2019 Christmas Eve

You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

What is sin? Sin is disobedience. Sin is doing the opposite of what we were created to do. Sin puts us in the creator’s position. Sin is believing we have all the answers, we have all the wisdom, we know what’s best.

The team rushes out onto the court, lines up against the other team, the whistle blows, and chaos. The moment one of your players gets the ball, he holds it like a football and runs down the court. The next time a player gets the ball, he dribbles all over the place, but doesn’t listen to any of his teammates, and the ball is stripped away. Finally, after the other team scores 10 baskets, your team gets the ball, and promptly scores in the wrong net.

And this is why we look for meaning in everything other than God. We look for meaning in romance: check out the Hallmark Channel. We look for meaning in our jobs, who we are is fulfilled in what we do. We look for meaning in having things. If we’re honest with ourselves, we will admit that none of those things deliver, no matter how often we keep trying, well, maybe if I had a better house, a better husband, a better job. This is the sin of idolatry and it only leads to envy, anxiety, bitterness and resentment. It’s a hamster wheel where we keep thinking, “If I just try harder, if I just find this one way, one person, one thing, everything will fall into place, and I’ll be happy.

You get the picture, right? Sin is doing the opposite of what we were created to do. Sin puts us in the coach’s position. Sin is believing we have all the answers, we have all the wisdom, we know what’s best. And this is why we look for meaning in everything other than God. We look for meaning in romance: don’t believe me, check out the Hallmark Channel. We look for meaning in our jobs, who we are is fulfilled in what we do. We look for meaning in having things. If we’re honest with ourselves, we will admit that none of those things deliver, no matter how often we keep trying, well, maybe if I had a better house, a better husband, a better job. This is the sin of idolatry and it only leads to envy, anxiety, bitterness and resentment. It’s a never ending basketball game where everyone is trying to do their own thing, thinking, “If I just try harder, if I just find this one way, one person, one thing, everything will fall into place.

Into this chaos, Jesus steps in. He stops the wheel and says, “Listen! If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’re going to lose everything.” He comes to you, as one who is like you, as one who has come down to your level. He says, “Stop trying. Stop striving. Trust me. I’ve done it all for you. Stop looking for satisfaction in everyone, and everything else. Your true life, your true meaning is in me.”

You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Are you weary of the hamster wheel of sinful living? Are you weary of not finding what you’re looking for in relationships, things, your job? Stop trying, stop making an idol of those things. Instead, find your meaning, your identity in the one who created you! It isn’t who you are that matters, it’s whose you are. You belong to God.

Mary and Joseph knew this was true. And that is why they obeyed the angels God sent to them.

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for creating us in your image. For saving us from our sins through Your son, Jesus the Messiah. We confess we’ve put other things, other people, other identities in place of you. We receive the forgiveness given to us through your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.