Christmas Sermon 2011

Preached at St. John’s Lancaster 24 December 2011

Isaiah 9:2-7

Titus 2:11-14

Luke 2:1-20

It is so easy to walk in darkness. For years after my father’s sister Mae died, thanksgiving seemed hollow and forced to me. When I was a small boy, dad’s side of the family always gathered at Uncle Polly and Aunt Mae’s house in Frankfort, Indiana. It was a magical place to be a boy. There was a hill which seemed like a mountain to us which stretched down to a small stream where adventure abounded. Uncle Polly was a railroader on the Nickel Plate line, and he would take us to the yard to see the great iron beasts and actually let us climb into the cupola of his caboose. There were swords in their house, and a penny collection to dazzle the mind of any young boy building a collection for his scout advancement requirements. And then they died, and for years thanksgiving was not the same.

My experience tells me that Christmas is like that for many people. All of the tinsel and presents cannot masque the fact that our experience this year is not as of yore. Faces are missing, and laughter is not as it was. The table that was full is not, or is in a different way, and nostalgia seemingly blinds us to the blessings of this Christmas to a greater degree than we would wish. During this time of year which is filled with so many blessings, and when even those who are generally not religious or even kind in the least still find time to share some goodness and love with their neighbors and friends, the shadows of Christmases past can haunt us and bring darkness.

But on this day, and at this hour, we gather as the people of the Living God to proclaim that the great light has indeed shined into the darkness. The light of God has shined into our lives and increased our joy. The rod of the oppressor is snapped asunder. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and he shall be named Wonderful Counselor! Mighty God! Everlasting Father! Prince of Peace!” “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory!” Surely “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to us all.” The darkness is swept away as we “go into Bethlehem to behold this thing which has taken place!”

Some months ago, I was privileged to visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the Palestinian Authority. We walked quickly through the great plaza and stooped to enter the Church, in some ways a dark and forbidding place, where we knelt to pray. My mind was filled with thoughts of that first Christmas as we joined the line of pilgrims who waited to descend the narrow stairway into the crypt where our Saviour was born. I handed the Greek Monk a handful of coin and he handed me a handful of candles to commemorate my prayers for those I love. And then we moved into the holy place. There were flashes from the cameras of ill-behaved tourists and distractions all around, but they melted away and surely the darkness was dispelled as I met God in that place where the shepherds came on that night ‘to see what had taken place, which the Lord had made known to them.’ With our Lady, I treasured the memory of these things and pondered their meaning in my heart; and like the shepherds, I could not help but to glorify and praise God for all I had heard and seen in that place, even as it had been told me by the Scriptures we have heard this day.

Each of us here brings to this Holy Season our own set of experiences, expectations, and burdens. There will doubtless be for all of us joys and hopes fulfilled, but also those moments of introspection which call to mind other things. The realities of the world rush in upon us, and the uncertainties of life weigh on some more than others, but whatever your frame of mind and heart this day, I bring you the good news that “The Light Has come into the darkness.” “We who lived in a land of deep darkness-on us light has shined!”

God loves you tonight. Whatever you may have done, whatever your situation may be- the birth of Jesus is the proof that God loves you, and has a wonderful plan for your life. There is no sin against God or man he will not forgive. There is no guilt or shame he cannot heal. There is no loss he will fail to comfort, no uncertainty he cannot give strength to bear. There is no habit or addiction he cannot give strength to overcome. There is no aloneness he cannot break through. The proof of his love is that He sent his Son Jesus into the world to identify with our humanity, to sanctify our suffering, and to bring us purpose and peace. Very soon, we will confess our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as we say together the Creed. We will confess our sins to God and receive his blessed forgiveness as he forgets our sins and puts them as far away from us as the east is from the west. And then we with the shepherds will go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has taken place, foretold by prophets and promised by God. We will kneel in humble thanks to receive the body and blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Might it be for us all a time of healing. Might we experience anew the overwhelming acceptance and love of God. Might we be drawn together as the people of God and imbued with the knowledge that we are never alone, never devoid of purpose, and ever filled with love for God and our fellows, just as the prophets foretold.

Christ is come into the world! A babe is born unto us this day in the City of David- Christ the Lord! The prophecies are fulfilled, and God has showered us with his love. Might we all find peace this night, and light which dispels the darkness. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. AMEN.