Is There Room in Your Heart?
Chris Staub • Pastor, Silvery Lane Baptist Church • Dearborn Hts, MI
From The Baptist Bread • Dec 20 • Nov / Dec 2021
“ . . . there was no room for them in the inn”
(Luke 2:7b).
One Christmas play seems to have stood out above all the others in one small Midwestern town. There was a boy named Wally Purling. He was big for his age and a little backward. He was the champion of the smaller boys and the disdain of the older guys. His school teacher selected him to be the innkeeper because of his size and he was also assigned a small speaking part.
Wally was mesmerized by the costumes, sets and lights that seemed bigger than life. Wally’s cue was when Mary and Joseph knocked on the set door.
He was to open it and say, “What do you want?”
“We seek lodging.”
“Seek it elsewhere,” said Wally brusquely. “The Inn is filled”.
Joseph spoke again, “Sir, we have traveled far and asked everywhere.”
“We have no room,” Wally sternly replied.
“Please,” said Joseph, “my wife, Mary is with child, we are very tired. Surely you have some small corner for us.” Wally, the innkeeper, hesitated.
The teacher / director whispered, “No, begone.” He, repeated the words, “No, begone.”
Sadly, as rehearsed, Mary and Joseph turned away. Wally, the unsure innkeeper was in tears, and at this point the pageant became a legend.
Wally broke from the script and called out, “Joseph, don’t go!”
“Bring Mary back, you can have my room!!!”
Some said the play was ruined, but others, many others said that it was the best one ever!
I think Wally had it right.
Do you have room for Jesus this Christmas Season?
By Permission:
Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • Thanks for “Taking 5"
iamnotashamed.com • God bless and bless God
