“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,” (Galatians 4:4 ESV)
If it was in the fullness of time that God sent His Son (Galatians 4:4 ESV), or as The Message translation by Eugene Peterson iterates it as – when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, one might wonder as to why there was no room available? Did God make a mistake in not making prior arrangements? If God can ensure that all prophecies concerning the birth are fulfilled, it seems that a room for baby Jesus was not part of the deal.
There is uncertainty concerning the place of birth of our Lord. That there was no room in the inn would probably mean that the upper level was fully occupied by guests, and baby Jesus had to make his lodging on the lower level, together with the cattle. Of such was the humble backdrop at His birth.
Fast-forward thirty years later. At one point in His ministry, Jesus declared ‘. . . Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ (Matthew 8:20 ESV).This indicates that comfort wasn’t His lot in life.
During this season of Christmas, may we be reassured that in whatever circumstances, God has His eternal plans all mapped out, even if ‘a room’ is found wanting. Moreover, Jesus has promised us: “In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2 ESV).
Elder Richard Lai
