{Places of Christmas} The Inn
The Inn: The Place of Busy-nessI imagine the innkeeper that dark night in Bethlehem knew a little something about busy-ness and exhaustion. People in town from miles away - tired and hungry - looking for a place to stay. There were probably some grouchy ones, some that complained, and undoubtedly a child or two who did not respond well to the change of routine.
The innkeeper was, I'm sure, wishing the days of the census were over ... that the hustle and bustle would give way to the calm of normal life.
I can relate to that, can you?
Choir practices. Ornament exchanges. Caroling. Children's events. Advent celebrations. Nursing home visits. Cookie baking. Candy making. Christmas cards. Menus. Gift lists. Decorations. Schedules. Traditions.
Exhaustion.
Do you spend your holiday in the place of busy-ness? I have to confess that far too often I do.
Psalm 46:10 has been the cry of my heart this holiday season.
"Be still and know that I am God."
I find myself snatching moments of quiet even in the midst of the holiday frenzy.
My early morning time in the Word.
A few minutes of quiet in the car line.
Reading before bed while the tree lights twinkle in my room.
Stolen moments ... grabbed where I can find them ... taken from the chaos around me.
It's a choice I'm making ... a difficult choice.
A fierce determination not to let the busy-ness overtake me.
Sometimes the busy-ness becomes a badge of honor ... "I must be significant for I have all these important things I do." Sometimes the busy-ness becomes an escape ... "I don't want to think of what I've lost or what is missing so I fill the time with activities." Sometimes the busy-ness is simply habit ... "I always do these things."
It's hard to stop the merry-go-round ... sometimes it just won't stop. Sometimes we must just jump off. Life will keep spinning around us ... but we can be still. We can choose stillness ... and when we choose stillness even when the busy continues something amazing happens.
We notice ... we notice beauty. We notice peace. We notice people.
In the midst of the busy night, an innkeeper was still in the midst of the busy and noticed a young woman great with child and her betrothed.
And what a difference that noticing made ...
What about you? Are you busy this holiday season? How will you make room for stillness in your schedule? What effort will you make to notice those around you?
I do hope these thoughts about Christmas are touching you and encouraging you ... and if you don't already subscribe to Pleasing to You, I'd love it if you would! Just click here and follow the directions to subscribe in a Reader or if you'd rather get each post in your email inbox, just put your email address in the form near the top of the left-hand column above! Thanks!
12 Reactions:
My 8yo son was reading about this place of Christmas a couple days ago in his early reader Bible. In his Bible, it said the innkeeper said he was "sorry" there wasn't any room in his inn. He stopped and said, "Well, at least he was sorry. I bet he was a nice man." :)
I love this study!! Thank you for all you do!! You are so very much appreciated!!!
That Psalm 46:10 gets me a lot. I am so thankful for the seemingly non-busy holiday this year. But be sure to remind me when we are in the home stretch before Christmas, and I'm stressing about all that I have accomplished yet!
You have such a beautiful way of communicating, Teri Lynne. I love that you said that sometimes the merry-go-round won't stop, and we have to jump off! So, so true.
Another great post. I too have often thought of that inn keeper and wondered about his compassionate heart. He could have said no altogether.
Oddly enough when we started having kids we slowed way down at holiday time. One thing I do very intentionally during this season is to plan extra time when I go out anywhere. Then I'm less craby, more likely to smile and be kind and more likely to wait, or even give up my spot in line to someone who is clearly in a hurry. It makes a really big difference.
Again, a great post.
I worry sometimes that this is what my dad is doing right now. With the loss of both of his brothers within the last year and a half I fear the sadness is too great for him. He has dived headfirst into playing music...a great thing...but it consumes him... Praying that he can stop and be still. Thank you Teri Lynne...
SO enjoy this tour of Christmas - much more uplifting than the tour of homes one can see this time of year and that usually leave me feeling covetous and dissatissfied.
Thanks for this lovely journey.
My rush is in the last minute details. As you know, I am not one to get my house decorated or cookie dough ready. We generally get our tree on Christmas eve and I shop the same day. I create a busy-ness by being unprepared. We celebrate Christmas in a very modest way so it is not as if there is that much to do but I do think by not starting sooner I am taking away the opportunity for the family to really focus on the season more or at least in our home. Some years it just becomes another thing that has to get done. I am going to change that this year...I still have time.
This is such a wonderful series!! I'm loving it! :D
Thank you ... all of you.
Teri Lynne -
I just love reading your posts. You speak to my heart so often and this is SO. TRUE! Oh Christmas can be so "busy" and God is SOOOO patient calling us - continuing to call us - and bring us to Him and keep purpose in the business of our lives so it doesn't become empty busy-ness...
"I must be significant for I have all these important things I do."
Wow! You've nailed me again. Why can't we finally learn that our significance is found in Christ? It really matters not a bit what anyone else thinks, I need only please my God.
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