"The Inn Was Full," Luke 2:7-20

THE INN WAS FULL Luke 2: 7-20 The inn for such as full. There was they, this couple was no place that had in it come from afar to pay their taxes. She was pregnant and ready to deliver. They needed a refuge and the only place available was a cave traveling in the limestone rock used horses and a pen for the as a sheep stable for the and cattle. So they turned the manger for the horses into a cradle for the King of kings. And Jesus was born. Oh, what a day that must have been. Mary brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes because there was no room From in the inn. there, we catch a glimpse of the long grassy slopes which stretch to the east of that city of Bethlehem. Resting in some hidden nook on watch these over always a slopes their shepherds keeping flocks by night. They were arr meditative class of men, accustomed to 1 the sweet silences of night and nature. They would rather be in communion with their own hearts and God and away from the hustle and bustle of the stir of city life. This is a good season to take some time to get in touch with God and His power that light up the skies of every heart. Lo, the angel of the Lord, God's messenger comes on them, in the hush of their pause. For although the inn may be full, God wants to speak to us in our place of need. sky is lite up with the brightness of God's glory and here comes the angelic choir singing and shouting about the glory of God. Their song is one that every generation ought to sing and hum with delight. "Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace and good will toward all men." When we praise God, He sends. peace on earth. We focus on Him and He So the relieves rumors of the stress and strain of war and us of wars. but there is Those room Sure, the physical inn is full at the Inn of God's presence. shepherds dropped everything 2 and glory of God. They went with haste and hope. They calmly yet promptly turned from the routine of daily chores to the thrills of company coming saying, traveled into town to see go and see." What did they find? "Let the us gift to men, to First, they found God's sinners, especially to those who believe. "Born to you this day A Savior, which is Christ," the Anointed One that the ... prophets of old spoke about and said God would send from His very presence. He would restore the lost, reclaim the scattered, and rebuild the tom down. Second, they found the character of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "Good tidings of great joy to all people." A message of unspeakable blessedness and joy is available to all people. Nobody is excluded from the good news. For it brings joy beyond bounds, Peace in the midst of war, righteousness for the sinful, hope beyond measure, and love Finally, extraordinary. this full inn makes available the 3 sign of the gospel. It is a "babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying ill a manger." The babe is the true sign of the kingdom, it is the token of the King of kings. "Jesus said, "Except ye become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 18: 3) That's what gives us reason to sing: "Joy to the world. The Lord is come! Let earth Let every heart prepare Him room; And heaven and nature sing." receive her King; 4