The Innkeeper's Story

The Innkeeper's Story
by Joyce Leep Petrichek

Awakened by a knock, I found a stranger at my door,
A poor man, it was certain, for a simple cloak he wore.
His wife was on a donkey, looking anxious and distressed.
I could see she was with child and was in desperate need of rest.

She looked at me with pleading eyes. I looked down at my feet.
"I have no room," I told them, and I made a quick retreat.
It troubled me to turn them down; I prayed they'd be alright,
Then fell asleep exhausted and slept soundly through the night.

The morning brought another eager knocking on my door.
I rose to find a shepherd, and behind him, several more.
"An angel spoke to us!" they cried. Exciting news we bring!
Your stable holds the Son of God! Your manger holds a king!"

I caught my breath. I could not speak. The Christ child! Could it be?
With pounding heart and shaking knees, I hurried out to see.
I knew at once they spoke the truth, when I beheld His face.
He'd come from heaven's glory to be born in this foul place.

I wept beside His humble bed that should have been so fine.
Had I but known, I gladly would have given the Christ child mine.
He could have had my silken shawl and lace beneath His head,
Instead of ragged swaddling clothes and manger for His bed.

From that day on, I never turned a traveler away,
And many times I gave my bed and urged the weary, stay.
I lowered prices for the poor and gave them food to eat,
And gave them robes, and water, warmed, to wash their dirty feet.

The rich, the poor, the strong, the weak, I treated all the same.
I welcomed with a friendly smile each traveler who came.
And yet, I am remembered, not for good that I have done;
I'm only known as he who had no room for God's own son.

Would you be known as one who helped, or one who turned away,
If Christ should come in stranger's clothes to visit you today?
Would He be welcomed with a smile and words sincere and true?
Or would He hear those words again, I have no room for you?