«Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him» (Ephesians 3:17).
Wally was nine years old and in the second grade, even though he should have been in fourth. . . He was big and clumsy, slow to move and think, but he was a very helpful and cheerful boy.
For the Christmas program, his teacher had assigned him the role of innkeeper at Bethlehem, because it didn’t require a lot of talking. As usual, people came to see the big play. Wally looked at everything in amazement and fascination.
Joseph came on scene, tenderly leading Mary. He knocked loudly on the wooden door. Wally, the innkeeper, was there, waiting.
«What do you want?» he asked, roughly opening the door.
«We ‘re long for a room, » replied Joseph.
«There’ s no room in this inn for you, replied Wally with very convincing seriousness and decisiveness.
«Please, kind innkeeper, this is my wife, Mary. She is far along in her pregnancy and needs a place to rest. . .»
For the first time, the innkeeper relaxed the muscles in his serious face and looked at Mary. There was a long pause, long enough to make the audience tense as they noticed clumsy Wally didn’t remember his lines.
«No! Go away! » whispered the prompter.
«No! » Wally automatically repeated. «Go away?’
Joseph sadly put his arm around Mary, just as they had practiced, and she leaned her head on her husband ‘s shoulder. They began leaving the stage.
Wally stood there, watching the couple leave. His mouth was open, his heart beat fast and his eyes filled with heavy tears. Suddenly, the Christmas program took an unexpected turn.
«Don ‘t go away, Joseph! » Wally shouted as he cried. » Bring Mary back! »
And Wally’s face brightened with a triumphant smile, while he said, «You can stay in my room! »
The audience understood they had witnessed one of the best Christmas programs to have ever been dramatized.
In the stage of your life, behind which you often hide your clumsiness and also your pain, will you let Jesus in this time?
