We were camping in Scotland
and had just endured
48 hours of non-stop rain.
We arrived, cold and wet
at a campsite in Stirling
late at night.

The campsite owner opened the door
and, in answer to our question,
told us the camping rate
for the night.
Our faces fell –
we were only students
and we couldn’t afford that.

The campsite owner’s wife
juked around the door
and a whispered conversation ensued.
“Let them sleep on the floor,”
whispered the wife.
“No, no!” hissed the campsite owner.

We left, downcast,
and cycled off into the darkness
in a town we didn’t know.

Tonight at St Agnes’ carol service
that memory resurfaced
when the children’s choir chorused,
“There isn’t any room
and you can’t stay here.
There isn’t any room for strangers!”

And for the first time in my life
I had an inkling
of the disappointment
that Mary and Joseph must have felt
when they were told
that there was no room at the inn.

Thank you, Lord,
for the children of St Agnes’ choir
who, tonight, brought life
to the Christmas story.

© Claire Murray, 20th December 2015