HOPE AND JOY The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve December 24, 2011 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. Christ born to Mary God present, with and for us hopeful, joyful hearts Sermon From all of us at Saint Peter, to all of you and your families: may the peace of Christ fill your hearts and homes this Christmastime and may it allow you the grace to live with hope and joy. We are so glad to have you here this evening. It seems like the older I get, the more I look forward to Christmas Eve. It used to be that my anticipation had to do with the gifts I would open. But now it is focused on the sounds and sights of being in this room together; on young people being home from college or traveling back from where they are living now; on all of us together for the Christmas celebration; on the look of awe and wonder in the eyes of our youngest members; on familiar Christmas Carols ringing in our ears as we come forward to receive Christ in the meal; and most importantly: on these familiar and sacred stories that tell of our Lord s birth. That, of course, is the center of it all. There may be any number of reasons why people choose to worship on Christmas Eve. Some are here to spend time with family. Some are here
The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2011)! 2 to connect with friends. Some are here for the music. Some are here for the nostalgia. Some are here because they had to be. Some are here because there is nowhere else in the world they would rather be. There are many reasons why we ve gathered here this evening, but at the very center of it all is this story. The story of Mary and Joseph, and Jesus, and God s determination to be born in our midst. You know, a good deal of work has gone into preparing for this evening. We ve been planning and rehearsing and creating and we hope the music touches your heart. We hope the visuals stir something inside of you. I hope the sermon inspires you. But all of those hopes are secondary. Our primary hope is to help you hear the story again. Our primary hope is that every Christmas Eve worship service communicates to every Christmas Eve worshipper that Christ has been born into our world; that the amazing depth of God s love and grace is for you, that the invitation to receive the gifts of forgiveness and renewal is always yours, and that God s promise of eternity goes with you even beyond the grave itself. That is our reason for being together this evening. We want you to hear that message. Little Bethany climbed up into Santa s lap in the mall. As soon as she was settled, Santa looked her in the eye and said, And what would you like for Christmas this year, little girl? Her eyes grew wide, and her jaw dropped, as she looked at Santa with horror. She was too stunned to speak at first, but finally she regained her composure and said to Santa, You mean you didn t get my e-mail? I hope you get our e-mail! I hope that no matter what else happens when we re together this evening, you hear how much God loves you. We want you to know that God s forgiveness can change your life. We want you to experience what it is like to be given the gift of a new beginning. We want you to glimpse the kind of life that is possible when your heart is touched by grace. We want you to have a life that is filled with hope and joy. Hope and joy stand at the very heart of this story, although that isn t immediately apparent. It actually presents itself as a rather unsettling story. Our text picks up near the end of Mary s pregnancy. Just days from the birth of their firstborn child, Mary and Joseph are commanded by no less than Caesar Augustus to leave their hometown of Nazareth, and travel some 80 or 90 miles to the home of their ancestors, so that they can participate in the census. We don t know anything specific about their journey, but we suspect that it must have taken them four or five days (perhaps longer, if Mary s pregnancy slowed them down). If the census required that everybody return to their ancestral home, Mary and Joseph most likely traveled with a group it was safer to do so in those days. Arriving at Bethlehem, their fellow travelers probably went their separate ways, but Mary and Joseph had not arranged for accommodations, and found that there was no room for them. The traditional image is of Joseph inquiring about a room at the local inn, and being told that there was no room which is understandable, if everyone who traces their lineage back through Bethlehem has to return for this census. The town must be filled to capacity with travelers. But the Greek word translated in verse seven as inn is κατάλυµα (kataluma), and a more accurate translation may well be guest room. This suggests that Mary and Joseph don t find themselves outside a hotel with a group of vagrants and other unfortunate travelers. They may, instead, be in the Bethlehem home of their relatives just not in the guest room, because someone is already using it. At any rate here they are: on the road, away from the comfort of their own home, staying in second-class accommodations at best, with nowhere to lay their child down except in the
