HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Bayfield Post, 1981-12-23, Page 2Page 2
FROM THE Pastor's Desk
BY Rev. Alun Thomas
Luke 2.7 "...there was no place for them in
the inn:
Dear Readers of the Christmas Story,
I am writing to you in order to clarify some
of the facts regarding that first Christmas
night. You will have to pardon me if I sound
a bit defensive, but I'm tired of being
maligned over the events of that evening.
Here is my side of the story.
First of all, the inn was full: What was 1 to
do? I couldn't just throw somebody out, espec-
ially since they had already paid for their room.
You may ask, -Why didn't you ask somebody if
they would voluntarily give up their room?"
Well, as a matter of fact, 1 did: You know what
happened, don't you? It wasn't that people didn't
want to give their rooms up. They were afraid of
not being able to find another place to stay.
You see, Bethlehem was crowded with people brought
there by the census. It was bedlam, believe me.
what would you have done in my circumstances?
Before you answer though, I ask you to remember
one thing= I didn't have the benefit of hindsight.
Mary and Joseph looked just like any other poor
couple. uut of desperation I offered them the
stable, not because 1 didn't want to give them
anything better, but because it was all 1 had to
offer.
Over the years 1 have often thought about that
night. It seems to me that Jesus being born in
a stable was an indication of what was to happen
to him throughout the rest of his earthly life.
1 heard him preach on several occasions and in
one of his sermons he complained that he had no
place to lay his head. On another occasion he
taught that if you offer shelter to a homeless
person it was the same as offering shelter to
him. Well 1 look around and see many homeless,
lonely people who are shut out by the very
people who would criticize me for not offering
the Lord a proper place to be born.
Thinking back on it 1 suppose 1 have to take the
lion's share of the blame for the inhospitality
1 showed Mary and Joseph. Maybe if 1 had tried
a bit harder something could have been done for
them. Sure, 1 didn't allow Jesus a proper place
at my inn; but when was the last time you opened
your door and your heart and really put yourself
out to welcome a needy stranger. Guess what I'm
really asking is this, -When was the last time
you welcomed Jesus into your home and into your
life?"
Yours respectfully,
The Innkeeper
Pip'n
WE WISH YOU A
MERRY CHRISTMAS and
HAPPY NEW YEAR
to all our customers
We look forward to seeing
you in the New Year:
The winner of the Polaroid
Camera was JEANNETTE HUFFMAN
Hwy 21 next to the Liquor Store
Bayfield 565-2688
•
•
0, lift your heads
high as we join
together and sing
His praises on this
holiest of holidays!
Peace and love!
From the Management
and staff at
;12ain1011
1894
THE ORIGINAL OLD MILL IN BLYTH
Shaw's Dairy
Store
ZURICH, ONT.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
8 a.m. till 10 p.m.
Phone 236-4930
GROCERIES GAS
NOVELTIES
,017