A First Person Christmas Skit

Would you allow me to share a testimony tonight? I have an unusual story to tell, and I would very much love the opportunity to tell it. You see, my work brings me into contact with many people. I deal with people ranging from the humblest of country folk to the highest officials and business executives.

But the event I most vividly recall happened at one of the year's peak seasons. Our country's leader had felt that additional taxes were needed for us to meet our budget, so he had urged all local citizens to have their names registered at the polls, so they could be duly taxed. Of course, this meant many thousands had to make their way across the countryside to the city which represented their political interests.

You know, I still remember the weather…it was cool…but the fresh smell of spring was in the air. Grass was even good enough for some limited grazing on the nearby hillsides. And the days were actually fairly comfortable, but I must admit the nights were somewhat chilly.

One night in particular stands out in my memory. It seems that the crowds had been unusually large that day. And many had come by seeking lodging for the night, as they lived at too great a distant to return home before nightfall. Already I had turned dozens away to seek shelter elsewhere.

[If stool is used, sit here] And exhausted, I had dozed off at the register's counter when I was awakened by a gentle "tap-tap-tapping" on the counter-top. "Coming to" with a start, I made out the figure of a young couple, standing in the flickering shadows of the lamp light.

"May I help you?" I asked, [jumping-up and off of stool].

As the young man stood by his pretty companion, he began to speak in a low, trembling voice: "Do you have room for....?"

"Room!" I blurted bluntly. "No! No!There's no room here. You should have come earlier, or at least sent me word. You'll have to go elsewhere, I’m sorry."

Plopping back down on my stool [sit on stool], I was prepared to continue my nap, when, much to my surprise, the young man spoke again:

"But Sir, you're got to have room!”

Angrily I jumped up and shouted at him [arise from stool], "I don't have to have anything. I've already told you I can't take care of you, so beat it! Scram! Get out of here! I've gotta get some rest!"

But patiently and kindly he responded, "Sir, please…my wife is “expecting” a baby right away. We’ve tried everywhere. All the rooms are full. Can’t you give her someplace? Please?”

Looking closer, I noticed that the young man spoke the truth about his wife, and then I began to really feel sorry for them.

I thought for a moment [scratching my head], then I said, “Well, you do need a place to stay. If you’re not too choosy, I think I can provide at least something for you. Come with me!”

So I led them to a cobweb-covered cattle-cave nearby. It wasn’t the best of surroundings, I must confess, but it did offer some shelter from the cold and at least a little bit of privacy.

Though I considered it the meagerest of offerings, the man was overjoyed and couldn’t stop thanking me for my kindness. I told him he could settle up with me the next morning. I left and went back to my stool and soon forgot all about them as I dozed off into dreamland.

Lost in the midst of dream lands in my peaceful slumber, I was again awakened, this time rudely, by a rather loud “Rap-rap-rapping” at the door. Jumping up and hastily pacing to the door, I was greeted by three sheepherders. They apologized over and over again for wake me up… and there was something about them. It was rather obvious from the start that they weren’t interested in a room.... so why were they bothering me? Then they went on to explain why they had come, the best I recall, they told this fantastic story:

Sheephearders’ Story

"Sir," they said, "we were watching over our flocks out on the hillsides nearby, when 'Lo, an angel of the Lord appeared unto us, and the glory of the Lord shone around us, and we were really afraid. And then the angel said to us, ‘Don't be afraid, for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.’

Each of us shepherds looked at one another in amazement and wondered if the angel knew what he were talking about, but then he continued: ‘Now listen to me, men: this shall be a sign for you Look! Over there, in the East...there in the East is a star, a bright shining star; follow that star and you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ He had no more than finished, sir, when suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.’

Immediately we rejoiced at the sight of the star. So we said to one another, 'Let's go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known unto us.' And so we came with haste, sir, following the star, and you know, its light appears to fall over your place here. So we...well. . .we wondered if you could tell us anything about the Christ-child?"

