One of the wonders of the Christmas story is witnessing the birth of Immanuel, God with us, through many different eyes: Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men.  How did Jesus' birth change their lives?  One intriguing character to consider is the innkeeper.  Believe it or not, there is no such person in the Bible.  All we know is that Mary and Joseph laid the baby Jesus in a manger, "because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).

Surely there was an innkeeper.  Did he know that Mary and Joseph were about to deliver a baby?  Was he ignorant or just heartless?  And could he have known that that baby was to be the Messiah of the world?  Was there really no room in the inn, or were Joseph and his family turned away because perhaps they didn't have enough money?

These are interesting questions to ponder.  Well this coming Wednesday, on Christmas Eve, at the 11 p.m. late candlelight, communion service, I will dramatically present the innkeeper discussing his encounter with Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus and what that might mean for the world. Yes, there will obviously be some creative license here. 

I invite you to join us for this more intimate candlelight communion service-yes, even if you come to one of the earlier services that day.  You would be hard-pressed to find a better opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ than to invite an unchurched neighbor to JCPC for any of our four Christmas Eve services.  And especially for the late service, you can even wear your pajamas!  Merry Christmas to all!

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors" (Luke 2:14).

Prayer for Today 

Dear God, Ignite our hearts anew with the wonder and glory of Immanuel, God with us!  Amen.