He always gives back...

I think he gets a bad rap. I'm talking about the innkeeper in Bethlehem.

He is the guy, who down through the ages is portrayed as the uncaring businessman, who wouldn't make room for a pregnant woman in the throws of childbirth. But is that what happened?

Story doesn't tell us much; in fact, the innkeeper does not actually even make an appearance in the story. Read it for yourself. It is from Luke 2.

1At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Did you see an innkeeper? Nope!

It just says "no lodging available". The Greek says literally, "there was no place (topos) for them". One of the nuances of that word place is it can mean, "no fitting place". Inns in those days were not like a Holiday Inn Express. Generally they were one large room where all travelers would gather, along with their animals (how else could you stay warm in such a place). Inns were smelly, dirty, crowded, and sometimes dangerous places to be.

It would be "no place" for a woman giving birth.

That's why I say the "non-existent" innkeeper gets a bad wrap. He found A place where Mary could deliver her son and our savior. He gave them what he had.

And in return, the innkeeper finds himself, unmentioned, but ever present in the story of redemption. That's the way it is with Jesus. He always gives back.

• You give him your heart, and He gives you the gift of eternity.
• You give him your troubles, and He gives you His presence.
• You give to him out of all that He has already given to you, and He promises, "I will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out such a blessing upon you" (Malachi 3:10).

He always gives back.

This Sunday, as we receive our "Gift for Christ" offering, will you consider first of all, how much the Lord has already given to you? Be grateful for the gifts with which you have been blessed, and like Him---give back!

Out of that spirit of gratitude, would you bring a gift to Him that provides Him a "fitting place" in your life this Christmas?

Sunday December 23rd is "Gift for Christ" Sunday. At all of our services as we relive the Christmas story through our children, there will be a time to bring your gift to the Lord. Worship services this week only will be at 8 AM, 9 AM and at 10:30 AM.

Bring your family to join with the church family, as we worship God's greatest gift of all.