Joy to the World

I welcome you to this unseasonably warm, wet and dark night to celebrate the new light of God’s promised hope of peace and joy to all the world.  It is a festive night of pageantry and carols echoing songs of praise and glory to God for the gift of his Son, the birth of a baby in Bethlehem whose name is Jesus.

Tonight we hear again the story about angels and shepherds and a manger with a new-born baby wrapped in bands of cloth with animals standing around and the baby’s parents, Mary and Joseph looking on with approval.  It is a traditional story, full of awe and wonder; and it is a story we look forward to every year.

As we heard in the Gospel of Luke, Mary "gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”  Shepherds tending their flock in a nearby field were terrified when an angel appeared.  Then, suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host sang, `Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!'"

The point of the story goes far beyond the actual detail of how it all happened.  Its impact is its meaning and importance to people of faith.  God's grace, God’s compassion and love appeared in the incarnation and redemptive action of Christ.  

The early followers of Jesus had experienced his death and resurrection, and they looked back in history to understand how it all came to be.  Unraveling the actual details of the birth is a complex task.  Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea; his birth occurred during the reigns of Herod the Great and the Emperor Augustus; and he grew up in Nazareth of Galilee. 

Today, as it was in the first century, Christians everywhere wait for the light of a new day.  As St. Paul wrote to his friend Titus, Salvation is for all people and we are to live upright and godly lives while we wait for the promised hope and glory of a gracious and merciful God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

God's grace has been revealed through the Incarnation, the Word made flesh in the birth of the infant Jesus.  It is now up to us to accept this revelation by living lives of faith with compassion for those in need.   It is the revelation of God in Christ "while we wait for the blessed hope… of the glory of God."

Christmas is a time to enjoy peace and joy, a time to rest from the worry and frenzied pace of our lives, a time for family and loved ones, a time for sharing gifts, especially those of our relationships that bring satisfaction and meaning to our lives.

After the tree is purchased and decorated, dinner menus planned and invitations extended, gifts bought, wrapped, and placed under the tree, it is time to come to church and pray and sing the great carols of the season.  It is time to celebrate the glory of God’s Holy Word becoming incarnate in the birth of Jesus, the Son of God.  We listen to the ancient story of Jesus’ birth and immerse ourselves in the peace that is holy and blessed.  Time seems to stand still and the angelic sounds of choral voices fill the air singing glory to God.

The new light of Christ is born among us.  That new light is about the fulfillment of God’s promise for peace, compassion, justice, and love. It is the joy of this season of new beginnings.  The story in Matthew’s gospel emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament.  A star guides the wise men, the magi, to Bethlehem bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  In the gospel of Luke the emphasis is different, there are echoes of Mary’s song magnifying the Lord, and the glory of heaven fills the sky when the angels appear to shepherds.

There is a 14^th century hymn that tells our story in beautiful prose.  “A child is born in Bethlehem, therefore rejoice Jerusalem.  The babe within a manger poor, rule the world forevermore.  Upon this joyful holy night, bless your name O Lord of light.  We praise you Holy Trinity, adoring you eternally.  Come join the angel throng in songs of joy, in one accord adoring Christ the Lord.  Alleluia.”

May this Christmas season be for you and everyone a time that is filled with light and joy.  And may we all hope for a future of compassion, peace and justice for everyone.  Amen.