Sermon -- Christmas Eve (December 24, 2021)

Our Christmas Eve service at Good Shepherd follows the Service of Lessons and Carols.  There are nine lessons.  A short devotion was given for eight of them.  Two of those devotions are below.

6^th Reading           Luke 2:1-7

         Luke 2:1-7 tells us what was visible in Bethlehem at the birth of Jesus.  What was apparent to the eye was nothing spectacular in any way.  A woman gave birth to a baby boy.  It was her first, so that was special, but it was not amazing.

         When the Lord came into the world, he chose to enter in the most common way.  Joseph and Mary had been inconvenienced by the decree of Caesar Augustus.  They were compelled to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  Behind the scenes, the prophet Micah would smile.  The word of the Lord through him would be fulfilled.  But many others had also come to Bethlehem.  No one would have had special pity for Joseph and Mary.  They were like the rest.

         We might get the idea that the moment Mary passed the city limits of Bethlehem she went into full blown labor.  That may make for a more compelling story, but the Bible does not say that.  I don’t know how long they were in Bethlehem, but while they were there, she gave birth.  We also do not need to create a villain.  The word translated “inn” is better translated as “guest room.”  Every house had a guest room.  The family lived in the main room.  An upper room was available for guests.  So, there is no wicked hotel manager who banished a pregnant woman panting in pain as a baby’s head was crowning.  But Bethlehem had swelled with people.  Guest rooms were occupied.  Since there was no space in the guest room, Mary was in the main room which was more private anyway.  She was there, by the lower level where the animals were brought in each night.  There would have been a manger or two there so that the animals could feed if they needed to.  There, Mary gave birth and wrapped her newborn in strips of cloth, like any other peasant would have.

          When the Lord entered the world, he entered as a commoner. He did not come down from heaven at age 30, appearing out of nowhere. He was conceived in Mary’s womb and gestated there for nine months. He was born in a house in Bethlehem. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. It was utterly common, but that is the point. Jesus did not come in majesty, but in humility. He came as a common person for common people. He is like us in every way, but without sin. We would not be able to approach him in his bare glory, so he hides it in humble human flesh. The God-head was veiled in flesh. He came as a common person for common people.
          What was visible was common, ordinary, and earthly. What was truly going on had to be revealed, and that is truly amazing. We will hear about that next.

7^th Reading           Luke 2:8-20

         What was witnessed at the manger was unspectacular.  But a spectacle of angels has revealed what was really going on.  A great heavenly mystery is hidden behind a common, earthly birth.  God’s glory was hidden in the flesh of Jesus.

         Mary knew what was going on.  The angel had told her nine months earlier that the child to be born is God Most High.  Joseph knew what was hidden.  The angel told him that Mary’s child was Immanuel, God with us.  Now the angel told the shepherds in the fields: A Savior has been born for you.  He is the Christ, the promised Messiah.  He is the Lord—the Maker of heaven and earth, the one who divided the Red Sea, the one who led Israel in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, the one who dwelt between the cherubim above the ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies.  Yes, THAT One is a baby in Bethlehem.  He is Christ the Lord.

         But note the sign: He is wrapped in strips of cloth lying in a manger.  This sign might seem meaningless to you, but it was not meaningless to the shepherds.  When they heard that the Lord was wrapped in strips of cloth, they understood that he was a commoner.  He had come for the likes of peasants, shepherds, and everyone.  This is how the angel emphasized that the good news was for them.  And it is for you.  Christ the Lord has come, for you!

         This is the glory of God which the angels sang about.  We often think the glory of God is that he is holy and all-powerful.  He is that, but no one is saved because God is holy and all-powerful.  Those things are terrifying.  So, Jesus did not come in power, but in weakness.  He came to reveal the true glory of God—that he loves and saves sinners.

         Glory to God in the highest!  There is good news for all people; for you!  A Savior has come.  He is the Christ.  He is the Lord.  He is for you.