There Was No Room for Christmas in the Church: Christmas Day Sermon 2022
Introduction
The Last time Christmas fell on a Sunday was 2016. Because of leap years, 2033 is the next time Christmas falls on a Sunday. In 2016, I remember most churches still opening the doors for worship on Sunday. We expected sparce attendance because of families attending worship with their family at another church. Obviously, many families would just not attend because the cultural holiday means more than the Christian holy day. I bring this up because many churches have closed their doors today on Christmas for the same reason. J.D. Grear, who pastors the Summit Church in Durham, NC, and was the SBC president a few years ago, he told the NY times he closed the doors to his church today so as not to act a like Pharisee. There is no room for Christmas at church.
The Text
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:1–20
Summary of the Text
Many of you already know much of the context surrounding today’s passage. Caesar Augustus desired to tax his empire so he issued a decree mandating a registry of his citizens (v.1). Because Joseph was a descendant of king David who was born in Bethlehem, he traveled with Mary there (vv. 4-5). Mary was pregnant with Jesus and close to her time to deliver during their travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem (about a 70-mile journey). Before they could find more permanent lodging, the time came for Mary to give birth to Jesus. This means the only suitable lodging for them was the inn. Luke uses the definite article “the,” which tells us Bethlehem had only one inn (v.7). The inn was full, and no one did anything to welcome this pregnant woman to give birth. So, they likely found a cave nearby which housed the animals. Here, Joseph acted as midwife and helped deliver baby Jesus into the world. Mary then laid Jesus in the manger, the feeding trough for the animals after wrapping him in spare lengths of cloth.
While Joseph helped deliver Jesus, shepherds watched their flocks of sheep around Bethlehem (v.8). Now, there’s some lively commentary surrounding the identity of these shepherds and the purpose of the sheep. Many scholars agree that the sheep were likely intended for Levitical sacrifices. Bethlehem lies 5 miles from Jerusalem and David watched his father’s flock in the same region centuries before. So, likely the priests used these sheep for their sacrifices. Another interesting prospect is that these shepherds may not have been the roughnecks as typically portrayed. Due to the Levitical requirements of sacrificing unblemished lambs, Levites historically inspected the young lambs born and kept watch over the flocks. It could be very likely that the shepherds were from the priestly line of Israel instructed to care for sacrificial lambs. Let me also say, this may not be the case. The shepherds really could have been the roughneck, poor, and dirty shepherds we’ve grown to love. Regardless of whether they were priests or poor, a sacrificial lamb is what they got.
Now, as the shepherds were minding their own business, an angel appeared in the dead of night terrifying them (v. 9). God’s glory surrounded the angel indicating God’s presence (v. 9). Obviously, the shepherds were terrified because the angel told them not to be afraid (v. 10). The angel gives three reasons why the shepherds shouldn’t be afraid. First reason, the angel has good news that will bring great joy to all people (v.10). Second reason, the good news is that the messiah, the savior of the world, and the Lord was born (v.11). Third reason, the shepherds are invited to see the child, they only need to notice the sign: a baby in a feeding trough (v.12). Right after this, the rest of God’s army appears praising God. In their praise they say, “To God be the glory, and peace and good will to men (v. 14).”
Immediately following this, the shepherds made sure they weren’t going crazy and gathered their wits making sure they heard the same thing (v. 15). They then “came in a hurry” to find Jesus (v.16). When they found Jesus, they went to Bethlehem telling everyone where the Lord and savior was (v.17). Mary treasured all of this. If she needed confirmation, she found it (v. 19). The shepherds finally left praising God that he invited them to the first Christmas (v.20).
The Point and the Irony
Let’s consider the point of this story and the irony of this story.
The point of the Christmas story is so simple and straightforward we can miss it because we’re looking in ivory towers or royal palaces. But the point of Christmas isn’t behind armed guards or above us in lofty thoughts. The point of Christmas lays in a manger for any to see. This world is a kingdom, so God sent a king. This world is also dying, so God sent a savior. And He gave us our Lord and Savior so we could receive Him. God laid us a gift through Mary laying Jesus in a manger. The point of the Christmas story is God loves us, God lives with us, God rules over us, and God saves us because of Jesus.
