December 24th

So, everyone knows what December 25th is, but, for me, the 24th is even more important.

His name has long been lost to history, but he is the most important person in the story.

When Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem, they knocked on many doors, but were turned away at every house.

They were exhausted, hungry and thirsty. They came to the last house in town, on the far outskirts, and knocked. A very gentle man, in white beard and an apron, came to the door, and bid them welcome. He said they had no room, but they'd find some.

The innkeeper took in pregnant and parenting women with no place to go. Young girls cast out of their own homes. Wives who had been beaten. Refugees. Immigrants escaping famine and war. They were all welcomed at the inn.

And when the rooms were all filled up, there was always the manger. Plenty of extra blankets. No one was ever turned away. There was food and drink for everyone.

He was the first Christian. He was a Christian before there were Christians. And a Jew. And a Muslim. And a Hindu, and a....

Frankly, he didn't care what he was called. He was called. And he answered that call.

December 24th is the day we celebrate the innkeeper, the day for refugees and immigrants, for abused women, for pregnant and parenting teenagers, for the homeless, for all those cast out of their own homes, with no place to go.

from David Albert, Olympia Friends Meeting (12/20/2023)