The Inn Crowd: The Magi and Inn Keeper

Sermon by Youth Pastor Nathan Walter

As we look at the Christmas story, there are three different reactions to the birth of Jesus. First, there was the reaction of Herod, the reaction of hatred and hostility. Herod was afraid that this child was going to interfere with his life, his place, his power, his influence, and so his first instinct was to destroy Him. This battle still wages today, and we often see it as a war on Christians, but it is against Jesus himself. We want to do what we like and Christ will not let us.
The second reaction is the reaction of the priests, the innkeeper, and all of Bethlehem. This reaction was one of complete indifference. Their story comes so close to the greatest story on earth and they missed it. The final reaction is that of the wise men, the reaction of adoring worship. They desired to lay at Jesus' feet the noblest gifts they could bring. When we look at the characters in this story, which one are we? I don't think anyone would claim to be Herod, but do we truly go as far as the wise men when it comes to the adoration of our Savior on Christmas? Or do we find that, when we truly look within, we are most like the town of Bethlehem? Are we too wrapped up in ourselves, in the everyday, or even in the Christmas season, to notice what is happening just next door?