Room Enough for All of Us

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: Luke 2: 1-20 (MESSAGE)

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.  While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."  At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him.  As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.  Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

Political mandates, forced travel, impending birth and to whom is the good news brought?  Glory all around witness and shared by low-wage workers out in a field.  The message of ultimate hope and salvation is brought to the unexpected.

As the message is read, recited, and sung again this year, will we make room for the good news to be born in our hearts and lives?  Will this good news inspire curiosity like that of the shepherds and propel us forward in our lives of faith to seek God each day and to find God not only in the ordinary but in the marginal?

You see, God is at it again today.  Coming as an uninvited, unrecognized, unexpected guest, God arrives in the world whether we know it or not, whether we ask for it or not, and whether we enjoy it or not. Will we notice this Christmas?  If we notice, will we respond?

Wrapped in the light of hope, peace, joy and love, we’ll gather in the warmth of the sanctuary of Christ Church at 5:00pm on Christmas Eve this Saturday for a family worship service of Las Posadas, which is a service of shelter for the Holy Family. The service will include beloved hymns and prayers. It will invite us to open our hearts and our doors in order to make room for everyone. The service will end with candle lighting and the singing of “Silent Night.” Hope you will bring your family and join us for a lovely Christmas Eve.