December 2017
son. She wrapped him in swaddling cloths
and placed him in a manger, because there
was no room for them in the inn"(Lk 2:7).
Our Nativity Plays always show a good
Innkeeper who let Mary and Joseph use his
cattle shed. We don't know if he was a
regular innkeeper or some kind of a
Bethlehem resident who gave his stable for
the use of the weary couple. In either case,
his action has been recorded for history.
That brings up another facet of ministry
hospitality.
host is a blessing to many and an important
ministry. Let us recognize those who are
sensitive to others' needs and express their
love to the Lord by keeping their homes
open.
Preaching and Pondering
The spotlight now moves to the fields
outside Bethlehem. As soon as the
shepherds are given the Good News, they go
into the village, find the baby and tell Mary
all that happened. Then, as the first
missionaries, they go and "spread the word
concerning what had been told them about
this child"(Lk 2:17). While the shepherds
were busy telling the Good News to people,
"Mary treasured up all the