Christmas Eve
Text: Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 2:1-20 December 24, 2009
According to a recent Washington Post article, if your last name is “Christmas,” facebook will not accept you. Facebook tends to reject people with unusual names. This is what Becky Super said, Bess Pancake and my favorite, Tim Six. He says, “Try making a dinner reservation: I’d like a table for Six at five for three.” All three were rejected by Facebook, although they appealed and were successful.
You heard the prophet Isaiah, “A child has been born for us, a son given to us and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” These are certainly unusual names. Would facebook reject them as well? This new born king in Bethlehem, are you friending him? Isn’t that what tonight is about, do you want to be friends with Jesus? Look at his profile.
Wonderful Counselor. A good test of a counselor is whether their clients are helped. We could go through many biblical stories and conclude that Jesus is perhaps the most effective counselor that has ever lived. I am frequently asked to recommend counselors and I would recommend him to anyone. Early in Jesus’ ministry he meets the woman at the well. He tells her everything she had done, that he is the messiah and with joy she goes to tell others about him. This wonderful counselor knows you totally and loves you anyway; he tells you the truth and invites you to follow.
Mighty God. Jesus was told that Lazarus would not have died if he would have been there. To that he said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.” What a daring and bold statement to make, or is this the statement of a Mighty God?
One or the other, insane or almighty. He tells Lazarus to come out of the tomb….and he does, with new life. And that is exactly what you receive if you believe in this mighty God.
I love the Christmas shows on TV. Almost all of them end with a transformation in a person’s life, whether it be the Grinch or Scrooge. Christmas is all about the alteration or makeover caused by the power of this Mighty God.
Everlasting Father. Philip said to Jesus, “Show us the Father.” “Philip, have I been with you all this time and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” The word of God arrives through Jesus; this is God appearing in the flesh and blood. The Word is eternal, the word is God, the word resides among you. Jesus and the Father are one, sharing this long-lasting and enduring love and care.
Prince of Peace. People were looking for a military leader to defeat the Romans, but instead they got the Prince of Peace. The peace is based on truth, justice and righteousness, not defeating a military power. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not from this world. For this I was born to testify to the truth.” We are to be generous contributors to the good of all; we are to make peace with others, following the example of the one who came to make peace with us. You are to friend others, just as Christ came to make you friends with God.
Just because of these unusual names, please don’t reject him; they reveal that you truly do have a friend in…..Jesus. He would befriend you; he wants you to be his friends.
A boy was really ticked he didn’t get to be Joseph in the school pageant, instead he was the innkeeper, and determined to get even, when Mary and Joseph asked if there was any room, he said, “Sure, lots of room. Come on in.” In another school pageant the reply was, “Well, our place is crowded but there’s always room for more, come on in and make yourself at home. Now that’s better isn’t it?” as she looks at the audience.
Will you allow him to be your friend? Who does he want to be friends with? This child was not given to just Mary and Joseph. To the shepherds, it says, “To you is born this day a child.” The gift was for the shepherds, the innkeepers, the soldiers, the tax-collectors, the prostitutes, the oblivious, the broken, the poor…and you and me. This is a friending Jesus. Meant for you now and always, this gift is everlasting, from the wonderful, the mighty, the prince of peace.
I did my usual research of the stores’ shopping themes. “Thoughtful gifts at incredible prices/ more values, more Christmas/ give well, live well/ joy of giving/ give joy.” “Give” seems to be the theme of choice. God is giving us this friend in Jesus. Christmas is meant to be shared, so as this gift is given to us, we are to give to others.
A little boy told his parents he had the most important part in the Christmas pageant. All kinds of family and friends came. Surely he must be Joseph, or maybe a shepherd at the least. But he wasn’t. Finally he came on stage carrying the star. Wherever Mary and Jesus went, so did the star. Afterward Dad said, “I thought you had the most important part?” “I did. I was to lead others to Jesus. There could not be a more important task or privilege in the entire world.” Will you let the star lead you to Jesus this Christmas?
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