THE SURPRISING BIRTH OF GOD AMONG US

THE SURPRISING BIRTH OF GOD AMONG US Christmas Eve (Year A) December 24, 2010 Lessons Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 St. Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] Pastor David J. Risendal www.onelittleword.org www.stplc.org drisendal@stplc.org facebook Saint Peter Lutheran Church Saint Peter Lutheran Church 9300 East Belleview Avenue Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111 voice: 303/770-9300 fax: 303/770-9301 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. shepherds in the fields an angel bears glad tidings the Christ Child is born Sermon Grace to you and peace, from God our father, and the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. And, of course, a very merry Christmas to each of you, and to your families. We are glad to have you here with us this evening. And we hope that you will hear, while you are in this place, the central message of Christmas: that God loves us, and has chosen to live among us, offering us the gifts of grace and forgiveness and renewal and eternity. The birth of the Newborn King in Bethlehem is a sign of God s desire to be born in our hearts and in our homes. My deepest Christmas prayer is that this might happen for each one of you. So Merry Christmas, and thank you for choosing to celebrate your Christmas Eve here at Saint Peter. Christmas is a magical time, isn t it? It is a time that is filled with beauty. This room never looks better: the lights, the greenery, the banners, the candlelight that reflects off of our faces at the close of the service And it never sounds better: the choirs, the instrumental ensembles, the sound of a room filled with joyful voices I am so grateful for the hardworking group of staff and volunteers we have here at Saint Peter who put so

Christmas Eve Year A (December 24, 2010)! 2 much time and energy into making this hour such a beautiful experience. And not only here: in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our public gathering spaces, on television and radio the sights and sounds of Christmas are sometimes enough to take your breath away. Christmas is a beautiful time of year. Christmas is a time that is filled with kindness and love. You know, we re all human. And we all are connected to other humans in our families and in our neighborhoods. Relationships with family and friends are not always easy, and we are not always successful at managing them well. But it is so nice, during this time of year, that so many people make an extra effort to connect with one another in ways that are kind and loving. That may not be true when you re stuck in traffic on County Line Road doing some last-minute Christmas shopping, but when it happens with those who love us most, it means so much. Christmas can be a time that is filled with kindness and love. Christmas is also a time that is filled with compassion and generosity. We may just be more aware of it because the economy has been such a challenge for the past few years, but it seems as though we are more mindful during this season than at any other time of the year that there are those who are less fortunate than we are. I have seen so many acts of compassion and generosity lately, and I am thankful for that. Many of you adopted families for Christmas, or helped out with the mitten tree, or dropped off food and toys at Covenant Cupboard, or supported Will s efforts to share toys with children at the shelter. Christmas is a time when so many are compassionate and generous. And, of course, Christmas is a time to practice all the time-honored traditions of the season. We send cards, we watch plays and concerts, we attend open houses, we gather together with families, we prepare the traditional Christmas meal, and we give gifts. For the youngest among us, that might be the most exciting part of the season. Can you remember what it felt like to be 10 years old on Christmas morning? Lying in bed, awake for what seemed like an eternity, until the clock struck the appointed hour (before which you were not allowed to wake Mom or Dad). Then creeping down the stairs, rounding the corner and seeing the tree, filled with lights and ornaments, and surrounded by gifts. Which ones were for me? Which ones were from our most generous relatives? Which ones contained exactly what I had asked for when I saw Santa last month? There are so many aspects of Christmas that we look forward to each year. Whatever it is that gives Christmas the most meaning for you, I hope you are able to experience it in its fullness this year. I hope that it fills your hearts with joy and delight. But I also hope there are some surprises in store for you, because the central story of Christmas is one that contains more than a few surprises. That may seem like an odd thing to say, since the story of Jesus and his birth in Bethlehem has become so familiar to us. We ve heard it year after year. We ve listened to Pastors read it from the pulpit during Christmas Eve worship. We ve sat together around the tree while a parent or grandparent read the story from the family Bible. We ve watched as Linus recited the second chapter of Luke from center stage on A Charlie Brown Christmas. The story has become so familiar to us, so much a central part of our annual Christmas celebration, that it seems almost incapable of surprise. Yet despite its familiarity to us, the story of Christ s birth in Bethlehem came as a surprise to many, not the least of whom were the shepherds. You see the people of God had been waiting for generations for the coming of the Savior. They had been promised by the prophets of old that one day, from the family of King David from his royal line would come a new king a new leader one who would save his people. And so they had come to anticipate that a great ruler would eventually rise up among them. His birth would be heralded by trumpets and shouts of joy. He would grow up among privilege and honor. He would come to power and raise up an army. He would would throw the Romans out of Jerusalem. He would restore the people of Israel to their rightful place again, and restore the nation of Israel to its former glory.

