Sometime during the Christmas season most of us have heard the story of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem, stopping at an inn, and being told there was no room for them. The inn was full. Many portray the innkeeper as turning them away in a harsh voice, or being hardhearted, or “not having any room for Jesus.”

But could it be the innkeeper has been given what Wes calls “a bum rap”?

Could it be the innkeeper was actually a very gracious man? One who provided a private place for Mary to give birth?

Think about it.

The Bible doesn’t include the innkeeper with those who had received special revelations concerning the birth of Jesus. He had no dreams. No visions. No forewarning of things to come. How was he to know that the One Mary carried in her womb was actually God’s Son, Immanuel? To the innkeeper they were an ordinary couple coming to Bethlehem to be counted in the census.

I wonder . . . how many times have we treated others unfairly because they have not responded or reacted in the manner we think they should? Could it be they have actually done the best they could given the level of knowledge and understanding they have?

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