We have all grown up understanding the Christmas story. Jesus is born in the stable, the cattle are lowing, the shepherds are gazing, the poor baby sleeps. But do you have any idea how close it came to being very different? Just think about it for a moment.
What if Joseph had made a reservation at the Bethlehem Inn, but had lost his spot because he showed up a day late? After all, the roads were not all straight and narrow, and donkeys can be a bit fickle now and again. And imagine all the bathroom breaks poor Mary would have asked for. Being pregnant, a full bladder and jostling along on a donkey? That would not be pleasant for anyone! Or maybe they made one too many stops at Cracker Barrel along the way. But what if all those delays had NOT occurred and Joseph and Mary arrived on time for their reservation at the Inn? What would our Christmas story look like today?
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Joseph and Mary arrive in Bethlehem on the evening of December 23rd, right on schedule. The Innkeeper welcomes them at the front door and offers them a complementary cookie for their troubles. He then shows them to their room on the second floor. He says that it’s the last available room with a queen size straw mattress and a full view 52” window for star gazing. The Innkeeper comments that the stars have been particularly bright these past few days, so the view should be really nice.
The next day, Joseph and Mary visit Joseph’s family who have gathered for the census, and then head back to the Inn when Mary taps Joseph on the arm saying she’s tired and not feeling well. Then, right on schedule, Mary’s labor begins. Joseph is doing his best to keep her comfortable, but soon there is a knock at the door. It’s the Innkeeper, and he’s not happy. He’s receiving complaints about screaming coming from their room. Joseph quickly explains the situation and then the Christmas miracles begin.
From up and down the hallway, women appear from their rooms and come quickly to help. They all shush Joseph out of the room and tend to Mary. The Innkeeper invites Joseph, and all the other men, downstairs to the dining hall and he pours glasses of wine for everyone. Poor Joseph keeps looking up the stairs, hearing Mary’s cries, but has to wait with the other men. A few of the older men come over to offer words of experience and encouragement.
Finally, one of the women comes to the head of the stairs and announces that the baby is born, that it’s a boy and all is well. A cheer goes up in the hall, and another round is poured, as Joseph bounds up the stairs to see his son. Joseph is overcome with emotion as he holds the newborn child for the first time. He and Mary hear a strange noise that sounds like angels on high and look out the 52” window, but only see a sky full of stars. One looks brighter than the rest, but in their exhaustion, they don’t make much of it.
About two hours later, there’s another knock at the door. It’s the Innkeeper again. Joseph needs to come with him as there is another disturbance, this time at the front door. Poor Joseph drags himself down the stairs and is led to the front door of the Inn. There, taking up the entire street are twelve shepherds, and all their sheep. The Innkeeper explains he has his limits, and this smelly bunch are most assuredly not coming into his Inn.
Joseph steps outside and asks them, “Shepherds, why this jubilee?” The shepherds explain that they heard angels sweetly singing o'er the plains and that they had been told to come to Bethlehem and see, him whose birth the angels sing. Joseph is astounded at this but tells them all to wait right there. He runs back inside and tells Mary what is happening. So, groggy as she is, she grabs the baby and brings him downstairs so the shepherds can see him. All the other guests are hanging out their windows watching this incredible sight. Then, at the sight of Jesus, all the shepherds fall to their knees, and everyone who sees it is amazed. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
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Yes, this is very different from the Christmas story we know and love. But if it WERE the real story, what would we say are the miracles of Christmas? Helpfulness? Hospitality? Generosity? Seems like those would be very good lessons to learn and to share about the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Every day.