”She brought forth her firstborn son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger;
and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room
for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:7 KJV
~~~~
for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:7 KJV
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God has a unique way of doing things!To begin with, he allowed unkind rumors to spread around Nazareth concerning Mary and Joseph – Mary had become pregnant during their engagement. People rolled their eyes when she told them, that it was “of the Holy Spirit.”
And just when Mary was getting close to delivery time, they had to go to Bethlehem like many other people, for the census, because that’s where their relatives lived. By the time Joseph’s donkey got them there, the homes of relatives were filled, and Mary was going into labor – there was no time to lose. They needed a place to stay!
Hospitality in that society was taken very seriously. They did everything possible to accommodate visitors, especially relatives in need. Many homes were two story structures. The upper part was where people lived and entertained guests. The lower room often was for livestock. (KJV translates "kataluma" in Luke 2:7 as “inn.” The same word is translated “guestchamber” in Mark 14:15 and Luke 22:12 so it’s very possible that the best lodging Joseph’s relatives could provide at the time was the stable below the “guestchamber.”)
Joseph and Mary made the best of it. There was no time to waste. The baby was coming! We don’t know if there was anyone to assist Mary aside from Joseph. Even if the stable had just been cleaned, it still was a dirty, smelly place. The baby came - they cleaned him up the best they could – and Mary “wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger.”
The creator of heaven and earth, in the most humble and lowly of circumstances had become one of us – so he could die - that we might live!!
"Oh love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall for-ever-more endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.”
F.M.L.
May you and yours HAVE A MOST BLESSED CHRISTMAS!!!
3 comments:
From childhood I had understood the "inn" and manger to be like an overcrowded Motel 6. Your blog, explaining that it might have been the lower level of a relative's home, makes my understanding even richer. Thanks for the insight.
Aggie Wagemann- growing up on a SD farm , why a baby was born in a barn in winter?? but your explanation is a Great help after many years, always enjoy your messages. Thank YOU, Merry Christmas, Rudy/AggieWagemann
Congratulations on two years of blogging--your blog is such a blessing. However, I think I might be able to give you a run for your money on being the worst speller:-)
Pastor Jared
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