“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” -Luke 2:7
There was no place for them in the inn. The Biblical account of the birth of Jesus does not include a heartless innkeeper turning Mary and Joseph away in their time of need, although there may have been—neither does the Bible describe them going from house to house seeking a place to stay. It is simply put in this passage that there was no place for them.
No one was preparing for the arrival of the infant Messiah. No one was getting a place ready for Mary and Joseph to come and stay once they arrived in Bethlehem. It may not be so much that they were turned away as there was no one expecting them.
The Bible has a well-known passage in Revelation where Jesus Himself speaks of seeking a place to stay. He 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 eat with him, and he with me. -Revelation 3:20
God designed our hearts to be a home for our Savior. That God Himself wants to make His home within us is one of the greatest miracles and mysteries of all time. As children of God, we become what the Bible describes as “a temple of the Holy Spirit.” What a beautiful description of what happens when God comes to live in our hearts.
How are we readying our hearts for our Savior?
Are we a welcome place for Him to come and take residence—allowing Him access to our thoughts, our fears, and our desires? While Christ dwells in the heart of the Christian, it is necessary that we consider the home we are making within our hearts. Jesus said this in the book of John:
“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” -John 14:23
What a beautiful mystery that Jesus promises to make His home in our hearts when we live in faith and obedience to Him. Prepare your heart for His coming, and enjoy the gift of His presence today.
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