Innkeeper’s Reaction

It seemed like a fantastic story to me at first. I couldn’t recall anything about a baby connected to my business…after all, I wasn’t running a hospital, much less a maternity ward. But they insisted I must know something. Since they seemed so intent on finding out more, I quickly recalled the guests I had bedded down for the night. And then it dawned on me…that couple who came in so late… they were expecting an addition to the family. And I had put them in room.... oh yes… the cattle-cave. Hrm.

“Maybe, just maybe I do know something about a baby. Come with me!” With a whirlwind of emotions tumbling around within me, I led them to the meager place, and lo and behold! We heard the sounds of baby’s cry.

Rushing in, we found it just as the shepherds had said, a newborn babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger [move toward manger, if used as a prop]. Then the shepherds, one by one, knelt down beside the manger in such a humble manner. I can’t really explain what happened to me after that, but somehow I was touched and moved to kneel beside that manger, too!

[Kneeling while speaking] Not only had a baby been born near my place of business, but strangely, I felt this babe had made it’s way in my heart. I don’t know if that makes sense… I don’t know if any of this makes sense. It doesn’t make sense to me and yet… it happened to me… with me… despite me.

[Arising] Oh, incidentally, I never did settle up with that couple for the night’s lodging. I just felt like what I had received that night more than repaid me for what little I could offer the couple.

Story Conclusion

In any case, that’s my story. And I can’t get it out of my mind! Just think! I thought I didn’t have any room for that one last family. I almost had no room for the Christ! And as I have reflected on that across the years, it seems to me something of a parable of the human predicament: we tend to get so focused in on our own needs that we forget to look for Christ in our midst. We miss the chances we have to serve our neighbor. To care for those who are in need—no matter where they come from or what they look like or how much money they have. You know, that night changed the way I look at people. That night… that baby… changed my life.

[Turn toward the congregation and begin to move away from manger]

Oh, one other thing…I think I forgot to introduce myself… I’m the innkeeper in Bethlehem.

Sermon

Many stories have been written about that innkeeper. Why? He was just an ordinary guy doing his ordinary job… but he got caught up into something extraordinary that he wasn’t even looking for. Christ showed up where he least expected it. Realizing God’s presence in unexpected places likely forever altered the course of that innkeeper’s life.

We of course have a pretty good idea of where Christ showed up 2,000 and some years ago now. But my question to you is where do you think Christ might be showing up today? What humble, forgotten, or unlikely places might we see God’s presence most active? And if we answer that question truthfully… how might that change the way we live?

Will you find Christ in the naive of a humble congregation

Will you find Christ in the hospital at the bedside of someone who feels very alone and forgotten on this Christmas Eve?

Will you find Christ in prison, comforting someone who may not taste freedom again?

Will you find Christ in the hospital at the bedside of someone who feels very alone and forgotten on this Christmas Eve?

Will you find him

Will we find him

Will you find Christ on the hillsides with refugees looking for shelter from violence?

Will you find Christ in the housing projects of Oklahoma City where pizza places charge an extra $10 fine to deliver just because of the crime rate?

Will you find him

Will you find Christ with that frustrating co-worker who is so irritating for some reason… and whose story you have never heard?

Will you find Christ in one of the several households in downtown Perry/Enid that might be feasting on a church-provided meal tonight but find themselves struggling for food tomorrow?

Will you find Christ in your own home, with all of the challenges that you are dealing with even as you come to worship tonight?

Will we find him amongst refugees fleeing violence?

Christmas reminds us that the answer to each of these possibilities and more… is yes. Christ is there, in the midst of it all—often where and when we least expect to see him.

May this Christmas stir you to seek Christ in the lowly places of the world. Open yourself to the possibility of being surprised by God’s gift of love in curious and sometimes contentious places.

May the peace of God, the Father Almighty, the Holy Spirit, and the Babe of the Manger, be with you forever and always. Merry Christmas.

May the peace of God be with you forever and always. Merry Christmas.

Amen.