The Story Of The Two Inns - Christmas Glory – A Christmas Meditation Series

THE STORY OF THE TWO INNS

CHRISTMAS GLORY – A CHRISTMAS MEDITATION

The first part of this message called, “Christmas Glory – A Christmas Meditation,” I have already posted but I have added to that part and then extended it to include a second half. The title is now, “The Story of the Two Inns”.

Let us begin with a little poem. This is an acrostic poem with Bethlehem the theme.

CHRISTMAS GLORY

[C]. Christ was born in Bethlehem one starry summer night;

[H]. Huddled in a manger’s space with animals in sight.

[R]. Rejects from a comfort inn, they were in God’s own care,

[I]. In safety kept by angels where evil would not dare.

[S]. Shepherds were the heralds of a message most supreme -

[T]. To God, glory in the highest; Christ is heaven’s theme.

[M]. Mary, the appointed one, set for the Saviour’s birth,

[A]. And blessed among women who have ever lived on earth.

[S]. Sent by angels, shepherds came to greet the Christ child’s peace.

===========================================

[G]. Glory to God in the highest, where joy will increase.

[L]. Love of God that sent the Saviour, shone with heaven’s light;

[O]. Ordained by God in human flesh, Jesus gives us sight.

[R]. Rejoice in this eternal fact – “Good news of great joy.”

[Y]. Your eternal salvation – none can ever destroy.

===========================================

Ron Ferguson 14 December 2025 13 throughout AA etc.

[A]. THERE WAS NO ROOM AT THE INN

The Christmas story is well known and I want only these few verses – {{Luke 2:4-7 “Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and family of David in order to register, along with Mary who was engaged to him and was with child. It came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth and she gave birth to her first-born son, and she wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN.”}}

I just wonder if Joseph and Mary were staying in Bethlehem for a day or two, or if they went there to register then would return home. The straight line distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem is 111 km but the walking distance is about 150 km. Mary and Joseph would have to have covered that distance on foot while she was full term pregnant. That’s how it was in those days.

In any case labour came and she needed a place but there was no room in the inn. A manger had to do for the birth.

They were not rejected from the inn but there was no room probably because of the visitors in Bethlehem for the census. All the rooms were occupied.

Some people only ever think of Jesus at Christmas time, and even then it is a passing thought, certainly with nothing extra, because to look further into it, might demand a commitment or acknowledgement of the fact.

Jesus came, not just to be a happy Christmas story in some manger 2 030 years ago, but His coming had a much deeper significance for the entire world, and we must be serious here – His coming has the deepest significance for eternity. By the Lord Jesus Christ, men will stand or fall.

Jesus Himself gave the reason why he came to this earth from the glory of heaven – {{John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I CAME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND MIGHT HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY.”}}

It is this abundant life God wants to impart to every man and woman but not one will be coerced or forced. As Christ came into the world willingly, so then must mankind turn willingly to God in repentance for salvation.

I said a bit earlier that Christ’s coming has the deepest significance for eternity. There are only two positions in this matter and my favourite prophet sets them out – {{Jeremiah 21:8 You shall also say to this people, “Thus says the LORD, Behold, I SET BEFORE YOU THE WAY OF LIFE AND THE WAY OF DEATH.”}}. Those who refuse the Child of Bethlehem pursue the way of death, but those who commit to Him as personal Saviour, walk the way of life.

There is not another way. There are only two. To reject Jesus Christ is to adopt the way of death. The world in general likes to keep Jesus in the manger, happy about that, because all He said as a Man is too compelling for them. In the manger is out of sight, and out of sight, means no commitment necessary. It is the greatest delusion of the devil.