The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2011)! 3 animals feed box. Mary gives birth to her son, and for the lack of baby clothes and receiving blankets, she wraps him up with bands of cloth to ward off the chill of the place, and she places him in the manger. For those of us who welcomed our children into this world in warm, comfortable birthing rooms, surrounded by medical professionals and a few close family members, the image of Joseph and Mary and Jesus in such different surroundings can be a disturbing one. We wouldn t have blamed her if she had been a bit disappointed about how everything turned out. We could have understood if she looked around and thought to herself, This is ridiculous! How in the world did I get myself into this? But Mary isn t disappointed. In fact, Luke tells us, despite her surroundings, she treasures this experience, and locks every memory of it away in her heart. Why is that? How is this possible? Is Mary some sort of a super-human person? Does she have the extraordinary capacity to see beauty even in a terribly disappointing situation? No. I don t think so. If this had been an ordinary baby, Mary would probably have been just as distraught as you or I might be in the same situation. The difference is this: Jesus is no ordinary baby. He is a sign of God s promise and presence. A sign that is anticipated by Gabriel s announcement to Mary some months earlier. Remember that Gabriel says: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. 1 A sign that is confirmed after his birth by the testimony of the shepherds who heard these words from an angel: Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. 2 This newborn child is a sign that confirms for Mary that despite her surroundings God is with her. Despite the long, painful, frightening journey, God is with her. Despite not finding a warm, safe place inside to stay, God is with her. Despite giving birth to her firstborn in a less-thanideal setting, God is with her. This newborn child is a sign, for Mary, that God is and always will be with her, and that is what allows her to be filled with hope and joy. The promise of God transforms this experience for Mary, and in the same way, the promise of God transforms the lives of believers today. I am aware that some of us are living better lives that we had ever imagined. We have family and friends who love us. We have children who are healthy and well. We have work that engages us. We live in safe and comfortable homes. We never go for lack of a meal. I am also aware that some of us are living with deep disappointment. Perhaps life didn t turn out quite like we hoped it might. Perhaps we long for better relationships, more reliable work, stronger 1 St. Luke 2:10-12, New Revised Version Bible ( 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the 2 St. Luke 1:30-33, New Revised Version Bible ( 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the
The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2011)! 4 health. Either way, the truth is this: the incidentals of life are not what make for a good life. A good life is one that is filled with meaning and purpose and that comes from having God s presence in our lives. Some of you know that I have a favorite story about St. Francis a faithful leader in the church who founded the Franciscan movement in the beginning of the 13th Century. As the story goes, Francis is speaking with some of his brothers in faith, and he asks them to describe what true Christian joy is. They throw out a number of scenarios. All human pain is eradicated. No, he says, that is not true joy. All unbelievers come to faith in Christ. No, he says, that is not true joy. All Christians join the Franciscan movement. No, he says, that is not true joy. Finally, they give up, and St. Francis says: Let s say that I have been away for a long journey, and I return to the friary late at night on a cold winter s eve. I knock on the door and the brother does not recognize me, so I leave the friary, and go into the town to find lodging, but am unsuccessful. I return to the friary and knock a second time. Again, I am not recognized and turned away, so I make a second trip to town. I find no place to stay, so cold and hungry, I return to the friary, and try again. A third time I knock on the door, but I am not recognized, and I am not allowed to enter the friary. If, in that moment, I am at peace, that is true Christian joy. Francis understands what many in our day fail to perceive. True joy does not come from wealth or comfort or security. True joy does not come from fame or power or success. True joy comes when Jesus, whose birth we celebrate this evening, is born into our lives. True joy comes when our lives are so firmly rooted in the promise of God, that no level of distress or difficulty can overcome us. That s why we are here this evening: to remind ourselves of that truth. We hope this has happened for you. May Christ be born into your lives anew each day. And may it bring to you God s gifts of hope and joy. Amen. David J. Risendal, Pastor Gospel Lesson; English Text 3 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 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 3 A list of Bible lessons for the coming weeks is available at http://www.elca.org/growing-in-faith/worship/lectionary.aspx.
The Nativity of Our Lord; Christmas Eve (December 24, 2011)! 5 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.] 4 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.] 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. 6 4 St. Luke 2:1-14 [15-20], New Revised Version Bible ( 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the 5 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). 6 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).