The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1)
Merry Christmas. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christmas is filled with joy. But the trappings are everywhere to distract us from the birth of the Savior of the world. Frosty the snow man, tinsel, office parties, and all the noise of the season drown out the reason for the season--Jesus Christ
What breaks through all the noise? The W ord--the Word that takes on flesh to make His dwelling among us. This Word--is God's one and only Son come down out of heaven to rescue you. Full of grace and truth is the Word become flesh. The Incarnation means God in the flesh--God with skin on. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1)
No other god does this. All the other fake gods sit up high in the heavens having you do things to achieve salvation. Not so with Jesus--the true God comes down at Christmas to be present. We do not worship an absent Jesus, but the present Christ.
Christmas joy--is God is with us--bringing salvation. Christmas is filled with gifts. The gift that God gives you--is His Son--the gift of Jesus at Christmas. 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. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! This is huge. Game changer. Christmas – God has come down to bring you peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. The Christmas present of Jesus for you is unwrapped. As the Word made flesh wins peace.
Jesus will go to the tree--the tree of the Cross not green and bright--but dark and covered in death to pay for all your sins. His name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1) As the Word in the flesh-- dies in our place--it is not under the singing of Angels at Christmas but the mocking of the crowd. The soldier sees Jesus’ gifts flowing from His hands and feet. The Centurion confessed. “Truly this man was the Son of God!"(Mark 15)
Jesus serves you with His life. Gifts flow eternally. Jesus died your death--sins paid for in full. The Prince of Peace was placed in a tomb for a 3 day's rest. The Word made flesh would not stay in the grave. Christmas to Easter--Christ has risen, He has risen indeed. Jesus rises over the grave to shower you, my church, with His gifts. Truth and grace flow from the lips of the Word made flesh--giving you life eternal. Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. ( John 20)
What the Angels sing--peace--Jesus delivers. The Word takes on flesh and dwells among us. Jesus’ Word brings you Christmas peace. In the Holy Absolution. The Word dwelling among us in H20. Jesus gives out His grace in Holy Baptism to you. When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3)
Merry Christmas. The Eternal Word--Jesus Christ is proclaimed into your ears--brings great joy of Good News to you. Merry Christmas.