Christmas Eve Mediation
Luke 2:1-20
by: Rev. Ken Sauer, Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, Soddy Daisy, TN www.graceumcsd.org
Following a Christmas Eve Service at the last church I pastored, Parkview United Methodist Church in Newport News, VA., I was shaking hands with those who were leaving.
One gentleman with his family, I only saw him every once in a while.
His kids came to Youth Group, but the parents didn’t attend regularly.
So, I said, “It was great having you here! I hope to see you next Sunday!!!”
To that, he got a little sarcastic and replied, “I’ll see you next Easter!” as he smirked on his way out the door.
He was good to his word.
But, from his tone of voice that evening, and from the expression on his face, it seemed that he was trying to upset me…or trying to get under my skin…payback to all the preachers in the world or something.
He didn’t hurt me.
Not one bit.
I remember this episode precisely because I thought to myself, “You’re only hurting yourself and your family. You have two wonderful young girls who are involved in Youth Group.
They come every Sunday evening.
They don’t make it to worship Sunday morning much, though…but I bet they would if you came.
And I bet it would make a huge difference, not only in their lives—but in your life as well!”
Because coming to worship, Sunday school on a regular basis…
…being a part of a community of faith which loves one another--is there for one another during the good times and the bad--makes all the difference in the lives of those who take the risk and give it a shot!!!”
Church is not about the preacher; it’s about YOU! It’s about God!!!
It’s about life and having it abundantly!
Jesus sure took a chance and gave it a shot on US!!!
BIG TIME!!!
God, in Jesus Christ, left the highest realm of heaven and became one of us!
He demanded nothing, but gave everything, even His own life!
That is love—that is GOD!!!
Jesus’ birth announcement was proclaimed to humble shepherds whose status was only slightly higher than that of prostitutes and tax collectors!
Imagine that!
Who would the angel’s appear to if Christ were to come for the first time today?
God’s compassion for the down-and-outers, the outcastes, the aliens is mind boggling!!!
He enters the world as one of US!!!
Jesus was not born into power, privilege, or pleasure.
God did not send His Son to be raised by kings, queens, and the rulers of this earth; instead He was born in a stable, and the good news was first proclaimed to common shepherds on the nightshift!
What are we to make of this?
God entered this world as a poor, naked, outcast, alien.
How awesome is that?
If any of you think you are not good enough for Jesus’ love and forgiveness—think about this!!!
Jesus is in solidarity with YOU!!!
Jesus can relate to your life.
Jesus loves you just the way you are—no matter what you’ve done or where you come from!
Jesus came to save you!
Jesus came to show you what God is like.
God is not some angry God.
Our lives are not a cruel joke.
Instead, we are on the most exciting journey imaginable!!!
Whether we are rich or poor.
Whether we are black or white, straight or gay, male or female…
Whether we were born in the White House or the Waffle House—we all have something to be thankful for this Christmas and every day of the year!!!
God LOVES EVERY ONE OF US with NO STRINGS ATTACHED!!!
What better reason is there to come to church to worship, not only on Christmas and Easter—but every Sunday of the year!!!
This is why we worship God!
We worship God, not out of fear—but out of love and thankfulness!!!
Our Gospel Lesson from Luke tells us that 2,000 or so years ago “there were shepherds keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.
I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Do not be afraid!!!
Oh, what fearful creatures we are.
We fear economic recession.
We fear the loss of our jobs.
We fear our neighbors.
We fear those who don’t look or act like we do.
Many of us fear God!!!
The angel of the Lord tells YOU tonight and for the rest of your lives and into eternity—“Do not be afraid! God has come to us.
And this is the sign that God is not a mean and angry tyrant!
You will find God wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger!
Completely helpless and completely humble and harmless!”
God’s love for you and for me is pure grace!
It is not something we have to or could earn!
It is a free gift.
Accept it as the Best Christmas Present you will ever get!!!
And then rejoice all the way to eternity!!!
Luke tells us:
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
Imagine that!
The shepherds…
…the lowly disrespected shepherds…
…those outcastes…
…those wierdos…
…those freaks of society…
…they were the VERY FIRST human beings to spread the GOOD NEWS about Jesus Christ!!!
And people responded to their message!!!
They had been loved, and so they loved God right back!
The saving grace of God’s love should always produce action in the lives of those who hear it and experience it!!!
Have you heard it?
Have you experienced it?
It’s not something we can keep to ourselves!!!
Perhaps you have never accepted God’s free gift of Love and Salvation made known through Jesus Christ.
Perhaps you have not been sharing and spreading the GOOD NEWS to this lost and broken world which is literally dying to hear, touch, taste, and feel—LOVE!!!
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE from the Creator of the Universe!!!
Tonight you are being given a chance to offer a Christmas Present to Jesus!
That’s what the posted notes in your bulletins are for…
…that’s what the wrapped presents under the tree are for…
This year will be different for you and for me!
What will you give Jesus this year?
What commitment will you make?
What will be different due to the fact that you have found the baby, lying in the manger?
Write it down on the post-it note and then come forward and place it on one of the Christmas Presents under the tree…
