To suggest there was a stable boy in Bethlehem requires a stretch or a fling into a fantasy world. We don't know there was a stable boy. If there were a stable person it might have been a girl so can we say something about someone who may or may not have been present when the Christ Child was born?
The bigger question calls for us to think about adding to the story knowing that most of the story is simply a tale told/written by a Gospel writer to explain what people needed to know; that Jesus Christ was once a child like any other child; that he was born like any of us have been born; and that there were common ordinary shepherds who attended to him.
The larger question still has to do with the kind of world Jesus was born into. Much is made about the indifference of that world and the anger of the world and the hatred of that world. Was there any kindness?
Did the Innkeeper do a kindness in welcoming the Holy Family? Was that an act of compassion that greeted the Christ Child in Bethlehem?
Some of us have made much of the fact that there was no room in the Inn. Of course, that is wrong. There was room in the Inn. It wasn't a master suite. It wasn't "business class" but the Inn Keeper allowed them to stay in the only place he had available. We don't know if there was a charge. We are not given to understand if they received acts of kindness while they were temporary residents of the Inn in Bethlehem. I assume they were treated kindly.
What do you think?
If you were to tell the story of the Innkeeper's son and how he took care of the couple and their new-born child, what would you say about it?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the "comments box" below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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