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."

Joy to the Fishes in the Deep Blue Sea

Joy to the world – all the boys and girls. Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me! Blast from the past. That’s a couple of lines from 1970’s, “Jeremiah was a Bull Frog” sung by the band, Three Dog Night! Has really nothing to do with Christmas but “Joy to the World” sure does.

What makes us all so much more joyful this time of year? Could it be that the angel's message to the shepherds holds true for us still today? "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of GREAT JOY!" Christ is that good news that no matter how dismal everything around us might be, there is always GOOD NEWS of great joy that can change everything for us.

I took that "good news" personally for my daughter. December 8th was her big 5-0 birthday. Thanks to so many who joined me in wishing her a “Happy Birthday”. She was in Florida at a 7-day conference on her birthday, but she got the message from so many friends via social media and the surprise party we gave her before she left. You can see in these photos it was more than a birthday celebration -- it was a restitution celebration.

A few months back, Staci’s son’s car was stolen from a Dallas parking garage. Traumatic enough, but not as painful as when the car was found, it had been devoured like some kind of monster movie. Every part of the car had been removed, along with the precious treasures that were in the trunk. Payton kept those treasures close by in case he got the urge to go fishing, he was prepared. Those treasures were my husband’s beloved fishing equipment: rods, tackle, vest, etc. All had been passed onto their family because they are the avid fisher-people who learned their skills from my husband aka dad aka papa. All of it was stolen in that fiasco. So, what’s a mother to do? Carry on. That’s the way I roll and my family rolls. We don’t give the enemy the upper hand by bemoaning his tactics. We don’t give up. We get up and get over it because we are too blessed otherwise.

In this case, I asked Larry (Staci’s husband) to make a list of all that was in that trunk. He did and I got to be a restitution maker. It’s one thing to have things returned; it’s a another thing to get restitution. Staci explained it in her tears while opening each item I had wrapped in “fishing” fabric (couldn’t find fishing wrapping paper). The items stolen could have been returned in their original state (some items were worn and tattered). I was able to help bring about restitution -- making up for damages or harm. Brand new items that made up for the loss. What a JOY to see my girl so full of JOY!

“The Bible tells us in Psalm 16:11 that ‘In His presence is fullness of joy.’ If we want joy in our life, we need to revisit the Nativity scene and realize that's where God's presence was experienced in the form of that tiny baby boy. That baby boy grew up and is our living King of Kings! Daily, we can experience His presence and know that GREAT JOY! We can experience it at a birthday party or a busy restaurant. We can experience it when facing a crisis or a disappointment. Joy isn't the same as happiness. Happiness is based on those ooey, gooey feelings when everything is going right. But JOY is based on the CONSTANT of He Who lives big within us. He is that GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY so we can belt out singing "Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room......" That's the key....preparing room for Him inside to be our joy-giver, and peace-maker no matter the circumstances.

Sincerely, God wants us to GET IT – about why He sent His Son Jesus -- the good tidings of great joy which is for all people. “So, here -- take that good news of great joy with you today!” And, all you little fishes in the deep blue sea, better watch out, Staci and all her fishing gear are coming to town!

Peace, Sweet Peace -- Priceless

It is possible to have peace when storms are raging around us. I know, because I've experienced that peace. When "they" say "no more hope", there's the temptation to retreat, and to run for the storm shelter. We were no storm chasers, but we did know how to outwit the storm. This is the day we were told "no more hope, call in Hospice".

My husband’s name, Ronald, means “mighty wise ruler”. He lived up to that title as he was always in some form of leadership – guiding and directing business and ministry endeavors. Though we never expected our faith journey to lead us to that day, we still had the confidence that we were in a place of divine destiny. Our all-knowing, all-seeing God, knew we would be there, and He prepared us by giving us so much peace for the journey. Two verses of scripture resonated within me. “IN EVERYTHING (even this experience), give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18) Everything -- means everything – IN this experience -- to give Him thanks. And the second scripture was St. Paul’s words, “whatever state I’m in, to be content.” (Philippians 4:11).

That morning,a dear friend brought communion to us. How sweet was the presence of our Lord as we remembered what He did for us on Calvary. And as we thanked God for His love to us, I looked at my sweetheart, lying in his hospital bed, unable to move his legs or sit up beyond a 30 degree angle – yet so at peace, so at rest in this “state” that he was in.

Then, that visual gave way to a whole new perspective. I thought about a king – how he sits on his throne and everyone, and everything, is at his beckoned command – he is fed, dressed, and given whatever he desires. I started picturing that hospital bed as a throne. Yes! That’s it! My Ronald – my mighty, wise ruler…is on his throne, being ministered to as any other king would be – his food is brought to him, he is fed, he is dressed, he is massaged, he is loved, respected and admired. Everyone wants to please and serve him. And his responsibilities were to be at peace, and listening to His King’s voice, and to pass on to us, his subjects, the wisdom of God that he heard, and I can't begin to tell you the wisdom that poured from him to us during those days. From the beginning of that faith journey, we heard the words "Be still and know that I am God". There we were -- my king was on his throne, and I was making every effort to be like "Mary" who sat at the feet of Jesus, instead of hustling and bustling like Martha did. There are no adequate words to explain the peace we were in.

Yes, we received the "hope-less" medical prognosis, but it didn't matter, we never wavered from the spot of believing for a miracle! At any given time, I wouldn't have been at all surprised if my Honey had gotten off his throne, fully healed, restored and saying, “How about going for a walk?” And as I read these words from my blog to him, he smiled at me and gave me a king’s “thumbs up”!

And, that, and this, my friends, is the way we experienced peace then, and that's how I continue to be in that peace today. "Him I will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on ME." Isaiah 26:3.
Peace, sweet peace.....PRICELESS.

Improve Your "Serve"

It’s Holy Thursday – and we recount the Last Supper when Jesus, the greatest of ALL, was servant of ALL, as He washed His disciples’ feet. He, with the towel and basin, is the KING of the universe. The same hands that shaped the earth, the stars and the moon, washed away grime and filth. He wanted his disciples to know how much He loved them. Jesus knew they were about to betray and deny Him, yet He loved and SERVED them. Such extravagant love – such excessive SERVICE. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

Christ certainly talked the TALK as He walked the WALK. He led by example. Such love -- such service! It sure inspires me to improve my “SERVE”!

Lion + Bear + Big Dude = Promotion

I posted about David and his Giant, yesterday! Just wanted to add....a P.S. to that post!

David DID win that epic battle with Goliath, but God had prepared him in the trenches, in the “small” things. David was faithful to fulfill his responsibilities. David did anything God asked him to do. When he faced the lion and the bear, he didn’t cower in fear. He knew that God had called him to the sheep, and that God would be faithful to give him the victory. That's why his faith grew as he destroyed the lion and the bear. So when the BIG DUDE came along, David already knew HIS God would defeat that giant as well.

Moral of this story: "Be faithful in the little things (those seemingly insignificant responsibilities and jobs -- like David did as a shepherd boy), then God will make you ruler of much (PROMOTE YOU!)." Luke 16:10. David eventually became King David of Israel. The sheep we protect, lead and guide (you know.....those everyday duties and responsibilities); each lion and bear we slay (everyday issues, challenges and circumstances); and each giant we take down.....are ALL a part of God's Master Plan that leads us to our destiny and purpose! He's preparing us right now and fully equipping us to be the most epic GIANT SLAYER ever! So, BIG DUDE, move out of our way! We've got your number and you're going DOWN....and WE'RE MOVING ON UP!