The Birth of Jesus

Series

Through the past four weeks of the Advent season, we have been lighting candles to show our preparation for the coming of the Christ — the Son of God — into our world.

We have heard calls to be Ready, to Repent, to Receive.

At last it is Christmas Eve. We welcome Christ.

Tonight, we Rejoice.

Context

Our story takes place over 2,000 years ago, in the land of Israel.

In fulfillment of ancient divine promises, the angel Gabriel, was sent by God to a maiden named Mary to promise her that though she was a virgin, she would conceive and bear a Son. He would be the Son of God. Her fiancee, Joseph, likewise was visited by an angel. He was told not to fear to take Mary as his wife, but to raise the child along with her. They were to name him Jesus, for he would save all people from their sins.

Then we read this story.

Scripture

Luke 2:1–20 NRSV

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 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. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” 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.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Prayer

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Loving God, by the gift of your Spirit, help us, like Mary and Joseph, and angels and shepherd, to rejoice at the brith of your Son, Jesus, and to ponder your word in our hearts; through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh. Amen.

Introduction

One of the most significant events in my life was one that many of you also have had or will experience: becoming a parent for the first time.

Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. Wife had been pregnant for 9 months. All kinds of theories about having a child, books, being mom, being dad.

Then, suddenly: Life in my arms.

Inextricably bound to each other. Not just me in the world. Not even just me and my wife. This miracle.

Sometimes we slip into thinking of God as an abstract idea. Believe in or don’t, read about, theorize about.

The God of the Bible, the God of the Universe, God of Christmas comes to us.

Ancient Experience

The couple welcome their first Child. Jesus.

It was a hard trip.

It was a rough reception

But when the child was born, none of the other stuff mattered. New child had come into the world.

Up until the day of his birth, he was just a promise. An idea. Big Idea, but just and idea.

The Son of God.

Savior.

Messiah.

Lord.

Now he was a reality. Flesh and blood. looking, blinking. hold him. nurse him.

Their child, and yet also not their own child. The child of the most high.

KEY from Arwen: Jesus was only child that ever chose to be born! He came to them from God.

Mother — this child is not sprung from my relationship with my husband, or any man, I could point to or see with my eyes or touch with my hands. It came from my womb, but nothing was ever put there to grow. It mine, yet is God’s child. And now I am holding this miracle in my arms. I am holding the Son of God. God’s child.

Father — This is not the son of my flesh, or of any man’s flesh. Not of this world. But the son of my choosing. Divine being, yet needing my protection and guidance and name. Just as I choose Mary, I choose this child. God has chosen me to be a part of this. God is welcoming me to care for him and his own son.

Whatever they had thought about God before, now they experienced him. Holding God right here in our arms.

He was theirs. They belonged to him. Inextricably.

As that was happening: I am ready to be a mother, a father. DEEPER: I am ready experience God in a way deeper than ever before.

To say I love this child = I love God.

The implications of that they would have their whole lives to explore. Who will he be? What will he do? What will we experience.

Not comfort and privilege. On a mission toward the world. Accessible to them and to everyone, the common person!

Immediate experience: The Shepherds.

those out in the fields. Those in the darkness. All people. The towns people light up with joy and wonder!

they all gather around the Christ child.

A deep reverential happiness. Joy.

Mary pondered all these things in her heart.

God is on the move…

Current Implication

He was good news for all people. Not just Mary and Joseph. Not just the people of ancient Israel but for the people of the whole world. For all of time.

There are people all over the world reading this story, remembering. You and me.

Worldwide statistics show that some 2.3 billion people, or just under a third of the global population, are Christians, who celebrate Christmas as one of the most important religious holidays (Comfyliving.net; 12.23.2022)

All expressing: God is not just an idea. God has come into this world. Into our lives.

That is what Christmas is about.

God comes to us not as a dogma. Not as a concept. But as a person.

Jesus was born in the flesh to Mary and Joseph. He is born of the Spirit of everyone who believes in him.

Amazing stories — burning bush, flash of light from the sky— here, just as a baby.

Yet he comes so humbly.

what could be more humble and dependent than a baby? An object of love and ready to give love.

He came to young Mary and Joseph, to a town with no room in the inn, to be laid in a manger, to say I will come to you whoever you are..

sick, in pain..I will come. Lonely, I will come. Divorced, widowed, poor, prison, misunderstood…I will come…

God is not looking for comfort, privilege, and sanitation… real people…who will embrace him and hold him.

When a baby grips your finger and won’t let go.

I will never leave you nor forsake you…Of all you have given me, I will not lose a single one…

Deep reverential joy emerges …

God is with us. New life of connection with God.

1 Peter 1:8 “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,”

Application

When we come to church, we are looking for something. Not something we can read in a book or find on a webpage. Not artificial or just information. A relationship with God.

Welcome Jesus as did Mary and Joseph.

Whether first time parents, first time believers, or all over again!

laid him in a manger. We want to make room for him in our hearts. My body is a temple = Imagine your life as a manger. Come in.

how strange to be laid in a manger…how strange to find comfort in a human heart!…Our hearts are specially designed for him to fit.

Embrace Him. Swaddling clothes to be confined and comforted.

Set apart Christ as Lord in your heart.

Protect your relationship with him from harm, from exposure to bad things, pray, treasure.

Celebrate him.

coming to church like we are now.

appearing, showing up with good will toward others. (FAMILY RENEW)

Ponder. these things in her heart.

hope for what God will do in our lives.

We don’t have to know all now, learn by doing..

Conclusion

Tonight about joy.

Joy as a deep happiness.

God comes to us, personally and really, and to the world, bringing salvation, peace and hope to all.

The God of the Bible, the God of the Universe, God of Christmas is not a concept merely. God comes to us personally and particularly. We experience God. He comes in our life, to bring a love so deep it takes our whole lives to figure out.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

God of glory, by your grace a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests on his shoulders, and in his name we pray. God of our salvation,…hear our prayer.

Wonderful Counselor, we pray for wisdom for the world’s leaders, that they may use their power to lift burdens and break the bonds of oppression. God of our salvation,…hear our prayer.

Mighty God, we pray for the church of Jesus Christ our Lord, that you will multiply and increase our joy as we share in the harvest you have gathered. God of our salvation,…hear our prayer.

Everlasting Father, we pray for families, friends, and loved ones, that those who now walk in deep darkness may see the great light of your saving love. God of our salvation,…hear our prayer.

Prince of Peace, we pray for an end to violence and warfare, that your authority may continue to grow until there is endless peace in every land. God of our salvation,…hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we see the salvation and love of God for all people, we gather around you, we present to you the various prayers of our hearts, silent to us, but heard by you in heaven.

Lord of hosts, glory to you in the highest and on earth, peace, among those whom you favor because of the birth of your Son, Jesus, our Lord, who taught us to pray...