Domesticating the Divine
The homily for Christmas Eve talked about research that suggests the “no room in the inn” is better translated “no room in the guest room”. Middle Eastern practice was to have a room for guests, and since Mary and Joseph were returning to their home town, they would stay with relatives. But since many relatives where making the same trek, the first guest room was full.
Apparently the second place to put up relatives was the room off the house where the animals stayed when it was cold.
So the picture might more accurately be that in the second guest room at the home of relatives Mary gave birth to Jesus. Probably well cared for by fussing aunts.
Not a lonely birth by a frightened teen in a back shed. I find this comforting, in a way. And I wonder then how the visit of the shepherds was seen by the family. They might have pondered that as well.
And so, on the sofa bed in the living room, where the overflow guests stay, Jesus is born. Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!