Christmas Eve Year A (December 24, 2010)! 3 But God had something else in mind. Out in the Palestinian countryside a group of lowly, outcast, unrefined shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night. As they sat around telling jokes and listening to stories and preparing themselves for another cold night s sleep, all of a sudden the sky exploded with light, and before them appeared an angel from God in all its glory. It was a shocking and startling sight. Unaccustomed to such glory, they immediately became terrified. But much to their surprise, the angel hadn t come to destroy them for their sins. It had come to bring them good news of great joy for all the people. These poor shepherds, who had never before meant anything to anyone, were the very first ones to hear the announcement of the Savior s birth. They made their way to Bethlehem, to the place where a poor carpenter and his young wife, unable to find lodging, were settled in for the night, amidst the steam and the smells and the noise of a simple stable that the people of Bethlehem had erected to shield their animals from the cold and the dangers of the night. In that surprising setting this ragged group of country shepherds made known to all who were gathered there what the angels had announced to them. Born this day in the city of David [is] a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Christmas is God s great surprise. Israel had waited for generations for he coming of a Savior. And much to their surprise, his arrival is first announced not with trumpets and banners and songs and parades, but by the testimony of these simple shepherds, gathered in a Bethlehem stable, with a humble carpenter and his wife. And in that surprising setting, as the hymn writer reminds us, the hopes and fears of the all the years are met in thee tonight. I hope that each one of you experiences the best of the Christmas celebration that you had been expecting this year. But I also hope that you find yourself surprised at the ways Christ is born to you this day. He comes to us in the simple, humble realities of our own unremarkable lives. We meet him in the greeting of peace and joy shared between two believers. We meet him in the word proclaimed whenever God s people gather together. We meet him in the bread that we break and the cup that we share. We meet him in the prayers offered at a hospital bed. We meet him in loving embrace of one who is wrestling with grief. We meet him as we read a story to a child in a homeless shelter. We meet him as we share words of forgiveness with one another. In these simple ways, the grace of God breaks into our lives, and Christ is born among us. Merry Christmas, friends. Amidst all the expected festivities of the season, may the surprising grace of God touch and heal your lives. Amen. David J. Risendal, Pastor Gospel Lesson; English Text 1 2.1 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 1 A list of Bible lessons for the coming weeks is available at http://www.elca.org/growing-in-faith/worship/lectionary.aspx.

