Untitled Sermon (4)

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Luke 2:8–21 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 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, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

In the Name of the Incarnate Jesus Christ, True God, True Man. Amen

A blessed Christmass to you.

Anticipation. That’s what tonight brings. It seems that the world cannot wait for Christmas- Christmas Trees began appearing in Kohls in August. Hallmark has two Christmasss a year- both in July and now. Decorations started appearing the day after Halloween. Society is no good at waiting any more. We want it, and we want it now, no matter what it is.

Tonight, at sunset, the blessed season of Advent has come to an end and we enter into Christmas. It’s finally here. For the world it seems like its been here since the summer. you could buy a Christmas tree in Kohls since August. Hallmark has them beat- Christmas starts in July. No hope of watching Matlock reruns— it’s all Christmas. Lights dress houses from Halloween on. The message of the world is the same as it has always been- when we want something, we want it now, even if it isn’t time yet. Good thing we don’t cook like that or some folk would be eating raw turkey!

But God’s people are a people of anticipation. Tonight, at sunset, the Holy Season of watching and waiting— Advent— has come to an end. So

But now we, the Church, have come into this blessed, long awaited time. Christmas Eve, when it all really starts.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

God’s people have always been a people who watch and wait. When Adam and Eve fell into sin God could have walked away and brought creation to a steaming end. But He doesn’t. Right at the time God announced the curse of death upon the heads of Adam and Eve, He also makes a promise. He says to the serpent,

Genesis 3:14 ESV

The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.

Genesis 3:14–15 ESV

The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

That Promise was of a Messiah. A Savior. One who would come to deliver His people. And so, throughout the ages the prophets, and poets, and authors wrote about this One. Their hymn was “O Come, O Come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel...”

And when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law to redeem those under the law that we might receive adoption as sons.

That prayer was answered. And Messiah came. Born in a manger, the one who would cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and a sign to be spoken against. And the angel announced His name: Jesus. For He comes not to be coddled but to die for the sins of the world.

On Christmas night this is announced by the angel: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Come From on High to Me

God’s promise is kept, His prophecies fulfilled.

Jesus came for everyone. John tells us, “He came to that which was His own, but His own received Him not.” What a shame. Jesus comes to seek and to save the lost, but there are still multitudes who are lost today who want nothing to do with the Lord of Life.

Come From on High to Me

Christmas is not just special because of these things, but becomes Jesus comes for me. The hymn verse says, “Come from on high to me, I cannot rise to Thee, Cheer my wearied spirit, O pure and gentile child, through Thy death and merit, O Jesus, Lord, most mild. Draw us unto Thee, draw us unto Thee

O Come, Let Us Adore Him