I originally wrote this back in 2003. I repost it every year in the days leading up to Christmas. This year it has been updated.

We can all describe the classic nativity scene. A baby laying in a manger wrapped in a blanket in a barn surrounded by his parents and animals and shepherds. The barn is dark and dingy, the floor covered with straw and mud. I love the simplicity of the traditional manger scene. We have several displayed in our house. But, is it accurate?   

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

That verse notes there was no room for Joseph and Mary in the inn. The Greek term for inn is “kataluma,” which is translated as guest room, meaning a place of lodging for travelers, usually with no payment expected. Think spare bedroom. Only two places in the New Testament is the Greek word “kataluma” used – here in Luke’s birth narrative and in the Last Supper text (Luke 22:11; and parallel passage, Mark 14:14). In contrast, elsewhere in the New Testament (Luke 10:34) we find a different Greek word for “inn,” this time used in the context of a public lodging place. Maybe the equivalent of a modern-day hotel.  

 What is a manger? A manger is a feeding trough for animals. So, you find feeding troughs in the barn, right? In ancient Middle East cultures animals were not kept in a barn or left outside. The family animals were always kept inside the house, usually on a lower level from the main floor. This helped to protect them from theft, disease, weather. 

Using that line of thinking, I see a very powerful picture being painted. One of the Messiah King born in a way that all could have access to Him. If He had been born in a castle or temple, only the wealthy, the noble, or the religious could have access to Him. Instead, this Savior, born of humble parents in a humble and ordinary setting, offered access to all. He does the same thing today – no matter our circumstances our Savior is willing to enter into our “house” and be born in us.    

What does all this mean? I believe Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem only to find Joseph’s ancestral home full of people. They ended up in the lower level of the house and laid baby Jesus in the feeding trough because there was no room upstairs in the guest rooms.

So, if Jesus was not born in a barn or a stable, crowded as it may have been, He was likely instead born in a house. Quite possibly the house Joseph grew up in, or at a minimum one of a relative. Jesus began his life in a “lower room” of a “kataluma” and ended His earthly ministry in the “upper room” of a kataluma. Coincidence?

Think about it!

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We so often, at least me, get busy or sidetracked, and then wonder why we never get to our destination. It is really no different when we are doing the work of the Lord. Satan often puts people, things, or events in our path to trip us up, slow us down, distract us, sidetrack us, keep us from accomplishing His goal of sharing the Good News. And in this season, Satan wants nothing more than to keep us busy doing the worldly trappings of Christmas so as to keep us from focusing on the hopeful waiting that is Advent.  

In Nehemiah Chapter 6, we see an interaction between Nehemiah and outsiders. These outsiders, maybe even agents of Satan, wanted nothing more than to keep Nehemiah busy and distract him from building as protective wall around Jerusalem. They wanted him to come down off the wall. The city wall had been destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25) and Jerusalem remained wall-less for almost a century and a half. Without a wall, the Jews in Jerusalem were defenseless against their enemies. Without the ways you show people Jesus, they too are defenseless against Satan’s lies and attacks. 

Verses 1 and 2 tell us the enemy knew Nehemiah was building a rock solid wall around the city and tried to entice him to pause that work for a short time and meet two men for coffee in a neutral location, no strings attached, just some friendly chatter. Sound familiar? The enemy doesn’t always come looking like the grim reaper; he often comes looking harmless.

Here is how Nehemiah responded when Sanballar and his buddy Geshem (two of Nehemiah’s biggest antagonists) invited him to a coffee and blueberry muffin break. In v.3 we read- “And I sent messengers to them saying, ‘I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?’”

They kept at it. The text tells us the two dudes were relentless, asking Nehemiah five times. Undoubtedly Nehemiah was probably worn down but each time, he rebuked their request (temptation). We must be intentional in our unwillingness to “come down off the wall” and not be sidetracked by the crafty serpent, often dressed as more shopping and wrapping, another holiday concert, an ugly sweater party, travel plans. Even a church calendar full of special events or reading one more blog post might in fact be keeping you from dialing it down enough to find the quietness of an uncluttered heart.

I encourage you to read story this in context, all of Nehemiah 6.

