We take the same picture every Christmas morning. The kids give out their gifts, we read about the three gifts of the magi, we give them their three gifts, and then we pull them away from their stockings and the piles of ripped paper to take a picture. This year was no different; every kid stood in front of the tree with a favorite gift. But, this year, there was an extra kiddo in that picture. Yeah, that boy in the puffy vest holding a toy robot? He’s not mine in case you haven’t noticed. But, he sorta fits right in, doesn’t he? I swear that I didn’t even pose the picture. They all just sorta stood like that equidistant from each other in perfect formation.

There have been people who have praised us for bringing Helen and Caleb into our home. I always tell them that it’s a joy to have them, that Helen is a sweet friend and that Caleb is smart and funny and the perfect little addition to our four. And, all that is true. But, there’s more to it than that.

We went to a live nativity right before Christmas. It wasn’t just kids dressed up with some token animals standing by. It was a full play complete with angels singing on top of the barn. I watched as Joseph and Mary knocked on the Innkeepers door, and he waved them away. I’m sure he was so busy, and his inn was crowded. I get that. But, because there was no room left in the inn, at least in his opinion, he said no to a very pregnant woman and ultimately declined the incredible opportunity to have the very son of God enter into our world in his home. I wonder who he was. I wonder if the wise men stopped there too and asked if he knew where the king of Jews had been born. I wonder if he remembered that night when he heard about Herod trying to find the baby. I wonder if he regretted it later or justified it in his mind or to his neighbors.

This past fall, when we told Frank and Helen that our home was full but not too full for them, that we’d make room, we did what was right not because we are heroes. We most definitely are not. We just knew we couldn’t be like that innkeeper. We could not live with not inviting them in. Bringing them here wasn’t the only option to keep them safe; but, it was the only guaranteed safe option as her belly grew. We could not simply name those possible options for them and wave them on and miss the opportunity to love them and experience Jesus in a new way in our own home by making room in the inn. We were compelled. At this point, about one third into their stay with us, I can say that it’s not always easy to share a home. It’s not always comfortable, and it’s nearly never quiet. But, it’s very much worth it because we’re all experiencing Him in real ways.