In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Merry Christmas. The Angel of the Lord is preaching a sermon of Good News of great joy. The sermon is all about JESUS for you.
JESUS is the Savior. Jesus is the only Savior. He did not come to save us from economic down turns. Jesus does not save us from an army at the gates. Jesus as the Savior came to save you from your sins.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3) Adam and Eve had to leave the Garden of Eden. Jesus the Savior leaves heaven to come down to earth to do battle against the devil, your sin, and death. 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. (Titus 3)
Our sins put us under a death sentence. There is no way out by what we do. Christmas joy! Jesus has come to save you. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1) Jesus does the saving work for you from beginning to end. Jesus is born to take your death sentence. Jesus is born to die. Because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. (Romans 5)
JESUS is the Christ. The term Christ is not Jesus’ last name. "Christ" is the Greek, the Hebrew is "Messiah." Both mean "the Anointed One." Jesus Christ is the long awaited King who sits on David's thrown. Jesus Christ – His Kingdom is eternal.
JESUS is Lord. The Angel announced that the baby was wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. This baby who needed to be fed, diapers changed, and held in Mary's arms, is the Lord. Jesus is Lord – none other than God in the flesh. The eternal Son of God would come down in humility for you, the sinner. 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) Only the Lord could come to save you from the wrath due you. No man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life. (Psalm 49) Only the Lord could shed His blood for you. Only Lord Jesus could pass through the grave and rise from the dead. The journey of Lord Jesus began in a manger and marched to Calvary into the grave, then the stone was rolled away. Christ our Lord is risen, He has risen indeed!
God's Christmas gift to you is JESUS CHRIST the LORD. God's Christmas gift to you has heaven and earth rejoicing. 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." (Luke 2)
Giving gifts at Christmas is full of anticipation and celebration. God's gift of Jesus to you is to be anticipated and celebrated. Jesus coming to you in His Holy Word and Sacraments. When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4) Merry Christmas. JESUS CHRIST the LORD is born for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming LSB 359:4
O Savior, child of Mary, Who felt our human woe;
O Savior, King of glory, Who dost our weakness know:
Bring us at length we pray To the bright courts of heaven, And to the endless day.