Date: 24th
December 2008
Preacher: Richard
Dingley
Churches: Draycott
Readings:
Isa 9, 2-7
Titus 2, 11-14
Luke 2, 1-20
Christmas Midnight
O God, at this time we remember that your Word became flesh
and dwelt amongst us. Give us hearts
and minds to hear and believe the message he came to bring. Amen
Today is a very special day and not just for us here but
even more especially so for the Christians of Nepal. This year, for the first
time in the history of that formerly completely Hindu Monarchy, Christmas Day
has been declared a Public Holiday by the new secular State. Christmas will
therefore have an added meaning because for the first time ever Nepalese
Christians will not have to go about their normal daily work on Christmas Day
but can instead meet together in their churches, as we are doing here, to
worship and to celebrate the coming of the Saviour of the world as the Babe of
Bethlehem. So let us rejoice with them
as they awake, about now, to this special day in the history of their church
and country and let us resolve to celebrate this Christmas ourselves not just a
holiday but as a Holy Day!
In our readings Isaiah, speaking in the prophetic present
tense, foretold that the light of God had come into the world as a child, to a
people who walked in great spiritual darkness.
They have seen a great light and that light changed their whole being –
it led them to rejoice and be glad. His
coming broke the burden of the oppression of sin, ours as well as theirs! A child has been born for us in poverty and
yet a child with a very impressive list of titles to his name. Isaiah calls him Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. The king is in disguise;
the creator becomes a part of creation! But Isaiah goes even further telling us
that the authority of this infant King will grow and increase to the end of
time and on into eternity. His authority will be manifested throughout the
world he created but also, and perhaps for us more importantly, his authority
must be over our own personal, individual lives and lifestyles.
In the verses we heard from his Epistle to Titus St. Paul
enlarges on the responsibilities we have as the recipients of such a wonderful
gift. He tells us that we are to
renounce impiety and worldly passion, we are to live self-controlled, godly and
upright lives in the here and now because we are waiting for the return of that
baby of the manger –not as a helpless babe but at his coming in glory as our
Lord, Saviour and judge. We are
reminded that he came to die; he came to redeem us from all sin and impurity,
and make us his own people, pure, holy and zealous for good deeds.
In the Gospels Jesus has a lot to tell us about his return
as the judge of the world and the need for each of us to be his faithful
follower, awake and watching for his coming, even if his is an apparently
delayed return. In many of the parables Jesus used for teaching the crowds who
followed him, the thrust is of happiness in obedience but of sorrow and pain
for those who reject or ignore his wonderful offer: the gift of forgiveness and eternal life. God graciously invites us to come to him;
receive this gift of forgiveness and life through the coming of the baby
Jesus. But God is a gentleman and is
polite enough to allow us to make our own choice one way or the other; to obey
or not, even if he finds it pains his heart to stand back and watch us ignore
or reject his loving gift and make the wrong decisions. Jesus warns us that our
choices do indeed have eternal consequences.
St Luke records that at his birth the baby Jesus was
worshipped by the shepherds; that group of untouchables out on the hillside
minding their sheep and called to the manger by a chorus of angels. He was later given gifts by the wise men; of
gold symbolizing that he is truly a King; of frankincense in recognition of his
deity, his being the Son of God as well as the child of Mary, and of myrrh as a
portent of his purpose in life - his impending death on the cross of wood for
our salvation.
Such is the message of Christmas – the light of God in
Christ has been revealed; let us choose to live in that light, and rejoice with
angels, shepherds and wise men! Let us worship and adore!
May God grant you a Holy, happy celebration of our Saviour’s
birth.
Amen
Invitation
to Confession:
Hear the words of the angel to Joseph:
“You shall call his name Jesus,
for he will save his people from their sins.”
Therefore let us seek the forgiveness of God
through Jesus the Saviour of the world.
Using the 1st prayer on page 3
Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen his glory.
Unto us a child is born, unto us a soon is given,
and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.
Let us share the Peace of God that Jesus came to bring