Christmas Day

[1]

O.T.: Isaiah 52:7–10 — Ep.: Hebrews 1:1–6 (7–12) — Gospel: John 1:1–14 (15–18)

The Living and Life-Giving Word of God Dwells Among Us in the Flesh

The Lord sends out His ministers of the Gospel to make disciples “of all the nations,” so that “all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” The Lord has “bared His holy arm” in the incarnate Christ (Isaiah 52:7, 10). The child in the manger, born of the Mary, is the very Word of God, the only-begotten Son of the Father, “whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom He also created the world” (Hebrew 1:2). As “all things were made through Him” (John 1:3), so are all things redeemed and made new in Him. In his body of flesh and blood, we behold “the radiance of the glory of God” (Hebrews 1:3), “glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). He dwells among us in peace, that we might have life and light and salvation in Him. For by His Word of the Gospel, we are born again as the children of God, bearing His name and sharing His eternal life. (In the picture, ὁλόγος is Greek for ‘the Word’).

Collect for Christmas Dawn: Most merciful God, You gave Your eternal Word to become incarnate of the pure Virgin. Grant Your people grace to put away fleshly lusts, that they may be ready for Your visitation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for Christmas Day: Almighty God, grant that the birth of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free from the bondage of sin; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. – 25 December

Lectionary summaries from LCMS Commission on Worship 

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[1] Joy to the World, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

 

Christmas Day

[1]

O.T.: Isaiah 52:7–10 — Ep.: Hebrews 1:1–6 (7–12) — Gospel: John 1:1–14 (15–18)

The Living and Life-Giving Word of God Dwells Among Us in the Flesh

The Lord sends out His ministers of the Gospel to make disciples “of all the nations,” so that “all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” The Lord has “bared His holy arm” in the incarnate Christ (Isaiah 52:7, 10). The child in the manger, born of the Mary, is the very Word of God, the only-begotten Son of the Father, “whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom He also created the world” (Hebrew 1:2). As “all things were made through Him” (John 1:3), so are all things redeemed and made new in Him. In his body of flesh and blood, we behold “the radiance of the glory of God” (Hebrews 1:3), “glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). He dwells among us in peace, that we might have life and light and salvation in Him. For by His Word of the Gospel, we are born again as the children of God, bearing His name and sharing His eternal life. (In the picture, ὁλόγος is Greek for ‘the Word’).

Collect for Christmas Dawn: Most merciful God, You gave Your eternal Word to become incarnate of the pure Virgin. Grant Your people grace to put away fleshly lusts, that they may be ready for Your visitation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for Christmas Day: Almighty God, grant that the birth of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free from the bondage of sin; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. – 25 December

Lectionary summaries from LCMS Commission on Worship

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[1] Joy to the World, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

 

Christmas Day

 

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege  

The Word Was God – Christmas,  (John 1:1-14)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).

Who is this “Word” the inspired Apostle says is God? As explained in verse 14 He the One who would become flesh, born of the Virgin Mary.  Though the “Word” (Greek Logos) has tremendous depth of meaning, consider a likely meaning being conveyed by the Apostle.

In the Old Testament a mysterious figure appears again and again.  He is frequently called The Angel of the Lord.  (An “angel” is someone sent with a message.  The Son of God is the ultimate angel, sent by the Father with the ultimate message.) On several occasions this Angel of the Lord either claims to be God or is recognized as God (Genesis 16:7ff; 21:17ff; 22:11ff; Exodus 3:2ff; etc.), and yet this Angel of the Lord is somehow “separate” from God.  God’s written revelation is insistent that there is but one God, one essence, yet Scripture also reveals there are three distinct persons, each fully God.  We can only celebrate Christmas correctly if we believe the true God is the Triune God.  Obviously this Angel of the Lord is the second person of the Holy Trinity.

The common language of the Jews in Jesus’ day was Aramaic.  There were Aramaic “versions” of the Hebrew Old Testament (called Targumim).  When these versions translated the Angel of the Lord, the Aramaic word used for Angel was mamre, which was commonly translated into Greek as Logos (“Word”).  Thus, as expressed by the Jews of Jesus day, the Old Testament God-angel was called the Word of the Lord.  From this understanding John is informing us that this Word of the Lord, the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity, became flesh (v. 14).  (Gieschen, Angelomorphic Christology, 100ff.)

