Bible Passage: The Advent Story – Luke and Matthew
Lesson:
This Moment is the second of four used as a greater church-wide call to give to a local shelter.
Last week we talked about how Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem looking for a place to stay and all they needed was a shelter to protect them.
Everybody said they had no room and dismissed them. Nobody, that is, except for one person who had no rooms to let them stay in. However, he realized that Joseph and Mary needed a place to stay. He chose to do something out of the ordinary – maybe because he knew that these were extraordinary circumstances.
I like to think that the stable he gave them was the best shelter he had available. Perhaps he told his stable boy to go clear out the building where the animals were kept. Maybe he had the floors swept clean and fresh hay put down to soften the floor for them. Seeing that Mary was about to give birth, I would guess that his wife helped clean out the manger, which is usually used as a trough to feed the animals, and maybe she put in strips of cloth that would be used for swaddling or wrapping up the baby to come.
We really don’t know anything about the folks who gave shelter to Mary, Joseph and, eventually, their son Jesus. But we can believe that, even though these people were strangers to them, they gave the best they could – nothing fancy or great but just what they had.
During this time of year we are especially reminded to share with strangers the many blessings you and I have. Our Deacons are going to take the gifts we collect today and create food baskets for families we don’t know, but whom Jesus tells us to look after when he said to Simon Peter “feed my sheep.”
I’d like you to help collect them and bring them under the tree, and then join me again there.
(DONE)
Next week, we are going to talk about some amazing visitors that God sent, to let some special people know about the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ. I hope you can be with us then.
Let’s say a prayer. Let’s say “thank you” to God for all these wonderful gifts and to all the good people here who bring them to us to share.
Amen