It was Christmas at St. Mark's church, the big one in town - a thousand or more members, big school, big choirs, programs everywhere.  It was the Sunday before Christmas Eve and time for the annual children's program.  Once again it was decided the children would enact the Christmas story, and so all began to wonder who'd get the important parts.  St. Mark's had a big Sunday School and parents brought their children most every Sunday, a great tradition all churches could emulate!

          Wally was a big boy for his age--eight years old.  Some wondered what role the teacher would give him, especially considering he was a slow learner.  Perhaps he could be in the angel choir or stand there as a silent shepherd.  To everyone's surprise, the teacher gave Wally the role of the Innkeeper.  Wally, of course was delighted.  All he had to learn was one line:  "There is no room in the inn."  He had that line memorized in no time.  Oh, how proud he was to have that part!

          It was the day of the program, and parents and grandparents were everywhere.  Every seat in the church was filled, and the children entered singing, "Oh Come All Ye Faithful."  The lights dimmed and a hush came over everyone.  At the appointed time, Mary and Joseph entered and walked up to the Inn.  "Please sir," said Joseph, "My wife is not well.  Could we have a room for the night?"  Wally was ready for his line.  He had rehearsed it all night.  He opened his mouth, but nothing came out!  He tried, but the words stuck in his throat.  Then his mind went completely blank!  Everyone was embarrassed for him, because poor Wally just couldn't talk.  Joseph thought he'd improvise and started walking away toward the stable.  Seeing him walk away Wally finally blurted out, "No - don't go!  There's room at my house - come with me."  It was a kind thought, but one no one in the play knew what to do next until someone in a side room brayed like a donkey.  Then Wally the confused little Innkeeper said, "Oh, that's right, you can use my stable if you'd like."

          What would you have done if you'd been there?  If you were Joseph, how clearly would you have been able to think?  If you were the Innkeeper, what options would you have had?  If you were Mary, what was going through your mind?  Probably finding a quiet place to lie down, of course.  Sometimes the best solution is the easiest.

          Couldn't Joseph have sent someone ahead to find them a room?  Couldn't the Innkeeper have been a little more flexible?  Shouldn't the holy couple have started their trip to Bethlehem sooner than they did?  My, how easy it is to look back and to know what to do.  Hindsight is always 20/20.  Yet there was confusion all over Bethlehem during that strange evening.  Mary and Joseph weren't the only bone-weary travellers.  They'd have been hungry.  Birth pangs had started.  It was a relief to go to a stable with animals who would not ask questions.  At least there it would be quiet and the confusion of the masses could be left behind.

          Speaking of confusion, I had to go to Park Meadows again.  I say, "had to", though it was my choice.  I'm not sure why anyone chooses to go there, certainly not for fun unless you enjoy mass confusion.  Whoever designed their parking lots had a sadistic sense of humor.  I could never be a sales clerk right now, but then some there may wonder how pastors can come up with something new to say each year.  Actually, I doubt if clerks wonder about much else than getting through the day.

          It was a delight to distribute gifts at the Castle Rock Care Center today.  The last two years we've just dropped them off after church, but this year we handed them out personally.  No matter what our age, there's joy in receiving a brightly wrapped gift.  It was no delight, however, to have two funerals this week.

          Monday's was difficult with the family of a younger man wondering how to find any joy out of sudden and tragic death.  Friday's will be sad, but burying a ninety year old Christian warrior always has a sense of joy.  His struggle is over, his warfare accomplished.  One service here for a fellow I did not know, the other will be up north for a fellow I knew many years.  One filled with questions, the other will be filled with subdued joy that God has given new life to one of His faithful believers.

          Though seemingly so different, yet both these men were the same.  Both were sinners in need of God's grace.  Both had not done enough to deserve forgiveness.  They, like each of us, made choices, some good, some bad.  But this they have in common - both left mourning loved ones behind during a normally joy-filled season.

          Christmas finds us all in the same sleigh, making our way through life.  We are fortunate not to be living in countries where hostilities could bring the guns of war against us.  We know more peace on earth than any country has known in 100 years.

