“She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
When I was in first grade, my Sunday School class put on a production of the Nativity story. We had been waiting for this all year. I wanted the part of Mary so badly! Besides being one of the only females in the story, she got to wear the prettiest blue veil, and she actually had lines. What little Catholic girl doesn’t want to be Mary at some point in her childhood?
We picked our parts out of jar. I crossed my fingers, reached in, and pulled out a slip that said “innkeeper.” Innkeeper? I was so disappointed. My role consisted of shaking my head “No, there is no room in the inn,” then beckoning Mary and Joseph, unlocking the stable, and gesturing them inside. I’m sure my parents still thought I was cute and charming, but I performed my part with very little enthusiasm that Christmas.
Looking back on this, I first realize how petty my seven-year old self was, but also how important the role of the innkeeper is in each of our lives. In these final hours before Christ’s birth, it’s a beautiful time to reflect how we are all innkeepers of our own hearts. Mary comes begging at our door to bring Christ to life in us. Do we have room for her? She doesn’t request a palace or even a bed; she comes to us in our meek and lowly stables. Christ makes His home in our poverty.
Like the innkeeper, we can only offer what we have, yet Our Lady makes it beautiful with her presence. As we anticipate the coming of our Lord as a tiny baby, we can prepare our hearts, our “stables,” for His birth. Sweep out the dust of sin! Rebuild the roof of virtue! Provide a soft hay bed of prayer and thanksgiving! We can meet Mary at the unlocked doors of our hearts and welcome her in with great joy. Unlike my Sunday School Nativity play, let us all perform our role of innkeeper with great enthusiasm and love.
~ Written by Sister Mary Amata