Luke 2:6-7 KJV
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she 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.

No room in an inn, is often them of these two verses, but it also the story of no room in our hearts for Christ. We deny not a royal heir his birth, only the location of it not being a palace or the Temple for that matter. One would think that special arrangements for such a birth would have be preplanned, decided by the royal's family, instead one sees one traveling down a road into the town of Bethlehem, knocking on the doors asking if there is room in the inn to sleep. Perhaps knowing Mary's time had come, Joseph was seeking a quieter location for the birth of a child. Perhaps because of the procedure of birth, the straw as a bed, and swaddling cloth more useful for the event of child birth. Clean up of the mess from giving birth, would of been far easier this way. Yet scripture is clear there is no room in the inn. Very clear the place of travelers was taken and only place was an barn. In fact scripture does not say a barn, that is assumption and legend passed on because of the manger that Jesus is placed in. Yet we also depict one thing that the manger was not outside in a yard but in a barn. Yet I thinking of the pictures of the old west and places they tethered their horses too, might of been even a manger there. Today we get these images of outdoor manger scenes because to put the image in a barn, no one would see it, perhaps not. Our assumptions can be misleading, but are they. Traditions handed down have value even in the Christmas story even if not so accurate for the time period. The idea of at the minimum of a barn is nice an cosy image for those of us love the smell of fresh hay, and grains. Yet to some the idea of a barn animal being so close to a human birth could sound disgusting, and Jesus is called the Lamb of God. Has our world view changed to the point that we fail to understand Joseph was carpenter, a makeshift sanctuary could of been made as well and the manger tied to the donkey when traveling. Yet the manger was big enough for Joseph and Mary to abide in with their son. The truth is they would of traveled maybe several days to Bethlehem from Nazareth and where did Mary and Joseph sleep? What all did that donkey carry, and was it possible for a carpenter to have had knowledge to design a sanctuary for his wife and his Savior. Read the continual scripture verse and you see hopefully my line of thinking.

It may of been a tent with a manger. We assume without knowledge that the barn is part of the story. It is a nice thought, but in reality was there a barn or may a makeshift shelter, something easily errected when on the rode. The idea of a room in an inn for comfort for Mary, and yet I think perhaps this place where our Savior was born was in full view of his heavenly Father, creator of all the earth. He was seeing life of his creation once more come forth from the womb of Mary. His eyes within the walls of a stable, or the walls of shelter created by Joseph. Thou we are taught by tradition, the manger in greek is either a cradle or manger. Tents would of been popular when traveling on the road.Yet we want to place our Lord in a shelter in a soft and warm environment fit for a king. A stable without horses would had a stall in which to house the king. So by tradition we see a barn, and not by tradition one might see a hand built shelter for Joseph's queen, and the new born king.

Where is our heart for Jesus, is he within it, or are we content to put Jesus in a shelter outside our heart. Are we content to say no room in this inn, at the knocking of Jesus on our hearts door? All travelers already teaching me to sin. I hope not. I hope that you bring Christ into your heart and soul, to allow him in this Christmas season and not out in the cold. Perhaps you see the need not of Christ in your heart, but are content for the poor of this world in material possessions to house Christ in their heart, where warm straw bed is a place for Jesus to sit in. A place to arise in the heart of the those with little hope, beyond their faith, where true miracles seem to happen in their life, as rich watch, the middle class wonder, and yet the poor know that faith and hope in Christ is simple enough anyone can do it, but not everyone believes. Those that are middle class, or rich must come just like the poor, with a grain of mustard seed of faith that will grow into a beautiful tree that ministers to the birds and critters that are around it. The testimony of faith begins with a seed, that grows larger then life. Not by our power but the power of the Holy Spirit who teaches us what is of God, the story of God in our lives, and allows us to reach full maturity of faith, knowing the reality of Christ his Son and the hope of glory. From the manger, to the cross, and the grave to the resurrection, we fall on our knees knowing Christ lives and continues within our heart through eternity if we only believe. Do not be like the innkeeper and say there is no room, be like the barn or outdoor shelter where Christ was born.

Let us this Christmas make preparation to house Christ in our hearts by repenting of our sin and asking Jesus into our heart. Only thing required is belief to receive and repentance is a part of the change that must come to all that believe because Christ lives with in us. Christ by his Spirit will sweep the heart clean. Allowing him to sweep your heart clean.

Dear Heavenly Father, those of us that seem to hold your son, know the value of the gift that first Christmas, but those who do not have that decision to make, and I ask Lord you open their heart to receive Christ this Christmas, to allow you to purge and clean their heart by your word. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Luke 2:12 KJV
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Luke 2:16 KJV
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Revelation 3:14-22 KJV
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.