Commentary: Motor Inn story offers parallels to Gospel of Luke

Looking forward to the Advent season and our preparation for Christmas, we Christians focus on the Christmas story: the story of God coming into the world as a poor baby to a family without a roof over their head.

As the Gospel of Luke tells the story, upon Mary and Joseph’s arrival in Bethlehem after inquiring at one place after another, they were told there was no room at the inn.

As I think about the situation in Costa Mesa, and the impending closing of the Costa Mesa Motor Inn, I cannot help but see the parallels. The Gospel of Luke depicts Jesus’ unique love for the poor and his indictment of the rich. We people of faith who are preparing for Christmas, who set up nativity scenes in our churches and our homes, must take the story of Christmas to heart.

In no way do I think the Costa Mesa Motor Inn is the ideal place for the 236 people living there. In no way do I think that the children living there are living in the best and most conducive place to grow up and call it their home.

However, I do believe that this is also not the worst place to call home. In fact, for many the truth is: this is home, the only home they know. By tearing down the Motor Inn, these children will be displaced, they will essentially be told “there is no room at the inn” and turned out into the night with no place to lie their heads.

Meanwhile, luxury homes may be built in its place, homes that most of the people living at the Motor Inn cannot afford, homes that I probably can’t afford on a full-time salary.

While the $5,000 in relocation assistance is a start, it doesn’t solve Costa Mesa’s problem of “No room at the Inn.” There needs to be room for everyone in this city, we can’t simply displace people and try to “clean up the place” without providing an assurance that actual affordable housing will be available.

These children will be uprooted from their school, their friends, the only stability that they have in an unstable situation. My heart breaks hearing comments about parents exploiting their children, and assuming the only answer is to take away the kids and “take out the trash.”

All I can see is the poor couple turned away from the inn and their infant birthed in a hovel with no place to go. It seems to me we have a responsibility to care for the Christ child in our midst. Otherwise, let’s just shut down Christmas along with the Costa Mesa Motor Inn and be honest about the faith we claim.

As we celebrate Christmas this year, may we do so with the Christ-child in mind; he may very well live at the Motor Inn. Let’s not turn him away this time.

The Rev. SARAH HALVERSON-CANO is a pastor at Fairview Community Church in Costa Mesa.