A Sermon for Christmas Eve
Johanna S. Morrigan
Isaiah 9:2-4,6-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-20
Psalm 96
"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."
It's probably the most well known story of all time - the babe in a manger because there was no place for him in the inn. Have you ever wondered about what was going on in that inn? It must have been filled with noise and laughter; with the aroma of fine food and wine thick in the air. There would be dozens of lamps lighting the place and casting shadows on the walls. People are dancing and drinking, dressed in their finest clothes. And they're wearing their most expensive jewelry that flashes in the lights like twinkling stars.
The innkeeper must be going nuts - rushing around trying to keep up with the overflow of business. The place is packed with those who have come to Bethlehem for the registration. Now the Roman occupation is certainly not a good thing - but every now and then they do something that can really help a fellow out... like this registration. It's just the thing the innkeeper's needed. Because now he can pay off his father-in-law and get the old man off his back. At last he'll own his own business, free and clear - beholden to no man.
The noise of music and laughter must make it almost impossible to think. And no doubt there are some pretty risque things going on. Like the young woman over there curling her fingers in that old man's beard; and his wife is sitting right there next to him. And then there's the boisterous laughter over some seamy joke that reddens the cheeks of a young servant girl. But it's all meant in good fun. Everyone's having a great time. And the innkeeper will be able to pay off his debt.
Yes, God in heaven, the master of the universe - is good indeed. Even out of something as odious as the Roman occupation, God creates good things for God's people. And the innkeeper is thinking about how he will be able to afford a really impressive sacrifice at the Temple this spring when he travels to Jerusalem for the Passover. This year he will buy an unblemished lamb - not just some pigeons like in the past. The God of Israel has blessed him indeed.
And then this wretched young couple comes pounding on the door wanting a room. They're dirty and disheveled, and she looks like she's ready to drop a baby any minute!! This is no place to give birth! There are important people lodging here. They're not going to put up with some squalling infant.. She looks all of 14, if that; and she's obviously scared to death. You can see it in her eyes. Probably her first. And he's a common laborer of some sort. You can tell by the calluses on his hands. They have a donkey that looks like its seen better days. No, these two have nothing at all to offer the inn keeper. But just in case he's misjudged them he does suggest that a room might be found for a price. But one look on the man's face and you know - probably all he has is enough for the Roman tax - certainly not enough money to pay for a room in Bethlehem on this night. The rabble will just have to fend for themselves. They always seem to manage.
So he was ready to shut the door on them. And then his wife came up to see what was going on. "She's pregnant, for heaven's sake! You can't just throw them back out there in the night." Well - fine then! Let them stay in the stable. It's dark there - no one'll see them. And no one of importance will see just how poorly the innkeeper has kept his stable....
And so that frightened, young girl 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 him in the inn. God had arrived. The long awaited event had finally come to pass. God had come to God's people as real flesh and blood, in the form of a tiny, red, wrinkled newborn baby. God made flesh - made one of us.
The one who is to bring light to the world and peace to the nations - the one Isaiah had foretold hundreds of years earlier - the one who would be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace - had arrived in the dark, still silence of a dirty stable - a place the innkeeper kept out of sight, hidden from others... because it was a place where his poverty was exposed... It was a place of which he was afraid and ashamed. This is the place to which our Saviour came. Imagine it - God brought the Light of the World to the darkest and poorest place of all... the very place where we most need him.
Where are those dark and miserable places in your own life - where you most need the sweet light of the baby Jesus? Will you invite Him there this Christmas?
Be with us, Oh Lord, where we feel the poorest, for it is in the very darkest corners of our hearts that you will find your manger and bring your light. AMEN