The irony of Christmas is that God gave a gift no one wanted. The people in the inn heard Mary screaming in labor but did nothing to help. Little did they know, their king and deliverer was ready to be delivered. But later, they heard the report from the shepherds wondering what the shepherds meant. The people who closed the doors of the inn were left wondering while everyone who saw Jesus left rejoicing.
Inconvenient Wrapping Paper
I know many of you sacrificed some inconvenience to attend worship here this morning. You ended opening gifts with the kids early. You may have to eat Christmas dinner later than usual. But look also at the inconvenience in the Christmas story. Joseph left his home and work in Nazareth because of taxes. Pregnant Mary traveled 70 miles to a small town with no hospital and no one kind enough to help. Carpenter Joseph learned how to nurse by helping Mary deliver her first baby in a cave filled with animals. The shepherds were scared to death, then ran around a small town looking for a baby. Nothing about this story was easy, convenient, or comfortable. If it’s true for Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, think of our Lord. He left the throne of heaven nine months earlier to grow as a baby who would save and rule the world (Philippians 2:6-8). And His first introduction to this world as a human baby was in a primitive barn. God invites you to Inconvenience. Salvation is inconvenient.
God invites you to inconvenience because underneath the wrapping lies a gift of indescribable joy. All those who experienced hardship, suffering, lack of comfort, and inconvenience out of trust in God experienced profound joy.
What makes a Christmas gift is the wrapping. Wrapping paper is inconvenient for the giver and receiver of the gift. But this is also how God gives us good gifts. Jesus sacrificed much more than we could ever comprehend leaving heaven, growing into a man who would carry our sin and die in our place. When we open the gift of salvation, we tear apart our conveniences and excuses. We tear apart our heart, feelings, emotions, and justifications. We rip and destroy our false idols, addictions, and desires. We destroy them, so we can receive the good gift from God.
Worship is the Heart of Christmas
Up until my great-grandfather passed away, all my extended family met at his house on Christmas eve. It was one of those old-fashioned Christmas parties with great food, singing, gift giving, and kids playing. Most of us grew up with memories of Christmas time as the time we forget about the troubles of this world. It’s the time to remember old memories and create new ones. Because Jesus gave this nation much peace and prosperity, our culture could sentimentalize Christmas. All of those memories of Christmas are an added gift from Jesus. He is the prince of peace. We shouldn’t be surprised that He actually gives us peace. Heavenly peace gives us extras like Christmas lights, honey-baked ham, stockings, radio stations, and time off from work to spend with family.
We do not get a gold star for coming to church today. There’s no special raffle or prize. Instead, you get to worship the one the shepherds saw, the one the angels praised, and the one Bethlehem ignored. The reward for worshipping Jesus today is worshipping Jesus today.
If you lose the reason for Christmas, you lose Christmas. More and more people reject Christ in our nation because more and more churches have no room for him on Christmas. Our lost neighbors learn how not to worship Jesus by watching the church not worship Jesus. Because more and more people reject Christ, our cultural Christmases are growing more and more lazy. The festive spirit and joyful generosity are no longer expectations because no one enters the
Christmas as Warfare
There is a war on Christmas. This war doesn’t destroy buildings, hospitals, and innocent children. At least, not at first. This war begins in the hearts and minds of people. This spiritual war on Christmas is a war of decisions and disobedience for the sake of comfort and tradition. With a mere wave of the hands and a few big words, a pastor can say Christmas means more about family traditions than worshipping the king of kings. Now that we’ve argued Christmas lies within the realm of the family, we have eleven years to see what our culture does to the family to see if anyone still worships Christ on Christmas in 2033. (The next time Christmas falls on Sunday, Mary will be a middle schooler). And if you don’t see the battle facing families right now, then you haven’t been listening to me preach the last year.
Worship is warfare. And at the heart of the Biblical Christmas is worship. This means true Christmas is warfare. The Solution for Christian Families is More Christ, not less. Whether you realize it or not, you came here today so that your family will actually enjoy Christmas.
Conclusion
My conclusion this morning is also our application. Enjoy Jesus today. The presents you opened today and may open tonight are all gifts from the gift given 2,000 years ago. The traditions you enjoy, and hope will stick around a few more years also come from Jesus. He wants you to enjoy them. But you find the joy like the shepherds by finding the Christ in the manger. As you enjoy today, glorify Jesus.