Hunger Mountain Christian Assembly

Got Room?

Luke 2:1-14 (NKJV)

¹ And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  ² This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
³ So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.  ⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  ⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  ⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Introduction: What we have here is the story of a Jewish family going to the husband's home town (family lineage) to be registered (census was being taken) according to Roman law (by decree of Caesar). Joseph and Mary were betrothed (engaged) not yet married and she was pregnant. By the time they get to Bethlehem she's ready to have her baby. They go to the city Inns (hotels) and find they are all booked and there is no room for them. Because Mary is pregnant, someone has pity on them and let them sleep in their barn where they kept their farm animals and she gave birth to her child there. The Son of God, born in a barn, because no one had room for Him; No one would make room for Him. And so my message this morning is "Got Room."

How about us, have we got room for Jesus?
 1. We have room for jobs:
 2. Entertainment.
 3. Recreation.
 4. Everything and anything except this tiny Jewish baby.

How can it be that for over two thousand years, wars have been fought, families have been divided, and there is hatred of people that this baby was born to be a Savior for? The baby came with the promise of "peace on earth and goodwill toward men." The only thing that stops us from having this, is having no room for him in our hearts and lives. 

The baby (Jesus) grew to be the man that changed the world. He didn't come to establish a new form of religion or turn people from Judaism. He came to provide away for people to be forgiven for their sins and make a way back to God. In this baby was salvation and eternal life for the whole world. As it was it still is. All we have to do is make room.

Conclusion: Today we celebrate the birth of a Jewish baby born over two thousand years ago. Was He born on this day? I doubt it, but this is the day we have chosen to celebrate it. The point is, this baby (Jesus) has changed the world. He came to bring salvation, peace, and goodwill toward men. That hasn't changed and never will. All we have to do is make room. "Got room?"

Close:

Luke 2:15-20 (NKJV)

¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."  ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.