The sermon for December 24 was based on Luke 2:1-14.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

It almost seems redundant for me to say anything more than the Word of God has already said so beautifully, for you have heard from His own mouth the story of Christmas. And the hymn writers of His Church have already proclaimed this same story to you in their beautiful verse and music. So there is hardly anything more that could be said. And yet, the significance of this beautiful Christmas story does deserve your attention this night, as you consider what Christ's birth means for you.

It is a beautiful story; and without a doubt one of the most familiar stories in the world. The story of Christmas is, quite simply, a part of American culture. It is retold in countless ways and countless places: on TV sitcoms, newspaper editorials, and popular renditions of well worn carols by some of the most unlikely performers. Even those who care nothing for Christ and His Church have been charmed by this lovely story.

But as a Christian, you must certainly understand that the Christmas story is far more than just a story. And by that I mean not only that this story is absolutely true - for of course, it is true, historical fact. But this historical account must be far more than this, if it is to have any impact on your life.

St. James writes that the demons know the historical facts and the truth of the story, and yet they tremble in fear [2:19]. And as far as that goes, the people who lived in Jesus' day were able to see and hear Him for themselves, in person; yet, the vast majority of those people did not understand or believe the real significance of this Child born of Mary, this humble Carpenter from Nazareth.

As a Christian, you must see and hear beyond the nostalgia, beyond the beautiful poetry of the story, and beyond the drama and excitement it presents. Christmas includes all of these things. But far more important is the heart and soul of the story; namely, this Child born of Mary in a Bethlehem stable is the Christ, the Savior of the world - your Savior.

That is more than just another detail in the storyline, more than just another historical fact. Even the angels in heaven must sit up and take notice. For Jesus Christ your Savior is the one Truth and Light that gives significance - not only to the Christmas story - but to all of history, to the entire universe, and also to your own individual life on this and every other day.

You sorely need Christ's salvation and the significance it brings. It isn't hard to recognize that need. For in spite of the festivity all around you (or perhaps because of the festivity), one often hears about a dramatic increase in depression and suicide at this time of year. Like Charlie Brown, the holidays can make you painfully aware of the loneliness and emptiness and frustration that you might otherwise be able to put out of your mind. And so you try to fill that emptiness with the season's frenzy: the frantic rush of shoppers, the piling up of decorations, the urgent writing of cards and letters, the painstaking preparation of meals.

It is hard to avoid the conclusion that all of this activity is nothing so much as a desperate attempt to find or create a sense of meaning and purpose; to fill the void you have inside with something. Yet, none of the frenzy can do it; nothing you do can do it. The only real answer is contained in a single Word: "Jesus," a Name that means "The Lord Saves," for He will save His people from their sins.

And, dear friend in Christ, He has done so! He has saved you from your sins, sins which lie at the bottom of all your griefs and sorrows. He is your Savior, Who is born this night for you!

He has taken your poor flesh and blood to be His own; and in the frailty of that human flesh and blood, He has borne your griefs and carried all your sorrows, throughout the course of an ordinary human life (with all the joys and heartaches, ups and downs of your life, save only without sin). He carried your griefs and sorrows and sins all the way to the cross. His bloody death and passion in your place, there on the cross (as odd as it might sound to the retail world) is - after all is said and done - what Christmas is really all about.

The only proper joy and peace that you find in the story of Christmas is the joy and peace of the cross. For Christ Jesus, your Savior, was born to give His life for you; that is why He came. And having done so - having given up His life once and for all upon the cross - He now gives His life to you in the Gospel of His forgiveness and salvation. He fills the void inside of you with Himself.

For, you see, the real story of Christmas - the coming of the Son of God as your Savior in human flesh and blood - this story is not just "once upon a time." Such a story, true or not, would be no better for you than Santa Claus and his flying reindeer. But the story of Christ is true and meaningful; and it is happening very much for you in the here and now, not just more than 2000 years ago.

The Son of God is still coming to you as your Savior, as the Child of Mary, in your human flesh and blood. He is very present here with you in the proclamation of His Gospel. And in the "Christ Mass," the holy Supper, He feeds you with the same Body and Blood that were conceived and born of Mary, in which He lived His life and went to His death on the cross in your stead. Thus, it is here in His Church, in the Gospel and in this Sacrament, that the story of Christmas comes to life and has its real meaning.

And here in His Church - no matter what crosses you might bear in this life on earth - He bestows upon you the everlasting life of heaven, where sickness, sadness, death, and pain will be no more; where Christmas will be forever, and you won't have to do a thing to get ready for it, because your Savior has already "trimmed the tree" of the cross with Himself; He has sent the "cards" and letters of His Gospel Word to all people; He has prepared for you a feast in His kingdom, which has no end. In Him there is no frenzy, but only the joy and peace of forgiveness.

And so tonight you sing. For that is how the Church expresses Her joy in Christ. You sing with the angels and all the heavenly host in praising the Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. You sing in response to the Word of God - the Word made Flesh and dwelling among men; because, by faith, you sing with the whole of creation, which here receives the almighty Creator and God as a fellow Creature, born like you, as your Savior and Friend.

God grant His peace and joy to you, as you receive - tonight, tomorrow, and throughout the coming year - the gift of His Salvation. To Him alone be all glory and honor and praise, forever and ever. Amen.

The Peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Last Updated: 7/15/2008