The Awe of Christmas

 Read Luke 2:1-21

Ok, there’s your traditional Christmas story.  Now go open your presents, eat too much, have some eggnog with or without additives, and call it a day.

But before that, consider the following.

The willingness of a young maiden to be the humble servant of God, whatever that required.

The willingness of Joseph to marry young Mary who was pregnant but not by him.

The events that had to unfold for the child to be born in Bethlehem.

The circumstances that led the parents to take refuge in an area set aside for animals—a mean estate for humans.

Shepherds as the recipients of such a grand announcement.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

Shepherds who were in shock but went to see what all was happening in their time and in this place.

Shepherds who would broadcast the news of this birth to all they encountered.

A mother who could only treasure these moments in her heart.  Did she have an inkling of what was to come?

And a few days later, the child was named Jesus as the angel had instructed.

We remember the events.  We believe it all transpired this way.

But how should we feel?

We should feel amazed.  You know that Christmas feeling you had when you rose early Christmas morning to a tree surrounded by gifts. That feeling that we have for the secular things that excite us Christmas morning should be but a sample of the joy and amazement we have when we think of the gift of life and life eternal that we know in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

I jump briefly to the first chapter of John.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

How should we feel this Christmas?  Amazed at the love that our God has for us.

Let us be joyful, knowing we are so blessed.  Let us live in amazement of God’s love that we celebrate in the birth of his Son.

When we say Merry Christmas, we are saying, take joy in the birth of our Savior. He is worthy of our worship.  Come and worship him.

Come and joyfully worship the King of kings as we celebrate his birth into this world—the Word made flesh who dwelt among us and who brought us to the Spirit that now lives within us.

Amen.