Ben at the Inn

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JC Bunkhouse

One of my favorites from Christmas’ past—I have invited a certain inn keeper to join us this week as Christmas is upon us:

Howdy folks. I am Benjamin, the feller that owns The Inn at Bethlehem. You know the one: And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 (nasb)

Yep, it was me, but don’t think badly of me. I am not the heartless innkeeper that folks have built me up to be. No sir! Let me tell you a little about myself. I am 3rd generation in this inn with my wife, Martha. Dad built this grand three-room house for his large family back when times were good.

The main room includes the cooking and living area as well as a bed in the corner for me and the wife. The two other rooms are what you today might call bed and breakfast to be rented out.

Bethlehem is a small friendly village about 6 miles south of Jerusalem. Sometimes, folks just come by here to escape that big city living over in Jerusalem! Most every night we’d have at least a guest or two, and we even have folks come back! Martha cooks a good breakfast!

Then came along that foolish census the governor dreamed up. It’s just a way for the Roman government to get more money out of us, nothin’ more! Anyway, people from all over the country-side flooded Bethlehem that week. We’re not much more than a one inn town, but we put families in the rooms, and we had to talk to them about taking on two more families in each room. We even put four other families in the main room with us that night.

I reckon I got out of bed what seemed like 50 times, steppin’ over sleeping bodies to get to the door. I’d open the door and have to say, “Sorry folks, no more room.”

And then there was that knock at the door that I’ll never forget. His name was Joseph. He told me he and his wife Mary were down from Nazareth and that his wife was gonna have a baby real soon. Well, I could see by lookin’ she was fixin’ to have that child

“I can put you up in the barn,” I told ‘em. I shooed most of the animals outside to make for that special family. And Joseph said, “We sure are mighty grateful to you, sir.”

I helped Joseph get Mary a bed of clean hay and he wrapped her in a blanket. I then went and fetched my Martha so she could help with the new Baby bein’ born. The first thing I knew, Martha was telling us that it was a boy and His name was Jesus. She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and handed Him to Mary.

Well, the cattle were now softly lowing and I went back to bed, but I soon heard a ruckus from the barn. I went out to see, and I saw a bunch of smelly old shepherds kneeling down on the filthy barn floor as if they were praying. The oldest one was saying something to Joseph about angels and the Messiah. And the rest of them just knelt there with their heads bowed; some had tears running down their faces. I knelt down, too. And I watched, and prayed, and listened to the older shepherd recount his story …the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying. “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:10-14 (nasb)

Mylifewasforeverchanged that night because I met Jesus. I invite you to know Jesus wherever you are! Merry Christmas! Go tell others!

Choose Jesus, choose life! And find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’ for HIS HARVEST! And y’all KEEP PRAYIN’ for RAIN! Amen