One week before Christmas Eve, I find myself wondering—what if Mary and Joseph were traveling today? Would they be looking for a Motel 6? You know the chain: “We’ll leave the light on for you.” But what if all the lights were on and all the rooms were full?
That’s exactly what happened in Bethlehem.
Luke’s Gospel tells us the story straight (Luke 2:4-7):
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem…to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son…and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
“No room.” Those words hit differently during the holiday season.
The Innkeeper’s Rule
Now, tradition has often painted a villainous innkeeper turning them away. But let’s give him some grace—it’s not like he was running a luxury hotel. Bethlehem was packed. The census had filled the town like a modern-day holiday weekend. Every bed, every couch, every guest room was occupied. No “No Vacancy” sign was needed because everyone knew there was no space.
Hospitality in that time was more sacred than today. And that’s where something interesting lingers. Legal historians trace back “The Innkeeper’s Rule” to this very story—a vestige of that Bethlehem night. The rule requires that an innkeeper must provide a paying traveler with shelter if rooms are available. If you’ve ever been stranded and told “Sorry, no rooms,” maybe you’ve felt a tiny echo of what Mary and Joseph experienced.
If It Were Today
Can you imagine them pulling into Bethlehem today? Joseph’s on his phone, frustrated.
“Bethlehem Motel 6: No vacancy. Bethlehem Comfort Inn: No vacancy. What about Airbnb?!”
Mary, riding shotgun on that bumpy donkey, reminds him, “I’m about to have this baby!”
Joseph grumbles something about Expedia’s customer service as he pulls into a stable-turned-rustic-lodging. It wasn’t Plan A. It wasn’t even Plan B. Yet God, in His wisdom, chose that place. The manger became the cradle for the Savior of the world. The stable was exactly where Jesus needed to be.
Lessons from the Manger
As we move toward Christmas Eve, maybe it’s time to reflect on our own “inns.” Is there room for Christ in the busyness of our lives? Or are we so crowded with our own worries, plans, and stuff that we’ve hung up a “No Vacancy” sign?
It’s funny how God shows up in unexpected places—in the midst of cattle and hay, in the hearts of shepherds, and yes, even today. He’s knocking on the door of our hearts, waiting to see if we’ll make space for Him.
Revelation 3:20 says:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
This Christmas, let’s flip the story. Let’s be the “innkeepers” who do have room. Who open doors to hope, peace, and grace. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll leave the light on—not just for the travelers of the world but for the King of Kings.
No room? Not this time.
Blessings,
Charlie Wear
Charlie Wear's Notes 
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