Looking Past the Christmas Card
DEVOTIONS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS
Looking Past the Christmas Card
When you picture the nativity story, what comes to mind? You may imagine Joseph and Mary arriving in the dark streets of Bethlehem, anxiously knocking on doors, only to be turned away. Finally, a sympathetic innkeeper directs them to a stable on a quiet hillside. It’s a familiar, heartwarming image, but when we look at the biblical text, we discover a very different story.
There’s no mention of an innkeeper in the account of the Nativity in Luke 2. In fact, the word "inn" (v. 7) in some translations is misleading. The original Greek word refers to a guest room in a private home. Jesus used the same term for “guest room” in Luke 22:11 and Mark 14:14.
The text also notes that Mary did not give birth the same day or night that she arrived in Bethlehem (Luke 2:6), and it never specifically states that Jesus was born at night. The angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds at night (v. 8), but this wasn’t necessarily immediately after the birth of Jesus.
Many Jewish families would have made the journey to their ancestral town of Bethlehem for the census (Luke 2:1-3). Most travelers, including Joseph and Mary, would have naturally stayed with relatives. However, when Mary and Joseph arrived, the guest room in that home may have been occupied by other family members. (Remember, there were no cell phones to easily manage family arrangements and arrival times.) So, Mary likely gave birth to Jesus in the lower level of a home that was already crowded with extended family. I’m sure we’ve all experienced the joy of an air mattress on a relative’s floor at one time or another.
Archaeologists have discovered that homes in that culture often had two levels. In Acts 1:13, we see the disciples returning to a house where they were staying in an upstairs guest room. The lower level usually had some space for animals to be brought in at night, which would explain why there was a manger readily available.
Understanding some of the cultural and historical context can help us look past the familiar “Christmas card” Nativity to reflect on deeper spiritual truths. So here are a few thoughts to carry with us throughout the season.
1. God meets us in ordinary and humble places.
The humble, overcrowded circumstances of Jesus’ birth remind us that God doesn’t seek us in a state of perfection, but in our ordinary, overcrowded, and sometimes chaotic lives. Will you make room for Him this Christmas, even in the places you feel unworthy or imperfect? (Matthew 11:28-29)
2. Jesus understands our humanity.
The nostalgic imagery of the Nativity can sometimes overshadow the heart of the Gospel. Jesus became man to live, suffer, and die for us. He understands the hardships of human life. We don't need to have it all together to follow Him. Jesus wants to make His home in your heart, no matter where you are. (Philippians 2:6-8)
3. God’s timing is perfect, even in the midst of imperfection.
Mary and Joseph’s stay in Bethlehem underscores how life rarely unfolds according to our human expectations, even in a situation as pivotal as the birth of the Savior. Yet, God’s timing was perfect. Can you trust God’s timing, even when things don’t go as you hope? (Romans 8:28)
4. Are we making room for Jesus in our hearts?
In a season filled with shopping... and more shopping, decorations, and parties, it’s easy to be distracted by all the commercialization. We may need to force ourselves to pause and make space for the true reason we celebrate Christmas: the birth of our Savior.
This Christmas, let’s intentionally create room for Jesus in our hearts. Maybe that means setting aside a few quiet minutes each day to reflect on His birth, or taking a daily break from the holiday rush to pray. How will you make room for Him today? (Matthew 6:33)
- Ron Reid