The innkeeper is never mentioned in the Bible, but we can assume there was one since Luke says there was no room at the inn.   If this were a theatrical production, we’d call on a minor character to add some dramatic license at this point. Joseph and Mary were ordered to return to the city of their lineage to be counted in the first census. The little town of their ancestor David was almost a hundred miles from Nazareth, and it meant traveling through rocky terrain – the possibility of being attacked by Samaritans – and Mary was going to have her baby any minute.

Their means of transportation was a donkey and sandal power.  They were tired – hungry – and Mary was great with child.    You would think with all the relatives coming to this huge family reunion – there would be one that would open their home. As a final resort they turned to the town inn.  By this time, Bethlehem was overflowing with visitors.  The innkeeper was undoubtedly relishing in his instant success, but he had no idea what a treasure he was turning away that night.  You can’t blame the guy.  His house was full to the rafters with people.  There was no room – none – nada.

How often do we turn away from Jesus?  When we refuse to follow His commandments – when we blame Him for our problems – when we push aside His loving, helping hands and try to do things ourselves.  He comes to us – we don’t come to Him.  He asks us to accept Him – we don’t accept on our own (that comes from His Holy Spirit) – He wants to dwell in our hearts, and we close the door.  Imagine the treasure we are turning aside each time we don’t let Him in. There was no room in the inn that night.  Bodies were weary.  Labor had begun.  A King was born despite its earthly circumstances.  Make room for Him.

Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.