Christmas Eve Year A (December 24, 2010)! 4 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.] 2 Gospel Lesson; Greek Text 2.1 Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ται ς ἡµέραις ἐκείναις ἐξη λθεν δόγµα παρὰ Καίσαρος Αὐγούστου ἀπογράφεσθαι πα σαν τὴν οἰκουµένην. 2 αὕτη ἀπογραφὴ πρώτη ἐγένετο ἡγεµονεύοντος τη ς Συρίας Κυρηνίου. 3 καὶ ἐπορεύοντο πάντες ἀπογράφεσθαι, ἕκαστος εἰς τὴν ἑαυτου πόλιν. 4 Ἀνέβη δὲ καὶ Ἰωσὴφ ἀπὸ τη ς Γαλιλαίας ἐκ πόλεως Ναζαρὲθ εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν εἰς πόλιν Δαυὶδ ἥτις καλει ται Βηθλέεµ, διὰ τὸ εἰ ναι αὐτὸν ἐξ οἴκου καὶ πατρια ς Δαυίδ, 5 ἀπογράψασθαι σὺν Μαριὰµ τῃ ἐµνηστευµένῃ αὐτῳ, οὔσῃ ἐγκύῳ. 6 Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῳ εἰ ναι αὐτοὺς ἐκει ἐπλήσθησαν αἱ ἡµέραι του τεκει ν αὐτήν, 7 καὶ ἔτεκεν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτη ς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐσπαργάνωσεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἀνέκλινεν αὐτὸν ἐν φάτνῃ, διότι οὐκ ἠ ν αὐτοι ς τόπος ἐν τῳ καταλύµατι. 8 Καὶ ποιµένες ἠ σαν ἐν τῃ χώρᾳ τῃ αὐτῃ ἀγραυλου ντες καὶ φυλάσσοντες φυλακὰς τη ς νυκτὸς ἐπὶ τὴν ποίµνην αὐτω ν. 9 καὶ ἄγγελος κυρίου ἐπέστη αὐτοι ς καὶ δόξα κυρίου περιέλαµψεν αὐτούς, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον µέγαν. 10 καὶ εἰ πεν αὐτοι ς ὁ ἄγγελος µὴ φοβει σθε, ἰδοὺ γὰρ εὐαγγελίζοµαι ὑµι ν χαρὰν µεγάλην ἥτις ἔσται παντὶ τῳ λαῳ, 11 ὅτι ἐτέχθη ὑµι ν σήµερον σωτὴρ ὅς ἐστιν χριστὸς κύριος ἐν πόλει Δαυίδ. 12 καὶ του το ὑµι ν τὸ σηµει ον, εὑρήσετε βρέφος ἐσπαργανωµένον καὶ κείµενον ἐν φάτνῃ. 13 καὶ ἐξαίφνης ἐγένετο σὺν τῳ ἀγγέλῳ πλη θος στρατια ς οὐρανίου αἰνούντων τὸν θεὸν καὶ λεγόντων 14 δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις θεῳ καὶ ἐπὶ γη ς εἰρήνη ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκίας. [ 15 Καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἀπη λθον ἀπ αὐτω ν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν οἱ ἄγγελοι, οἱ ποιµένες ἐλάλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους διέλθωµεν δὴ ἕως Βηθλέεµ καὶ ἴδωµεν τὸ ῥη µα του το τὸ γεγονὸς ὃ ὁ κύριος ἐγνώρισεν ἡµι ν. 16 καὶ ἠ λθαν σπεύσαντες καὶ ἀνευ ραν τήν τε Μαριὰµ καὶ τὸν Ἰωσὴφ καὶ τὸ βρέφος κείµενον ἐν τῃ φάτνῃ 17 ἰδόντες δὲ ἐγνώρισαν περὶ του ῥήµατος του λαληθέντος αὐτοι ς περὶ του παιδίου τούτου. 18 καὶ πάντες οἱ ἀκούσαντες ἐθαύµασαν περὶ τω ν λαληθέντων ὑπὸ τω ν ποιµένων πρὸς αὐτούς 19 ἡ δὲ Μαριὰµ πάντα συνετήρει τὰ ῥήµατα ταυ τα συµβάλλουσα ἐν τῃ καρδίᾳ αὐτη ς. 20 καὶ ὑπέστρεψαν οἱ ποιµένες δοξάζοντες καὶ αἰνου ντες τὸν θεὸν ἐπὶ πα σιν οἱ ς ἤκουσαν καὶ εἰ δον καθὼς ἐλαλήθη πρὸς αὐτούς.] 3 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 2 St. Luke 2:1-14 [15-20], New Revised Version Bible ( 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America). 3 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).

Christmas Eve Year A (December 24, 2010)! 5 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. 4 4 Isaiah 9:2-7, New Revised Version Bible ( 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America).