To magnify the God-nature of the Word of God (the Son of God), the Apostle John informs us twice in his Gospel’s brief introduction that this Word is the Creator of the world: …without him was not any thing made that was made (v. 3b).  John’s wording causes us to pause and realize that this Son of God cannot be a created being, for without Him nothing was made that was made…which informs us that even as He created all things He, of course, did not create himself. As revealed in Holy Writ and as we confess in the Creeds, the Son of God is “uncreate”, “begotten, not made”.   In verse 10 John then again describes this Word of God as the Creator:  He was in the world and the world was made through Him…

Now comes John’s version of the Christmas story:  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (v. 14).  Indeed, the Son of God—the Word—became flesh.   “God’s Son would not be satisfied to merely appear in human form, as He had done numerous times in the Old Testament.  Through Mary He would actually become human, for through her He has actually, permanently taken into Himself flesh and blood.”  (Brege, Eating God’s Sacrifice, 112.)

Why would the Son of God, the very One through whom the world came into being, become flesh?  He became flesh that we might behold His glory!  And where is that glory most fully revealed?  It is revealed especially at the cross, for there we perceive love beyond all love, salvation overflowing and death absorbed.  Of course Christ’s death is meaningless without the resurrection. Only God can accomplish such work, and thus the Son of God had to become flesh so that by His death we who are dead flesh could be quickened and eternally 

Image: Ed Riojas Higher Things

Christmas Day

 

Christmas Day
25 December 2022
Isaiah 9:6
What’s in a Name?

The child to be born simply means that the humanity of Jesus has a starting point. The Son must be given because the Second Person of the Trinity is eternal. Now He adds humanity to His deity.

That Jesus is both God and man tells us that man really is made in the image of God. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” - Genesis 1:26

Our problem. Is not our humanity. But our fallenness. To say, “I am only human,” is not enough. Jesus was fully human. Yet perfect.  It is more accurate to say, “I am only fallen.” The humanity Jesus adds to His Divine nature was not the sinful humanity we commonly known. But the perfect humanity of Adam and Ever before the fall.

Jesus remains a man eternally. The Scriptures teach; “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”- 1 Timothy 2:5; “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing pat the right hand of God.  And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing pat the right hand of God.”-Acts 7:55-56 Jesus is now a man in a resurrected body. A body you will one day receive.

If Jesus were not fully man. He could not stand in the place of sinful men to be the substitute for the punishment our sin deserves. If He were not fully God – His sacrifice would be insufficient.

Where is the Gospel located in the Christmas story? It is found in the announcement from the angel of the LORD to your ears this day –

“Fear not! For behold. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the LORD.” – Luke 2:10-11

Isaiah tells us “His name shall be called…” The idea is not that these will be literal names of the Messiah. Instead. These are the aspects of His character. These words describe who He is and what He has come to do.

What’s in a name? A name identifies the character of a person. For example, my name, “Daniel” is of Hebrew origin and means, “God is my judge.” Tamara is also Hebrew, which means, “Palm tree.” Henry mans “Ruler of the Home” while Lydia is Greek for “cultured.” Gabor is of Hebrew origin meaning, “God is my strength,” or “God is my strong man.”[1]

In Biblical thought, you are a name. The son born on Christmas is no ordinary person as shown by the name He is given. What’s in a name especially His name? Consider Jesus’ title.

I. Jesus is your Counselor-

A.    He guides us into the ways of truth, divine and eternal truth.

B.     He is a helper – who came to rescue us from our greatest peril. The powers of sin, death and the Devil.

C.     Advocate – Paul put it this way, “God was in Christ reconciling us to the Father, not counting our sins against us. And He has given us this ministry of reconciliation.”

D.    Jesus is your counselor. It was by a counselor that this world was ruined. Did not Satan make himself in the form of a serpent? That Eve should take unto herself the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In the hope that she would be like God?

