Sermon for December 21st, 2014

Luke 2:1-7

1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph 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. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And 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 for them in the inn.

Advent Encounters: Joseph & the Innkeeper

Ever since I was a teenager, the Innkeeper has been my favorite character in the Christmas story.

I know exactly why, too. My church youth group did a Christmas musical pageant every year, and the innkeeper got to sing this song: "You've got to keep on listening, keep on watching, and when Jesus knocks let him in." I was a teenager in the 1980s, and this was right around the time that New Kids on the Block were popular. The song sounded a little bit like that; it was peppy and upbeat, with drums and synthesizers.

The first time I auditioned for the role of the innkeeper, I didn't get the part. But the nice thing about Christmas pageants is that they don't really change much from year to year, so I kept trying, and eventually, I got to be the innkeeper.