The innkeeper tells Mary and Joseph that there’s no room for them to stay. How do you tell a woman in labor to go away? Even if they were strangers, wouldn’t we expect the innkeeper to make room in such a situation? But what if they weren’t strangers at all? What if the innkeeper knew Mary and Joseph and the rumors of their “less than perfect” marriage? His judgmental heart leaves no room for compassion, and he misses the one who came to make room for all.

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7
The Birth of Jesus

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.