Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-7
We are continuing our series on Christmas sacrifices.
Today, we will talk about the sacrifices of the innkeeper.
Caesar Augustus had ordered all the people to go to their hometowns to be counted. When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, Joseph’s hometown, they went to an inn.
Because of the crowds of people in Bethlehem, the inn was full. The innkeeper allowed Mary and Joseph to stay in the stable. The innkeeper sacrificed his time and energy to try to make Mary and Joseph comfortable in an uncomfortable place.
Luke 2:6 & 7 tell us, “While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him up well and laid him in a box where cattle are fed. She put him there because the guest room was full.”
After the baby was born, shepherds began arriving. The innkeepers quiet inn and stable weren’t so quiet anymore. That caused the innkeeper to sacrifice his peaceful, quiet evening and his good night’s sleep.
The innkeeper’s sacrifices seem small and unimportant.
Not all of the sacrifices God asks us to make are big. Sometimes God asks us to be willing to give up small things such as the kind of music we listen to, the TV shows we watch, or the places we go.
Is God asking you to make a small sacrifice?
“And don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with others, because sacrifices like these are very pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be willing to make sacrifices for You, big and small. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tell me how you are like or not like the innkeeper.