Preach Dec 25th 2006

Enniscorthy Christian Fellowship – 25th December 2006

11.00     Song: O Come all you faithful                      

              Welcome & Prayer                                         Andrew

11.05     Reading – Luke 1v30-32                                Andrew

Luke 1v30-32
But the angel said to her,  “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” 

              Solo: Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)           Mags

11.10     Song: What Child is This?                             

11.15     Reading – Matthew 1v20-21                          Andrew

Matthew 1v20-21
 An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

              Joseph’s Story -                                              Kevin

11.20     Kids Song: Happy Happy Day                       Lorna

11.25     Reading – Luke 2v10-12                               

Luke 2v10-12
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

              Shepherd’s Story -                                          Lorna

11.30     Song: While Shepherds Watched                   

11.35     Reading – Matthew 2v10-11                          Andrew

Matthew 2v10-11
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense
and of myrrh.

              Wise Man’s Story -                                         Kevin

11.45     Song: O Holy Night                                       

11.50     Your Story                                                      Andrew

It was the biggest night of the year in the town. It was the night of the annual Christmas play.  All the children in town wanted a part in the play.

Harold really wanted to be in the play, too, but he was - well, kind of a slow and simple kid. The directors were hesitant - I mean, they knew Harold would be crushed if he didn't have a part, but they were afraid he might mess up the town's magic moment.

Finally, they decided to cast Harold as the innkeeper - the one who turns Mary and Joseph away the night Jesus is to be born. He had only one line - "I'm sorry, we have no

room." Well, no one could imagine what that one line was going to do to everyone's Christmas.

The night of the play the hall was packed, as usual. The Christmas story unfolded according to plan - angels singing, Joseph's dream, the trip to Bethlehem. Finally, Joseph and Mary arrived at the door of the Bethlehem inn, looking appropriately tired. Joseph knocked on the inn door, and Harold was there to open the door.

Joseph asked his question on cue - "Do you have a room for the night?" Harold froze. After a long pause, Harold mumbled his line, "I'm sorry - we have no room." And, with a little coaching, he shut the door. The directors heaved a sigh of relief – but their relief was premature. As Mary and Joseph disappeared into the night, the set suddenly started shaking again - and the door opened. Harold was back! And then, in an unrehearsed moment that people would not soon forget, Harold went running after the young couple, shouting as loud as he could -- "Wait! Don't go Joseph. Bring Mary back! You can have MY room!"

I think Harold understood the real issue of Christmas. How can we leave Jesus on the outside? We have to make room for Jesus in our lives.

We’ve been thinking about the response of the different people to the coming of the baby Jesus this morning.  Mary was willing to allow him into her own body and into her own heart.  Joseph was willing to allow him into his family, to raise him as his very own son.  Shepherds were willing to accept him as their Messiah.  The Wise men worshipped him as their king.

But that leaves one group left.  Us.  What about us? Have we any room for Jesus this morning in our lives?  Jesus is the One who traded a throne room for a stable, and the praise of angels for human mockery. This is the Creator who gives Himself on a cross!  Are we going to allow him into OUR lives?

Just like in a Christmas play, Jesus is at OUR door this Christmas. Revelation 3v20 records Jesus’ words.  He says to us: “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”  Jesus wants to come into our lives and fill our lives with his love, his joy, his peace – to set us free to live in friendship with him.

So how will you respond to this child?  What will you do with the Son of God who came to earth to find you? Will you make room for him in your life? Will you accept him in a new way this morning as your Saviour, your Lord, your God?

Let’s open the door of our lives today, "Jesus, come on in. You can have my room . . . my life."

11.55     Song: Christmas Offering; Prayer Close