Christmas Eve - Light of the World

Luke 2:1–14 NRSV

1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before 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; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

In our home, we are moving into a phase of full on curiosity about all things mythological and magical. Certainly, it comes from being the parents of a nine year old. But it is not only his fascination. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by stories - myths that make meaning of the fantastic and surreal, the sublime and far fetched. I’m just grateful I’ve got a kid now who I can share this joy with.

So we’re learning about Greek mythology, magical creatures, stories of Narnia and Middle Earth. Of course, there’s also Harry Potter, superheroes, and Pokemon. But not just the popular stories, I’m talking about fascination with myths that go back into history and tell us something about the way people experienced their worlds and how they made sense of it. Isn’t there a new Willy Wonka movie out? A mythic story of a candy maker who brought wonder to the poor, dirty, aching, longing England.

It is also quite common during this season for us to explore the stories of Santa Claus, wondering at how he visits all the homes each Christmas Eve, what powers his magical sleigh, how the elves accomplish all their toy-making tasks. This story weaves its way all around us during the Christmas season.

Childhood is filled fantastic narratives. Some quite fictional, but nonetheless wonderfully enjoyable. And some laced with truth, stories filled with possibility that somehow helps explain what seems impossible and yet happened…sort of. We thrive on these stories because they make meaning out of the unexplainable. “How could it be?” we wonder.

And in this Advent season, I’ve found myself drawn deeper into the mystery and story of the Christchild’s birth. It is a strange mixing of history and mystery, myth and larger than life truth. It is an enchanted story, a story filled with light and hope and an upside down world where the poor are called blessed, the Creator of all things dwelling with humanity, a star and angels and light and new life. It is myth and it is truth and it is our story.

We know that this story from the gospel of Luke is true. We know there are real, historical figures and events that are outlined in this passage, this revelation of Jesus’ birth. We know of Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, and the census. We know of Bethlehem, Nazareth, and these historical figures who were miraculously invited in to tell the story. Shepherds, animals, Mary, Joseph, and of course, the child, Jesus, who would grow up to become the prophet, priest, and king who embodied Good News of Great Joy to All People.

And…there is a mythic, enchanted quality to this story. It is larger than life. Angels, messages in the night, a glorious appearing, a birth under strange and strained circumstances.

Tonight, the veil between what we witness in reality and what is a mighty act of a miraculous birth, tonight that veil is drawn quite thin. We are invited to experience this story in all its truth and all its wonder.

It is easy for us to slip into an either/or mode in this season, especially, because of how pervasive and intricate the mythology becomes. The stories are thick with meaning, thick with implications, filled with possibility that is beyond possibility. And we can burn out on this, get tired and write off a story like the one we’ve heard to know it so well. It may be too unbelievable to hold.

The invitation for us tonight is to hold truth and enchantment together to find a meaning-filled narrative in which the spiritual world of God’s action meets the earthy reality of our existence.

God does not come, first, to the most learned scholars or story-shapers of the day. No. The light of Christ comes, here, to shepherds, earthy men sleeping in the fields, working, caring for their flock. The enchanted story of Christ breaks through the dark night sky to reveal wonder and glory to common people, like you and me.

I don’t know about you, but I want these deep myths that I’ve described to be true. Not that magic happens or there’s a flying broomstick waiting for me, though those would be great too. But that these stories speak to the deep truths in my soul, your soul, our enchanted, beloved souls. That they stir us to see there is so much more going on than we realize. And that as we witness them, we become enchanted with the light that shines into our lives and shows us what is unseen.

The Christ story is a story of the unseen becoming seen. The weary world becoming lit up. The plain being infused with mystery and possibility. The Christ story is about us, or, I should say, we are a part of this Christ story. Our lives are meant to be enchanted, filled with light and wonder and hope. It is not a false hope or a foolish story. No, it is a story that shows us of God’s deep love for creation and the way God moves close to us to find us where we are and shine light upon our lives.

Here is the good news of the Christmas story: God is with us. What seemed far off or mythic or just a nice story…this God story is now close to us, one with us. Like the star that shines in the sky and the angels that call out to the shepherds, so our stories are intertwined with the truth of our lives meeting the light of God’s spirit with us.

We need this story. We need to reclaim our collective enchantment with the world. It is the light of Christ that we can follow that will lead us into this mystery, this real presence of God amidst all the sadness and struggle we face. The Good News is God is with us, close, enfleshed and loving us.

Friends, I pray that in this season, you will catch a glimpse of this miracle, this mystery, this possibility. That the light of the world would shine down upon you and you would know your belovedness as God calls you “child” and “friend.”

The Light of the World is with us. And this is good news of light and life.

Luke 2:15–20 NRSV

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Could it be that our lives are infused with this same wonder, mystery, and consequence? Could we ponder, like Mary, the ways God’s blessings arrive to us, unbidden? Could it be that this deep story of good news of great joy is, in truth and myth and everything in between, be for you, today and always? We believe it is. Merry Christmas.