It was a very busy time: the census was being taken.  Everyone was occupied: all the houses in Bethlehem were filled – some with strangers lodging for the night, others with friends or relations.  There was no room in the inn.  There was no room for Jesus – no time for him.  There never is, in the world.

It has been said that to everyone the world offers at least a twofold hospitality – to be born and to die, but even this is more than it offers to its Maker and its God – a manger and a cross.

And now we are coming to the end of Advent and we are within sight of the lights of Bethlehem.  Our preparation for Christmas will soon be over, but will we be ready after all for Jesus when Christmas Day comes?  It is a busy time in the world.  Christmas always is.  There is extra work to do, extra pleasures to prepare for and to enjoy.  Will we have time for Jesus on his own Birthday festival, or will we be too occupied to spare him more than a passing thought?

Jesus always comes when something else is calling: we always have to give up the world for him, or give him up for the world.  For the world has plenty of room for Christmas but no room for Christ.  Will we allow the festivities, held in his honour, to take the place of himself?  In a word, will we have the merriment of the inn without the joy of the shepherds?