TROUBLE AT THE INN By Dina Donohue It was the typical Christmas pageant. Miss Lumbard was trying to assign all the children to their appropriate roles. Wallace Purling wanted to be a shepherd and have a flute, but Miss Lumbard found a more important role for Wally. He was about nine, and rather big for his age, but also rather slow. Miss Lumbard thought his size would make the lines of the Inn Keeper more forceful, and besides there were not too many words for Wally to remember. So it was as that fateful night began. The usual crowd of parents and loved ones gathered for the towns annual program. None of them more taken up by the story than Wallace Purling. Wally stood in the wings fascinated and caught up in the story that from time to time Miss Lumbard had to remind him not to wander on stage. Then the time came. Mary and Joseph appeared slowly moving toward the inn. Joseph knocked on the door and Wally the Innkeeper was there waiting. What do you want? He said swinging the door open. We seek Lodging Seek it elsewhere Wally said looking straight ahead and speaking brusquely. Sir, we have asked everywhere in vain and we have traveled so far. There is no room in the inn for you. Wally looked properly stern. Please Mr. Innkeeper this is my wife she is heavy with child and need a place to rest. Now for the first time Wally relaxed. He looked at Mary. With that there was a long pause. The audience was a bit tense and embarrassed. And the prompter said from the side, No be gone! Wally repeated, No begone.! Joseph placed his arm around Mary and walked sadly away. The tired little mother of Jesus laid her head on his shoulder. The innkeeper did not return to his inn. Wally stood there watching the forlorn couple. His mouth stood open, his brow was creased, his eyes began to fill with tears. Suddenly this Christmas pageant became different from all the others. Dont go Joseph, Wally called out. Bring Mary back. Wallys face grew into a beaming smile, You can have my room. THE LORD SAYS: “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. - Deuteronomy 15:7-8
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 01:03:30 +0000
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