December 22, 2024 Big Canoe Chapel Morning Service

Sermon: “The Innkeeper: Presumed Guilty”
Dr. Dock Hollingsworth
Scripture: Luke 2:1-7
The sermon based on Luke 2:1-7 reexamines the traditional portrayal of the innkeeper in the Nativity story. Often seen as a villain who heartlessly turned away Mary and Joseph, the innkeeper is instead presented as a figure of compassion. The preacher challenges commonly held views shaped more by hymns, traditions, and nativity scenes than by scripture. By highlighting the historical context, the sermon argues that "no room in the inn" likely referred to the crowded conditions of a communal space, unsuitable for the intimacy of childbirth. The innkeeper’s act of providing an alternative space, possibly among the animals, is reframed as a thoughtful gesture to ensure privacy and dignity for the holy family. This reinterpretation casts the innkeeper as a model of compassionate service amidst busyness, inspiring listeners to practice small acts of kindness during the Christmas season. These simple gestures, reflective of the innkeeper's care, embody the true spirit of Christmas and the presence of Christ in our lives.