Tuesday, December 26, 2017

The Nativity of our Lord- Christmas Eve 2017

+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.

Text: Luke 2:10
Theme: A Saviour

Dear friends in Christ Jesus,

Christmas marks the beginning of God’s solidarity with humanity in the person of Jesus. It’s a relationship that has no ending. That’s the real reason for joy at Christmas. Angels, shepherds, a young mother, a stable, a humble birth comprise the circumstances of Jesus’ entrance into the world. The birth of Jesus Christ is timeless, unalterable history in a different way than other events of the past. The coming of the Son of God in human flesh was a breach of the dimensions of time and space. All history leads to and flows from the redemptive activities of Jesus Christ. The destiny of all things depends on Him. Yes, that’s a lot of responsibility to pin on a newborn, but it was the Father’s will to save the world in this way.

History cannot be changed. It can be re-written, reinterpreted, deconstructed, misrepresented. History can be praised, critiqued, exaggerated, or denied. None of these activities change the reality, of course, but they may change what people think or believe. Under contention today is the significance of Jesus’ coming and the meaning of what He did. From a historical perspective, Christianity today is in precipitous decline in the West. The reasons are many and complex. Some of the damage is self-inflicted. The Royal Commission highlights just one example. Many believers themselves don’t take the faith seriously. Efforts are being made in some circles to make Christianity more lighthearted in hopes of making it more appealing. The results are not very promising.

Despite all our modern advancements, technologies, and conveniences the world is not a very safe or happy place. We ignore the resilience of evil in our world to our own peril. Efforts to legitimize what God condemns only create false facades of security. We’re not free to define morality. We’re not authorized to define truth. Belief that we can do so is evidence of bondage, of spiritual darkness. If we are happy with our harmful behaviours, if we are content with our lies and deceptions, if we are not bothered by our sins of commission and omission, then a word of rebuke is the first gift we need this Christmas. And yes, repentance is a gift. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of our unrighteousness. Jesus did not come to give us a license to sin. He came to free us from the divine wrath so that we can truly serve others.

For some people Christmas is the most difficult time of the year. For some it is associated with grief. For others with brokenness. Still others, loneliness. Unfortunately, for many it’s just an excuse for reckless indulgence. Perhaps you feel like your life is not noteworthy, much like His humble birth. Maybe you feel like there’s no place for you in the world, in your community, or even your family…that’s there’s no room in the inn? The heavenly Father doesn’t make light of your struggles. He created you and He sent His Son to redeem you. The good news the angel announced is for you. A Savior is born this day.

History cannot be changed, but the future can be. God can change your life as quickly as He calmed the stormy sea. More often, it’s an extended process of renewing and reviving, molding and shaping. The Holy Spirit changes what people think or believe and the means He uses is the word of God. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he as crossed over from death to life.”1 The same Messiah who was born in a stable was nailed to a cross and rose again from the grave.

If God housed us only in a manger that would be enough. But He is a mighty fortress.
Just as Mary cradled her infant Son and attended to Him while nestled in a manger, so the strong, but gentle hands of God, the hands of Christ, cradle us and protect us in our vulnerabilities. We can choose to live in our darknesses and falsehoods, but that involves closing our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to the love and truth of God in Christ. There is no darkness so invincible that the light of the nativity cannot penetrate it. A light that has its source in a divine nature, a light that burst right through the crypt of death. From A to Z the ChristChild in the manger achieves everything necessary for our wellbeing in this life and in the life to come. Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”2 This story begins in a stable, it continues in paradise. May the humble, historical Christ surround you with His love this Christmas and always. Amen.


+ In nomine Jesu +

The Nativity of our Lord
Christmas Eve
24 December 2017
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt

1 John 5:24 2 Revelation 22:13

No comments:

Post a Comment