No Room

No Room

St. Luke 2:1-7

1 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. {taxed: or, enrolled}

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. {taxed: or, inrolled}

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. {taxed: or, inrolled}

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

This is got to be the most joyous time of the year; a time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Even though the world has commercialized Christmas and has even gone so far as to take Christ out of Christmas, it doesn’t take away the fact that over 2000 years ago, there was born in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Most of you here today have probably heard these scriptures read many times especially during Christmas season.

These scriptures are the end result of prophecies that were made hundreds of years before this event.

They are also the hope and confidence of every human being, for a Savior has come.

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

In these scriptures we find Mary and Joseph leaving their home town of Nazareth and traveling to Bethlehem for the purpose of registering for taxation.

Joseph had to register in Bethlehem because he was of the lineage of David.

The lineage denotes that he was descended from David as his father or ancestor.

In taking a Jewish census, families were kept distinct; hence all went to the place where their family had resided. Joseph was of the family of David, and hence he went up to the city of David.

It is not improbable that he might also have had a small paternal estate in Bethlehem that rendered his presence there more desirable.

But the amazing thing about all this is, that it was prophesied that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem of Judea.

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

John 7:42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

So when it came time for Mary to deliver her first born son, God preordained circumstances to occur that would direct them to Bethlehem so that prophecy could be fulfilled.

Then we read again in St. Luke chapter 2, verses 6 and 7;

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Verse 7 has been used by ministers many times and yet the message still has merit in our world today.

I really don’t have the answer as to why there was no room in the inn.

I would imagine the city was packed full of people from all over the region, there to also register for taxation.

But it makes me wonder why it appears no one offered to give this pregnant lady their room, or make room for her at least, seeing the condition she was in.

But then, things really haven’t changed much has it?

We still live in a selfish dog eat dog world today!

It seems most people are more concerned about themselves than about anyone else.

I don’t know how many inns there were in Bethlehem at the time Joseph and Mary showed up, but possibly Joseph checked every inn in town but everyone of them had no vacancy.

Couldn’t someone see the situation they were in? Couldn’t someone offer some kind of decent help?

But then Mary began to have contractions, and they came closer together, and the pain grew more intense, and she knew it was time.

I can imagine her telling Joseph, “Joe, we’ve got to find a place for this baby to be born! We can’t wait another minute! I can’t deliver out here on the street.”