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The Gospel of Mark Bible Studies
January 2006
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December 2006
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December 24, 2006 Christmas Eve Luke 3:1-20 I began this sermon—well I tried to start it—about 2 ½ wks ago. I almost never start a sermon that far ahead of time, but a Christmas services are one of the bigger and, arguably, most important services of the year—for obvious reasons… And so, I thought I would give myself a little extra time, because I wanted to give you a little something extra-special. And so, for two and a half weeks I have thought about it, studied the season (the meaning of Christmas—which is also the “Festival of the Incarnation”…a time when we focus upon and celebrate God being present with us—incarnate—here on Earth), studied the texts—especially the Gospel story, a story that we read every year—trying to see it with fresh eyes…for 2 ½ weeks. When mentioning what I was doing/what I was preparing for -- to certain friends and family members, I received what I’m sure was intended as helpful advice, like (from my brother) “this is when people see what you are made of under pressure” or “think how many people you will have listening to you” or (again from my brother) “don’t choke” or (from another friend) “make sure you are “engaging”.” Well, during this sermon writing, reading and thinking about the Christmas story, I have learned a few things that I would now like to share with you. First, in spite of our plans, despite of what we want, desire and hope for, God will give us what we need. Today, I’m kind of chuckling about the irony of this sermon writing experience, considering how the whole story is about how unplanned, unprepared and un-ideal the birth of Jesus was (from a human perspective). 1) Just as Mary was very pregnant, Augustus calls for a census forcing Joseph and Mary to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem—the city of David. 2) Or arriving in Bethlehem to find that the guestroom was taken. 3) Or having to give birth in an area reserved for livestock. Again: unplanned, unprepared, and not ideal—is partly what Jesus Christ is all about from the beginning: In spite of our plans, despite of what we want or hope for, God will give us what we need. And this is what we find in the story of and the person of Jesus—the perfect fulfillment of a plan unplanned for (by people). And perhaps a second lesson to be learned today can be found by looking at what is not in the story…notice what details are absent. (this occurred to me last night when my sermon wasn’t done yet—not only was it not done…it didn’t exist at all and I was frustrated because I had wanted to have it all typed up before my parents arrived in town on Friday). That’s it! That’s what is not there! Nowhere to found in this story is the exasperation of Joseph and Mary about the way all this was happening. No complaint about the government and Emperor Augustus’s stupid census, no complaining about an aching back from traveling all day, no griping about the lodging situation. This is not to say that these things didn’t happen or that these complaints were not made. It’s just that that is not important for the story. They are not what the story is about. And this is Christmas lesson # two. There is something much greater going on in the world than what we can so easily spend all our time worrying about. In fact, I imagine that now that this is over with (the sermon is now, for better or worse, written), I won’t even remember the pain involved in writing it—because it’s not important—it’s not what the story is about. So, what about your Christmas? What is it about? Flights canceled. Bad whether in Denver. Getting the shopping done. Cooking. Company coming. Point: Christmas teaches us that there is a bigger picture even when we cannot see it. Think about the image of angels or a “heavenly host” making themselves known to shepherds out in some field outside of a small town. God does big things in seemingly insignificant places and ways that impact us all. Think about the angels—I get a kick out of this “heavenly host.” Can you imagine giving thanks, and praising and celebrating God all the time? I learned this week, from a very wise man, that that is precisely what a heavenly host does…they praise God, they celebrate God, and they glorify God all the time. The point of this image of angels and a heavenly host coming down to Earth is that those beings usually found only in the courts of heaven, are down on Earth. Why? Because God has come down to Earth. Something new has happened. I called up another friend last night to tell her that I had finally realized what I would preach about. “I’ll preach about the angels.” “But,” she said, “It’s Christmas. It’s not about angels, it’s about Jesus.” Exactly. It is about God being here on earth. Finally, this evening, I would like to draw your attention to the two different reactions portrayed at the conclusion of this story: First, Mary. The Gospel says that she treasured this Good news and pondered it in her heart. Secondly, the shepherds. They went back to their fields, back to their lives changed men. They seem to have caught what the heavenly host was projecting. The Gospel says they returned praising God and Glorifying God for all they had seen. My hope for you, this night, is that you will know both of these reactions. Treasure and ponder the good news that God is with us. Also, although you may not understand entirely what is going on, praise God and celebrate, for God is doing great things for all people. Merry Christmas everyone. -------------------- Joshua W. Magyar, Pella Lutheran Church 418 W. Main Street Sidney, MT 59270
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