Christmas Day 2019

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

Text: John 1:1-14
Theme: Small Child, Big Mission



Dear worshippers of the infant Saviour,

Christmas involves more than the locality of Bethlehem or a captivating cast of characters. The implications of Christmas are not parochial. The focal point and central players associated with the birth of Jesus are the divinely chosen instruments to facilitate the Father’s plan of salvation for the world. Today the apostle John is committed to showing us the ‘bigger picture’. Akin to zooming in or out on Google maps the Spirit gives us both the wide angle and the greatest possible resolution in teaching about the incarnation of Jesus, the Word of God. He says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”1

The nativity narrative is easy enough to follow. Mind you, this family faced not only the challenge of less-than-ideal birthing circumstances, but also the supernatural intervention of angels. Surely the visit of the shepherds would have also seemed like an astounding occurrence to Mary and Joseph. Meanwhile, practical realities had to be attended to. Mary meditates while Joseph domesticates. This birth has set the wheels in motion. Things will change. There will be no going back. All babies transform the lives of their parents. This one will transform the existence of the world.

Jesus was a small child with a big mission. John speaks to this truth. Immutable Himself, this Child has the power to change everything and everyone. Jesus, the new Adam, will sheathe the cherubim’s sword guarding the entrance to the Garden. In Him Paradise will be restored. In the person of Jesus God again dwells with His people. He does so in human flesh, in real time. This Immanuel comes with purpose that necessarily implicates everyone. The Scripture says, “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”2

Why was He not received by everyone? The answer is as simple as it is profound. Sovereigns aren’t usually looking for new rulers. People naturally prefer to be architects of their own destiny. That means if people think they are coping well enough with their own sin and the brokenness in their lives they won’t be seeking a Saviour. The challenge of proclaiming the Good News is exactly as it always has been: People won’t receive Him joyfully until they recognize the need. Undoubtedly our celebrations of Christmas are more affluent than those of many who have celebrated across the centuries. But our need is fundamentally no different. We are not morally, ethically, or spiritually superior to past generations. All are still conceived in sin. All are still under condemnation. It’s certainly not hard to see just by watching the daily news that people aren’t able to manage their own brokenness. The mirror of God’s law calls us to reflect soberly also. Do we see ourselves as paupers in relation to the ChristChild, or sovereigns?

The incarnation, Jesus’ coming in human flesh, meant that God wanted to restore the crown of creation not destroy it. “God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our own likeness...”3 Yet sin had marred that image and likeness beyond recognition. People lost all knowledge, faith, hope, and trust in God. God could have started over. Or He could have abandoned the whole created enterprise. After all, the Holy Trinity lacks nothing in His self-subsisting existence. It could be argued that He did start over at the time of Noah’s flood. He certainly had intense words with Moses about leaving His people to their own demise. But He did not start anew. He chose to redeem fallen humanity through the sending of His Son.

Angels play a prominent role in the nativity narrative. Seldom do popular depictions of the nativity scene leave them out. What about the leader of the evil angels, Satan, the accuser? Was he just standing by idly? Not a chance! The Scripture says, “The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations.”4 But Satan did not prevail. And he could not prevent Jesus going to the cross.

The death and resurrection of Jesus shattered Satan’s hopes. But this was far from a cosmic duel of equals. Jesus is not a servant of God momentarily endowed with supernatural powers. He is “God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God.”5 Yet, He is also fully human, and the apostle John want us to understand the implications. The life of the Son had to be forfeited so the image of the Father could be retained. This firstborn Son was the last sacrifice needed to fulfil the covenant of God. The Scripture says, “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”6 He secured that redemption for all humanity. He gifts it to all who believe.

At the birth of Christ, the angels unleash their praise, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…”7 The shepherds bend the knee and then wag their tongues, “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child.”8 On the face of it the role of the angels seems more desirable than that of the shepherds. After all, who doesn’t like to celebrate as opposed to the likely rejection to be faced when evangelizing? But the two are actually part and parcel of the same piece. Faith cannot be silent. The believer shares what has been received. News this good cannot be contained. The Saviour from sin, death, and Satan has been born. It changes our lives and we want it to change the lives of others.

This Christmas gospel from the first chapter of John is also a marvelous Scripture to deepen our appreciation of Holy Communion. At first glance there might appear to be no direct connection. The apostle doesn’t talk about celebrating the Sacrament. But the incarnation underpins and informs the reality. Only a Saviour who has assumed a true human frame can really offer Himself in that way for our benefit. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”9 Jesus, the Word, the eternally existing Second Person of the Holy Trinity, entered into this tangible, material, and created dimension through the womb of the Virgin. He was born in the natural manner, yet without sin. Only an exceedingly humble God, only a God judiciously concerned with not overwhelming us with His majesty could devise such a plan.

We wouldn’t be too far off the mark if our Christmas worship consisted of little more than joyfully receiving and extolling the Immanuel’s presence among us in the mystery of Holy Communion. In that gift, the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension come together in a way that us mere mortals can benefit us. The Sacrament of the Altar gives us access to Him who was laid in a manger at Bethlehem, but now reigns from the throne in the heavenly Jerusalem. He cradles us with such strong and gentle love that nothing can snatch us out of His hands.

Some people don’t actually look forward to Christmas. If you’re feeling rather uninspired about Christmas this year, don’t compel yourself to muster artificial excitement. Mary and Joseph were undoubtedly disappointed there was no place for her to give birth. Christmas can be a stressful time managing schedules, family members and engagements. Don’t search frantically for that one thing to make everything right; a particular present, a reunion with someone seldom seen, an apology, an invitation- Christmas is bigger than that. And the One born in the manger has broad enough shoulders to bear all of your complaints, disappointments and griefs. He has taken the punishment for all your sins. You are His baptized. You are His cherished child. He shines light into your darkness. He has secured your eternal salvation. He dwells in you and among us. So, let us rejoice in these words of the Spirit, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”10

+ In nomine Jesu +

The Nativity of our Lord
Christmas Day
25 December 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt

1 John 1:5 2 John 1:11-12
3 Genesis 1:26 4 Revelation 12:4-5
5 The Nicene Creed 6 Hebrews 9:12
7 Luke 2:14 8 Luke 2:17
9 John 1:14 10 John 1:14