When I came to Manchester as a student pastor, one of the first people I met was Wayne. Wayne was a retired insurance guy, and the parish worker at church. Over his eight year tenure there, he personally visited each prospective member Organized the hospital and homebound visitation He was the guy who’d cook the burgers at the church picnic And host the new member luncheon. He was friendly and good natured, able to talk to anyone and make people feel at ease. Wayne was the

Its Christmas Eve. and we’ve got all the makings for most incredible night Stars in the sky Holy hush Celestial choirs Good tidings of great joy for the whole world. But I want to talk about things less lofty Things more earthly than holy. I am caught by Luke’s description of Jesus’ birth. In just three verses practically the whole Christmas story— Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem, Mary’s pregnancy, The birth of Jesus, And where they stayed while they were in Bethlehem.