No room

Luke 2:1-7

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register.

 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Have you ever needed to book a hotel room when some major event was taking place near where you were trying to book a room?  Right now I’m actually trying to make some reservations for the weekend that my niece will be getting married in February.  Turns out that besides being the weekend after Valentine’s Day, there is also a big tournament in town so rooms are harder to come by than if we were going the weekend after.  The prices are up and the pickings are slim. 

Now imagine Joseph and the stress he was under as he came into Bethlehem to register for the census.  Here he was, unable to book a room before getting there, going inn to inn, looking for a place to stay.  He has with him his bride-to-be that is about to go into labor. 

Then you have an inn keeper that really wants to help but he has no room.  He clearly saw that not helping was not an option.  So he sets them up with the only place he could find, a stable.  At least there, they would be sheltered from any weather. 

What are you stressing over today?  Nothing is too big for God!  Take it to him today.  Allow him to provide that shelter that you need.