Joel M Bradshaw

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And 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.–Luke 2

1. The Greek of verse 7 could also mean “guest room.”
2. So rather than thinking of Joseph looking for the town motel, picture instead nobody’s house having any room for them.
3. The text said that everyone went to his hometown to do the government census. Joseph would have had family there. That’s what hometown meant.
4. And not one of those families who were Bethlehem residents had any room for a woman in labor. Avoiding the scandal of Joseph and Mary seemed more important than hospitality. They weren’t even married yet, and she was great with child! You can imagine the gossip.
5. How many of you would put family drama aside to help someone in dire need?
6. Joseph got it done. And Mary followed Joseph’s leading. He got a place for her to be out of the elements. Giving birth next to a bunch of farm animals was better than out in an open field.
7. This is a brief text about priorities. What did Joseph prioritize? What did the residents of Bethlehem prioritize? What do you prioritize?–JMB