Christmas Eve 2010
Christmas Eve 2010
12/24/10
Luke 2:1-20
God’s Saving Love gives me peace
The theme for tonight’s service is peace, peace on earth. We came to church tonight to find peace, if it is only for an hour or so. We do so because there is certainly very little peace in the world, and for most of us there is little peace in our lives. So, how can the claim be made that there is peace on earth? No matter what you see with your “physical eyes,” no matter how you might feel there is peace! For on this night we are assured that God keeps His promises. Tonight we are assured that God is both with us and for us! That’s why we can say there is peace on earth!”
It may have been a silent night that night when Jesus the Word of God was born, as the hymn “Silent Night” suggests, but it probably wasn’t and if it was it didn’t stay silent for long. For soon after our Savior Jesus drew His first breath and cried his first cry, a war broke out, a war unlike anything the world had ever seen or will see in the future. We first hear of the war when God’s army of angels burst into song before the shepherds that night. In Jesus’ birth God put Satan on notice. His time was limited, for on the cross 33 years later Satan’s power over the people of God was finished. Peace is restored between God and his creation.
Since the army of God’s angels knew what was going to happen how could they be silent any longer? The Savior of the world was born. The victory has begun. They just had to burst out in song that night.
Jesus was born into a dark and terrible world, much like our world today. It was not at all what God had created. It had been broken and spoiled, all of it taken captive under the deadly dominion of the Satan the accuser of all people. The ruthless teller of lies, and he always lies, turned God’s wonderful human creation against God. He successfully tempted Adam and Eve planting the seeds of selfishness, envy, self-righteousness, pride, lust, and arrogance in what had been the Lord’s beautiful garden spot. And it continues today. Brother against brother, spouses against each other, children against parents, and parents against their children.
Since we are all descendents of Adam and Eve fear lingers in our hearts along with, if you are willing to admit it, every evil passion and rebellion. Not a single person, except for Jesus, since that terrible rebellion against the Lord of life has drawn a sinless breath.
Worst of all, many sinners do not take to heart the work of God through Jesus Christ. They live as if they have to solve their own problems, take care of their own sinfulness, as if the one who created them, who lived for them, who died for them, does not know what is best for them, so that they can fill up their lives with joy and peace. They ignore God most of the time only giving lip service, so off they trudge, sad, lonely, and afraid, trying to find peace in their own self, relationships, and goodies.
The angels that night bubbled over with joy because they could see the perfect plan coming together. The Promised One has established a foothold in Bethlehem. He’s come to set His people free. The Prince of Peace is here to wage war against the father of all wars. Peace was guaranteed. So, the angels broke out in song, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
That message is for you, for all people, for Jesus fought the war for you. He crushed Satan’s head, for you. Jesus did not come with a mighty army. He made a a sneak attack, as it were, small, at night, God hidden in the flesh of humanity. But make no mistake about it. His birth was not just a cute, picturesque moment. It was the breaking of Satan’s dominion, it was the regaining of God’s rightful territory, and it was the beginning of true freedom for sin burdened, enslaved people.
We who have been pressed down by the yoke of slavery to sin, the burden of carrying guilt and shame because of our sins, our failures to follow God’s commands have been freed by Jesus letting the weight of our sin press down on him all the way to Golgotha’s hill. And just as he walked from the grave, so does he declare “forgiven” and “free” all who trust in Him.
Could the angel hosts, having heard the greatest good news ever; God is here in your flesh to be Your Savior stand by idly, letting only one of them speak? No! Oh, it wasn’t quiet for long. They suddenly appeared and broke out singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.
Is God pleased with you? He is if you have accepted his free gift of forgiveness. He knows your struggles, your failures, your sin just as he knows my struggles, failures, and sin. He knows and yet God freely chose to be born on earth, to be your brother, to suffer and die as we ought, all the while living as we should be living. He did this, for this is real love. In Christ is God’s peace on earth; his undeserved, unstoppable love frees you and keeps you in God’s grace forever.
That is such good news that just like the Angels you can’t just sit there you have to stand up and sing for joy! Your Savior is born! There is peace on earth for you; each of you, for Christ has set us free. Please stand as we sing verses 3 and 4 of “Joy To The World”, for there truly is peace on earth.