This world needs a counselor to restore it since it had a counselor to destroy it.  You may have a friend. That talks sweetly with you. And you might say, “Well, he is a kind soul. But I can trust his judgment.” 

You have another friend. Who has a good deal of judgement but he has no sympathy. But when you go to Jesus you get wisdom. You bet love. You get sympathy. You get everything that can possibly be wanted in a counselor.

II. He is the Mighty God-

A.    The transcendent One – who created this universe in six days and rested on the seventh. He created a vast universe for us to explore, to profit from ($1 spent in exploration translates into $17 in return) Yet He is the one who governs our days and orders our universe.

B.     Totally, other – One whose will was to be born in human likeness who for us men and our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost and was made man. Conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin He is our Savior from sin, death, and the devil.

C.     He is the God of all creation. Ad glory. The LORD who reigns in heaven. The ONE worthy of worship and praise.

III. He is the Everlasting Father –

A.    Warm – who has loved us with an everlasting love.

B.     Tender – who speaks to us favorably through His inspired Word.

C.     Caring – Who in love has reached down to us to save us from our sins.

D.    In these Hebrew words is the understand that Jesus is the source and author of all eternity. He is the Creator Himself.

E.     He is the Compassionate God- Who broke into time and space to be our Savior – who took on flesh to dwell among us, to take the burden of our guilt and sin.

IV. He is the Prince of Peace –

A.    The creator of our peace with God. He is the source of every blessing. Our peace comes only from Him.

B.     The one who will bestow His abiding peace on those who are called by His saving Gospel. This is why we share His story with the world so that souls might be won for Him.

C.     He is the one who makes peace. Especially between God and man. The Apostle Paul suggests – “For he himself is our peace who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” – Ephesians 2:14

What’s in a name? There’s plenty. The child whose birth we celebrate this day has been given the name “Jesus” for “He will save His people from their sins.” And save us is what He has done. No wonder the angels who announced His birth would exclaim, “There is now peace on earth and good will toward men”! A Blessed Christmas in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Words-1,125
Passive Sentences – 10%
Readability – 80.4%
Reading Level – 4.7

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[1] http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/baby-names-c.htm

Christmas Day

Christmas - Series A

December 25, 2019

Christ is Born
Luke 2:1-20

The tension between church and state is a problem every generation faces. At the very beginning of Jesus’ life the state had its say. A “decree” an edict from Rome gave Jesus’ parents a difficult time: a long and difficult trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem – seventy miles at a time when the expectant mother needed to stay at home with family. The decree resulted in a stable for a delivery room and animals for attending nurses.

“Caesar” continued to be a problem for Jesus to the very end of his life. Jesus had said — “Render unto Caesar”; and so He was sentenced to death by one of Caesar’s men. Yet, on the other hand, the “decree” reminds us that Jesus came into a real world at a definite time and place. The incarnation is not a theory or myth or the product of human imagination. Christmas is rooted and grounded in time and space and in the events and context of history.

At Christmas God’s grace, that is, the undeserved love of God became a reality by the appearing of Jesus. He was just as real and human as you are. He was born and placed into a real family. He lived with and among people. He learned a trade by His step-father Joseph, and was nurtured by His mother.   The grace of God became flesh that we might see, hear, and feel God as a reality. Christianity is not a philosophy, not a program of activity, not a code of ethics, but a person. He walked and talked, laughed and cried, lived and died. In Jesus we see the love of God and He came to live with and among people. At His birth we witness His immediate family.

How does Jesus choose to make Himself known? Not in pomp and circumstance, not with grand fanfare and a flourish of light and sound. Instead, He chooses to be placed in a manger; the feeding trough of the animals. He is born in a stable, where beasts are kept. Not the place you would go looking to find the redeemer and savior of the world. Or, would you?

This is the amazing thing about our Savior - He chooses to be found in those places the world would least expect. He chooses to reveal Himself in those places the world considers unimportant. He chooses to exert His power in what an unbelieving world considers weak and of little consequence.

Seeing is believing. The shepherds found the Christ-child just as they had been promised. They sought out the infant and His parents where they were told to find Him.

