The Stable: A Place of Care

Luke 2:1-20, NRSVUE

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 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 in the guest room.

8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before 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, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, 19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

Intro

This Advent season, we have slowed down and entered the Christmas story in new ways. Over the last several weeks, we have been on a journey together to Bethlehem. Our journey began in Rome, where we framed the story of Jesus’ birth under the realities of Roman rule. We explored our call to hope actively as we work to show the world that things can be different by actively ushering in the Kingdom of God. Our next stop was in Jerusalem, in the temple, where we named our call to sit in silence and to listen for God's still, small voice to direct us and give us peace as we expect God to show up. Then, we traveled to Nazareth, exploring the simple faith that embraces the call to walk through humiliating spaces and make a difference as we birth new possibilities for God’s kingdom into the world. Sunday, we arrived in Bethlehem, where we named our need to humbly look to God to show and guide us as we welcome others into our community and share God’s love with them.

Tonight, we finally arrive at the place we have been waiting for: the manger, a place of care. As we approach this familiar text, many of us begin to picture the story in our minds. Whether it is from the Peanuts TV special, Christmas pageants of the past, or some other drama, we immediately picture Mary and Joseph riding into town on a Donkey, and finding no room in the inn; they end up in a stable somewhere out back behind the in, out in the cold, with very little shelter from the elements. Despite that common understanding, it is not an accurate portrayal of Jesus’ birth.

In Bethlehem, around the time of Jesus’ birth, homes often included two rooms and were built over a cave. There was a large room where the family lived, cooked, and slept. Then, there was a second room that was used as storage. The “cave” was where the animals were kept. When family or friends visited you, the storage room was converted into a guest room. The Greek word we now understand to be translated as a guest room is often mistranslated as “inn.” But there was no Holiday Inn Express or other hotel at this time. When you traveled, you stayed with family.

Since there was no space in the guest room, does that mean that there was “no space” for Jesus’ parents? Does that mean there was no room in the internal part of the house? Like this holy couple, many have traveled to Bethlehem, and the family’s guest room is already full. Due to the roman consensus, other members of the family already claimed the space. Other relatives arrived at the house first, and the holy couple had to stay in another area of the home.

In other words, Mary gave birth surrounded by family. One commentary notes, “The most natural place to lay the baby is in the straw-filled depressions at the lower end of the house where the animals are fed. The idea that they were in a stable, away from others, alone and outcast, is grammatically and culturally implausible. In fact, it is hard to be alone at all in such contexts.” In other words, while they likely gave birth next to animals for privacy reasons and to uphold the purity laws of Leviticus, it was far from being alone and outcast; instead, the birthing of Jesus in the stable was culturally appropriate.

Does this change anything for us? Does it ruin the story? Does it change the gospel message? If Jesus was born among family, which is more or less a display of radical hospitality by the owners of the home, doesn’t it make the story even better? The birth narrative of Christ is not a story of rejection and isolation that someday leads to a lonely death on the cross. Instead, it is a story of hospitality and accommodation for ordinary people in a simple home where God dwells not just among the rich and the famous but with all people. In truth, this makes the story even better! The birth of Jesus Christ is about radical, overflowing hospitality. It is about love and accommodation. Joseph’s family welcomes Mary into their home and surrounds her with hospitality and care.

As we reflect on this story in a new light, we must examine our understanding of the Christmas Story. In this manger, surrounded by family, we find God dwelling amid love, care, and hospitality. We find that for such a time as this, God has brought Mary and Joseph to family, a place of belonging, and a community that cares for them. As we examine this story, we look around the room and see the family gathered here. For some of us, our family is with us tonight. They have traveled from other places and spaces to worship with us together. But for all of us, our church family is here too.

God has intentionally drawn us to this place called St. Luke’s/Smith Memorial UMC. We find ourselves with a community that loves, cares, and supports us. Our church family shows up with food and a listening ear in times of struggle. Our church family steps up when we struggle and loves us even when we are down. For this church family is but one branch of the family of God. When we join a congregation of the United Methodist Church, we make promises to one another. When a person is baptized or confirmed, the pastor asks the congregation, “Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons now before you in your care?” Part of our response is a promise that as members of the congregation, “we will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their trust of God, and be found faithful in their service to others.”

As we think about what it means to create a community of love and forgiveness, what better place to look than the manager, the place of care? Who better to look to than the Savior of the world? For in this tiny baby, surrounded by a community of care, all our hope, love, joy, and peace are found. As we live our lives this year, may we intentionally examine our family life. May we look to our own families so that we may provide love and care. May we also look to our church family and continue the legacy of love and care in this place.

And most importantly, may we fling the doors open wide; may we invite others into this family so that they, too, may feel the radical love and care of the family of God. For even we are loved and welcomed in the family of God. Thanks be to God. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.