Don't Hate The Innkeeper

            Luke 2:1-7 (NASB) says, "Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. ²This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. ⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, ⁵ in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. ⁶ While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

            "No room for them in the inn." Most of us have heard the Christmas story many times throughout our lives. We have read stories, watched movies and even Christmas cartoons depicting Joseph and Mary arriving at the inn, only to be told there was no room. What is our reaction to the innkeeper when we read and see these stories? Often it is resentment, and sometimes even disgust, because the "mean" innkeeper is turning away the soon-to-be-born Son of God.

            Do we even know what was going on in the innkeeper's mind? No. The Bible only tells us there was no room in the inn. Because of the census every room in town was taken by those who got there first. As human beings though, we tend to turn our anger and frustration to the bearer of bad news. There is an old saying, attributed to Shakespeare, "Don't shoot the messenger." What if this had been Joseph's attitude at hearing that there was no room for them in the inn?

            What about the "innkeepers" in your life? When you are waiting in line for what seems like an eternity, only to be told when you get to the front of the line that they are out of what you were waiting for, what is your reaction to the person who gave you the news? When you are driving too fast and receive a ticket, how do you feel about the officer who gave you the ticket? When the doctor says, "I'm sorry, there's nothing more we can do," what is your first impulse?

            It is human nature to lash out when we get bad news. The problem is, often when we lash out, someone gets hurt, and many times it is not the fault of the person we lash out at. We need to remember that the person who is delivering the bad news is just doing a job. Sometimes the person we should be mad at is ourselves, but it is easier to lash out at someone else.

            Especially at this time of year, when everyone seems to be in a hurry, we need to slow down and ask ourselves, "How would God have me respond?" The Bible actually makes it pretty clear. "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Luke 6:31.

            A year or so ago some friends invited me out to lunch with them. We went to a Chinese restaurant and had a nice lunch. When the server went to clear some of our dishes away she accidentally dropped a full cup of sticky, bright red sweet-and-sour sauce in my lap. One of my friends (also a Christian) later told me that he was amazed at how calmly I reacted. My only reaction when it happened was to quietly assure the horror-stricken girl that it was okay, that it was just an accident. I'm not tooting my own horn here -- God gave me the peace to know that it was not a big deal. My reaction to the incident demonstrated forgiveness, something the server may not have had much experience with.

            We will deal with many "innkeepers" throughout our lives. Bearers of bad news and various people who bring trouble of some kind to us will always be around. Don't shoot the messenger. Don't hate the innkeeper. Just remember the simple truth, "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Luke 6:31.