How Does a Weary World Rejoice? We Make Room. Luke 2:1-20, 12/24/23
Luke 2:1-20
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
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Your voices sound amazing! Isn’t it fun to sing these favorite Christmas carols together? And did you know that singing is clinically proven to boost joy? Fun fact. Singing releases:
· Dopamine, which activates our brain’s pleasure center
· Seratonin, which wards off depression
· Oxytocin, the chemical that’s released, for instance, when a mother is nursing her baby, helping build a bond
So it’s no surprise that singing “Joy to the World” quite literally brings joy to the world! Because church is one of the few places in our culture where communal singing happens, maybe that’s why research shows that people who attend church regularly tend to be happier than those who don’t.[1] (And all along I thought is was the sermon! )
During the season of Advent here at the Chapel, we’ve been exploring the question, “How Does a Weary World Rejoice?” In other words, when the world gets us down, how do we find joy? Here are some of the ways we’ve discussed:
· We acknowledge our weariness—naming the problem is a requisite first step.
· We find joy in connection—having people with whom to share life brings us joy.
· We allow ourselves to be amazed—even with “everyday miracles.”
· We sing stories of hope—and our “happy hormones” surge!
Tonight we add one more pathway to finding joy in a weary world—we make room.
In the familiar story from the Gospel of Luke we read together earlier, we remember that the Holy Family traveled to Bethlehem because of the census, because each man had to return to his hometown, and Joseph was originally from Bethlehem. We read that “there was no room for them in the inn.” So after giving birth, Mary laid her newborn infant son in a manger—an animal’s feeding trough—because there was no room for them in the inn. What has always bothered me about this story is this: why didn’t Mary and Joseph go stay with Joseph’s people? This was his hometown, and this was a crisis situation for the young family. Was there some kind of family drama between Joseph and his people? Is that why he left Bethlehem in the first place? Whatever the reason, it seems, no one was willing to let Mary and Joseph stay with them, and there was a “no vacancy” sign on the inn.
But God will make a way when there seems to be no way. Jesus is born to a world that—from his first breath—was inhospitable to him. Yet God makes a place for him anyway. And if there was some rejection of Joseph from his kinfolk, the arrival of the shepherds, and later on, the magi, fill the void Joseph and Mary felt in a place that did not welcome them with open arms.
God made room for the Christ child. We find joy when we make room as well.
A few weeks ago, my husband got it in his head that we needed a kitten. Now, we already have a full-grown cat, mind you. One cat is not enough in his mind. Apparently, we need two cats for some reason. After Dear Hubby grows convinced that we need a kitten, he does not immediately tell me this important development. He shares this news with our sixteen-year-old son, who thinks this is a fabulous idea. Then my husband shares this idea with our ten-year-old son, who also thinks this is a fabulous idea. He goes online and finds a gray long-haired kitten with super-cute pictures up for adoption—he shares the pics with our boys. So by the time he shares this idea with me, I’ve lost any kind of battle I might have otherwise waged.
· “But what about the claws on our furniture?” I press. “We just have to trim them.” he replies.
· “But how will our ‘already’ cat respond?” I plead. “He’s old and chill—he’ll be fine.”
He calls up the adoption agency . . . WITHOUT MY PERMISSION . . . and has an interview. Apparently, it does not require that two parents be involved with adopting a kitten, because the next thing I know, I’ve got a four-pound bundle of teeth and fur and whiskers hissing at my “already” cat. And you know what?
She’s adorable.
And you know who her favorite is? Not to brag or anything, but I’m the kitten’s favorite.
Even as I was preparing this homily, I had to take a break because she nuzzled her way onto my lap and buried her little face in my neck and the purring began (feline purring is another trigger for the release of all those “happy hormones” by the way!) And that sweet purring melted away all my stress. And I’m . . . in love.
Here’s the thing . . . I didn’t want to make room for a kitten in my home. I resisted it. I found all kinds of reasons to close myself off to another furball in my space. I lost that battle. But in my losing, it turns out I’ve won. Birdie has given me the gift of joy . . . joy I wouldn’t have known had we not made room for her.
Christmas is about making room . . . room for the inbreaking of Christ into our world. That’s what I love about Christmas—even people who have no use for Christ or for faith . . . people who are too “sophisticated” for the ancient story . . . people who reject religion the other 364 days out of the year—even the hardest of hearts will put up a Christmas tree, exchange Christmas presents, even sing a Christmas carol at the top of their lungs. Christmas helps even those most inhospitable to the Gospel to make room for Christ. And when that happens, joy is sure to follow.
The birth of the Christ child is all about how God makes room for joy to break through our firmly constructed barriers. Will you allow God to make room in your heart this Christmas Eve? Will you soften any resistance you may have, and allow joy to take up residence in you?
How does a weary world rejoice? We make room. So whatever this weary world may throw at you in the year ahead, remember this: when we make room for Christ, we make room for joy.
So rejoice! (Which means “Make joy!”) Joy more in 2024!
And may you have a very Merry Christmas.
[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/01/31/religions-relationship-to-happiness-civic-engagement-and-health-around-the-world/