The Innkeeper

(A dramatised imagination from the Bethlehem Inn - https://vimeo.com/657939760 ) OY! ! Who is this, will not let me lie and have my rest? Must I rouse and don again my robe, arrange myself, and comb my beard to show myself at best. Just to tell another traveller - ‘continue on your road. No room, no room, for you or any guest.' Let me peak, and sneak about a little longer. Perhaps they will be on their way. Perhaps they will no longer linger. And in my bed again I’ll lay. No need to lift a weary finger. Let’s see. It’s dark across the fields. The night’s no longer mild. A man, a maid, she turns, reveals - this girl is full with child ! - Night’s cloak cannot conceal. "Shalom Aleichem!" The inn is full, we have no bed. How long before the child? Dear Lord! So soon! She must be fed. Please wait, just wait, a little while. Let’s see what we can do. "Brukhim ha-ba’im. Dear children, rest your feet. Please, please do come in. The town is full – there, take a seat. Perhaps - a bed of straw?” I know that we have nothing - truly, nothing more. I shame to greet a stranger in such a lowly way. Perhaps - this cattle manger? Should her child arrive this day. Safe, at least, and warm, if placed upon the hay. But now, my bed still beckons. The wife can do the rest. Besides its women’s business - The women know what’s best Dear wife! Bring her here some swaddle, and clean water from the well - (It could be any moment, as far as I can tell.) Oy!! So soon the morning watch? The cock has not yet crowed Yet, - light shines through the shutter latch - Far fields are all aglow. Is that singing sounding to my ears? And shadows moving on the road? Some shepherds seem to head this way, who else is out at night? No morning rays announce the day. My eyes adjust to light. Wife!, - awake! Pray tell now, am I right? I know I am not dreaming, I hear an infant’s mewl. Wife! Go find what is the meaning of these sounds within the stall. Go! and go now quickly, then come and tell me all. Oy! ! Oh, wife, you made me start. Has Bethlehem now been disturbed? Do tell me, my dear heart. Shepherds! Do say, what is it they have heard? A saviour? In our manger? But this is quite absurd. Is this the coming of the Lord, the promise of the Christ? Can Judah play this precious part? Are all the prophets’ foretold words - long pondered in my heart - revealed this night at last? Immanuel, God with us now - and never to depart. Was there ever such a King, laid in such a lowly state? Or a Royal Prince of Peace shown to shepherds as they wait. Or a keeper of this inn more blessed to welcome in to home, and heart’s estate - The Forgiver of our sin.