Where do we find the Savior today? We find Him in those places only the Father has promised. We find Him in His message of the Gospel. We find Him in the reading of the Inspired Word. We find Him the waters of Holy Baptism. We find Him in His Meal, in His Word of Absolution, and hidden away in our own hearts.

If you are seeking Christ this Christmas you will find Him only in those places the Father has promised He would be found.  The Shepherds found Him – “just as it had been told them”. Why should you expect anything different?

Sometimes we can feel quite alone despite of our many activities. Yet, the message of the Savior’s birth comes to us with the same joy and expectation. “For you is born this day a Savior.” This is the greatest revelation known to man. This news calms our fears, removes our doubts and gives us hope. The Good News of the Savior’s birth which is promised for all people was given first to a lonely people. This message is given to you this day as the Father’s gift.

The shepherds were the first to hear of the birth of a Savior. Was it not strange that God sent the angel to tell the shepherds? Why not announce it to the important and powerful people of the world? Why not to kings and generals? Why not to Pharisees and Sadducees? The shepherds of Jesus’ day had a bad reputation as thieves. They were among the very poor and usually classified with publicans and prostitutes.

The poor seem to be God’s greatest concern. Jesus was born of poor peasants. Later Jesus taught, “Blessed are the poor....” As proof of His messiahship. He reported to John the Baptist, “The poor have the gospel preached to them.” Jesus’ birth is good news to the hungry, needy, deprived, and poor.

There was much excitement during the birth. You can see a nervous, frantic new father trying to be midwife to a woman having her first baby. Then came a group of shepherds asking questions and staring at the new baby in adoration. Later came the Wise Men. There was much talking, coming and going, chores to be done, and general confusion. While all this was going on, Mary His mother, pondered all these events and sayings.

What is the meaning of all this? Who is this new baby? What will he amount to? Christmas needs to be a time for reflection and meditation. For some Christmas is over in a day and then life goes on as before. If so, Christmas is only a mad rush and a state of confusion. For those who “ponder these things,” the cruel cross of Calvary always looms ahead of us - even on Christmas morning.

Does the death of a condemned man seem compelling enough to offer atonement? Could His life and sacrifice really save you?  The surroundings and the circumstances of His birth predict His death. They are the means by which we find peace with God and absolution for our sin.  

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Words- 975

Passive Sentences – 11%

Readability – 78.1%

Reading Level - 5.1

Image copyright © Ed Riojas Higher Things 

Christmas Day

Christmas

December 25, 2019

Christ is Born
Luke 2:1-20

In this life - Money is temporary
  A car -temporary
  A career - temporary
     Christ is eternal!
  Today we welcome His Coming - 

The events of  the first Christmas. Are they  only a story, a myth, a legend – something akin to the tale of Rudolph the red nosed reindeer? But consider how real Christmas really is – its concrete, it’s specific, it’s the real deal. Consider the realities of the Christmas event.

1.      Political factors: Caesar Augustus, Quirinius – Vv. 1, 2 -In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.

The relation of church and state is a problem every generation faces. At the very beginning of Jesus’ life the state had its say. A “decree” from Rome gave Jesus’ parents a difficult time: a long, and difficult trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem at a time when the expectant mother needed to stay at home with family. The decree resulted in a stable for a delivery room and animals for attending nurses.

“Caesar” continued to be a problem for Jesus to the very end of his life. Jesus had said — “Render unto Caesar”; and so He was sentenced to death by one of Caesar’s men. Yet, on the other hand, the “decree” reminds us that Jesus came into a real world at a definite time and place. The incarnation is not a theory or myth or the product of human imagination. Christmas is rooted and grounded in time and space and in the events and context of history.

2.      Parents; Joseph, Mary – Vv. 4-5 -And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

At Christmas  God’s grace, that is, the undeserved love of God became a reality by the appearing of Jesus. He was just as real and human as you and I. He was born and placed into a real family. He lived with and among people. He learned a trade by His step-father Joseph, and was nurtured by His mother.   The grace of God became flesh that we might see, hear, and feel God as a reality. Christianity is not a philosophy, not a program of activity, not a code of ethics, but a person. He walked and talked, laughed and cried, lived and died. In Jesus we see the love of God and He came to live with and among people. At His birth we witness His immediate family.

