The Table
That's Christmas to Me • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Video: Christmas Vac - Table
That's Christmas to Me: Finding Christ in the Moments that Make Christmas.
My favorite Christmas’ growing up were spent at my grandparents home in Rialto. And Christmas eve night was the main event. It was on Christmas eve that we opened all our gifts except those from Santa.
But before the gifts we had our Christmas eve dinner. Grandma would have a enough food for an army. All the family would be crowded around the Evans family dining table. Eating, sharing stories, and laughter.
There was something very special about that table.
The Table: Making space for Jesus at the table of your life.
Big Idea: When our hearts and homes are full, we often leave no room for Jesus. The miracle of Christmas begins when we make space for Him at the table.
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 guest room available for them.
The "no room" in the inn wasn't an accident; it was a sign that Jesus is not afraid to enter a world and life that says there is no room for you Jesus.
The innkeeper isn't the villain; he was just busy and preoccupied. He missed the greatest moment in history because his inn was full.
Our hearts are often like that inn. Cluttered with good things (family, gifts, work) that leave no room for the Best Thing.
We must intentionally evict the clutter to seat the Savior.
My table is to messy for Jesus.
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 guest room available for them.
Manger: An animal feeding trough. Talk about coming to a messy environment.
Mangers were found in stables. Have you ever been in a stable?
If the famous painter "Thomas Kinkade" had a version of the Christmas table; perfect turkey, perfect family. But the first Christmas was messy.
Real faith isn't about a perfect table setting; it's about inviting Jesus into the messy reality of our actual life.
On the outside the table of your life might look in order.
The "Mess" - Table for kids to mess up.
The Christmas story is messy; a census, a stable. We often try to "clean up" our tables before inviting Jesus, thinking we need perfection.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, right in the mess.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
The Divine Interruption: Christmas is the greatest interruption in history. We often view an unannounced guest as a hassle.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
This is unique. It's the King knocking on the peasant's door.
Jesus as the guest who stands and knocks.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
He doesn't barge in; He waits for you to stop the busy "noise" of your life long enough to hear the knock.
The busyness of Christmas can act as soundproofing; we must quiet down to hear Him.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Who has to open the door?
Holman Hunt’s famous painting.
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John Ruskin, the nineteenth century English writer, was a friend of Holman Hunt. When Hunt completed his painting of Jesus knocking at the door, he showed it to Ruskin. Ruskin was inspired and impressed, and he had the painting mounted in the chapel at Oxford University.
Ruskin invited a famous art critic from London to view Hunt’s painting.
As Ruskin stood back, the art critic approached the painting. As the critic examined the painting, he started to snicker. Then he started to chuckle. Then he started to laugh out loud.
Perplexed, Ruskin finally interrupted the critic and asked, “What is so amusing?”
The critic blurted out, “I can’t believe you didn’t notice. You think Hunt is such a good painter. Well, look carefully at the door in the painting. Hunt forgot to put in the door latch. How can you open the door without a door latch.” Whereupon the critic continued to laugh.
Ruskin stood stone faced and slowly shook his head. When the critic calmed down, Ruskin explained, “You do not understand the painting at all. The door Jesus is knocking on is the door to our heart. There is no door latch on the outside, because the door to our heart can only be opened from within.”
The authority to open the door lies with the resident. God is sovereign, yet He dignifies us with the choice to invite Him to the table. He will not kick down the door of your heart. He knocks.
Video: Muppet Christmas Carol
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
We make room now because one day, He will make room for us.
He went to prepare a place (John 14) so that we could dine with Him forever.
The "No Room" of Luke 2:7 is reversed in Heaven. There is plenty of room at the Father's table.
Invite Jesus in and to the table of your life.
