The Preoccupied Innkeeper - Dr. David Jeremiah

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Author Frederick Buechner poses one explanation of the innkeeper's thoughts that night. Writing as the innkeeper, he explains: “I speak to you as men of the ...
For most people, hearing the happy cry, “Christmas is coming!” brings joy and exuberant expectation. But for some, just the thought brings reminders of the challenge to manage busy schedules, make adequate preparations, and keep first things first throughout the holiday season. As we prepare for a great Christmas celebration this year, we want to be sure that we are not one of the people who miss the purpose and meaning of Christmas. We may be tempted to try a little harder—start preparing earlier, buy more elaborate gifts, plan a huge family feast . . . but if our only effort is in preparing, we will still emerge from the holidays feeling let down. Why? Because Christmas shouldn’t be about doing. It should be about worshipping the Christ Child. The Scriptures tell us several stories of people who missed Christmas even though it took place in their own backyard. Somehow, with all the commotion, they missed its essence and opportunity. They missed the joy, the hope, and the satisfaction it brought. The greatest event in the world was underway with the coming of the Savior, and these people were absent.

The Preoccupied Innkeeper As the time drew near for the birth of our Lord, the city of Bethlehem was literally bursting at the seams with all the people registering for the census. Mary and Joseph dutifully headed off to Bethlehem; but upon arrival, they found no welcome and no one

willing to accommodate them. It was as if “no vacancy” signs were everywhere. As the time drew near for the infant to be born, the only lodging available was a stable adjacent to an inn. While the Scriptures don’t name the man who managed that inn, Luke 2:7 implies his existence. The innkeeper is notable (perhaps even notorious) because his preoccupation prevented him from catching on to what was happening in his own stable. The decree of the Emperor Caesar Augustus had brought the family of Jesus to the innkeeper’s town. Yet he unknowingly turned down the opportunity to show comfort and hospitality to the Savior of the world. He probably looked at Mary and Joseph and could only see that they might make more unwanted demands on his time, especially since Mary was clearly about to give birth. Author Frederick Buechner poses one explanation of the innkeeper’s thoughts that night. Writing as the innkeeper, he explains: “I speak to you as men of the world, not as idealists, but as realists. Do you know what it’s like to run an inn, to run a business, a family? To run anything in this world for that matter, even your own life? Well, it’s like being lost in a forest of a million trees, and each tree is a thing to be done. Is there fresh linen on all the beds? Did the children put on their coats before they went out? Has the letter been written? Has the book been read? Is there enough money left in the bank? Today we have food in our bellies and clothes on our backs, but what can we do to make sure that we have them tomorrow? A million trees, a million things. Finally, we have eyes for nothing else, and whatever we see turns into a thing.” Isn’t it interesting how we can ramble through life, brush up against the magnificent and yet remain unaware? The innkeeper was so close. He was just around the corner from the greatest day in the history of mankind. Right there in his yard, his stable was exploding with light and angels, and he missed it. How did that happen?

Could it be that the innkeeper missed Christmas, not because he had no room in his inn, but because he had no room for it in his heart? He was preoccupied, distracted, and unaware. We have no reason to think he was angry or belligerent. He was just busy—too busy. He got so engrossed with all the details of his life—taking care of the inn, taking care of his family, dealing with all the pressures—that he couldn’t stop to reflect upon the moment that was at hand. Many people today are like that. They fail to make room in their hearts and minds for Christ. Activity is synonymous with Christmas. Yet we often excuse it because all the things we’re doing are related to the event itself. The danger is that, like the innkeeper, we may become so preoccupied with shopping, going to parties, even going to pageants, that we may not have time for the Christ Child Himself.