3.      Delivery room: stable manger, child – Vv. 6-7 -And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

How does Jesus choose to make Himself known? Not in pomp and circumstance, not with grand fanfare and a flourish of light and sound. Instead, He chooses to be placed in a manger; the feeding trough of the animals. He is born in a stable, where beasts are kept. Not the place you would go looking to find the redeemer and savior of the world. Or, would you?

This is the amazing thing about our Savior - He chooses to be found in those places the world would least expect. He chooses to reveal Himself in those places the world considers unimportant. He chooses to exert His power in what an unbelieving world considers weak and of little consequence.

Seeing is believing. The shepherds found the Christ-child just as they had been promised. They sought out the infant and His parents where they were told to find Him.

  

Where do we find the Savior today? We find Him in those places only the Father has promised. We find Him in His message of the Gospel. We find Him in the reading of the Inspired Word. We find Him the waters of Holy Baptism. We find Him in His Meal, in His Word of Absolution, and hidden away in our own hearts.

If you are seeking Christ this Christmas you will find Him only in those places the Father has promised He would be found.  The Shepherds found Him – “just as it had been told them”. Why should you expect anything different?

4.      Witnesses – real people shepherds, you who have seen it again by those witnesses – Vv. 8-12 -  And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Sometimes we can feel quite alone despite of our many activities. Yet, the message of the Savior’s birth comes to us with the same joy and expectation. “For you is born this day a Savior.” This is the greatest revelation known to man. This news calms our fears, removes our doubts and gives us hope. The Good News of the Savior’s birth which is promised for all people was given first to a lonely people. This message is given to you this day as the Father’s gift.

The shepherds were the first to hear of the birth of a Savior. Was it not strange that God sent the angel to tell the shepherds? Why not announce it to the important and powerful people of the world?Why not to kings and generals?Why not to Pharisees and Sadducees? 

The shepherds of Jesus’ day had a bad reputation as thieves. They were among the very poor and usually classified with publicans and prostitutes. The poor seem to be God’s greatest concern. Jesus was born of poor peasants.Later Jesus taught “Blessed are the poor....” As proof of His messiahship, He reported to John the Baptist, “the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Jesus’ birth is good news to the hungry, needy, deprived, and poor.

There was much excitement during the birth. You can see a nervous, frantic new father trying to be midwife to a woman having her first baby. Then came a group of shepherds asking questions and staring at the new baby in adoration. Later came the Wise Men. There was much talking, coming and going, chores to be done, and general confusion. While all this was going on, Mary His mother, pondered all these events and sayings.

What is the meaning of all this? Who is this new baby? What will he amount to? Christmas should be a time for reflection and meditation. For some Christmas is over in a day and then life goes on as before. If so, Christmas is only a mad rush and a state of confusion. For those who “ponder these things,” the cruel cross of Calvary always looms ahead of us - even on Christmas morning.

Does the death of a condemned man seem compelling enough to offer atonement? Could His life and sacrifice really save you?  The surroundings and the circumstances of His birth predict His death. They are the means by which we find peace with God and absolution for our sin.   

Christmas

Christmas

December 25, 2017

Luke 2:1-20

“Christmas without Christ?”

 Luke sets the events of the gospel against the background of world history. The pagan emperor's decree about a census created the situation in which the Messiah was born in David's city of Bethlehem.

Jesus did not bring political peace to the world, but He made it possible for men and women to have peace with God. Charles Wesley (1:183) interprets the message as “Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” Yet, to a skeptical world this is too much! Have you grown tired of Christmas? Do you believe possibly that Scrooge was right? Consider Luke’s words for today.

Christmas is bunk, unless…

1. Christ is born anew in us. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

In worldly terms Christmas is a happy time in terms of parties, banquets, gifts and friends. This is happiness that may wither with the Christmas tree which is discarded soon after Christmas day. Our joy is different.  In fact, joy is far different then happiness. It is deeper. Because it is based on good news. A Savior is born to save us from ourselves. It is a joy that remains long aft the Christmas celebration is over. For this reason people who are unhappy at Christmas because of unfortunate circumstances can still have experience this Christmas joy.

