Christmas Day
Text: John 1:1-14; Isaiah 9:3 December 25, 2009
You made it! Much of the bustle is done, the lullabies are gone, the candles extinguished, the daylight has replaced the darkness, we can make a joyful noise.
Many people consider this the most joyful time of the year. As one of the songs says, it’s the “happiest season of all.” This day and joy go together. Joy—something good has happened to you and you have an excited feeling. May a part of that feeling be that “the word became flesh and dwelt among you” bringing joy to your world.
The good that has happened to you is the result of Jesus’ arrival, the amazing yet simple entrance into Bethlehem and your world. The joy-days have come. Freedom from the sin that separates us from God. Reconciliation with God. Adoption into Gods family. Growing in your relationship with God. And all the blessings that flow from God. Is this what brings joy to your life? Many find life’s joys in temporary pleasures, things that come and go. Freedom, reconciliation, adoption, growth, blessings are certainly not temporary joys.
Today we celebrate the arrival of true joy, “the word became flesh and dwelt among you.” Remember what the angel said to the shepherds, “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.” This joy that has come to you will never be taken away. Have you ever gotten that look from a child? You know the look; it comes when you take a present from them so they can open up another one. They give you that stare and their grip tightens. You never have to worry about that with this joy. All the other joys of life will someday be stolen, destroyed or simply die off. With this joy in your world, the life you have been given lasts forever, the peace surpasses all understanding, and the gifts, such as forgiveness and grace will never, ever get old and never require a gift receipt. You’re not about to return them.
In this Jesus you see what God thinks of you and that should bring a grace filled joy to this morning as you remember this amazing birth. Joy to your world – the Lord has come. As you have been changed by the joy of Christmas we need to invite the world to celebrate and be changed as well. To make a joyful noise as our psalm says, to join us in doing that. When this Jesus comes to your hearts you are changed, you are different.
Eugene Peterson in the Message says it this way, “The word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” He goes to your homes and jobs, he laughs with you and cries, he sits with you when you are sick and rejoices with you when you are well, he celebrates your victories, and weeps with you in your defeats. He goes where you go, eats what you eat, wears what you wear. He in every way is one with you. “The word became flesh and lived in your neighborhood.”
We started by hearing the words of the angel to the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy.” They had to go home by a different way. When you come to this manger and know who is in the manger, you have to go home a different way because you are different people. Christmas is about a changed heart. So to remind you of the joy that has come to your world and that you are changed or different people as a result of that, I would invite you to go home by a different way than you came. Joy to your world the Lord has come. Amen
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