Inside-Out Hospitality

I enjoy Christmas-themed dramas in church, especially when performed by children. This past Sunday, it was one of them, the one about the night of the birth of Jesus. The interpretation of Luke 2:7 was quite interesting. They showed Joseph and a very heavy Mary moving from one inn to the next but everyone said they didn't have space. Some were polite and others very rude. The Bible does not give an exact reason why there was no lodging available but were you in those days, would you have had room for Jesus?

She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. (NLT).

I can think of some reasons why they had no lodging. Let’s explore a few of them (and maybe how to overcome them in the future).

1: There was really no space: There was a census going on and many people moved making it possible that everywhere was full. While this sounds like a valid reason, I think seeing someone in such a state and denying it seems weird. I remember when my dad would host a lot more people than our house could hold, and we would have to give up our choice rooms to make the guests comfortable and we would sleep in the living room. At first, I felt it was unfair. After all, we are his children and should be treated better. Little did I know that was a powerful lesson on hospitality.

2: They were scared: I know I would! People who know me often say I have a very wild imagination, and I would have probably thought they were armed robbers camouflaging as a couple in distress. Rightly so! There have been a lot of cases like that, so it’s not just in my imagination. However, I believe the Holy Spirit gives us discernment (Isaiah 30:21) and if we are keen enough, we will know when it’s a trap or not (I have a story to share on this someday). Another scare could be ehhhh…what if she gives birth in my house! Where do I even begin?

3: They didn’t feel they had enough to share: Hosting such a couple could have meant they would have to share their ‘last’ meal. It’s just something they did not plan and did not fit their limited resources. God is the Source and Rewarder and He says give and it will come back to you (Luke 6:38).

4: They were ashamed of the state of their home: The house was probably scattered or in a state, they did not think they would like others to see. Christ-like hospitality does not have to be perfect, it just needs to be available.

Christ-like hospitality does not have to be perfect, it just needs to be available.

5: Too busy or preoccupied with their own stuff: Too busy to notice Mary was pregnant or they probably dealing with the loss of a baby and did not want a harsh reminder. Matthew 11:28-29 tells us to come to Him when weary and heavy-laden and He will give us rest. It’s difficult to help someone when you are down yourself. But you are not without help.

6: They probably looked down on them: I think the story would have been different is they had been a rich or popular couple. You know, the kind we were sure would return the favor. Roms 2: 11 says God shows no partiality. So, neither should we.

You do not have to wait for ‘Jesus’ Himself to show up at your door before being able to make room for Him. It is in our everyday living.

⁴² For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. ⁴³ I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ ⁴⁴ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’⁴⁵ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ (Matthew 25:42-45)

Jesus is also knocking at the doors of our hearts every day. I hope our hearts are not too filled for him. I pray we are not scared, too ashamed or too busy/preoccupied to listen and open the door. 

Rev 3:20  “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

If you have not given your life to Jesus, and you want to do so, open your heart and invite Him in. 

Merry Christmas!