A little late in posting the sermon. the "knock, Knock" part was done from a little room outside the Sanctuary. Not sure if that added to the sermon or not. The sermon worked ok, but it could have been better.
During Advent we have been telling stories and reflecting on stories, stories that shape and form us. Each week we’ve had a little story time at the stool.
Tonight we read a familiar story; it is THE story. the one that give shape to our lives; the one the forms our hope.
“Making Room” SAPC, Xmas Eve night service, 2017; Luke 2: 1-7
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
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 that you can come help if she starts to have 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 no room at the inn at the annual Christmas pageant – the innkeeper.
I saw a Christmas pageant just las week - here came Mary and Joseph to go up the aisle of the sanctuary, presumably to head to Bethlehem; but there was the innkeeper with his hand out like a stop sign shaking his head “no.” he does not even have to speak - we know what he’s telling Mary and Joseph. “No room for you here.”
Lately I’ve been thinking 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: We may 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 arrives.
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, political division seems greater than ever before; into this world God chooses to live among us.
When are lives seem overwhelming and we do not know where to turn – Christ arrives.
Into our difficult medical journeys; into the face of tragedy; Christ appears.
Into our every so busy lives where we risk losing ourselves to the things we do, Christ arrives.
When are future seems so uncertain we are scared to take the next step forward, Christ shows up.
The innkeeper discover the God who will not be stopped from living among us.
Move 3: We remember the innkeeper, or whoever it was who helped make room out with the animals for Mary and Joseph, we are 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 in that sweet spot in our relationship. 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. The 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 receiving the Christ-child whom God sends for you.
move 4: Wally – 4th grade age, but in the 2nd 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 was going smoothly. 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.”
“But, 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: Christ has arrived. Do you have any room in your life for him?
No comments:
Post a Comment