Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn.”
In Micah 5:2-5, it was prophesied that the Messiah was to be born of the family of David in Bethlehem. When the Roman decree from Caesar went out, Christs mother and Joseph lived in Nazareth, about one hundred miles away, and Mary at this time is already great with child. She is certainly not up to such an arduous trip on the back of a donkey. But God, in order to fulfil his prophetic word uses this decree of a pagan empire to accomplish it.
When they arrive in the city it is already a busy and populous place. Many others have also come to be taxed, and all the lodging places are already filled. The scripture doesn’t say how long that they searched for a place of lodging, but I’m sure it was quite a while because he would want a comfortable place for his weary wife to rest, in anticipation of a soon delivery.
After much searching, he finally found an inn that had a vacant stable out back and they were allowed to use it for the night.
And then sometime in the night we read in Luke 2:6 “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”
Jesus was not born as the king that he was. He was not birthed in a palace, nor in a luxurious inn, but was actually rejected at his birth. Every comfortable dwelling was closed to him at his birth. The citizenry, and all cozy establishments made no room for the Son of God! Even later, as he walked through this world during his earthly ministry, he was still rejected. Hear his own words in Matthew 8:20 “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
I wonder, during this Christmas season, how many hearts and homes still refuse to allow him room. The greatest and most unspeakable gift offered to mankind was rejected at his birth; John 1:10, 11 “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
May I encourage each of you this season, to remember the reason of the season. Without Christ there would be no Christmas and no salvation! Would you receive God’s gift? 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Rom. 6:23 “For the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”