Luke 2:1-20

Christmas Eve | December 24, 2023 | Luke 2:1-20 | Judson F. Merrell |

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴ Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. ⁸ In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, „Do not be afraid; for see– I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.“ ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ „Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!“ ¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, „Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.“ ¹⁶ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luk 2:1-20 NRSV)

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

On this Christmas Eve we finally reach the fulfillment of our Advent expectations. Each week, a candle has been lit to symbolize the approach of our Lord.  Now on this Christmas Eve, our journey through Advent is complete and we celebrate the Incarnation of our Lord. On this night God revealed something mysterious. His Son, Jesus, is born of flesh.  The King of the World, the Promised Messiah, has arrived….and he has done so in a way in which no one expected.

God’s revelation comes with an invitation: Go and see. The first to hear of the birth of the child is not the elite of Jerusalem, or the elite of Rome. It is the shepherds in the fields tending their sheep. The holy news of the birth of our Lord appears to hard workers. The shepherds were probably covered in dirt and mud after a long day, living in their tents and caring for stinky sheep. What may have been seen as a less than honorable job is where God’s makes the incarnation known. And when the shepherd’s decide to go and see what God has revealed to them, they find not a baby in a fancy crib covered in purple and gold, but a baby laying in the feed trough of animals. The Holy Incarnation comes to the world in an unexpected way.

Upon telling Mary about all that happened, Luke tells us that she treasured all that they had said pondered these words in her heart. As we reflect on the Mystery that is the incarnation of our Lord, we do the same. On a night in which an invitation was given to shepherds, we too hear an invitation. Like the shepherds, we are invited to experience the Son of God. Born this night in Bethlehem, which literally means “House of Bread”, is the Bread of Life. The invitation extended to us tonight is that we too should come…come to the table. There we too will get the chance to experience Jesus, who is in, with, and under the bread and wine. We partake of his holy body and blood, which was born so long and ago and then crucified for us. Another mystery of God revealed in our midst in a way in which no one expected. No one expected the Messiah to be crucified, and yet that action had to happen so that Christ could overcome sin and death for us. God’s mystery for all of creation. A holy moment that reveals God’s glory, love and peace. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa 9:6 ESV) Our Advent journey is complete, and we now marvel in the Holy Incarnation of our Lord. A very merry Christmas to you all. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Rev. Dr. Judson F. Merrell, STS