SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1-20
TEXT: THEME: INTRODUCTION There is another way to understand the Stable that Jesus was born in. In those days, it was not uncommon for people to have animals in their homes. Kind of like how we might have a dog, or cat, or some other pet roaming the home. My friend had a rabbit. Bethlehem is Joseph’s home town, fill with all kinds of family to impose upon. When the inn was full, he and his pregnant wife had options. Sleep here on the Pune in the living room, next to the dog, cat, chicken, duck, goat and cow. Animals were brought into the house at night for shelter, warmth, and safety. When the baby comes we’ll be there to help. SCRIPTURE Reimagine the home, with travelers sleeping from their trip, in the living room. Then roused from their sleep as the child is ready to be delivered into the world. The household became alive with activity, with each finding something to do. For some, this was not their first time helping to deliver a new life into the world. Accommodations, adaptations, room is made ready for this new addition to the family. Where are we going to put the baby? We got this thing here to use as a bassinet. Line it with fresh hay, it’s soft, This blanket is clean, swaddled babies don’t move, he’ll be safe, this will work. Jesus comes, born into the family of David’s cede in Bethlehem. What God is doing is about family and relationships. Jesus’ coming is about our identity as the people of God, being brought into the family of God, no matter who you are. Shepherds are alerted by angels of this and are welcomed at the manger event. From God in Heaven, to Angels above, to Travelers from Nazareth and Shepherds in the field, this is an inclusive act of God, drawing all people to God’s self at Aunty’s house in Bethlehem. Jesus is the kind of relative that comes to stay with us and is happy to sleep in the living room, or on whatever we set up with for him. Dog, cat, chicken, goat, cow, its okay. Staying with family, to spend as much time with each other cooking, washing dishes, hanging out is what Jesus wants to do. The Christ child is about love, relationships, living and welcome APPLICATION This Christmas story is not about how sinful we are or how much we need to be fixed or saved. But this Christmas story is about a God who loves us so much, veiled in flesh and blood is born in the City of David. What is created in Mary is the work of the Holy Spirit. Joseph shelters Mary in their marriage, The family of David shelters them with a heritage, And God is extending this shelter of love to all of us. God sees us as good and love sparks Jesus’ coming to us in this dramatic way. “Infant holy, infant lowly, For his bed a cattle stall.” The Manger is unpretentious, inventive, innovative, creative, imaginative, wide open for anyone to come and be apart of this manger event. God’s arms are opened wide to welcome us into God’s self just as we are. As our eyes lock on Jesus in the manger, this image is etched in our minds. We too must make accommodations for the love of God, in; wholeness, acceptance, purpose, joy, compassion, caring, companionship, healing, hope, life, life eternal, relationship with God, goodness, contentment, and peace. It takes the adaptive, creative, devoted parts of us that allows us to let go of those parts that impede the life God wants to share with us in Jesus. Jesus’ birth is a story of good news, it is a story of God’s news, and the story of Good lives - all lives - loved by God. CONCLUSION There is a welcoming hospitality that is extended to this traveling couple and accommodation to include the Christ Child. This is something we already do. We make accommodations, we adapt, we are creative and inventive, and strengthen relationships with each other, with experiences of hospitality. God comes to us in Jesus as a lavish expression of God’s love for us. God sees us as good, you are good as God desires more intimacy in our relationship together. Christmas is this gift of God’s manger, opened wide to include us, under God’s shelter of love.
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