December 24, 2020 – Christmas Eve Text: Luke 2:7-20
Dear Friends in Christ,
“It’s time! It’s time!” We have been with Joseph and Mary from the beginning. We were there when they found out they were going to have a child. We watched the preparations they made. Last week we made the trip with them to Bethlehem. Now it’s time for the apex, the main plot line, the reason we are sitting here tonight. Step into the manger and witness . . .
“THE BIRTH”
What do you remember about your son or daughter’s birth? There are many things that stand out about our boys’ entrance into the world. Toni doing a great job of pushing as I would count from 1 to 10 and then say Go Illini or Go Cubs or Go Bears. It wasn’t as funny when I started counting in French! Karson was born during the Andy Griffith Show episode “The Pickle Story” – my favorite. Then amazingly Holden was born when we had on Hawaii-Five-O my favorite crime show. The announcement of their sex was exciting. We knew right then we had the rehearsal dinner and not the wedding.
The one thing that does stand out from both births is this: The excitement of the obstetrician who was delivering our bundles of joy. In Kansas it was an older male who had delivered probably thousands of babies. Here in town it was a middle age female who had delivered hundreds. But in both instances they were as excited as we were. This surprised me because this was their job. I guess they treated it as the miracle that it is. Another of God’s creation has come to be.
That was the story of the birth we see tonight. There was no TV on in the background. No obstetrician or nurses around. We have no idea what Joseph and Mary said to each other. But in its most basic form it was the same. A mother delivering a child. It was messy and bloody and smelly. But it was a miracle.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Here is one area that baby delivery has not changed in 2,000 years. Babies were washed, rubbed with salt and possibly olive oil and then wrapped. Strips of cloth were wrapped tightly around infants to warm and secure them. Can’t you picture your newborn the same way?
Now this is where the birth of Jesus has a distinct narrative. Shepherds enter the plot. They are just doing their jobs when this happens. “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” I only hear positive thoughts in these verses, don’t you? “Good news…great joy…for all the people…Savior…Christ the Lord.”
Beautiful. But something got left out. Do you know what words are the most important? If you are thinking, “unto you,” you have just won a lifetime of Hallmark Christmas movies – congrats.
The very Creator of all things became a creature. He entered a human womb, there to grow and develop like any other baby, until the time came for him to enter the world, not in a grand announcement of his glory, but in the ordinary crying of a newborn baby.
This gift has your name on it – “unto you.” Jesus’ perfect obedience was for you. His innocent death and glorious resurrection – for you. He came to fill you with contentment and peace that only this baby can give.
When you are overwhelmed with questions that seem to have no answers. When you have an illness that continues to pester you. When you have fears that churn the stomach or you see a future that has no guiding star look to the Holy child. The shepherds went in haste, that means quickly. Don’t just stand there in wonder but never approach the manger. Don’t just stare in amazement but never come to the altar. Don’t just see the miracle but touch it, hug it, love it. May the Holy Spirit guide your heart this night as the Savior wraps you in grace and mercy.
That is what we all did as parents as soon as we could, we held our child, we hugged our child, we kissed our child, we cried at the beauty of our child. This child is yours. More importantly you are His. He made you His at your Baptism. This too is a miracle and something I learned from our doctors – every Baptism should be a joyous occasion as if it’s the only one. It is individual – unto you. It is personal – unto you. The Triune God is present and He brings you into His Kingdom. Prayerfully we can all thank God for the families were born into you. But the greatest family you are a part of is the Lord’s family.
His love is never separated from you. He loves you in good times and bad. He loves you when obedient…He loves you when you fail. He rejoices in your faith and forgives you when you disappoint Him. His birth is your birth. You are there. He is here. Make a place for Him in your home. Don’t leave Him in the manger – ok?
Amen.