A Note from Pastor Dave…

December 1, 2011 by Pastor Dave Scifres

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

                                                                                                                                 (Luke 2:4-7 – NIV)

This Advent we will be exploring a new sermon series and study called “Christmas Outside the Box”.  This begs the question, “Why would we want to get outside the box?” Our box can become quite comfortable.  Being outside the box might be uncomfortable.  Who wants to be uncomfortable?  We like it inside our box. We might not like what we find outside.  It might be… (Shudder)…different.  Who wants to experience something different?  That might be scary.

Of course there are other reasons to be outside the box. Maybe our box has become so full of busyness that we need to get outside it just to get some peace.  Maybe we’re left outside the box because there is no room inside for us to come in, as was the case for Joseph and Mary at the inn as Mary was about to give birth.  Maybe we’re outside the box because no one invited (or allowed) us in, even though there was plenty of room.  What a tragedy it would have been if Mary had had to deliver in a stable while there was actually room in the inn!

Either way, one exciting aspect of Jesus’ birth is that even outside the inn God was capable of doing something unique… Something unexpected… Something world-changing.  I’m sure it was quite puzzling and unanticipated for those who were called to visit the Christ-Child to find him lying in a manger.

And, that is the greatest reason for us to get outside our box this Christmas. God moves everywhere, and if we get outside our box we may be blessed to find God in the most unexpected and unanticipated places this holiday season.  Join us in worship as we take a peek outside the box at the gift of a Savior that cannot be contained.

May you and yours be blessed this Christmas season…

Pastor Dave