As story tellers, we all know the important role the evil villain plays in a story. And for most of us, we grew up learning about the villain of the Christmas story: the cruel innkeeper who turned Mary and Joseph away from his overcrowded inn, leaving Mary out in the cold to have her baby alone in a smelly stable on the outskirts of town. 

You may be surprised to learn that the Bible never actually mentions an innkeeper. There is also no mention of an inn. Even though this is a dramatic way to tell the story, it doesn’t align with the cultural realities of First Century Judea. When we put the Christmas story in its correct context, it becomes an amazing story of radical hospitality. 

The Bible tells us that Mary gave birth to Jesus, wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room in the kataluma. Kataluma is a Greek word that means upper room or guest room. It is the same word used to describe the room where Jesus eats his last supper with the disciples. 

In a typical First Century Judean home there would have been two rooms. One room was where the family lived, cooked, and slept. The front part of this room would have been sectioned off as a place where their animals could spend the night. The animals would drink water from a stone trough called a manger. Mangers could have also been carved into the floor of the dwelling. The second room in the home was the kataluma, or guest room.  

The gospel writer Luke tells us that when Mary had her baby there was no room in the guest room. There must have already been guests staying there. Because hospitality is valued so highly in that culture, we can assume Mary and Joseph would have been welcomed into the part of the house where the family lived. They may have also been invited to stay in the part of the house where the animals stayed. Either way, we know one thing is for sure – Mary and Joseph would have never been turned away.

Understanding the context of a Bible story is so important when retelling Bible stories, especially to children. Understanding the context of the Biblical narrative can fundamentally change the whole story. This Christmas, what does it mean for you to practice radical hospitality? Who do you need to invite into your home this holiday season?

If you are looking for a book that tells the Christmas story through the lens of hospitality, check out our new picture book, The Mouse in the Manger. In this story, a little mouse wants to give Jesus a gift, but doesn’t believe he has much to offer. He finds out that he really does have something to give after all – the gift of radical hospitality.  

Merry Christmas, Friends!

Eric Schrotenboer
Fresh Wind Studios

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