Reflections on "The Innkeeper" Luke 2: 1-7

This is the sermon (brief one) that I preached on Christmas Eve.  Since I preach on Christmas Eve without notes, this is merely an approximation of what was said.  I confess that it is harder these days to preach with no notes because it demands more prep time.  This year I actually committed the time to it, and the sermon went better (at least it was less stressful for me!).

The first move was done at the back of the Sanctuary, including my actually making knocking sounds as if someone were knocking on the door.

"The Innkeeper” December 24, 2014; FPC, Troy; Bit Players series; Luke 2: 1-7;

Move 1: Knock, Knock, Knock

Who is it? Who is knocking at the door?

Knock Knock

Okay, okay, I'm coming. Just a second.

I know honey. I know it's going to be that young man and his pregnant wife. Who else would be banging on our door again.

I was hoping they would find somewhere else to stay.

I know, I know, there is no place else to stay in all of Bethlehem; the census has overwhelmed everyone.

but I thought they might get lucky.

Yes, I told them to come back if they didn't find anything else.

No, I did not have a plan for if they came back.

I”m just going to send them on their way.

Knock, Knock.

There is absolutely no place we can put them. The only room left is our room. WE could give them our bed, but our kids are already sleeping in our bed with us.

I don't know. If they're desperate enough we could let them use the stable.

At least it would give them some shelter for the night, and it would be a wind break.

Okay, I'll be back in a bit. I'm going to help get them settled.

Yes, I’ll tell them tat you can come help if she starts to deliver her baby.

Knock, Knock

I said I'm coming.

Move 2: I think the innkeeper gets a bad rap.

The Innkeeper's Union ought to have hired a better public relations dept.

You know, the innkeeper isn't even mentioned in Luke. We're just told that there was no room at the inn.

But who gets to tell Mary and Joseph every year that there's not room at the inn at the annual Christmas pageant – the innkeeper.

I dont' nknow, maybe we have it wrong about the innkeeper.

Someone had to help Mary and Joseph out when they were wandering around Bethlehem.

Someone had to help them find this place where they could put their new born in a manger.

Maybe the innkeeper, maybe the innkeeper's wife, maybe a neighbor.

I'm going to go with the innkeeper.

move 3: Actually, we do not know much about the innkeeper.

But we do know about the God who came in Christ that night.

The God who chose to come and live among us.

That's what God coming in flesh means – that in the midst of all the issues and problems we have – Christ still comes.

when the inn is full and there is nothing we can do about it, no more space to find even if we wanted to – Christ still comes.

 In our world where terrorism and war erupt daily, where racism appears, where two plice officers can be assassinated while sitting in their squad cars -- into that world that seems so far from God, God chooses to come and live among us.

When are lives seem overwhelming and we do not know where to turn – Christ arrives.

Into the Hospice where death waits for our loved one – Christ still comes.

Into our every so busy lives where we risk losing ourselves to the things we do, Christ will arrive.

When are future seems so uncertain we are scared to take the next step forward, Christ will arrive.

The innkeeper discover the God who will not be stopped from living among us.

Move 4: But in the innkeeper, we are also reminded of God's great desire that we give ourselves over to Christ. That we make room in our lives for Christ.

The innkeeper only has a stable – and that is enough for the Christ child.

Some of us arrive here tonight feeling like we have so much to offer.

We're in the job we like; our lives are falling into place. We have a lot to offer – Christ wants to be a part of all you have to offer.

Others of us arrive here struggling. We count ourselves among the broken and the brokenhearted. Thew future seems uncertain and full of problems.

It's not that we do not want to give ourselves over to Christ, but we do not feel like we have much to give. Christ wants to be part of your life as well.

It does not matter how much you have to give or how little you have to give; what matters is what God gives to you by coming in Christ.

move 4: I told this story a few years ago, but when preaching about the innkeeper, I had to tell it again!

Wally – 4^th grade age, but in the 2^nd grade; he looked like a big, clumsy giant among the second graders; his mind worked like he looked – clumsily and slow.

Well-liked; participated;

Christmas pageant – he waited to hear what part he would play. Very excited when he discovered he would pay the innkeeper. The teacher had carefully chosen this part for him because it had very few lines, and because Wally’s imposing figure would make it believable when the innkeeper turned Mary and Joseph away.

Rehearsals went very well. Wally learned his lines: “Go somewhere else.” There is no room for you.” Go away.”

The pageant went well. Soon the dramatic knock on the door of the inn. “We need a place to stay”

“Go somewhere else.”

But, sir, we have looked everywhere. We have traveled a great distance. Please let us stay.”

“There is no room for you.”

“Please, my wife is tired. She’s about to bear a child. Please, let us stay.”

Long pause, Wally looks forlornly at Joseph and Mary. The prompter from off-stage loudly whispers, “Go away.”

Wally’s rehearsal kicks in and he says, “Go away.”

As he watches Mary and Joseph turn and walk away, Wally, the innkeeper, suddenly blurts out, “Don’t go Joseph. Bring Mary back. You can have my room.”

conclusion: It's a glorious night of worship – wonderful music; the singing of carols, candle lighting, being in this place with family and friends.

And in this place we tell a story, the story of the God who desires to be with us so much that God comes in the Christ-child.

Christ has arrived. Do you have any room for him?