And right now, with twelve days left until Christmas, that busyness and those distractions are likely magnified. There is so much to do. So many people to see. So many gifts to wrap. So many parties to attend. It is easy to miss the true meaning of Advent – the expectant waiting for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Advent calls us to be alert and ready, not distracted by all the trappings of the season.  

My encouragement to you is to enjoy all that these next twelve days offer but stay focused on quieting yourself in order to have the expectant hope offered by the birth of a baby. Not just any baby. A baby who is Immanuel, God with us. Don’t come down off the wall.

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This is the third installment of the four-week writings to guide us through Advent. In the first week, I wrote about expectant waiting. Last week, my thoughts turned to praise. This week, let our hearts and minds be filled with joy. If you want to read the first two writings, they can be found by clicking the links below:

Week 1 Week 2

We are in the season of Advent, which means “coming,” It is in this season leading up to Christmas that we expectantly wait, in hope and anticipation, of the arrival, the coming, of Jesus, who is the Messiah of the World.

During this week, reflect upon the shepherds, who were out in the field tending to their flocks, minding their own business, when suddenly an angel announced that the long awaited Messiah had come! In Luke 2:10-11 we find this – “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”  

The essence of joy is found in experiencing the presence of Christ, who comes not as a mighty warrior, but instead as a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger, to bring joy to the world!

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” Psalm 16:11.

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There is just something about the ocean that is calming and peaceful, especially under a beautiful moonlit night sky. The quietness, the gentle breezes blowing through the sea grasses, the moon shining down upon the ocean’s water, the sound of the tides washing upon the beach.

But, if you have ever been to the ocean then you also know that it can be unpredictable, turbulent, dangerous. The tide comes in and then it back goes out; it ebbs and flows. One minute the water is not even up to your knees and then all of a sudden it is over your head, you almost drown. One wave gently tosses you around and you are having fun. But the next wave, it is a really big one, and the force of the water flips you upside down, pounds you into the ocean floor and you come up wondering what just happened. You need to re-adjust your swimsuit, it is in places it shouldn’t be and not places it should be. That evening, as you shower, there is so much sand on the shower floor, you wonder if you have brought the beach with you.

Life is the same way. One minute things are calm and peaceful and then without notice a big wave or two or three or four comes and turns you upside down. You lose your breath and find yourself disoriented from all the pounding you are taking. You just hope that you can find your way back to the shore. You have been there, right? Maybe you are there right now. 

With the world in so much chaos, it is hard not to feel disoriented. Seemingly in every direction we turn these days there is something to keep us unsettled. And can we all agree, the holiday season is hardly conducive to offering a state of inner calmness. It takes great effort, it requires being intentional, to find serenity and peace amid the holiday madness. So, is there a solution? I am glad you asked.   

The Bible tells us that when, from our vantage point, things seem out of control that God has things under control. He can and does calm the waves. Psalm 89:9 tells us this, “You rule over the surging sea; when the waves mount up, you still them.” Elsewhere, we see a similar message, “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed” (Psalm 107:29).

In offering hopeful words about God rejoicing over his saved people, the prophet Zephaniah says this, “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (3:17). 

The gospels of Matthew and Mark both tell the story of Jesus calming the seas. Here is what we read in Matthew’s telling of the story, “Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm” (8:26b). If you want to read those two stories – Matthew 8:23-27 and Mark 4:35-41.

The same Jesus who calmed the waves and the seas promises to do the same for you – sometimes calming the unpredictable waters around you while other times calming you in those dangerous waters.

Are you looking for rest?

If you said yes, then this Advent Season, amid the turbulence in you and around you, why not lean into Jesus. He says to you today – Come to me, all who are weary, worn out, worn down, unsettled, tired of the daily churn, fearful, sick, lonely, depressed, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-30).

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Have you ever had your plans changed by someone else or by circumstances? Sure you have. I sure have. More times than I can remember. If you are old enough to be reading this, then you know, maybe all too well, the reality of a change in plans. Those changes tend to create consternation in us. We often feel unprepared to turn left when we had planned on going straight. Or how about stopping when you were ready to put the pedal to the metal and let it roar. The unknown is scary. Ready quickly becomes unprepared.

Regardless of the specifics, most any change in plans, big or small, requires us to adjust and adapt. You have probably seen this quote, or some variation of it – “You cannot change the direction of the wind, but you can learn to adjust your sails.” Easier said than done.

