Luke 2:1-7 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. ESV
Dispelling some myths about the birth of Christ:
Jesus was born the night Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem
Most likely they were there for some time. It just says "while they were there."
The Inn was like Motel 6
(probably a spare room in a house - word not typically used for an Inn) The only other time the Greek word kataluma is used is to describe the upper room in Luke 22:11. Often animals were actually kept on a first floor room of a house to keep them safe and warmer. Sleeping quarters were on the second floor.
Now if it had been a hotel and if these events had occurred today, just imagine Joseph’s difficulties securing a place for the Messiah’s birth:
"Welcome to the Inn at Bethlehem, where every night is a silent night."
"Hi my name is Joseph of Nazareth and I �"
"Your call is very important to us, please stay on the line and we’ll be with you shortly."
"Hello, my name is Rob, how may I help you?"
"I need a room for the night. You see we just arrived in town and my wife �"
"Do you have a reservation?"
"Um, no, I don’t. You see we just arrived for the Census and my wife is about to have �"
"I am very sorry to inform you that due to the Census we have no rooms available."
"Yes, but you see my wife is carrying the Messiah and she is about to �"
"You say your wife is the Messiah? Please hold for my supervisor."
"Hello, this is Rob, what seems to be the problem?"
"Well, as I was telling the other, um, Rob, we need a room to have a baby."
"I am sorry to inform you that due to the Census all rooms are full. Have you tried the Holiday Inn?"
"Yes, everyone seems to be full. You’re our last hope."
"I’m sorry sir, we are overbooked � wait, I do have something, but � no, you wouldn’t like it."
"At this point I’ll take anything."
"Well, for some reason I see an availability for a giant wooden crèche. This room features straw, a manager and animals."
"That’d be perfect. I’ll take it."
"Fine, sir. How many in your party?"
"Well there’s me, my wife Mary, and by the time the evening is over there’ll be a third, the baby Jesus."
"Your wife is in labor, sir?"
"Well, yes, she is, but we �"
"Hold please."
"Hello, 9-1-1, please state the nature of your emergency �"
The shepherds and wisemen were all at the stable at the same time (wise guys came when Jesus was a small child)
Jesus was born on December 25th?
Possible but unlikely. It was cold for the sheep and for travel. One likely scenario was that he was born in September along with the feast of Booths. But his conception could have taken place in late December.
When I think about the time when Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem with all the crowds-here they were two young people (Mary could have been as young as 14) trying to have a baby. They must have been frightened, nervous, anxious, and perhaps wanted a more private place. There is a lot of conjecture over whether there was no room in the guest chamber of a private house, or a public Inn-whether this was in a cave, an open square inside a courtyard, or a shack alongside of a building.
They needed a place alone where they could deal with a life-consuming event-the birth of a baby. I got to thinking about them out there, perhaps listening to the crowds inside, watching the firelight play through the windows. They must have felt somewhat distant and detached from the world around them.
In some ways, do our homes more closely resemble the Inn than the stable?
" Throngs of people arrive, crowding the living room, the kitchen, and the family room-a big family celebration.
" Out of town relatives fill the bedrooms
" Presents fill up the space around the tree to overflowing
" Loud talking and music fill the spaces between conversations
" Thoughts of presents fill everyone’s minds.
" We stress because we eat too much
" We stress that we might not have bought the right gift or remembered everyone on our list
" We stress that the house looks just right and everyone has what they need.
In Bethlehem, while everyone gathered in a family reunion, one couple’s accommodations were outside with the animals. While the inside might have been full of light and noise and gaiety, outside (or downstairs) it was quiet (other than at the birth itself), dark and somewhat lonely.
Why do I bring this up? Am I anti-Christmas parties and family gatherings? Absolutely not. Am I anti-presents? No.
But as you are in the midst of all the busyness and hubbub, remember that the real drama of Christmas, the real meaning of this season, may be happening not in the middle of the commotion at the Inn, but out in the stable, in the quiet place.
What does this mean to us? My encouragement is to take a little time out just for yourself and God. It might be late at night after a busy day of work and shopping. It might be a time out when you just dial back your mind and let it focus on the coming of the Son of God. Detach yourself from the busy season for a time and reflect.
And in that time I’d like to suggest this verse for that meditation:
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; (this gift was for your personally)
and the government shall be upon his shoulder, (God will bear your burdens and worries)
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (He is our shoulder, our Rescuer, our Papa, and our peace)
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it (he will never leave you)
with justice and with righteousness (God is good and fair)
from this time forth and forevermore. (what God is doing will never end)
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (God will give you all you could ever need!)
For more information on the stable/Inn go to: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-abr/abr-a012.html
For more Bible studies, visit our website at: www.CalvaryChapelNewberg.org
