As the Christmas season approaches each year, I am reminded of my own experience that resonates deeply with the essence of this time. While the specifics differ, the underlying message remains universal. The celebration of Jesus’s birth is traditionally enveloped in joy, yet the circumstances leading to it were far from ideal. The journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, compelled by the decree of Caesar Augustus, is well known. Yet, what stands out is not just their travel, but the humble, trying circumstances into which Jesus was born—parents seeking shelter, repeatedly refused, ultimately welcoming their child in a manger, a space meant for animals rather than humans.
In my own life, I once faced a night without the assurance of a roof over my head in an unfamiliar city—an experience that, in its own way, mirrored that age-old narrative.
Allow me to recount this story.
A Night in Coimbatore
Nearly fifty years ago, in 1975, I underwent an experience that gave new meaning to the Christmas themes. I had travelled to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu to appear for an all-India examination, arriving the evening before with the quiet confidence of youth, believing that the world would mould itself to my plans. As fate would have it, reality proved otherwise.
Each lodge I approached turned me away. The city was hosting the state conference of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the ruling political party, resulting in a flood of delegates and no vacant rooms. By the sixth rejection, fatigue and anxiety had started to weigh heavily upon me.
Observing my plight, a lodge manager offered an unexpected solution. He explained that local schools had opened their classrooms for visiting delegates and even provided me with the name of a constituency to facilitate my entry. Though unconventional, his suggestion suited my dire situation.
Trusting his advice, I made my way to the school. At the entrance, a staff member noted my name and the given constituency. Inside, benches were arranged in neat rows for a crowd of weary travellers. I made a makeshift bed by joining two benches and spent the night there. Though far from comfortable, it was a welcome shelter. At dawn, after a quick wash, I quietly left to write my exam.
The silver lining to the experience is that I did not have to spend even a single paise for my accommodation that night in the city, a small but significant blessing amid the uncertainty I faced.
That night did not unfold as I had planned, but it imparted unexpected lessons—resilience, adaptability, and humility. It also shaped a lasting personal philosophy: hope for the best, but be prepared for the unexpected . Especially when travelling, this approach ensures that detours from our itinerary do not dishearten us, but rather open our minds to new possibilities and alternatives that may emerge from the most unlikely corners.
Relevance in Today’s Uncertain World
In today’s world, uncertainty has become a constant presence, manifesting at both global and personal levels. On the larger scale, we are confronted by unpredictable climate events, economic fluctuations, and ongoing international tensions. On a more immediate, everyday level, we encounter obstacles such as road blocks, sudden changes in weather, unexpected illness, or something as simple as a vehicle breaking down.
In such a landscape, the story of the manger and my own experience in Coimbatore take on renewed meaning. Both narratives underscore the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of unforeseen challenges. They remind us that when life deviates from our meticulously laid plans—whether due to circumstances beyond our control or unexpected setbacks—we can still find hope, shelter, and unexpected solutions.
Contingency planning is now a necessity. Yet, even when our best-laid plans falter, help often appears from unexpected quarters—through the generosity of strangers, small acts of kindness, or the simple solidarity of shared humanity.
Christmas and New Year may be separated by just six days, but the spirit we absorb from Christmas—the openness to grace in unexpected forms—can sustain us throughout the year.
Thus, Christmas is not merely about a birth in Bethlehem. It is about accepting life as it comes—whether in welcoming spaces or through makeshift arrangements. It encourages us to broaden our expectations and remain receptive to offers and opportunities that lie beyond our carefully planned scripts.
As we step into another year, let us ask ourselves: Are we truly ready to welcome life when it enters through an unexpected door? More often than not, it is in the unplanned and unscripted moments that grace chooses to appear.
Stephen Musings 
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