IT S CHRISTMAS; SURPRISE!

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1 IT S CHRISTMAS; SURPRISE! The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve December 24, 2015 Lessons Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 St. Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] Pastor David J. Risendal drisendal@stplc.org facebook Saint Peter Lutheran Church Saint Peter Lutheran Church 9300 East Belleview Avenue Greenwood Village, Colorado voice: 303/ fax: 303/ Prayer of the Day Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. the birth of our Lord the presence of God comes near a surprising grace Sermon Grace to you and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Amen. Merry Christmas, everybody, and welcome to Christmas worship at Saint Peter. It is so good to be here with you this year! Some of you may remember that I played hookie last Christmas Eve. Well not so much played hookie, but was away on sick leave. I am grateful for our Bishop and his staff, who preached during my absence last year on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I had a meeting with the Bishop this past Tuesday, and he asked me to pass on his good wishes for a Merry Christmas to you all. He is on vacation now, and at least as late as last Tuesday night I know he was hoping that all the pastors in this synod were healthy and well, and not planning to call him. He enjoyed being here last year, but is looking forward to worshipping with his wife this year. 1 Romans 1:7, 1 st Corinthians 1:3, 2 nd Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 st Thessalonians 1:1, 2 nd Thessalonians 1:2, Philemon 3; New Revised Standard Version Bible ( 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America).

2 The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2015) 2 So welcome to our Christmas worship at Saint Peter. We welcome you here this evening, just as you are. You may be aware that this is our mission statement. We believe that we are all welcomed to the love of God, just as we are. We believe that all are welcome at Saint Peter Lutheran Church, just as we are. And we mean it. I was thinking about this a couple of days ago when I read an article by Garrison 2 Keillor in the Denver Post. It was titled, You don t have to believe to believe in Christmas. At first, I didn t like what he was saying. You see, I love the central message of the Christmas celebration. I love the notion that God the universal, omnipotent, beyond-time-and-space creator of the universe that this God loves us enough to become one of us. To be born in the poverty and squalor of a first century feeding trough, in a filthy manger, behind a small town bed and breakfast. It is an amazing story of the transcendent becoming immanent and giving life itself, out of love for you and me. It is more than a story it is a sign of God s presence in our lives; a sign of God s promise for our future. So I didn t like Garrison s article at all, to begin with. He ended it with, There it is. Unto you, a child is born in the city of David. Make of it what you will. God bless you all, each one. It seemed an offhanded way to refer to the incarnation. It seemed to suggest that there is nothing extraordinary about the story we tell on Christmas Eve take it or leave it, whatever you want to do. And I was tempted to reject the message of this article altogether. Until it occurred to me that what he was describing had a lot to do with our mission statement. In fact, I came to the conclusion that he was pointing out to me, the way prophets often do, my own arrogance; my own unwillingness to fully submit myself to our mission statement. Because my irritation with him belied the deeper truth that I thought my own interest in Christmas, and my own understanding of this festival, was more valued than any other. Which, by implication, made the case that I think of myself as more welcome in this place than others are, who may not see the Christmas story in exactly the same way that I do. It was a humbling realization. But a helpful one and, I hope, a faithful one. Because, you see, there are so many different reasons that we are here this evening. Christmas Eve is a special night to most of us, but the truth is that there are almost as many different reasons that we re drawn here tonight as there are people here. Some of us are here tonight because this is what our families do. We gather together on Christmas Eve, and enjoy the annual traditions that our families embrace. For my family, when I was growing up, that meant eating the exact same meal every year (although Swedish meatballs were added to the menu somewhere along the line, because my father refused to eat more than a spoon full of lutefisk), presenting and opening presents in the exact same manner every year, attending the exact same worship service every year. It is what defined us at Christmastime, and was a series of traditions and practices that we looked forward to with joy every year. Some of us are here tonight because we love the nostalgic essence of Christmas. There is a part of this celebration that draws us back to earlier times. Simpler times. More innocent times. The decorations, the cookies, the images of sleigh rides and frosted forests even for those of us who may have grown up in urban 2

