The Gospel
for Christmas Eve is from Luke 2 – a detailed account of the events of Jesus’
birth. The Gospel lesson for Christmas Morning is John 1, an image of a cosmic
Christ that echoes Genesis 1.
“In the
beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” says Moses in Genesis. But
John sees something more, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God.” He wants us to see Jesus’ birth connected to the
great story of our salvation that began when He loved us so much that He
created us. What is more, John wants us to see that our Creator loved us so
dearly that when we rebelled against Him, He sought us out and redeemed us.
In Genesis,
God says, “Let there be light,” and there was light. John tells us that the light
is a life-giving Word. “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
(That is, Jesus is the life-giving light for all people.) No wonder the
glorious multitude of the heavenly host cry out, “Glory to God in the highest,
and goodwill and peace to all people!”
Jesus came
as a holy light shining in the midst of a world made dark by our sin. “The
light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not – cannot - overcome it.”
Not that the
darkness did not try to overcome the light of Christ. “He came to His own, and
His own people did not receive Him.” King Herod the Great sought to kill the
newborn king, and his soldiers murdered all the boys under the age of two in
Bethlehem. Such terrible collateral damage! “The thief comes to steal, kill,
and destroy!” Demons confronted Jesus to derail His ministry, and He cast them
out. The Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious rulers of Jesus’ day, opposed
Him, falsely accused Him, had Him arrested, tried Him, and sentenced Him to
death. Pilate signed the death warrant, and when Jesus went to the cross, it
seemed that the light was snuffed out as darkness came upon the land. The Light
of the World died and was buried. But the light of the manger that proclaimed
God is with us blazed forth on the third day, and Jesus brought life and
immortality to light for all who believe in Him!
Friends, the
true light has come. Jesus is the Light of the World, but there is more. John
says that for everyone who received Him and believed in His name, He gave them the
right to become children of God. “Behold what kind of love the Father has
lavished upon us that we should be called children of God. And we are!” As
children of God, you are in Jesus’ light, and you, too, are the light of the
word. The light that gives life is in you to shine, sharing the hope of
everlasting life in the forgiveness and salvation Jesus was born to win for us.
So today, we
celebrate a holy mystery. “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.” And John has testified to us, as have Matthew, Mark, and other
apostles. Mary’s testimony probably comes to us through Luke as she recollects
the angel light from the shepherds. As we imagine looking upon baby Jesus in
the manger, the reality is that we are pondering Immanuel, God in human flesh.
With your hearts, you gaze upon the Savior who was born for you.
Jesus Christ
is the Light of the World, and He shines God’s love upon you.
What should
we do? There is much we could talk about in terms of behaviors and choices that
defy the darkness of our world. But the best place to begin is to let the light
shine on you and then in you. Bask in the light of Jesus’ love. Receive Him by
receiving His gifts. Believe that He is who He says He is: the promised Savior,
the Light of the World, true God, and true man, born to redeem you from sin and
death. Then, by believing, trust you are children of God … because that’s what
God wants for you.
The Father
spoke “one final perfect Word,” in Jesus. See the light revealing Him in His
Incarnation, conception, birth, ministry, life, death, resurrection, and
ascension. The light of that Word still shines in you to give you life,
comfort, hope, peace, and joy as you walk through this sin-darkened world. And
that light guides you home, to the day when Jesus will return in light and
glory.
The Father
speaks His Word to you, and it is Jesus, the baby born in Bethlehem; He who was
in the beginning, was with God and is God … to save you. Amen.
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