CHRISTMAS EVE, 2009

SCRIPTURES – Isaiah 9:2-7; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:1-20

Christmas Eve would always be special for Christian. It was not because of the presents, although many were gladly given and thankfully received; nor because of the special food, which was wonderful and abundant; nor the singing, although Christian loved to sing, and especially the beautiful hymns of praise to God that he sang in church. Christian thoroughly enjoyed the many aspects of Christmas that added to the joy of the holiday. But, the main reason that Christmas Eve was special to him was because on that day he gained a father and a mother, a family and a home.

You see, Christian had spent much of his childhood on his own. Born in Kenya, his parents had died when he was four, and from that time on he had grown up on the streets with other homeless children. Fighting for food and to hold onto a ratty blanket to sleep in was a nearly daily occurrence. His life was desperate and his future bleak. He had no one who truly loved him or cared for him, no home to call his own.

Then came that day when a couple came, laid their eyes upon him, and called him to them. It was the first of many visits. They came from far away, and their trips cost them dearly: in money, in time, in the stress of dealing with officials and regulations and paperwork. The strain showed on their faces, and their health itself was affected. But, finally, on Christmas Eve they came to him with the wonderful news that they would never again leave him. This time, he would leave with them. And so, on Christmas Eve, Christian left his harsh and hopeless life and, with his new mother and father, he went home.

What is Christmas? “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”  (Galatians 4)

GOD HAS COME TO TAKE US HOME!

This is the wonderful story and message of Christmas. This news is being more and more suppressed by our culture, but perhaps this is because the story of Jesus is not a fairy tale that can be enjoyed for a while and then set aside. Christmas has over the years come to have many fairy tale stories and characters connected with it, but Jesus is no jolly old elf who shows up once a year. He is the almighty and eternal God come into our midst to claim our very lives! True, His coming was unseen and ignored by most in His day, as He was born to a poor, powerless, and unknown Jewish couple in Israel. True, in our day His coming can be outright rejected or treated as little more than a fairy tale to enjoy and then set aside. But, the powers of heaven itself, God’s mighty angels, tell us: “To you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!” God has come to save you!

“God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under law.” May this news inspire great joy – and great awe and fear! – in us. How amazing that God the Son:

à        who is of one essence and being with God the Father and so is uncreated, eternal, living before this world began and remaining after it ends;

à        who rules over and directs all things for His purposes;

how amazing that He was “born of woman, born under law.” The eternal One not only entered into time but became subject to it, for He grew and aged. The Ruler over all things became obedient to a lowly Jewish couple whom He called Mom and Dad. Everything that defines our times now defined the Son of God’s time:

à        The eternal One became utterly dependent, a baby who could not control even his bowels but needed His mother and father to change His diapers!

à        The ruler of all creation would have to take out the trash when told to do so!

à        The One whom angels praise would be teased, and be hurt by bigger and stronger kids; He would be misunderstood and rejected as an adult.

God entered into time, not as God the mighty ruler and Lord, but weak and lowly, like us. Amazing! Why did He do this? “so that we might receive adoption as sons.” The Son of God came to us to take us home!

Every year we wish each other a merry Christmas and a happy new year. We hope that the new year will be happier, healthier, and more peaceful. And, when we hear God’s angels proclaim, “peace on earth, goodwill to men!” we naturally think that a happier, healthier, more prosperous and peaceful life is what God also wants for us.

It is not. What God wants is that you be His sons and daughters who “live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.” And so, “God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Adoption: being chosen and taken into His family as His son or daughter, even though you were not born into His family. Not born His child? Who, me? You? Yes, you and me. Would a true child of God ever say, “I hate you!” to anyone? And yet, we – husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters – in anger say hurtful and spiteful things to each other. How can a child of God do this? Would a true child of God ever not want to listen to and praise his Father in heaven for His goodness and love? Yet, worship of God is not the joy of our lives. Our lives, from childhood on, often show that we are unlike God, not His children. And, if we are not God’s children, our future is bleak. Who but God can give you life and raise you from death after you die? No doctor can do so. Who but God can rescue you from Satan and hell and take you to heaven? But, His heavenly home is only for His children who bear His name.

And so, the true Son of God became a son of man, became flesh and blood like us. He went out from God like a spouse who goes to another country to find and adopt a child into the family. Doing that is a costly matter; much money and time can be spent, much frustration endured. How great was the cost to Jesus! He came down from heaven to take upon Himself our sins, the wrongs we have done which separate us from God and make us wretched, our future bleak. But Jesus came, took our sins as His sins, as if He had committed them!, and paid the penalty for our disobedience. He died for us all, separated from and judged by God.

Jesus did this because He wants you to know His Father and His love, to love His Father, and to be with Him in His Father’s family now and forever. He came down from heaven so that we could be Christians, brothers and sisters of His who proudly bear His and His Father’s name. He did this so that you could listen to, learn from, and obey your good Father in heaven, not ignore Him and live without Him. He did this so that you could be God’s children, be utterly safe and eternally secure in His family.

O Christians, this is what Christmas is: not a fairy tale, but the story of a loving God who sent His Son to seek out and purchase for Him children to adopt into His family forever. Praise Him, O Christian! Gladly live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness! To the honor of His name. Amen.