As always, the transcript for the service can be read below
LUKE 2:1-20
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ, the Lord.12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a Baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.17 When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child,18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:1-20 SERVING WITH LOVE (MAKING ROOM FOR JESUS) Springford Baptist Church: December 20, 2020.
On this Sunday before Christmas, we read again the familiar events of the Christmas story. There are many details that we could focus on. For this year at Christmas, I invite us to focus on MAKING ROOM FOR JESUS. And with that in mind I want to tell another story which I think will bring back memories of school concerts and Sunday School Christmas programs and our own annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Springford Baptist Church.
“Wally was nine years old and in the second grade, though he should have been in the fourth. He was big and somewhat clumsy, slow in movement and mind, but well-liked by the other children in class, all of whom were smaller than he.
At times, the boys did have trouble hiding their irritation when the uncoordinated Wally would ask to play ball with them. He would stand by, not sulking, but hoping. Always a helpful boy, willing, and smiling, the natural protector of any child he felt was being mistreated.
As Christmas time approached, plans were made for the annual school pageant. Children were being assigned their parts: angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary, and Joseph. Wally stood by expectantly, then suddenly his joy knew no bounds; for he heard the teacher say, “Wally, I want you to be the Innkeeper.” (Not many lines to learn, she reasoned and his size would make his refusal of lodging to Joseph more forceful.) Little did that teacher dream the lesson that such a tender-hearted boy would teach to all who would attend that program.
Then came the rehearsals with the manger, beards, crowns, and a stage full of squeaky voices. Most caught up in it all was Wally. He would stand in the wings, watching the performance with fascination. His teacher had to make sure he did not wander on-stage before his cue.
Then came the long-awaited night and Wally stood holding a lantern by the door of the Inn, watching as the children who portrayed Mary and Joseph came near him.
“What do you want?” Wally asked with a brisk gesture.
“We seek lodging.”
“Seek it elsewhere. The inn is filled.”
“Sir, we have asked everywhere in vain. We have traveled far and are very weary.”
“There is no room in this inn for you.” Wally looked properly stern.
“Please, good innkeeper, this is my wife. She is heavy with child and needs a place to rest. Surely you must have some small corner for her. She is so tired.”
Now, for the first time, the Innkeeper relaxed his stiff stance and looked down at Mary. With that, there was a long pause and the audience became a bit tense.
“No! Be gone!” the prompter whispered from the wing of the stage.
“No! Be gone!” Wally repeated automatically.
Joseph sadly placed his arms around Mary and Mary laid her head upon her husband’s shoulder, and the two of them started to move away. The Innkeeper did not return inside his inn, however.
Wally stood there in the doorway, watching the forlorn couple. His mouth was open, his brow creased with concern, his eyes filling unmistakably with tears.
And suddenly this Christmas pageant became different from all others.
“Don’t go, Joseph,” Wally called out. “Bring Mary back.” And Wally’s face grew into a bright smile. “You can have my room!”
A burst of laughter, then silence, then tears flowed freely as the message came through to the listeners. Wally, the boy often considered ‘slow’ had made room for Jesus. He could not turn Mary and Joseph away. God’s only Son would be welcomed by him! His loving heart had made room for the Saviour.
In this past year of 2020, we have witnessed over and over how essential LOVE is and we are the ones who have been given the responsibility of carrying this life changing message of God’s redeeming LOVE.
If we are going to SERVE WITH LOVE, in our world and in our communities where God and His LOVE is so needed, it begins by MAKING ROOM FOR JESUS.
In Revelation 3:20 we read the words of Jesus, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and open the door, I will come in…”
MAKING ROOM FOR JESUS is an every day decision. I was making Christmas cookies this week when I heard the words to this song and it emphasizes so well this invitation from Jesus to make room in our hearts and in our lives for Him. The natural outcome of this is to also make room in our hearts and in our lives for others by SERVING WITH LOVE.
MAKE ROOM
“Family hiding from the
storm
Found no place at the keeper’s door
It was for this a
Child was born
To save a world so cold and hollow
The sleeping
town did not know
That lying in a manger low
A Saviour King who
had no home
Has come to heal our sorrows.
Is there room in your heart
Is
there room in your heart
Is there room in your heart
For God to
write His story?
You can come as you are,
But it may set you
apart
When you make room in your heart
And trade your dreams
for His glory.
Make room in your heart
Make room in your heart
Shepherds counting sheep in the
night
Do not fear the glory light
You are precious in His
sight
God has come to raise the lowly
Is there room in your heart
Is
there room in your heart
Is there room in your heart
For God to
write His story?
You can come as you are,
But it may set you
apart
When you make room in your heart
And trade your dreams
for His glory.
Make room in your heart
Make room in your heart
Mother holds the Promise
tight
Every wrong will be made right
The road is straight and
the burden’s light
For in His hands He holds tomorrow
Is there room in your heart
Is
there room in your heart
Is there room in your heart
For God to
write His story?
You can come as you are,
But it may set you
apart
When you make room in your heart
And trade your dreams
for His glory.
Make room in your heart
Make room in your
heart
Make room in your heart
Make room in your heart.”
The natural outcome of MAKING ROOM FOR JESUS is to also make room in our hearts and in our lives for others, by SERVING WITH LOVE.
Our time of waiting is nearly over as we have prepared again this year for the celebration at Christmas of the birth of Jesus.
How will we respond, as Jesus’ knocks and asks if we will make room for Him? What will making room for Jesus mean for you?
ADVENT CANDLE OF LOVE Sun. Dec. 20, 2020.
Lola: Today, on this Christmas Sunday, we want to thank God for Jesus who has brought LOVE into our world. In our world where everyone needs to be LOVED, Jesus is the One who LOVES us the most. When we realize that Jesus LOVES us, we know that we matter. There are people in our world who feel lonely and Jesus wants each one to know that they are LOVED and they matter. Jesus LOVES everyone! We can discover more of Jesus’ LOVE as we LOVE each person He LOVES.
Everyone: Jesus knows everything about us and He still LOVES us. Jesus never stops LOVING us. That is real LOVE. When we discover how much God LOVES us, we can begin to LOVE each other the way that God has always wanted. We see LOVE best shown in Jesus. We best show Jesus’ LOVE when we choose to serve.
Lola: Today we light this candle of LOVE knowing that Jesus makes LOVE possible! We want to look to God to show Jesus’ love through us as He has in this past year of 2020 and as He will in the year ahead. (lighting the candle of LOVE)
Everyone: We will pray together, “Thank You God for the LOVE we have discovered because Jesus has come into our lives. Your LOVE leads us to want to show Your Love by serving. Thank You that the LOVE that Jesus gives is not just for Christmas, but for every day. Thank You that You are Someone we can trust to LOVE us forever. We pray that we will keep on discovering LOVE in Jesus and ways to serve with Your never-ending LOVE. ALL FOR JESUS! AMEN.