Close your eyes for a minute and picture this: God has been tugging at your heart for some time. You sense Him calling you in some new direction, or maybe a new job, a new city, a new relationship, possibly even into ministry. You pray about it, mull it over, seek wise counsel from a friend or family member, pray about it some more, weigh all the pros and cons, and listen for God’s small still voice to confirm it. At first you were hesitant, it would mean some big (and scary) changes, but now you finally have your head and heart wrapped around the plan, and you are ready to “go for it”. You have a nice and neat plan. It all begins to make sense.

But not so fast! Out of the blue, God changes the plan. It is us, it is our plans, that God changes. His plans were set forth in the beginning – “The LORD frustrates the purposes of the nations; he keeps them from carrying out their plans. But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally” (Psalm 33:10-11 GNT). And in Proverbs we find this – “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (19:21 NLT).

Instead of turning left at the next intersection as the plan seemed to indicate, He tells you to turn right. You find yourself saying – “Wait a minute God, that’s not what I signed up for. I signed up for (you fill in the blank here) and seemingly out of nowhere You are asking me to do something totally different. I’m not sure I really understand. I was ready for that other thing, but this, I’m not so sure.” Have you ever been there? I know I have.  

Now picture what Joseph must have felt like. In Gospel of Matthew, we read that he was engaged to a young woman named Mary. One day she comes to him and tells him that even though she is still a virgin she is pregnant. And not only that, but she also tells Joseph that this son was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph likely said, “Yea right, and I am Santa Claus!”

After hearing the news, Joseph was making plans to divorce her but soon an angel appeared to him in a dream and told him it was all true and in Matthew 1:22-23 we read this – All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

The story goes on to tell us that “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and he took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And they gave him the name Jesus” (vv.24-25).

So, here we have Joseph with his plans for marriage and “living happily ever after” turned totally upside down when God first tells Mary, then Joseph, that they will be the parents of the Savior of the world. Talk about a change of plans, going from ready to unprepared!

How do you respond when God changes your plans? When you go from ready to unprepared.

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For most of us, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are filled with nonstop activities. It is run run run. In the busyness we often end up “turning away” all that makes this season so joyous and beautiful. We need to be very intentional about creating time and space to just sit and reflect on those things. Let me get straight to the focus of this writing – throughout your holiday busyness, are you making room for Jesus?

In Luke’s telling of the birth of Jesus he tells us that Joseph and Mary were turned away when they were looking for a place for Jesus to be born. In Luke 2:7 we read, “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Older translations use “inn” rather than “guest room.” The Greek word kataluma used for “inn/guest room” has several meanings: a guest room (as in a person’s home) or lodging place (as in a boarding house, hotel, or similar establishment). Have you ever wondered who it was that gave Joseph and Mary the “no vacancy” news? It could have been the proprietor of an ancient day bed-and-breakfast, or it could have been the owner of a personal residence. Let’s just call this person an “innkeeper.”

Look for a writing later this month asking the question, “Was Jesus really born in a barn?”

If you know this story, then you know that Joseph and Mary were returning to Bethlehem to register for a census. It is likely that Bethlehem was bustling with people, all returning to take part in the census, so rooms would likely have been in high demand. A “Sorry No Vacancy” sign probably hung in many lodging place windows. And when Joseph and Mary arrived looking for a place to give birth they were told by the “innkeeper” that there was just no room for them.

What caused this innkeeper to turn Joseph and Mary away? Maybe his “inn” was full, or maybe he was just preoccupied. He might have been busy with fixing meals, cleaning rooms, making beds, caring for animals, and providing for his family. All good and worthwhile activities. But he most likely saw that Mary was ready to give birth so couldn’t he have made some provision? There must have been some place he could have offered them. But the story tells us they were turned away and ended up in some lowly place that housed animals.  

What’s the point of all of this? We are like that at times, especially at Christmas. The rooms in our lives are filled, sometimes to overflow capacity. Our lives are consumed with activity – not necessarily sinful or bad activity, just things that keep us busy and often away from God. And when we are preoccupied, we miss the Christ of Christmas.

So, this Christmas season my challenge is for each of us to make room for Jesus at our own inns. And in doing so, not being like the innkeeper in this story, saying “Sorry, no vacancy!” Don’t miss the Christ of Christmas!

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