No Room at the Inn - Innkeeper's Wife

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7

It was late in the day when they appeared at our door.
Unfortunately every available seat, or space for sleeping, was already occupied.
The poor lass was clearly done in
and I am not surprised,
Having to travel all that way in her condition.

You can tell this census business was planned by a man,
and one many miles away
no real consideration for how it will affect the people involved,
no thought for the women and children
no thought for how the census could be managed
- oh no they think it will all happen by magic.

From the look on the man's face he knew that we were full before he even asked the question.
The deafening noise from within was a bit of a giveaway.
Have you noticed that the more people there are in a room,
the louder they all bellow,
in an attempt to make themselves heard over the rest.
Then the ale kicks in and it all gets even louder
as each one believes they are the only person who has a grasp of current affairs.
Inside, three planning committees are in the process of being formed,
to improve management of the next census...
Daft lot, as if the Romans are going to take any notice of them!

Anyway, back to the late arrivals.
My heart went out to them.
But what could I do to help them?
Then I had a brain wave!
"Look, I know is it not much,
but there is an animal shelter close by where you could rest,
until you find somewhere better."
The man's face lit up.
"We just need somewhere to rest.
Thank you so much!"
The woman, well I say woman,
but she was little more than a slip of a thing,
just smiled this beautiful smile,
as if I had offered them the best room in the house,
rather than a dingy, drafty, dirty animal shelter.
I showed the way,
"It is not much,
but I don't think you can go much further, dear.
It looks like it won't be long before your baby is here!"
The couple agreed,
and the young woman made herself a comfy with some animal bedding.
Then left them to settle,
whilst I fetched some rugs and refreshments.

That baby must have been listening
Because by the time I returned,
her labour was well underway.
Given her youth, I suspected that it was her first pregnancy,
so I expected the delivery to take some time,
but, no, this baby has decided that it was time to put in an appearance.

I have helped deliver babies in the Inn before,
and plenty of animal births have taken place in this shelter,
but this was the first baby born here as far as I am aware.

Meanwhile, when I returned to the inn,
My husband was still only partway through his epic monologue on goverments,
planning and innkeeping...
As long as he gave away free drinks, he had a captive audience.
Though he appeared not to have noticed that most of them were fast asleep.
I think I shall join them..."