Let Jesus Show

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four readings prior to the Message. The assigned readings for today are: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14 and Luke 2:1-20.

Let us pray... O Heavenly Father We come to you this evening with hearts open ... open to your transforming love.

We come seeking your will for our lives ... to be filled to overflowing with joy ... and with the Peace that passes all understanding.

O' Come Holy Spirit this night and kindle in us the fire of your love.

And ... We ask this in the name of your son Jesus the Christ.

O Come, O come Emanuel...... Amen

The manger was down in front ... at the chancel steps ... where it always had been ... every year.

The girl playing the part of Mary was there ... in a blue cloak ... and Joseph ... with a cotton beard.

The wise men were there ... with a handful of shepherds, ... and of course ... in the midst of them all, ... was the Christ child, ... lying in the straw.

The nativity story was read aloud ... with carols sung at the appropriate times, ... and all went like clockwork ... until it came time ... for the arrival of the angels of the heavenly host.

The angels were represented by the children, ... who were all robed in white ... and scattered throughout the pews ... with their parents.

At the right moment, ... they all were to come forward ... and gather ... around the manger.

And that is just what they did ... except there were so many of them ... that there was a fair amount of crowding ... and jockeying ... for position.

One particular angel, ... a little girl ... who was smaller than most ... ended up ... so far out on the fringes ... that not even by craning her neck ... and standing on tiptoe ... could she see ... what was going on.

'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will among men.' (Luke 2:14 KJV)

They all sang on cue, ... and then in the momentary pause that followed, ... the small girl ... ...who's view had been blocked ... electrified the entire church.

For she cried out in a voice ... shrill with irritation ... frustration ...and enormous sadness, ... 'Let Jesus show!' (Long Pause)

Beloved ...That should be the premise of our lives as followers of the Christ ... not only at Christmas ... but throughout the year: ...... Let Jesus show!

(Illustration from a Sermon by Peter M. Wallace Titled: "Let Jesus show- A sermon on Luke 2:1-20" I commend it to you.)

Consciously ... or subconsciously, ... most people, ... this time of the year, ... are truly trying to catch a glimpse ... of God.

Christmas is that one time in the year ... when many make an extra effort ... to find real meaning, ... to find real joy ... in their lives.

This is when many people ... make an effort ... to look into ... the heart of God.

"Maybe this is the year,"

Maybe this year ... I will find real joy and meaning ... to my life."

Maybe ...this year ... I will be able to finally understand." (Long Pause)

Imagine the world ... at the time of ... Jesus birth.

Imagine ... what Mary saw.

The world was very busy .... most people were traveling to their hometowns to register ... to be taxed ... by Caesar.

Mary ... was one of those people.

So much hustle and bustle ... everyone so very busy.

There were so many travelers, ... that Mary and Joseph ... find no room ... at the Inn.

Mary gives birth to Jesus ... and lays him in a manger.

Yet most people really did not notice, ... most people ... really did not care.

Well ... The world has not changed much.

There is still the hustle ... and the bustle.

Everyone so busy.

Does that mean ... people are not interested in God?

No....... No matter how busy you are, ... deep down, .... there is a desire ... a desire ... to look into the heart ... of God. (Pause)

Many people leave the holidays ... a little down, ... a little disappointed, ... and often they do not know why.

Perhaps ... it's because they were looking for God, ... but never found him ... in the places ... they were looking.

Beloved ...This evening, ... I want you to walk into Bethlehem ... near the manger, ... and stand next to Mary, ... and see ...what she sees. (Pause)

Mary sees a baby, ... yet ... she sees ... so much more.