Concordia Choir: This Little Light of Mine (Moses Hogan)
Mary 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. (Luke 2:7)
It staggers the mind to think of it. Even ignoring the fact that the child to be born is God Almighty in the flesh, it is a shocking tale. A woman in labor finds no comfortable home, no welcoming family to dote over her, not even an inn where she can give birth. At least someone has a level of compassion for them: a place with the animals was at least shelter.
With homes and rooms overflowing, at least they found some place and were not out in exposed fields.
Consciences recoil, do they not? We rightly wonder how the people in Bethlehem could turn away a couple in such need. How could they do this? But that question might also prick consciences. How often do my skeptical, jaded eyes fail to really see the needy? How often is my own charity hindered for fear of falling for a scam, or that my charity might enable harmful choices?
It is easy to turn away the needy. Perhaps we don’t even consider the idea that God may have given them to us precisely so we can know the joy of sharing his blessings. Indeed, do we even consider the possibility that God might be hidden there—in the poor? Surely we would have done better than the people of Bethlehem. But if Joseph had knocked on my door, would I have even let him use my shed?
Our Lord does come to us this season in gentleness and humility. He doesn’t come to force his way in or to demand our love and service. Rather, he comes to bless. And he keeps coming. Maybe we have turned him away. Perhaps we have thought there was no room for him in our lives. But he keeps coming. He does not come in need, but in blessing. He doesn’t come seeking hospitality, but offering God’s gracious welcome.
On Christmas night, that humble stable became the throne room of God, the holy Temple where he came to bless, the very place where humanity could look upon the face of God and see our redeemer.
And he comes to us again. Let every heart prepare him room.