December 25, 2011- Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-14
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” Grace and peace to you God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
If last night was a silent night, with the breaking of the dawn on this Christmas Day, let us break forth into this song of joy the Psalmist set forth today. For as the light, not only of the physical sun, but finally of the very Son of God, has broken upon us, is there anything else we can do other than to proclaim our joy, to the world, of the giving of our salvation?
For as the Apostle John began his gospel with speaking of Christ Jesus, not in His infant birth, but in His eternal glorious Godhead-he places us in the proper place where our Christmas celebrations must lie. For beyond the sentimentality of the Santa Claus-Peanuts-candy cane season this has become (and I am not saying any of those things are wrong), the true Word that should be on our lips is the one that reminds the world that with this birth, the Word became flesh and dwelt, lived, among us and in whom we have now seen the very glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
That it was He through whom the world was made and without Him nothing that we see today would and does exist. That He was the true light of the world-a Light that shines into the darkest of all things-death itself-and overcame it with the brilliant light of His resurrected glory. That He was given into this world, so to be rejected and reviled by all so that He might make satisfaction for our sins, reconciling you and me to the Father for our justification, redemption and salvation.
Which is why to truly understand the joyous sounds of Christmas, one must not forget just what truly was given that day long ago. For beyond the silent night, the entire heavens were repeating with sounds of joy-for in Christ Jesus, the separation between God and man was erased and the sin of Eden was being overturned with the birth of this Child. That in Him, the radiance of the of glory of God shown upon this old, dark world and the One who is greater than the angels who announced His birth to the shepherds was given so to make purification, Hebrews attests today, for our sins.
Thus, as the feet are beautiful, Isaiah tells us, of those who take this glad tidings of good news to the world, let us again, sing to this world in all we do, this new joyous song of our Lord’s birth. Let us not be afraid to make a little noise, today, tomorrow and forever, and speak of the fact that in Christ, the Lord has indeed comforted His people by redeeming them in this One who was given to be our freedom. Let us ring loud and clear of this beloved hope we have received, again, this day-that our God loves us so much, that He refuses to remain in heaven, but comes to us as a Child; comes to us in the body and blood of His Supper.
Let us, open our big mouths this Christmas morn and go tell it on the mountain what the glories of this birth does finally mean to the world. Amen.
If last night was a silent night, with the breaking of the dawn on this Christmas Day, let us break forth into this song of joy the Psalmist set forth today. For as the light, not only of the physical sun, but finally of the very Son of God, has broken upon us, is there anything else we can do other than to proclaim our joy, to the world, of the giving of our salvation?
For as the Apostle John began his gospel with speaking of Christ Jesus, not in His infant birth, but in His eternal glorious Godhead-he places us in the proper place where our Christmas celebrations must lie. For beyond the sentimentality of the Santa Claus-Peanuts-candy cane season this has become (and I am not saying any of those things are wrong), the true Word that should be on our lips is the one that reminds the world that with this birth, the Word became flesh and dwelt, lived, among us and in whom we have now seen the very glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
That it was He through whom the world was made and without Him nothing that we see today would and does exist. That He was the true light of the world-a Light that shines into the darkest of all things-death itself-and overcame it with the brilliant light of His resurrected glory. That He was given into this world, so to be rejected and reviled by all so that He might make satisfaction for our sins, reconciling you and me to the Father for our justification, redemption and salvation.
Which is why to truly understand the joyous sounds of Christmas, one must not forget just what truly was given that day long ago. For beyond the silent night, the entire heavens were repeating with sounds of joy-for in Christ Jesus, the separation between God and man was erased and the sin of Eden was being overturned with the birth of this Child. That in Him, the radiance of the of glory of God shown upon this old, dark world and the One who is greater than the angels who announced His birth to the shepherds was given so to make purification, Hebrews attests today, for our sins.
Thus, as the feet are beautiful, Isaiah tells us, of those who take this glad tidings of good news to the world, let us again, sing to this world in all we do, this new joyous song of our Lord’s birth. Let us not be afraid to make a little noise, today, tomorrow and forever, and speak of the fact that in Christ, the Lord has indeed comforted His people by redeeming them in this One who was given to be our freedom. Let us ring loud and clear of this beloved hope we have received, again, this day-that our God loves us so much, that He refuses to remain in heaven, but comes to us as a Child; comes to us in the body and blood of His Supper.
Let us, open our big mouths this Christmas morn and go tell it on the mountain what the glories of this birth does finally mean to the world. Amen.
posted by Weekly sermons at 3:48 PM
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