The Self-Indulgent Ruler Matthew introduces another figure with a failure to grasp the eternal significance of the birth of Christ. Herod was appointed the King of the Jews by the Roman Senate. He was at home in Jerusalem when a trio of wise men (also known as Magi) showed up, inquiring about a baby recently born. They called the child “King of the Jews,” immediately putting Herod on the defensive. Threatened and desperate, Herod deceived the Magi. Pretending that he wanted to worship this new King, too, he asked them to report the infant’s whereabouts once they found Him. Herod’s sly maneuver was aimed at murder, not worship. History paints a picture of Herod as a political madman who lived in constant fear that someone would usurp his authority and take his throne. His paranoia drove him to suspect everyone. In fact, he

murdered his own brother-in-law, one of his wives, her mother, and all of his sons. He even issued an order that at the time of his death, all the distinguished citizens of Jerusalem were to be collected and slaughtered just so that there would be weeping all over town. When Herod heard about an infant already being hailed as “King of the Jews,” he responded with characteristic malice and psychopathic wrath, decreeing that all the male children two years and younger be killed. Herod missed Christmas out of fear. He was afraid that his position and power would be threatened. Filled with pride and personal ambition and the desire to maintain his over-rated authority, Herod not only missed Christmas, he tried to obliterate the Christ of Christmas. To him, there was no room for another King in Israel— even One from God. Thankfully, we don’t run into wicked men like Herod very often. But we all encounter people so vested in themselves, they completely miss Christmas. In a sense, they are kings like Herod, unwilling to bow to any authority other than themselves. The sad footnote is that they go their own way at the expense of what God wants to do for them. They miss Christmas and they miss God’s gifts—Jesus Christ, forgiveness, eternal life. Where is your focus this Christmas? Take a quick check of your life for self-indulgence. When we indulge ourselves, we risk becoming status-conscious. Then we are concerned with what we can get out of Christmas, rather than what we can give. Look to the example of Jesus who lovingly marshaled His energy and efforts to give to others. He never focused on what He would receive, but rather spent His time obediently pouring out the love of His Father on everyone He encountered.

The Indifferent Religious Leaders The chief priests were the theological minds of the day, distinguished in their preaching skills. Even so, they missed Christmas, too. Matthew 2:4 tells us that after hearing the news of Jesus’ birth, Herod gathered together all the religious leaders including the chief priests and scribes. The scribes were the linguists and interpreters— the specialists in the culture and history surrounding all the biblical information. Herod convened this think tank to discover where the Messiah was prophesied to be born. They got together, researched Micah’s prophecy, pinpointed the location as Bethlehem, and turned over the information to Herod. Incredibly, they settled back in their lives— and missed Christmas! These religious experts debated and confirmed the birth of the Messiah, yet they never bothered to walk three miles to see if what had been prophesied had actually come to pass. They, of all men, should not have missed the birth of Christ because they knew the Scriptures. The fact is, out of the entire population of Jerusalem, only a few shepherds came to see the Messiah. After encountering Him, they joyfully told everyone about their experience, but there was no record that anyone else other than the wise men, including the religious leaders of the day, came to see Him. No one else bothered to worship the newborn King. We are amazed at such indifference. But at Christmas time, we see people being “religious,” observing its traditions, while failing to develop a personal, dynamic relationship with the Christ of Christmas. Throughout this holiday season, the bells of many churches will be ringing all over the world. Great cathedrals will host Christmas

services, pageants, and nativity scenes. Millions will pour into churches, but how many will be just like the priests and scribes of Matthew 2? Will it make any real impact on their lives? They may possess all the knowledge, but will it affect the way they relate to the One whose birth we celebrate? If we go through all the outward expressions of the Christmas season and yet fail to focus on its center, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, we’ll miss Christmas as surely as the scribes and the chief priests. And if we miss Christmas, we’ve missed Christ. Today, let’s be sure we savor every bit of joy and meaning in Christmas. The innkeeper, King Herod, the chief priests, and the scribes missed out, but we can keep the blessing in Christmas. By eliminating the hurried moments, but focusing on others and their needs, and remembering to keep Jesus at the center of all our planning, celebrating, and activity, we will emerge in the New Year with a fulfilling sense of Christ-centered joy. Activity is synonymous with Christmas—hosting relatives, buying and wrapping gifts, decorating the tree—all these activities and more take our time and energy. Sometimes our house can feel like an inn! While all the activity and celebration is part of the tradition and we wouldn’t want to miss out on any part of it, we can work to keep it in its proper place. Activity can’t be avoided at Christmas, but the important thing is to be active for the Lord. When we choose to bring everything we do under His Lordship, we will not miss Christmas. We will find its joy and peace.