No Room in the Inn

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Whenever we read the Christmas story, we are always reminded of this verse from Luke 2:7 (ESV) 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.


Isn’t intriguing to see that “there was no room in the inn” for Joseph, Mary and for the birth of baby Jesus. In the story of Christmas, we see an obedient young virgin girl Mary who was doing what God said to her through angel Gabriel. One would imagine if God has given her this task then God too would help them through it.  But the story of Christmas tells us differently. The story starts with Joseph thinking to divorce Mary, since she was pregnant, but through an angelic revelation he willingly accepts Mary. Right before the delivery of the baby, there is a decree from King Herod forcing Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem.  Travelling through the rugged terrain of Israel, they hope they will find a good place to stay. But that too becomes a challenge, as there is no room in the inn too and Mary is forced to deliver her baby Jesus in a small stable and puts her baby in the manger. Wow! If God was orchestrating this whole event, then why are there so many challenges?

Isn’t that how life is for all of us?  This year for me lot is things have gone out of control, especially in the past 3-4 months. First, my father-in law passed away, soon after a friend’s father passed away. Then my uncle who was suffering from dementia went missing for almost 36 hours in the densely populated city of Delhi. It was a miracle that he was found, otherwise he may have become homeless or even lost forever. Then my father had multiple complications and was admitted to the ICU forcing me to rush to India. Then my sister- in-law’s father passed away. Now as I write this, we have another friend’s father in a coma due to brain stroke. Indeed all of these happening simultaneously is really overwhelming. In some moments we started wondering what is God up to? There were some moments when I too failed to understand what was happening around me, even though I was walking faithfully with the Lord. For some people, like my wife and sister in law who lost their father, may feel overburdened to even think about Christmas as a day of hope, especially after losing someone who was close to them.

Looking back at the story of Mary, as she was travelling to Bethlehem, I am sure in her pregnant state, she too was distressed, exhausted and disappointed with all what was going on around her, especially when she was doing what God asked her to do. However, after Jesus was born, Luke tells us in the same chapter, 9 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. This was when she saw the grace and power of God manifest in her life and in others through Jesus.

Even today, Christmas is a time that helps people seek hope, joy, and peace no matter what is going on in their life. No matter what has happened in the past one year, can I encourage you to look up to Jesus and seek the one who promises to give us both eternal life and hope for all mankind! Then you too, like Mary, will begin to cherish all that Jesus will begin to do for you, because of His love for you and your life will be blessed.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year 2019.  

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