CHRISTMAS DAY, 2008
 

What is Christmas today, some 2,000 years after the birth of Jesus? Well, there are many happy rituals which make us feel good, such as Candlelight Services on Christmas Eve; caroling; decorations; being home with family; exchanging gifts. Such rituals are wonderful, as we certainly should be glad and joyful. And, the more rituals and customs there are in our ever-changing and disconnected society, the better.

There is something I have noticed about our day’s Christmas celebrations, however. So often, they focus upon renewing our lives—which certainly do need to be renewed!—by being more “spiritual,” or letting the goodness within us shine forth through various good works that are encouraged. Even Christ’s own life and preaching are said to focus upon this.

Ex. December 1999 Reader’s Digest article, “The Real Message of the Millenium.”

In explaining why Christianity has prospered over the centuries since Jesus’ birth, the author of the article stated:

     “It is a curious fact that in all ages and all societies, large numbers of people are attracted to the gentle, not the strong, to the sufferers and not the successful. Jesus touched on this tender spot in humanity—the kindness and compassion within us—and in doing so founded what is arguably the most influential of all religions…

     Two thousand years ago, a man came into the world to preach a doctrine of gentleness, love and meekness of spirit…it offers a continuing vision of our better, purer selves, and of the better, purer world we could create.”

Is that why Jesus came, to give us “a continuing vision of our better, purer selves”? No! This is not Christmas—at least, not the Christmas that the angel proclaimed to the shepherds.

What, then, is Christmas?

THIS IS CHRISTMAS: TO YOU A SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN

What is a savior? A savior is one who rescues the helpless and saves them from destruction.

Good people, or people who can at least change and make themselves good, do not need a savior. They may need a guide, a helper, a “spiritual advisor,” or a coach; they don’t, however, need a savior. This is a message we have learned well today. We are happy to listen to the words, “To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior.” Do we listen to and follow this Savior who, some 30 years later, says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Do we ponder these things in our hearts, as Mary did?

Jesus is a Savior. He was not born for the good and the “spiritual”; He was not born to uncover our “inner goodness” and potential. This is Christmas: Jesus was born to save us from our sin.

Where does Christmas begin? It does not begin in your heart (although it began because of your heart); it does not begin in Bethlehem (although it occurred in Bethlehem). Christmas begins in the Garden of Eden, with sin and its destruction.

q   Those to whom God in love gave life and every blessing—Adam & Eve—followed their desires and ate the fruit He had forbidden them to eat.

q   And so they became ungodly, afraid, inclined to evil, destined to die, doomed to hell.

q   Truly, we are their descendants—wrapped in the same sin, and so frequently following our own desires instead of obeying God. We, too, are doomed to die and be destroyed by God if He comes among us with His power and glorious presence.

But, to doomed sinners God has given a Savior, a Rescuer! Christmas begins with God!

This Child born 2,000 years ago, in lowliness and poverty, this Savior is the Lord. God Himself is born to bring you peace; not earthly peace—lack of hatred, anger and violence; the absence of pain and suffering—but His peace with you and upon you. God is at peace with you, the sinner, through His Son! He looks upon you with love and favor! His blessing rests upon sinners. God loves you!!

Jesus establishes for you true and lasting peace with God, because He is none other than the Lord Himself. For you He was born and became wrapped in your sin. For your forgiveness He died, and for your eternal salvation He rose from the dead and ascended into God’s presence in heaven. He did this by coming in lowliness among the lowly and to the lowly, that the lowly might receive Him. To receive Him and God’s peace and blessing, be lowly! Confess your sin and need, your death and condem-nation—this is Christmas.

q   Don’t resist doing so, thinking that this would ruin the mood and “spirit” of Christmas. Sin and death—and above all salvation from them, and so peace and joy and eternal life and heaven—are the spirit of Christmas!

q   Don’t be afraid to do so, out of fear of God’s anger. He sent a Savior, not a judge, to sinners!

God sends a Savior to you! He is Christ, the Lord! Christmas came 2,000 years ago in a manger in Bethlehem, as God sent His Son to save the world from its sin. Christmas comes today in confession of sin and trust in Jesus. Then, God looks favor-ably and in love upon you, the poor sinner, and gives you the peace of His forgiveness and blessing. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to men! “