Christmas Day

Isaiah 62:6-12

Alt: 1 Kings 22:13-28

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Alt: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Luke 2:1-21

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 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,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

²¹ And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. This is the great Christmas celebration. This is what is lost in the commercialism of Christmas. Some shepherds come to see their Savior born in the City of David and lying in a manger.

Many different stories will be told on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. There will be stories of Santa Claus. There will be stories of Reindeer. There will even be stories about shepherds and Magi. They will come to seek and to find. The turn will be what do you desire for Christmas. The gift under your Christmas tree will be joy, happiness, and peace on earth.

But I have been around for many Christmases. The stories are all the same. But there is not peace on earth. There are charities and the poor houses are still in need. There are still people sick and dying. This world has not found peace. But God has promised peace.

To you is born this Day in the City of David a Savior who is Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the one who has redeemed us from our sin. He has claimed us to be his very own. He has made peace between this fallen world and our Perfect heavenly Father. This Savior will come again not in a lowly Manger but in Power and restore this fallen creation to the peace all these people are promising.

There is still violence, death, disease, and sin in the world. But you have an eternal hope in the Resurrection of the Dead on the Last Day and life eternal with Christ Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace. He is the wonderful Counselor. He is the Immanuel.

Alt: Luke 2:1-14

Psalm 96:1-13

Our Father, you who are in heaven.

⁶⁰What is this? Answer:

With these words God wants to entice us, so that we come to believe he is truly our Father and we are truly his children, in order that we may ask him boldly and with complete confidence, just as loving children ask their loving father.

The First Petition⁶³

May your name be hallowed.

What is this? Answer:

It is true that God’s name is holy in itself, but we ask in this prayer that it may also become holy in and among us.

How does this come about? Answer:

Whenever the Word of God is taught clearly and purely and we, as God’s children, also live holy lives according to it. To this end help us, dear Father in heaven! However, whoever teaches and lives otherwise than the Word of God teaches profanes the name of God among us. Preserve us from this, heavenly Father!

Almighty God, grant that the birth of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free from the bondage of sin; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (L08)