Sermon – Luke 2: 1-14 - Praising God for the Coming of Jesus

Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard

Sermon – Luke 2: 1-14 - Praising God for the Coming of Jesus

Pitts Creek and Beaver Dam Churches

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2011

We are at the eve of Christmas and everything is ready. Mary and Joseph are in Bethlehem having come the three day journey from Nazareth probably to register some land Joseph owns to satisfy the tax laws of the Roman Empire. There is no room upstairs in the inn so the animals that usually stay downstairs have been temporarily removed from the ground floor so that it can be prepared for Mary and Joseph to spend the night. The shepherds have gathered in the goats and sheep for the evening and have climbed the hillside to the cave where they will spend the quiet night. God has told the angels what to say when the time comes and they are getting ready memorizing their lines and songs. An ordinary evening has begun, but extraordinary things are just about to happen. So let's pray.

“We praise your name, O God. You are glorified among the nations and in all creation. You cause the flowers to bloom; the honeycomb drips with sweetness according to your design. You dwell in teeming cities and in the quiet of the countryside. The whole earth is your habitation. You invite us into your sanctuary, where we worship and bow down before you. Fill us now with your Spirit, and let your presence be our blessing. (When We Gather, 11)

Luke 2:1-20 ^NIV Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to his own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

I love Christmas pageants. Two weeks ago Pitts Creek had their White Gifts Service and the children acted out the nativity stories in Luke and Matthew. All the children had something to say. The smallest were dressed as shepherds and wise men and walked around the sanctuary as I read their stories. Two older children were given roles as the angel and Mary. The angel spoke the climatic words of the evening, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." And Mary sat in the cardboard stable with a doll in the manager pondering and treasuring in her heart all the things that were going on around her. The children all did a really good job acting out the nativity story.

Since that service I have been thinking about the two girls who played the angel and Mary. One praised the glory of God, while the other silently meditated on what all of this meant. And it occurred to me that these are the two reactions we have toward Christmas. Some of us want to celebrate Christmas with the angels praising God in the highest. We love to sing “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing.” While others of us prefer to celebrate Christmas quietly holding a candle and singing, “Silent night! holy night! All is calm all is bright. Round yon virgin mother and child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace!.”

I know of people who thrive on the hustle and bustle of Christmas. They want to build floats, organize caroling at nursing homes, and deliver baskets food to those in need. They love to sing, “Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

I know of other people who prefer attending a quiet meditative service of worship on Christmas eve and like to sing “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.”

No matter who you are, the praising type or the meditative type Christmas is for you. You can either hang in there quietly with Mary and her baby or you can go out into the night proclaiming loudly that our savior is born. These are the gifts that God provides the church at Christmas. God gives us people who love to sing, “Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.” And these people will leave here tonight proclaiming to everyone they meet the glorious news that our savior is born, by saying “Merry Christmas” to everyone they meet. The church needs people like the shepherds who hear the good news and repeat it over and over until everyone hears it.

God has also given us people who sing, “ O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” And these people will care for the body of Christ by teaching Bible studies to adults and children, visiting the sick and shut-ins, and serving coffee to the congregation on Sunday mornings. The church needs people like Mary who quietly care for its needs.

So Christmas is a time of contrasts. We gather when it is cold and dark outside and then light a magnificent Christmas tree bathing the sanctuary in it light. Christmas is a time of warning to get out of Bethlehem before Herod arrives, and it is a time of the love of a young mother placing her new born baby in a manger. Christmas is a time of vulnerability of that young baby in uncertain times, and it is a time of great power of God and the heavenly hosts.

So as Christians we may approach Christmas either in a spirit of praise glorifying God for what he is doing for the world, or in a spirit of prayer preparing ourselves for what God is doing inside of us. Either way we experience God's love for us and the great joy of being a follower of Jesus Christ. And let us all express thanks to God for the gift of his son this evening and the promises of forgiveness and eternal life.

“The heavens tell of your glory, O God. All the trees of the wood sing for joy. For unto us a child is born, and into our midst has come a great light. You have come to deal justly with nations; with righteousness you rule your people. We hear of a Wonderful Counselor and know that your Spirit is near. The prophet proclaims you Mighty God, while the sea roars and fields exult. Your mercy is everlasting as you care for all your creation. We herald the Prince of Peace and await the time when his rule is complete. You are our God and are greatly to be praised. We sing unto you, honoring your name, and tell of your salvation from day to day. Gifts have been opened and love has been exchanged. Keep us mindful that you are the source of all abundance and worth. Families have gathered and loved ones have returned home. May we always remember that Christ calls us to the Table with himself as the host. The tree has been trimmed and stockings have been hung. Let their garlands and tributes awaken assurance of your grace. Now that anticipation has given way to celebration, may we not lose sight of your continuing call to obedience and devotion. To those who still seek a sign of your love, may we become that sign as we do justly and love mercy. To those who lack the warmth of home and friends, may we extend hospitality and good cheer. Where the sounds of war drown out Christ’s call to peace, may we fulfill the tasks of reconciliation and love. You have established the world and sent the Prince of Peace. We go forth as his servants in praise of your reign!” Amen. (When We Gather 12)