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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Mary, Let's Go
To The Barn</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">I love this
story: A grade school class was putting on a Christmas play which included the
story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. In that class was one little boy who
wanted very much to be Joseph. But when the parts were handed out, his biggest
rival was given that part, and he was assigned to be the inn keeper instead. He
was really bitter about this.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">So during all
the rehearsals he kept plotting in his mind what he might do the night of
performance to get even with his rival who was Joseph. Finally, the night of the
performance, Mary and Joseph came walking across the stage. They knocked on the
door of the inn, and the inn-keeper opened the door and asked them gruffly what
they wanted.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Joseph
answered, "We'd like to have a room for the night." Suddenly the inn-keeper
threw the door open wide and said, "Great, come on in and I'll give you the best
room in the house."</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">For a few
seconds poor little Joseph didn't know what to do, and a long silence ensued.
Finally though, thinking quickly on his feet, Joseph looked in past the
inn-keeper, first to the left and then to the right and said, "No wife of mine
is going to stay in a dump like this. Come on, Mary, let's go to the barn." And
once again the play was back on course.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">It is obvious
that Joseph cared deeply for Mary. He would not have risked his own reputation
and protected hers if he did not. But his love was deeper and grounded on more
than love for his bride to be. For you see he understood that obedience to God,
even in the most dire of circumstances creates a life of substance and
character.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Brett Blair,
www.eSermons.com. Adapted from a Story by John Simmons.</SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">_____________________<SPAN>
</SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN> </SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Obedience and
Compassion</SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">There is a lot
of talk today about what makes Christmas. Newspaper and television
advertisements coax people into believing that they can have a real Christmas by
going to a festive shopping center, eating at trendy restaurants, or watching
glittering "Christmas programs" on television. Others believe that Christmas is
made by the fastidious keeping of time-honored family rituals, such as,
sentimental ornaments on just the right tree, eating food from a menu which has
been handed down from generation to generation, or by visiting the same
relatives at precisely the same time on Christmas Day. Some believe that
Christmas is made by purchasing a uniquely special gift for every relative,
friend, and acquaintance. To be sure, all of these contribute to our cultural
understanding of Christmas.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">But the answer
to "What makes a real Christmas?" must be found in human history. That is what
Joseph did. And, in a very real sense, it was the theology of Joseph which made
possible the first Christmas. If Joseph had not cooperated with God's action in
human history, the birth of Jesus would have been quite different.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The witness of
Joseph calls us to cooperate with God's work in today's world. It calls us to
respond to God's action among us.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Joseph, not
having all of the evidence and knowledge of the future, decided to do more than
law and custom required. He elected to do more than was expected of him. He let
justice and compassion guide his decision about his pregnant betrothed. He was
pulled, not by the strength of custom, but by the law of love.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Joseph Pennel
Jr., From Anticipation to Transfiguration, CSS Publishing Company, p.
34.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">_____________________</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Emmanuel (God
with Us)</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The Stunning
Impact of Christmas: An old pioneer traveled westward across the great plains
until he came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the Grand Canyon. He gawked at
the sight before him: a vast chasm one mile down, eighteen miles across, and
more than a hundred miles long! He gasped, "Something musta happened here!" A
visitor to our world at Christmas time, seeing the lights, the decorations, the
trees, the parades, the festivities, and the religious services, would also
probably say, "Something must have happened here!" Indeed, something did happen.
God came to our world on the first Christmas.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">James S.
Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, Tyndale, p. 86.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">_____________________</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">An Angel Came
to Joseph </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">We too often
forget about poor Joseph. Every year, we tend to focus on the story of Mary. But
this year, it's Joseph.<BR><BR>Now, if the angel can appear to Mary, and then
also appear to Joseph, there's a lesson in that. That means that the angel can
appear to you and me, too. In the Bible, the annunciation does not occur only
once, but twice-not just to a woman, but also to a man.<BR><BR>The Bible, then,
carries an implicit message that God does appear over and over again, to various
sorts of folks. Matthew and Luke both have it right, but they are different
stories. God continues to come into the world, but we have to trust other
sources!<BR><BR>What are you giving for Christmas this year? I do not mean what
are you getting. We all want something wonderful, I am sure. But what are you
giving for Christmas?<BR><BR>The greatest gift you can give this year is to
believe in someone's dreams. The greatest gift you can give is to have faith in
someone else; believe in their dreams. Believe in the dreams of the person you
love. Believe in the dream of your husband. Believe in the dream of your wife.
Believe in the dreams of your children. Believe in the dream of your hero, your
leader, your friend. Believe in their dreams!<BR><BR></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Samuel G.
Candler, Believe in the Dreams of the Person You
Love<BR>________________________________</SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Problems and
Obedience</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Sooner or
later, every one of us comes up against the rough side of life, and we have to
face big problems. Dr. J. A. Hadfield, noted British psychologist, commented on
this when he said, "When people run up against life and find it too much for
them, one swears, one gets a headache, one gets drunk, and one prays" (J. A.
Hadfield, Psychology and Morals [Robert Hadfield Co., 1935], p. 55).</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">When life gets
hard, what do you do? Do you give up? Do you swear? Do you lash out in
hostility? Do you try to find someone to blame? Do you give in to bitterness? Do
you run away? Do you hide behind some illness? Do you drug yourself? Or, do you
pray? Do you consider the problem prayerfully and then listen for God? That's
what Joseph did, and it worked.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">What a great
lesson to learn from Joseph: the art of listening! Maybe this is why Jesus went
often into the wilderness alone to do some praying and listening. Perhaps he
learned from father Joseph how to listen for God's will. Joseph was big enough
to listen. What a wonderful quality!</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Joseph Was Big
Enough to Obey</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Even when it
was hard to do, Joseph listened and heard God's command. Then he had the courage
to act, to obey, to do God's will.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">When I think of
obedience to God, so many dramatic images flood into my mind...</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The conclusion
to this illustration and many additional illustrations and sermons for Advent
and Christmas can be accessed at <A
href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=aelnpceab&et=1104073264550&s=45429&e=001z4xCK9SYHyUdxobrT5RYWHol0RsLqepYL4oq1IkiuwmHObUziQYOPGS8mkz2OGDGrxIS99MNx6lstpwK7i693BxrflhkMFvPQzUubge5dOjQxy0VTK8krQ=="
shape=rect target=_blank>www.Sermons.com</A>. </SPAN></P>
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