Welcome to Day 2299 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Characters of Christmas-5 Room for Jesus - the Innkeeper – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 12/24/2022 The Characters of Christmas: Room For Jesus: The Innkeeper   On this blessed Christmas Eve, we have one more character for this Advent series. We will call this person “The Innkeeper.” Our scripture for tonight is Luke 2:1-7, on page 1591 in the pew Bible. Follow along as I read.  The Birth of Jesus 2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. You’ve probably heard the story before. Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem because of a Roman census. Joseph and Mary’s ancestral home was Bethlehem because they were both descendants of King David from the tribe of Judah. Unfortunately, when they arrived in Bethlehem, the town was packed, and they couldn’t find anywhere to stay.   Over the centuries, an entire narrative was built around verses 6 & 7. So let me read those once again. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. “No guest room available.” Those shameful words describe more than the guest room in Bethlehem. They apply just as aptly to today’s world. Sadly, in our Christmas celebrations' busyness, people still make no room for Jesus. Without even realizing it, they miss Christmas, just like most people in and around Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born.   Although that’s the typical way the story is told, that’s not necessarily what happened. The word translated “inn” in some translations, or “guest room” as we see in the NIV” can also refer to the upper, finished room of a house. If this is what Luke means, then the innkeeper has received a bad rap over the years.   Let me dramatize the story a little differently tonight with the help of others.           Joseph: Mary, we are finally approaching Bethlehem. I am thankful to God. I am certainly getting tired from this long journey.   Mary: I am sorry that you have had to walk the entire time. Thank you for allowing me to ride on the...