A side note: Luke is also the writer of Acts. That book seems to follow the pattern of Greek novels of the time, or so they say, not an expert on that at all myself. It does seem to have a more literary quality to it than most of the other books of the NT. I wonder how much “literary license” was considered acceptable in those days.

The Greek for “Inn” might have meant any room available for rent. The upper room for the Last Supper might have been rented for the evening from the proprietor. So, “inn” could go either way, maybe?

do you get the same sense as some that Luke is concerned with social justice in that he focuses more on women here and throughout his gospel, he emphasizes the economic relations between rich and poor throughout whether it be the Magnificat’s idea of reorienting society, shepherds instead of magi, announcing a year of jubilee with a program of social justice (Luke 4), various texts on voluntary redistribution of wealth, or things like instead of blessed are poor in spirit (Matthew), blessed are the poor, woe unto rich (Luke)?

He certainly seems to have more women, more marginalized individuals, and more statements on economic disparity than the other gospels. The infancy story seems to emphasize that his mission has particular meaning to those considered less valuable to society.