          The thing we face, a sort of silent enemy, is confusion.  We don't keep clearly in mind what this time is all about.  It's not just about the sleigh bells and reindeer, though it seems that way.  It's not just about music or cards or parties unless that's what we live for.  And it's not just about giving or receiving, unless the gift is from God.  The real challenge this time of year is to keep from getting everything muddled and confused, to keep Jesus out of the sleigh and Mary out of Macy's.

          "JAG" is a TV series about the Judge Advocate General's office, the military officers who prosecute and defend cases of military law.  Their writers came up with a memorable show in this year's Christmas program.  It opens on Christmas Eve with an enlisted man and his wife, Private Joseph and his wife Mary who is, of course, expecting a child any moment.  They've come to JAG headquarters for help because they'd been evicted from their apartment.  While there, Mary delivers her baby boy.  They name him Joshua.  Coincidence?  Just wait to see what else happens that night.

          Then the show switches to Bud, a recently injured JAG officer.  He discovers a mistake with the auto paycheck deposit has left his bank account empty, so he seeks temporary financial help.  A very cranky Warrant Officer offers no help, even though they told him they'd planned a big dinner party.

          The action then moves to JAG officer Harmon Raab who is on an aircraft carrier and planning to fly a plane back so he could attend Bud's Christmas party.  On the way back he is ordered to escort a cargo plane that has a problem with its landing lights.  As they approach the airfield, his jet leads the way for the big plane with its bright red nose light shining.  We're told the cargo is loaded with Christmas gifts.  Harm's jet should have been named "Rudolph."

          Back at JAG, Col. Mackenzie is ordered to act as hostess for three Kuwaiti men who've come to observe American due process.  They rent a car at the airport, become hopelessly lost, drive all over D.C. and are finally given directions.  When they arrive at the JAG office, they are charmed by the newborn baby, and offer him gifts, including money and even an apartment in a nearby building which one of them owns.  Meanwhile that rude Warrant Officer - his name was probably Lt. Ebeneezer - I didn't hear it clearly - is overcome with guilt for being so grouchy.  So he comes to Bud's home with a carload of food for their dinner.  Of course he's invited in and his attitude changes.

          When Harm lands in D.C., he stops for a short visit to the Viet Nam Memorial Wall, since his father had been shot down on Christmas Eve years before.  There he meets a young pilot who'd just missed the ceremony to receive his "wings".  The young aviator says he wants to fly with the Blue Angels, so Harm gives him his own wings right there.  Just then a bell rings from the breeze blowing on a wreath nearby.  His name, of course, is Lt. Clarence.  Harm finally gets to the dinner, just as Bud stands up for the blessing.  And holding his cane in hand, he says humbly, "God bless us every one."

          Christmas Confusion?  A merry mixing of metaphors?  This night is really about the birth of the Savior, the Christchild, but such gentle confusion still brings a smile to our face and perhaps even a lump to our throat.

          Confusion this time of year is normal.  It was for the holy family and it is for us.  To be confused is to be human, especially now.  With all the tinsel and glitter, it's difficult to keep the real message clearly in mind, "...For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord."

          Mary and Joseph were initially confused by the message from God, but they believed it.  Shepherds were confused by the angels' message, but they came with haste.  Herod was infuriated by the message of a new king, but he took it seriously.  Magi were confused and fascinated by a moving star but they followed it.  And now tonight, we modern day shepherds and parents and wise guys stop what we're doing on a Tuesday evening and gather in a church a few moments to have our confusion sorted out, our imagination enhanced, and an old story re-told.

          Just keep in mind this is not a Dickens tale or a Lewis Carroll poem or a Madison Avenue spending campaign.  This is God at work, re-telling us of His love, showing us His only Son.  This is God at work, forgiving us our trespasses so we can forgive those who trespass against us.  This is God at work, sorting out the needless and showing us the needful, a tiny babe born in a manger for you and for me.  Therefore, "Draw near by the bright gleaming starlight to see, in swaddling clothes lying, so meek and so mild, and purer than angels, the heavenly child."  Yes, God bless us, everyone!  Amen

Copyright © 2002 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.