Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

Light in the Darkness

Outline

In our age as in past ages darkness often sees itself as light

Caesar Augustus and those under him saw Roman rule as enlightened, bringing peace and prosperity to the world

They did not recognize Roman rule and the pagan way of life as “the yoke that burdened them” or as “godless ways and worldly desires” or “lawlessness” for they did not recognize the God of the Jews

And since they had power and pomp and armies they did not even notice “the light” when he came.

I am sure that you know those who call vices virtue and virtue ethics vice, for whom truth is what they believe true and light is what gives them pleasure.

Times have not changed.

But in that time some people, as now, “have seen a great light”

Yet it did not look great, for a poor couple forced to trek 50 miles or so for tax enrollment because the husband had some property in his ancestral town was not noticeable.

They stayed with relatives in a lean-to on a house roof so small that when the pregnant woman came to give birth they were moved into the house because the lean-to was too small for the midwife to work in.

We do not know what happened to the house owners, for the house had a raised straw bed in the back and in the front animals were brought in for the night - to keep the baby safe from people or animals he was laid in a manger or feeding trough.

Yet that baby is “[the] child ... born to us, [the] son ... given to us; upon his shoulder [rather than Ceasar’s] dominion rests.”

That child who must be wrapped up by others is “Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.”

He is Emanuel, God with us.

He did have attendants, hired shepherds, that is, outcasts, Jews who had made themselves gentiles, who claimed that an angelic army that would make Caesar pale with fear had announced that the child was “a savior [who] has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.”

They were in awe at the announcement made to them, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Those who heard them probably felt that they were too full of cheap wine, if not crazy.

We have been privileged to see that light and recognize it

We realize that “the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.”

Even if such a lifestyle is nonsense to those around us.

We realize that that child “gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.”

Even if our good is held to be darkness by those around us.

Caesars, or as G. K. Chesterton put it, Hudge and Gudge, struggle for the throne and call darkness light and light darkness.

We have, by God’s grace, seen the light and have heard, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

We have realized we are those on whom his undeserved favor rests.

We look on a baby and see “Messiah and Lord.”

Since we see, then “Come, let us adore him.”

As we await his coming from heaven.

Readings

FIRST READING

Isaiah 9:1–6

1 The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

Upon those who lived in a land of gloom

a light has shone.

2 You have brought them abundant joy

and great rejoicing;

They rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest,

as they exult when dividing the spoils.

3 For the yoke that burdened them,

the pole on their shoulder,

The rod of their taskmaster,

you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

4 For every boot that tramped in battle,

every cloak rolled in blood,

will be burned as fuel for fire.

5 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;

upon his shoulder dominion rests.

They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

6 His dominion is vast

and forever peaceful,

Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom,

which he confirms and sustains

By judgment and justice,

both now and forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

RESPONSE

Luke 2:11

11  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.

PSALM

Psalm 96:1–3, 11–13

1 Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name;

proclaim his salvation day after day.

3 Tell his glory among the nations;

among all peoples, his marvelous deeds.

11 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;

let the sea and what fills it resound;

12 let the plains be joyful and all that is in them.

Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice

13 before the LORD who comes,

who comes to govern the earth,

To govern the world with justice

and the peoples with faithfulness.

SECOND READING

Titus 2:11–14

11 For the grace of God has appeared, saving all 12 and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13 as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Luke 2:10–11

10 The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.

GOSPEL

Luke 2:1–14

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.

2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.

4 And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

6 While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn son.

She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.

9 The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.

10 The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.

12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”