Transition: Christmas is bunk unless Christ is born anew in us. You must also experience the worship of Christ.

 

2. Worship of Christ child is experienced. “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:15-16

With a heightened sense of excitement and determination, the shepherds rushed off to the baby's side. Notice the missionary interest of Luke in the spread of the gospel, this thing..., which the Lord has told us about. (v.15)

In the recorded history of the world, there have been few years of universal peace. There has been very little peace among nations since the first Christmas. How can Jesus then be called the “Prince of Peace”? The peace Jesus brings is not necessarily peace among men but peace between God and humanity. Only when spiritual peace prevails will there be peace among nations. There will not be peace between God and people until Christ is accepted by faith.

Transition: The bunk of Christmas disappears when salvation’s joy is found.

3. The joy of Christmas is the joy of salvation. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10

What God did not become. He could not save. And so, Jesus comes into the world as one of us to save us. He is counted with the sinners, to save sinners.

The Angel announces, “Be not afraid!” I’m sure that many of you have watched the television special “Charlie Brown’s Christmas.” It’s a classic made for family special. In that famous scene, when Linus recites the Christmas story. When does he drop his security blanket? He drops his blanket when he utters those very words – “Fear Not!”[1]  When our fears subside. We can truly worship the new born King with joy and peace. Without fear.

It is a bold proclamation of the Gospel at the very hour of Jesus' birth. The time has come for the fulfillment of the prophetic expectation of Messiah's coming.

Christmas was a communication event. The shepherds told the Holy Family what the angel said. If Christmas is good news, it must be told. It is told spontaneously. Here is good news! What has been promised and longed for over thousands of tears has at last happened.

The cradle of Christianity is evangelism – the telling of good news to sinners that they might have life in Christ. This leads to a joyous celebration because for us a Savior has been born!

The peace of Christ. Is the very hope people long for. It is the hope of a world where justice arrives. Where evil is put away. And where people are treated with love and respect.

By faith you grab hold of the One who “makes all things new” including this world of sin and death. 

We live in a world where people hunger for righteousness. To embrace people as people. Flawed. Broken. And waiting. Waiting for the good to come. We are all broken. Hurt. Longing. Ignorant. And in need of rescue.

You can offer that hope to hearts longing for rescue. Christianity is primed to speak to hearts. Because it has always been the religion of the cross. Of the rejected. The Innocent. Who bears the guilt of the “other.” It is the promise of a Father. Who will bring justice. Love. And a lasting home.

Amidst the brokenness of our lives. Amidst the power structures and manipulation. The violence. The racism. The hurt. Comes the Christ.  Who breaks in. Who shares our flesh. Who carries our burdens. Who bears our sins. Who will suffer the scars of evil. Who exchanges our shame for His glory. And calls us to be the very light of the world.-A light that is not ours but His.  Gifted to us. For us to undermine the darkness. Which cannot stand against it.

So be that light. The world is hungry for salvation. Be the city on a hill. Let your light shine. Show the world it’s Savior. Trust. Pray. Proclaim. Repent. Believe. And Come Lord Jesus. Yes, Lord, return. To bear Your people home.[2]

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Words -1040

Passive Sentences – 7%

Readability –80.6%

Reading Level -4.1

Woodcut by Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, © WELS

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[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6Ibgid5Ox4

[2] http://www.christholdfast.org/blog/postmodernism-charlottesville-and-the-hope-to-come

Christmas

Christmas Day

25 December 2016

Isaiah 9:2

O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shines.

It is significant that Jesus was born on a "Silent Night, a Holy Night" He came to a people who walked in darkness. He came as a light to eliminate that darkness. Jesus came to be a light to the people who walk in darkness.

1.     There is darkness. It is the darkness of the world - caused by sin -1 John 1:6-7 "If we say that we have fellowship him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not have the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin".

