not just in the manger scenes, but Bethlehem will be in every place we live, and every day we live will be a Christmas when you and I, like Mary, will deliver Christ to our world.

"Christ in YOU, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Let every heart prepare Him room.