Whats it mean to have a door shut in your face?
Whats it like to be told, Theres no room for you? -again and again.
The message that comes through is more than simply, I'm sorry, but the accomodation facilities are inadequate. What comes through is the message that says, Go away, youre not wanted!
Closed doors. No room for you.
It was the experience of the holy family in Bethlehem.
Has it been your experience?
We all crave acceptance; We all want a place not simply in a nice home, but also in nice hearts. Usually we find this place in the hearts of our family. But sometimes not.
It hurts to be shut out, doesnt it? To be overlooked, disregarded, not included.
Thats the way we may feel with God.
We may feel his door shut to us. No room in His heaven for me!
Why not? Because Im not good enough...
We might feel this way with God, but the Bible has a different message.
Christmas brings a different message.
The message is this:
God has always wanted to open his door to you.
He made you because he has a place for you, not only in his world, but also in his heart.
He has room for you!
When Jesus came into our world, God opened the door. He put up a star, to say, Look, heres the door!
As we look into the face of the gentle baby Jesus, we see the face of God.
Not frowning and telling us to clear out, but full of love; full of acceptance.
God has room for us.
Jesus told his disciples, and today he tells us: JOHN 14:1-6
Part 2: What about you?
The Shepherds were excited when they heard the news: A Saviour - born for them! This was so wonderful, so important, that they left their sheep behind, they left the source of natural sustenance, to seek and find the source of eternal life!
What about us? Would we?
We have heard the good news: God has room for us. He loves us, and wants us in his family forever!
The question is, do we, - do you- have room for this kind of good news in your life?
It may sound too good to be true,
especially if we have only experienced closed doors and thought the message of Christ and the Church was, theres no room for you unless youre good enough...
Forget that message - its wrong.
The true message of Christmas, the message Jesus has come to tell you, is this: God has a place for you in his world, and in his heart, forever!
And: It is a free place - as free as a babys smile, as clear as a stars gentle sparkle, as sure as the dawning of a new day.
The shepherds liked what they heard - they hurried off to find Mary and Jospeh and the baby lying in the manger. mLets not waste any time either! Our Saviour has come: his door is open, there is room for all.
Lets put our trust in Jesus, and find through him, the acceptance we so dearly crave. Lets open our doors to him, right now, and give him the welcome of hearts ready to receive him, know him and worship him forever.
Amen!
(This message can be used with the service order found
HERE .
The parts for the leader and 4 voices (spoken) is
over here. )
Use freely. -Wayne Logan 23 Dec 2001.