From the time in which our first parents, Adam and Eve fell headlong into sin, the people of this world have been living in a dream world.  That dream world consists in this; that the majority of people believe that they can please God even if they continue to walk in darkness.  This comes in various forms. Hardly any would believe that they are perfect.  Hardly a person on this earth will dare to believe that they are without fault.  But where people deceive themselves and live in denial is when they convince themselves that they can live a life without any consequences.

They believe that either God will make up for their shortcomings or they believe that God will somehow overlook and disregard their offences. But this does not stand the test of every man. How can we have fellowship with a holy and righteous God when we walk in the shadow and the night of sin? Thus, the evangelist John will remind us: "If we say that we have fellowship him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not have the truth."

We can try to fool our neighbors, families, friends and ourselves thinking that all is well. But the testimony of the clear Word of God's Law and the conviction of our own conscience will tell us that we cannot stand before a holy and righteous God who is perfection and light.  If we are walking in the darkness of sin, we have no fellowship with God.

So, what can we do? We cannot deny the fact that we are sinners. Try as we might, we cannot resist and conquer sin. We are a people walking in darkness, and surrounded by the shadow of death.

Transition:  This is how the world has existed from the time of Adam. But God our Father who has given us His Word and promise. He has determined to dispel the darkness of sin and death as His light shines upon us. That light came at Christmas and continues to shine ever so brightly as Christ; the light of the world, has shined upon us. 

"When Jesus enters meek and lowly To fill the home with sweetest peace; When hearts have felt His blessing holy And found from sin complete release, Then light and calm within shall reign And hearts divided love again" {TLH #65 stanza 2}[1]

2.     Jesus is the light of the world - The prophet reminds us: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shines."

So what is it that you confess? Every. Single. Sunday. “…who for us men and our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made man.”[2]

You see, there is a person who knows and understands you. His name is Jesus Christ. We need to remember, especially today, that there was a nativity. In that manger, the Son of God didn’t just insert Himself into human activities. He inserted Himself in the grittiness of human flesh. He was also a person who knew pain and anger. He became angry Himself on occasions, and ultimately was the victim of anger. This life that you live. Your struggles.  Your anger. Your weakness.  Your woes.  Your sorrows - your Lord knows all. Even your joys exactly. Because He became a man.*

The incarnation changes everything. For we do not have a God who was too proud to know His people. Or, a God content to rule from a great distance. Or, a God whose majesty was too awesome for us to behold. We have just the opposite. Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, who experienced the very same humanity, the very same problems, and the very same challenges that we do. No, you do not walk this road alone. Jesus is the God who came down from heaven. He was that man. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” –Isaiah 53:3 *[These thoughts and the importance of the incarnation came from Pr. Ken Kelly who serves a LCMS parish in Johnstown, PA A pastor with incredible insights.]

Christ has removed the darkness of sin. As He spoke the universe into existence with His Word saying "Let there be light" so He came into this world to shine His light upon a dark and sinful world to take away our sin, misery, and guilt.  That desert preacher proclaims to us clearly, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Christ is the eternal light and has come to save us from our sin. He does not overlook your sin. He eliminates it. He does not blink at sin, but He has entered time and space to be your substitute.

He takes unto Himself all of the world's misery and sin and He will carry it to the cross where He will suffer, die and rise again to be victorious.  The miracle of Christmas is that God has made it clear that He is in the business of redeeming and saving His people. As light eliminates the darkness so the coming of Christ brings the dawn of a new day, full of light and life. Upon us, the light of Christ has shown brightly eliminating all darkness of sin and error.

The miracle of Christmas finds its basis in the truth that Christ has come to eliminate sin. As He began the world's creation by producing light on the first day, He has shown brightly on this earth once again. In glory, there is no need of sun, moon or stars for He will be the eternal light that lights up the entire city.  As He draws us toward His light once more on this Christmas morning may the brightness of Christ burn in your hearts ever more until we are each ushered into His glory. Glory and light, which has no end!   Blessed Christmas!

Words –1,227

Passive Sentences –7%

Readability – 80.5%

Reading Level -5.4

Image: Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for private and congregational use

 

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[1] A hymn that didn’t make it into the LSB but should have!

[2] The Nicene Creed