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I am reminded very forcefully at this time of year how very fortunate we are to have a home, comfortable chairs and plenty to eat.  Circumstances can force people to be homeless when everything goes wrong.  Circumstances drove Mary and Joseph away from home and family to a strange place to have their baby.  Note I say their baby because because by this time Joseph excepted this child as his!

  Dad and I in our travels have twice been in a place where it was late and there was no room available.  Once driving back from Calgary, where we had been visiting mom and dad, the road ahead of us was closed at Golden because of a slide.  Consequently all the travellers were searching for places to stay that night.  To my utter dismay Dad found a room above a very noisy smoky bar where the man next door continued to serenade us long after the music down stair; music? well it was boom boom boom for the strip er to dance to, finally stopped about 2.  I as over tired and fell coming out of the bathroom, which had a raised step, and ended up with a swollen lip.

The next time we were in the States in a town where there was a huge convention and all the rooms where taken.  Larry had a brilliant idea to go up to the control tower to see if they had any ideas.  One fellow kindly let us use his bed while he worked all night as long as we were out by 7 and changed the sheets.

We have had a little experience at being exhausted and being told no there is no room.

The story within the Christmas story is what is important.  There is every human emotion.  Mary faced death by stoning for being pregnant without a husband.  Joseph was full of doubt and unbelief.  The journey to Bethlehem was long and hard.  A king born in a stable is a joke for they uptight and self-righteous.

The baby is a miracle! ! !  Love brings new life and blooms in the most unexpected places

What better place than in a stable with fresh clean hay which Joseph provided, and with gentle animals like the cow and the shaggy dog and the faithful donkey.