a light in the dark signs of God s power and grace come to us, Lord Christ Sermon

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1 A GREAT LIGHT SHINES Wednesday before the Nativity of Our Lord December 23, 2015 Lessons Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 St. Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] Pastor David J. Risendal 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. a light in the dark signs of God s power and grace come to us, Lord Christ Sermon Grace to you and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 The days sure are feeling short this time of year, aren t they? And the nights long? It has to do, of course, with the fact that the axis of the earth tilts 23.5 degrees in relationship to its annual orbit around the sun, creating a winter solstice and summer solstice. That sounds a bit technical. The simple description is that the North Pole tilts away from the sun in the winter and towards the sun in the summer. So in the northern hemisphere the summer days are longer, the longest of which is June 21 st, 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 and the winter days are shorter, the shortest of which is just about now. (The opposite is true in the southern hemisphere.) Officially, this year, the winter solstice was just this past Monday evening at 9:48 p.m. about when I was finishing up this sermon. This isn t quite as important today as it was in ancient times. We have artificial lighting, and well-insulated, heated homes and offices, so we are relatively comfortable and functional all day long no mater how many hours of sunshine we get. But centuries ago the shorter days and longer nights meant less time to do the work necessary to live, and longer periods to sit in the dark waiting for daylight to come. Because of this, ancient people were very much aware of the seasons, and when the days began to grow longer, they thought of it as a turning point in the battle between darkness and light. It was common for societies to plan great celebrations to celebrate this victory each year. In dark times, like during the winter solstice, the presence of light is so much more dramatic. All you have to do is look at this Advent Wreath to notice it. We ve been burning it for four weeks now. On Sunday mornings, with all the light streaming in through windows and our ceiling, you can barely tell which candles are lit and which aren t. But not tonight. Tonight these candles are as bright as can be. If we were to entirely extinguish the lights in this room, it would be even brighter. It is remarkable how bright a candle can be when it is surrounded by darkness. That s the interesting thing about darkness. Darkness is the opposite of light. But whenever light comes up against darkness, the light isn t diminished one bit. As a matter of fact, the exact opposite is true. The darker the night is, the brighter the light appears to be even the smallest of lights. It was a different time, and a different day, when Isaiah first spoke those words to God s people. They were living in exceptionally dark times. It was seven hundred years or so before the birth of Jesus, and God s people were in great trouble. The northern half of the kingdom had been attacked and destroyed. Its people had been carried off into captivity. The southern half of the kingdom was surrounded by powerful and ambitious nations, threatening their borders on every side. Isaiah knew the people of his day were afraid. Isaiah knew they were desperate for anything that would give them a sense of security. Some of them believed an alliance with Egypt would provide that security. Some thought they should throw in their lot with Assyria. Others suspected that Babylon was the safest bet. It was a dark time. Their future looked especially bleak. In better times, they probably would have been able to rely on God. But they were desperate, and willing to do just about anything. And so Isaiah lifted up for them this image of light, as a word of hope: It was the light of God s promise that Isaiah offered to them. Engulfed in darkness, Isaiah spoke of the light of God that would illumine their way. Ready to place their trust in the strength of foreign armies, Isaiah spoke of a child who would be born; a son who would be given. Willing to serve a foreign emperor, Isaiah called them to wait for the one who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Are you starting to hear strains of Handel s Messiah yet?)

3 The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2015) 3 With this powerful image, Isaiah proclaimed to them that the presence of God in their midst was able to provide light in the darkest of situations. Isaiah declared that the light of God and only the light of God is finally capable of pushing back the darkest forces of this world. Isaiah implored them to remember that it wasn t the foreign armies of Egypt or Assyria or Babylon that offered the most promise for their future. The power of the living God would illumine their way, and would keep the forces of darkness at bay. Only in trusting God, Isaiah said, would they find the security and the strength and the hope that they sought. This is an important truth for us to remember today. It is no secret that for some, the Christmas holiday is one of the hardest times of the year. We live, in our society, with this picture of the perfect Christmas celebration. Fueled by Rockwellian images of a great, joyful family feast and a tree surrounded by brightly colored gifts, it is often the case that the reality of our Christmas gathering doesn t quite live up to the expectations that we consciously or sub-consciously carry into the season. This season promises tidings of comfort and joy. But when we count on family gatherings and gifts and cards and the like to make it happen, we are not much different than the people of Ancient Israel who looked to Egypt or Assyria or Babylon for security. The message of Christmas may get lost in the midst of all the holiday celebrating, but it is a simple message: tidings of comfort and joy come to those who experience the birth of the child in their own lives. Our call, as believers, is to never lose sight of that truth. I love Christmas time. I love it when our homes and neighborhoods are decorated brightly. I love it when friends greet me with a cheerful, Merry Christmas. I love receiving gifts and cards from those who are close to me, as a reminder of the love we have for one another. Most of all, though, I love this image of light. I love the reminder that no matter how dark my journey might become, I am never alone. I love the image of God s presence in my life: enlightening my path, and guiding me into a future that is filled with with hope and peace. I love the reminder that when I place my trust in God, I begin to experience the comfort and joy that only comes from God s power and presence. I hope you have had a good Advent season. I hope these chances to reflect on the message of the prophets have been helpful for you. Most of all, I hope his image of light shining in the darkness is one that speaks to your life. Amidst all the craziness and chaos of this holiday season, may we stay focused on the true source of our hope and peace. May the light of Christ light up our lives. May the Newborn King of Bethlehem be born in us today. May our faith be a source of comfort and joy, now and always. 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, 2 A list of Bible lessons for the coming weeks is available at

4 The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2015) 4 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.] 3 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 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.] St. Luke 2:1-14 [15-20], New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit. 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).

5 The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2015) 5 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. 5 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. 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 Isaiah 9:2-7, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit. Titus 2:11-14, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit. Titus 2:11-14, The Greek New Testament, opp. cit.