3 The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2015) 3 settings in the southern United States, these rural, winter images remind us of days gone by that are still inspiring to us; that still shape us. Some of us are here tonight because we love good music, and we know that on Christmas Eve the music ministries of most churches bring their very best to the table. The hymns and carols are stirring, and they are led by musicians who are inspired to give even just a bit more than their very best. Whether it is belting out the Hallelujah Chorus, or humming along with Silent Night, the music of Christmas Eve can be enough in itself to draw us here. Some of us are here tonight because of the quaint story at heart of our celebration. A couple on the road, traveling from their home to their hometown; a loving mother, gazing at her newborn son; an adoring father watching over them both; a diverse gathering of awe-struck onlookers, gathering to honor this birth; an army of angels, singing songs of praise and wonder. It really is a beautiful story, and reason enough to be here tonight. Some of us are here tonight because this ancient story bears to us the mystery of God's presence among us. Even for the most faithful among us, this sometimes is a reality we have difficulty putting into words, so the image of God in the Christ child, surrounded by loving and adoring onlookers, is a concrete expression of mysterious nature of God s presence in our lives and in our living. Believe me when I tell you this: that every one of these reasons is reason enough to be here tonight. If you're here tonight for the experience you crave for your family, I hope you re drawn more deeply into each other s lives. If you re here tonight for the nostalgia, I hope the essence of earlier times strengthens your resolve to live with innocence and kindness and compassion. If you re here tonight for the music, I hope it touches and fills your heart with joy. If you are here tonight for the story, I hope its beauty will inspire you to see the beauty in your own world. If you are here tonight for the celebration of God s presence among us, I hope you will be inspired by how close it comes to us at times like this. Whatever your reason for worshipping with us tonight, we are grateful that you have chosen to join your song to ours, and make this such a special night. I hope your experience here tonight touches something deep within you, and makes this week s Christmas celebration one of the best you have ever known. We are, indeed, welcomed in God s presence, just as we are. Just as we are! But here is the thing: no matter what it is that draws us here tonight, my hope is that we all might be just a little surprised about what God has in store for us. Perhaps your time with family will be easier and more fulfilling than has been in past years. Perhaps the nostalgic sense of the season will awaken something within you that you didn t realize was there. Perhaps the music will touch you in a deeper place than it ever has before. Perhaps the story will draw you in like it never has. Perhaps your faith will be stirred in a way that welcomes it to play a more central role in your living. Our God is one who is known for showing up in surprising ways, not the least of which took place about two thousand years ago. God appeared among a people who were waiting earnestly for the fulfillment of a promise made another thousand years earlier. They had expected a warrior, who would liberate them from the occupying Roman forces, reunite their divided kingdom, and lead them to a place of national prominence they hadn t seen since King Solomon. The promise was fulfilled, not with a warrior king, but with a baby in a manger, two deeply faithful parents, a handful of awestruck shepherds, and the memory of the angels song: Gloria in Ex-cel-sis Deo. Or, as our text says this

4 The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2015) 4 evening, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! It was a profoundly surprising experience for all of them. Perhaps even more profound than it was surprising. And for many of those who were touched by this little baby, or the man that he would become, it was a life changing experience one they never could have anticipated. So my prayer is that you might be just a little surprised by God this Christmas. That you might be caught up in the angels' song, and be inspired to sing your own song of praise. That you might be drawn to see how this Christmas story can become part of your own life s story. And finally, that the presence of God will take hold of you tonight in a way that it never has before. Merry Christmas to you all. And may the peace of God that passes all understanding 3 keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. David J. Risendal, Pastor Gospel Lesson; English Text 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! [ 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.] 5 Gospel Lesson; Greek Text 2.1 Ἐγένετο δε ἐν ται ς ἡµέραις ἐκείναις ἐξη λθεν δόγµα παρα Καίσαρος Αὐγούστου ἀπογράφεσθαι πα σαν τη ν οἰκουµένην. 2 αὕτη ἀπογραφη πρώτη ἐγένετο ἡγεµονεύοντος τη ς Συρίας Κυρηνίου. 3 και ἐπορεύοντο πάντες ἀπογράφεσθαι, ἕκαστος εἰς τη ν ἑαυτου πόλιν. 4 Ἀνέβη δε και Ἰωση φ ἀπο τη ς Γαλιλαίας ἐκ πόλεως Ναζαρε θ εἰς τη ν Ἰουδαίαν εἰς Philippians 4:7, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit. A list of Bible lessons for the coming weeks is available at St. Luke 2:1-14 [15-20], New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit.

