Christmas EVE
The Message of the Gospel - Immanuel
† In the Name of Immanuel †
Merry Christmas, or Peace-filled Christmas ?
There were few lights in the cave/stable that evening, perhaps a candle or two, maybe the dim smoky light of a cheap oil lamp. In a town packed with travelers, the stables could not have been empty, but packed with donkeys, horses, camels. Yes, the inn were packed, but so would its stable. But even there, is better than out in the fields.
There would have been chariots, and carts, which carried the Roman Centurions that would guard the tax collectors and census takers. The place would not be the place seen on picturesque Christmas Cards, with their wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, but rough and crude and even chaotic, as the odors of overworked animals, and their cries nearly drown out the words Joseph says, to comfort Mary, his very pregnant, but virgin bride.
In the midst of this place, a miracle occurs, a miracle that seems out of place. The results of that miracle, the promise that is made sure, is even more out of place.
The angels momentarily, will gather, no longer stunned by the enormity of the miracle. The son of God, has been born of woman. The word through whom the all that was created, lies in a stable. And though these angels do not yet see the shadow of the cross, they know the reason for His birth. Foretold centuries before, this babe would become the one anointed by God, to finally deliver God’s people.
And so the angels stream from that place, for even they must praise the incredible Father, who has made this all come to pass. They find shepherds, among the least of men, but among the first to know the peace that only comes from realizing that you are in the presence of God, a God who is not ready to pour out His wrath, but instead, longs to and does, pour out his love upon the world,… upon us.
This week, I heard a bit of wisdom, that comes from realizing that love of God. A good friend told me that in trying to help a friend, that wishing him a merry Christmas was not sufficient, it would not be appropriate, or even possible. That friends life was as chaotic, and troubled, as the idea of giving birth in a packed, crammed, smelling and unsanitary barn. Instead, he desired, and told his friend, that he desired a peace-filled Christmas.
As I heard those words, the truth of them came home. I am not sure any of us are guaranteed a life of Merry Christmasses, and Happy New Years.
But because we are in the presence of the same Lord, who was born of a woman, laid in a wooden feeding trough, and later nailed to two other rough hewn pieces of wood, what the angels testified of is possible.
14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" Luke 2:14 (ESV)
We can have, and should always have, a peace-filled Christmas. NO matter the chaos around us, no matter the hustle and bustle, the riches, or poverty. Paul explained this peace this way,
11 I do not say this because I have lacked anything; I have learnt to manage with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live modestly, and I know how to live luxuriously too: in every way now I have mastered the secret of all conditions: full stomach and empty stomach, plenty and poverty. 13 There is nothing I cannot do in the One who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 (NJB)
You see that is the nature of Christ’s coming, that as He will start in a rough place, and die in a rougher place, He will bring us peace that goes beyond comprehension. But consider the things that Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection frees us from.
Because our sins are forgiven in Christ, we no longer need to live in fear of the past, or in the shame and guilt associated with that past.
Because Christ also died for the sins of those who sinned against us, we need not live driven by resentment, or the desire for revenge. Instead, we can be assured that Christ can and will heal us of the scars caused by others.
We need not fear failing God in the future, assured by the promise that God will work all things for good, for those that love Him, and are called according to His purpose. All things, even when life seems like you are surrounded by animals and their manure. I cannot explain it, I just know the reality of it. God does work it out, even we struggle to understand it.
For as I said this morning. Christ came, Jesus was born.
And He would die, and rise again. TO bring us everlasting fellowship with God. Jesus brought us, not only life, He brought the presence of God to us. For he is, as Matthew tells us, Immanuel. God with Us.
For us we shall have peace, as God’s will is fulfilled in our midst, to the glory of God. The peace of God, that surpasses our hearts, and our minds, which rest in Christ Jesus.
AMEN? AMEN!