The Innkeeper’s Nativity

One of the reasons I love the Bible stories and the Nativity one dominates this time of year is that I see the scene and problems in them. Take the Inn with no room. Here is the poor innkeeper turning people away. All kinds of people, ones that ask ‘Do you know who I am,’ and ones that plead. He tries to turn Joseph and Mary away Mary is pregnant and his wife insists they can stay. All right but they’re no sooner in, than a bunch of smelly shepherds come knocking with dogs that bark and sniff all over. They’ve just gone when three kings with their whole retinue arrive. He can’t just get rid of them, can he? Too important! But when they leave they tell the inn keeper Herod mustn’t find out!! Shepherds and kings and the neighbours must have heard something and Herod cuts people’s heads off. How does the innkeeper feel – he wishes he’d sold out to that Samaritan last year!
Sullatober