The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Image: "Testify to the Light," 
© Jan Richardson.

December 25, 2015

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“Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the
whole people.

Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

An angel, a message, a promise fulfilled.

This is what those shepherds in Bethlehem experienced.

The shepherds were not only given the message but were given the signs by which they could recognize this tiny infant.

And this is what we celebrate tonight – the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior.

And we mark it with great festivities and celebrations.

Just look at the effort that we put into preparing for Christmas.

It started weeks ago.

The planning and arranging of parties, the choosing and buying of presents

Then the decorations were put up.

And tomorrow there is all the work in the kitchen with the cooking of
all the food that we bought.

So much effort and yet – in a week’s time the decorations will have
begun to look tired.

What was once a full fridge will be back to normal – near empty.

And the bones of the turkey will have long gone into the bin.

Christmas will be over.

Are these the only signs that we give to today’s shepherds where to find this infant Savior.

And yet what happened on that day can and should make everyday
Christmas.

Jesus has so much to offer us, that it is a terrible shame to reduce his birth to a few days of celebration.

It’s a shame and a waste if his birth and who he is, is just reserved for the times we are in trouble.

As Jesus himself tells us he “is the God of the living – not just the dead”.

It would be fantastic – it is fantastic when the joy of God’s presence at Christmas outlives the presents and the celebrations.

Remember me.

And we can if we let it.

If we listen not to the voice of an angel but the the voice of Jesus himself. “I have come to bring good news to the poor, to prisoners freedom and to those in sorrow, joy”.

In 2,000 years that voice has lost none of its inspirations and grace.

Listen to me.

Christmas is a time of giving.

The gifts we exchange are tokens of the love and respect that we have for each other.

The gifts that we exchange should be our sharing in the love that Jesus’ birth brought us.

Jesus never asked for gold, frankincense or myrrh.

 All he asks is that we receive him and each other with a generous heart.

Accept me.

A birth is a new beginning – a new life.

If we remember, if we listen, if we accept, then everyday will be Christmas and we allow ourselves to be continually reborn into a new and fuller life in the love that is Christ.

“I have come so that you may have life and have it to the full”.

That is my wish for all of us here tonight.

But more important, it is Jesus’ wish for us.

Not just a wish – but the greatest present that you have ever received. Remember, listen and accept and you will have life and have it to the full.