Crowded Out! Luke 2:1-7 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 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:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 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. The birth of our Savior was both triumphant and sad. The King of kings and Lord of lords was crowded out by the pressures of the day. I suppose in many ways, this sad occurrence still stains the pages of human history. This morning in the middle of our busy holiday routine, let us take sober warning from this familiar passage of scripture and make sure that the Messiah is not crowded out. Let us take a few moments to reflect upon the circumstances that let this young couple to that first Christmas night in Bethlehem. Nine months before that night, a teenage girl named Mary met an angel. He told her that she would be the mother of the Messiah. She would conceive even though she was a virgin. Now, we must remember that Mary was engaged to Joseph. Soon they would marry and start a family. This young couple was very much in love. Mary knew what others would say when she started to show that she was pregnant, yet she was willing to be Jesus' mother. Mary went away for a few months to be with family outside of Nazareth. When Mary came back to town, she was obviously pregnant. Joseph was crushed. In that culture, Joseph had two choices. He could publicly condemn his would be bride for her whoredom and have her stoned, or he could privately put her away, condemning her to a life of poverty and shame. Joseph chose the latter option, not willing to hurt her as pay back for what he saw as unfaithfulness. An angel told Joseph that everything was fine! Mary was still a virgin and she was going to be the mother of the Messiah! What a relief! What excitement! Joseph and Mary were entrusted with the very Son of God! As Mary grew bigger and bigger, the wonder of what was happening became more and more thrilling! Every kick was the movement of the Son of God inside her! Oh how they planned for a great time of birth. I am sure that Joseph had the best midwives in Nazareth on stand by alert. This young Carpenter must have built a beautiful crib and nursery. Oh how they wanted everything perfect for the birth of the King! Mary started to feel the baby shifting into a lower position when Joseph herd the news. Everyone was to go to the city of their fathers to pay taxes! They could not wait, or postpone the trip. Mary had to travel with Joseph right then over the mountains 50 miles south to Bethlehem! Now if that won't help you to deliver, I don't know what will! Joseph tried to remain optimistic. He assured his new bride that they would find the best hotel, the best room and the best midwife for the birth of the King. When they arrived, Joseph's heart sank as he heard the shouting, saw the crowds, and the long lines. This was not a good sign. Those 50 long bumpy miles had done their job, Mary's water had broke, and she needed a room right now! Joseph quickly shoved through the lines to see the inn keeper. "I need a room right now for my wife! She is going to have a baby... RIGHT NOW!" Joseph begged. Laughter echoed out into the crowded street. The Roman officials needed lodging. The rich travelers had already secured their lodging. There was no room for a homeless poor carpenter and his wife right now! "Just who do you think you are??!!" The inn keeper finally had compassion and sent them to the stable in back. It was better than no place at all, but it sure wasn't what the young couple had imagined for them birth of the promised Messiah. Mary thought of the crib that Joseph had made. She remembered the beautiful warm house that they were going to live in. The pains are greater now, Jesus would be born very soon. There was no midwife, no nurse. Soon the velvet cried of a new born baby mingled with the lowing of cattle and the sounds of the other animals. I am sure that the very glory of God moved even the barn animals. The angels sang in the night to some shepherds in the field. Even in this lowly place, there is cause to rejoice! Our Savior is born! Why was the Savior of the world crowded out? Why was He forced to be born in a feeding trough? I don't believe that the Inn Keeper hated God and purposefully condemned the Messiah to this kind of treatment. I believe that it was the pressure of the day and ignorance that caused the Inn Keeper to make his choice. The dignitaries came first. The important people must have their needs met. This Inn Keeper crowded out the Son of God because he was ignorant of the scriptures that prophesied His coming. Isaiah 7:14 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 9:6 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 53:10-12 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Micah 5:2 2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. What a sad thing to happen to this precious little child! The very Son of God was only born once into this world, and that is the reception that was given to Him. He was simply crowded out by things that seemed much more important. He came , the Creator, veiled in human flesh, to live a perfect life and then be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus Christ is Our Great Savior! Yes, I realize that this poor treatment of Our Lord took place 2000 years ago, but Jesus is still being crowded out of our lives, especially during this time of year. Most of us do not crowd Jesus out of the choice places in our lives out of contempt. We merely allow the pressures and priorities of a godless society make the choices for us. Some of us are greatly affected by our peers. Jesus is not cool. Oh sure, being spiritual is ok, but not if it involves a public display of our allegiance to Jesus Christ. Our founding fathers set up a constitution that would guarantee the free practice of religion. Now, the heathen, post- Christian society in which we live try and twist the constitution. Instead of guaranteeing freedom of religion, they seek freedom FROM religion. Jesus has been crowded out. Our cartoons, that once spoke of the manger birth now speak of the druid history of the yule log! Culture has crowded out Jesus Christ. There is no room for Him. Sure, one might happen upon a Hollywood movie about our Savior, but it will only show a frail and confused human with delusion tendencies, not the very God that He is! Jesus has been once more crowded out, there is no room for Him. We work our 40-50 hour week. It is then time to get away! Time to hunt, fish, ski, or just flop in front of the TV all weekend. Jesus has been crowded out. We may find time to get to a church that has a short ritual that makes us feel better about ourselves, but we have not talked with Our Savior. Religion has crowded our Savior out! There is no room for Jesus. How about you, my friend? Has the cares of this world and the pressures of society made you like that ancient Inn Keeper? Is there room for Jesus in your life? Have you ever trusted Him to be your Savior and take away your sin? Are you living for Him now every day? During this Christmas season, let us not be like the man who allowed Jesus to be crowded out into the feeding trough.