The Innkeeper

Many senior moments occur when suddenly we remember something from our past. I had completely forgotten until I dug through my files looking for something about Christmas. I discovered an old program which I had penned called The Innkeeper. It brought back a flood of memories, moments I had entirely forgotten. Here is a little of how it went way back when.

ACT II

INNKEEPER (sings) No room, only a manger of hay, No room, nary a stranger can stay. No room, I’m sad to say. Go away, no room, no room, no room.

JOSEPH My good man, we need a room tonight. My wife is exhausted and her little one is due.

INNKEEPER Yes, I see that. You’re from the North, aren’t you?

JOSEPH Nazareth.

INNKEEPER Nazareth. Never been there. I’m terribly sorry but I just leased the last room. Two minutes ago and you would have been in luck.

JOSEPH I understand. Is there another inn in Bethlehem?

INNKEEPER I’m afraid they are full, too. But you can try if you wish. Good luck. (His daughter appears at the door and speaks up).

DAUGHTER Daddy. Daddy. You can’t turn them away. It’s going to get chilly tonight.

INNKEEPER But we don’t have any more rooms.

DAUGHTER I know. If I had a room . . .

INNKEEPER But you don’t have a room. We rented it.

DAUGHTER I know what! They can have the stable. It’s warmer in there than here in the house.

INNKEEPER Well, I don’t know (daughter leads Mary and Joseph to the stable).

JOSEPH Thank you, young lady. We’ll mange quite well I’m sure.

DAUGHTER Do you think it’ll be a boy or a girl?

JOSEPH A boy.

DAUGHTER A boy? Are you sure, Mister?

JOSEPH Positive. You can see him in the morning. (Mary and Joseph enter the stable) . . .

The drama continued. I read on saying to myself, Did I write that? Maybe back then I had a greater imagination. But then, don’t we all have an imagination? Sometimes it seems to get us into trouble, but life without an imagination would be pretty dull.

We think many thoughts about the innkeeper in Bethlehem so long ago. Was he hard-nosed, callous, insensitive? Was he truly sorry he had no room for these sojourners who had come so far under such difficult circumstances just to pay their taxes? Did he have a lovely, thoughtful daughter who willingly gave up her room to an earlier traveler? Did she run out to the stable early in the morning to see if it really were a boy?

As we look about us, we do see there are a lot of imaginations working overtime at Christmas. This can be good or not so good. If it obscures the real meaning of Christmas, it is most unfortunate. If it enriches our Christmas experience, it is most fortunate.

If Jesus were to come to your home, would you find room for Him? The ancient innkeeper did.