5 The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2015) 5 πόλιν Δαυι δ ἥτις καλει ται Βηθλέεµ, δια το εἰ ναι αὐτο ν ἐξ οἴκου και πατρια ς Δαυίδ, 5 ἀπογράψασθαι συ ν Μαρια µ τῃ ἐµνηστευµένῃ αὐτῳ, οὔσῃ ἐγκύῳ. 6 Ἐγένετο δε ἐν τῳ εἰ ναι αὐτου ς ἐκει ἐπλήσθησαν αἱ ἡµέραι του τεκει ν αὐτήν, 7 και ἔτεκεν το ν υἱο ν αὐτη ς το ν πρωτότοκον, και ἐσπαργάνωσεν αὐτο ν και ἀνέκλινεν αὐτο ν ἐν φάτνῃ, διότι οὐκ ἠ ν αὐτοι ς τόπος ἐν τῳ καταλύµατι. 8 Και ποιµένες ἠ σαν ἐν τῃ χώρᾳ τῃ αὐτῃ ἀγραυλου ντες και φυλάσσοντες φυλακα ς τη ς νυκτο ς ἐπι τη ν ποίµνην αὐτω ν. 9 και ἄγγελος κυρίου ἐπέστη αὐτοι ς και δόξα κυρίου περιέλαµψεν αὐτούς, και ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον µέγαν. 10 και εἰ πεν αὐτοι ς ὁ ἄγγελος µη φοβει σθε, ἰδου γα ρ εὐαγγελίζοµαι ὑµι ν χαρα ν µεγάλην ἥτις ἔσται παντι τῳ λαῳ, 11 ὅτι ἐτέχθη ὑµι ν σήµερον σωτη ρ ὅς ἐστιν χριστο ς κύριος ἐν πόλει Δαυίδ. 12 και του το ὑµι ν το σηµει ον, εὑρήσετε βρέφος ἐσπαργανωµένον και κείµενον ἐν φάτνῃ. 13 και ἐξαίφνης ἐγένετο συ ν τῳ ἀγγέλῳ πλη θος στρατια ς οὐρανίου αἰνούντων το ν θεο ν και λεγόντων 14 δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις θεῳ και ἐπι γη ς εἰρήνη ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκίας. [ 15 Και ἐγένετο ὡς ἀπη λθον ἀπ αὐτω ν εἰς το ν οὐρανο ν οἱ ἄγγελοι, οἱ ποιµένες ἐλάλουν προ ς ἀλλήλους διέλθωµεν δη ἕως Βηθλέεµ και ἴδωµεν το ῥη µα του το το γεγονο ς ὃ ὁ κύριος ἐγνώρισεν ἡµι ν. 16 και ἠ λθαν σπεύσαντες και ἀνευ ραν τήν τε Μαρια µ και το ν Ἰωση φ και το βρέφος κείµενον ἐν τῃ φάτνῃ 17 ἰδόντες δε ἐγνώρισαν περι του ῥήµατος του λαληθέντος αὐτοι ς περι του παιδίου τούτου. 18 και πάντες οἱ ἀκούσαντες ἐθαύµασαν περι τω ν λαληθέντων ὑπο τω ν ποιµένων προ ς αὐτούς 19 ἡ δε Μαρια µ πάντα συνετήρει τα ῥήµατα ταυ τα συµβάλλουσα ἐν τῃ καρδίᾳ αὐτη ς. 20 και ὑπέστρεψαν οἱ ποιµένες δοξάζοντες και αἰνου ντες το ν θεο ν ἐπι πα σιν οἱ ς ἤκουσαν και εἰ δον καθω ς ἐλαλήθη προ ς αὐτούς.] 6 First Lesson; English Text 9.2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 7 Second Lesson; English Text 2.11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds St. Luke 2:1-14 [15-20], The Greek New Testament, Aland, Kurt, Black, Matthew, Martini, Carlo M., Metzger, Bruce M., and Wikgren, Allen, ( 1983, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft Stuttgart). Isaiah 9:2-7, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit. Titus 2:11-14, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit.

6 The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2015) 6 Second Lesson; Greek Text 2.11 Ἐπεφάνη γὰρ ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ σωτήριος πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις 12 παιδεύουσα ἡµᾶς, ἵνα ἀρνησάµενοι τὴν ἀσέβειαν καὶ τὰς κοσµικὰς ἐπιθυµίας σωφρόνως καὶ δικαίως καὶ εὐσεβῶς ζήσωµεν ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι, 13 προσδεχόµενοι τὴν µακαρίαν ἐλπίδα καὶ ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς δόξης τοῦ µεγάλου θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡµῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, 14 ὃς ἔδωκεν ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἡµῶν, ἵνα λυτρώσηται ἡµᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀνοµίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἑαυτῷ λαὸν περιούσιον, ζηλωτὴν καλῶν ἔργων. 9 9 Titus 2:11-14, The Greek New Testament, opp. cit.