"You Shoulda Called Ahead".....She Said

(Part of the He Said - She Said Series)
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So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first born, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. – Luke 2:4-7

“That’s the fifth inn we’ve stopped at.” Mary rubbed her back and tried to reposition herself on the donkey. Joseph took the reins and tugged.

“I know. There’s another around the corner.”

“Did you not call ahead?”

“It’s not like I had a cell phone handy.”

“A what?”

“A cell phone. You know a mobile phone?” She shrugged somewhat puzzled.

“I thought you’d send ahead for a room, especially with me pregnant. That was poor planning, Joseph.”

“You wanna talk poor planning? A child before marriage isn’t exactly in the top ten for Martha Stewart’s New Planning Guide.”

“What? Who’s Martha Stewart?” She furrowed her brow, confused.

“Skip it. We’ll try the next inn.”

“All I’m saying is, you knew I was pregnant and I would have thought you’d sent someone ahead. Not that I don’t appreciate Willard the donkey, but a cart would have been nice – easier on the back.” Joseph glanced over his shoulder then rolled his eyes.

“Anything else wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, I just thought you’d call ahead.”

“Like I said, Mary…it’s not like I had a cell phone.”

“What’s a cell phone?” She nodded, curious to understand.

“Just wait here until I check with the innkeeper.” Mary waited patiently then climbing down from the beast she stretched. A pain shot through her like a bolt of lightening.

“Joe!” He motioned to her to wait. “Joseph! Now! It’s now! Showtime.”

“What? Showtime for what?”

“The baby. It’s time. Did you get a room?” She doubled in agony.

“They’re out but they have a garage in the back.”

“Garage? What’s a garage?”

“Nothing. It’s a stable. It’s gonna have to do.”

“I didn’t bring the diaper bag. I wish you’d have called ahead.”

“Now who’s planning poorly?” He helped her into the stable and soon the child was born. Joseph took the baby in his arms and snuggled him close. He cleaned his face gently with a damp cloth then kissed his tiny fingers. “Well, son, it’s good to finally meet you. You’re mother is a wonderful woman – a little persnickety at times, but a good woman. That’s why God chose her.” He stared into the baby’s face understanding fully he was looking into the face of God. “Thing is, she knew in advance. She knew long before me. You did call ahead. Years ahead and You knew then, there’d be no rooms available.”

The truth of the matter is the birth of Christ was prepared well in advance. But from the very beginning there has never been room. It seems where ever He travelled there was a crowd. He had a following. People crowded around Him through His entire ministry. There were times He had to climb into a boat and row out into the water just to have elbow room, so the issue of no room in the inn was only the beginning.

The Father had prepared for this moment from the second He decided to create the world. He made His plans, prepared for the fact that Christ would never have space. He knew that while Jesus walked the earth it would be a tight squeeze, but the hardest place to make a spot for Him would be man’s heart.

We celebrate the birth of Christ every year with great celebration, gifts, and food but the real question remains, “Is there any room?” Do you have space for Him in your heart? My conversation between Mary and Joseph was meant to make you smile just a bit but the thought behind it goes deeper. When you sit down at night to ponder the day, have you made room for Christ? Whether it’s in prayer, devotion, acts of kindness, or actions – have you made room or is He still in the stall out back? Christmas is all about making room for the Savior – His coming. Is there space in your heart?