Open up ... let him INN.

Off to one side sits a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor; perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night-watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him--so on this cloudless night, he went to simple shepherds.

Of course, we all know that the shepherds found the Christ Child in a rough-hewn stable, somewhere outside the Inn … you know, the Inn that had the “No Vacancy” sign out front? Do you think the shepherds would have found Jesus if he had been ensconced within the comfortable walls of the Inn? Of course, God could have caused anything to happen, but the fact is, he chose an animal stable as the birthplace for his Son. What was the significance of this setting? ‘An important message … we all have access to Jesus. In the manger, the baby Jesus was easier to get to--even smelly, dirty shepherds visited the newborn King.

"Majesty in the midst of the mundane.

Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat.

Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable,

through the womb of a teenager and in the presence

of a carpenter." Max Lucado

Then there was the INN itself… a place of provision, a place to rest, a place for nourishment--like when the Good Samaritan took the injured man to an inn, and paid for his keep. INN - a place of hospitality, like in our own homes, be they grand or small. . . it doesn't matter our means, what matters is our heart. . . so, what will you do with your INN this Christmas season? This season is a great time to invite friends for some memory-making moments-- hot chocolate, old Christmas movies, a game of Catch Phrase, whatever. . .

The INN… a place of hospitality and opportunity. True hospitality is a feeling of warmth, somebody wanting you to know you are safe, you are cared for, you are welcome, and loved. . . the message of nurturing to be had in this port of shelter.

We each have an ‘inn’ that beats within our chest—our own hearts. It is ours to open that ‘inn’ to Jesus—as only we can open ourselves to him. I provide the space, and He brings the warmth, love, safety, and rest to me. Amazing love. . . how can it be?

Let the stable still astonish: straw-dirt floor, dull eyes,

Dusty flanks of donkeys, oxen; crumbling, crooked walls;

No bed to carry that pain, and then--the Child,

Rag-wrapped, laid to cry in a trough.

Who would have chosen this? Who would have said, "Yes,

Let the God of all the heavens and earth be born here, in this place

Who, but the same God who stands in the darker, fouler rooms of our hearts

and says, "Yes, let the God of Heaven and earth be born here

in this place.” - Leslie Leyland Fields

So, what do you think? Why not open your INN to Christ—give him full access to your heart, soul, and mind? Come on--open up … let him INN.

Christine