12/24/10
Luke 2:1-20
God’s Saving Love gives me peace
The theme for tonight’s service is peace, peace on earth. We came to church tonight to find peace, if it is only for an hour or so. We do so because there is certainly very little peace in the world, and for most of us there is little peace in our lives. So, how can the claim be made that there is peace on earth? No matter what you see with your “physical eyes,” no matter how you might feel there is peace! For on this night we are assured that God keeps His promises. Tonight we are assured that God is both with us and for us! That’s why we can say there is peace on earth!”
It may have been a silent night that night when Jesus the Word of God was born, as the hymn “Silent Night” suggests, but it probably wasn’t and if it was it didn’t stay silent for long. For soon after our Savior Jesus drew His first breath and cried his first cry, a war broke out, a war unlike anything the world had ever seen or will see in the future. We first hear of the war when God’s army of angels burst into song before the shepherds that night. In Jesus’ birth God put Satan on notice. His time was limited, for on the cross 33 years later Satan’s power over the people of God was finished. Peace is restored between God and his creation.
Since the army of God’s angels knew what was going to happen how could they be silent any longer? The Savior of the world was born. The victory has begun. They just had to burst out in song that night.
Jesus was born into a dark and terrible world, much like our world today. It was not at all what God had created. It had been broken and spoiled, all of it taken captive under the deadly dominion of the Satan the accuser of all people. The ruthless teller of lies, and he always lies, turned God’s wonderful human creation against God. He successfully tempted Adam and Eve planting the seeds of selfishness, envy, self-righteousness, pride, lust, and arrogance in what had been the Lord’s beautiful garden spot. And it continues today. Brother against brother, spouses against each other, children against parents, and parents against their children.
Since we are all descendents of Adam and Eve fear lingers in our hearts along with, if you are willing to admit it, every evil passion and rebellion. Not a single person, except for Jesus, since that terrible rebellion against the Lord of life has drawn a sinless breath.
Worst of all, many sinners do not take to heart the work of God through Jesus Christ. They live as if they have to solve their own problems, take care of their own sinfulness, as if the one who created them, who lived for them, who died for them, does not know what is best for them, so that they can fill up their lives with joy and peace. They ignore God most of the time only giving lip service, so off they trudge, sad, lonely, and afraid, trying to find peace in their own self, relationships, and goodies.
The angels that night bubbled over with joy because they could see the perfect plan coming together. The Promised One has established a foothold in Bethlehem. He’s come to set His people free. The Prince of Peace is here to wage war against the father of all wars. Peace was guaranteed. So, the angels broke out in song, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
That message is for you, for all people, for Jesus fought the war for you. He crushed Satan’s head, for you. Jesus did not come with a mighty army. He made a a sneak attack, as it were, small, at night, God hidden in the flesh of humanity. But make no mistake about it. His birth was not just a cute, picturesque moment. It was the breaking of Satan’s dominion, it was the regaining of God’s rightful territory, and it was the beginning of true freedom for sin burdened, enslaved people.
We who have been pressed down by the yoke of slavery to sin, the burden of carrying guilt and shame because of our sins, our failures to follow God’s commands have been freed by Jesus letting the weight of our sin press down on him all the way to Golgotha’s hill. And just as he walked from the grave, so does he declare “forgiven” and “free” all who trust in Him.
Could the angel hosts, having heard the greatest good news ever; God is here in your flesh to be Your Savior stand by idly, letting only one of them speak? No! Oh, it wasn’t quiet for long. They suddenly appeared and broke out singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.
Is God pleased with you? He is if you have accepted his free gift of forgiveness. He knows your struggles, your failures, your sin just as he knows my struggles, failures, and sin. He knows and yet God freely chose to be born on earth, to be your brother, to suffer and die as we ought, all the while living as we should be living. He did this, for this is real love. In Christ is God’s peace on earth; his undeserved, unstoppable love frees you and keeps you in God’s grace forever.
That is such good news that just like the Angels you can’t just sit there you have to stand up and sing for joy! Your Savior is born! There is peace on earth for you; each of you, for Christ has set us free. Please stand as we sing verses 3 and 4 of “Joy To The World”, for there truly is peace on earth.
posted by Pastor Rhoads | 7:32 PM
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