Isaiah 9:2-7
In the midst of the flickering of candlelight the church gathers.
There is a silence all about. The world spins on its axis, the stars
shift, the earth rotates around the sun. The world itself seems not
to notice the important event which changed history. For us,
something magnificent is in our midst. Something miraculous occurred.
We gather this night to ponder the mystery revealed. We have come
together around this altar in order to see something special, to be in
the midst of holy things. Things ushered in by an angel with
prophetic utterances to a virgin many years ago; Prophecy spoken in
order to turn back, both, the clocks and the wrath of God; We come
together in the midst of the world's darkness in order to light a
candle, in order to symbolize that in our own midst a new light has
dawned.
That which was spoken by the prophet Isaiah that "the people who
walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the
land of the shadow of death, upon them a light doth shine." We hear
from the prophet more than just what was to come. We hear of the
condition of the world to be that of darkness, a spiritual darkness.
What this means, not even the world itself can fully understand.
Likewise, to be told that a great light has been seen is to speak of
spiritual realities. One cannot appreciate this great light that
shines in the darkness, unless one has an understanding of what it
means to live in spiritual darkness. To appreciate the implications
of this light, we must also ponder the spiritual consequences of
darkness. With the virgin Mary we see an angel coming to her to
pronounce prophesy of great spiritual import.
This is the beginning of light. To see this wonderful image, we must
also ponder an opposite image, one that is a statement of existing
darkness. One must think of the Garden of Eden, a beautiful garden
full of life and blessing, a place Adam and Eve called home. Then
comes the image, that dreadful image, of the Angel standing at the
entrance to the garden to guard it as Adam and Eve are expelled and
forced to leave the beautiful garden.
Leaving what was once home, they walked towards a very different
world, heads hung low in sadness and uncertainty. A life journey into
the darkness begins. But God does not let them leave without hope.
"The woman's seed shall crush the head of the serpent," says God to
the serpent. The first gospel rang forth in the garden. A Son shall
come and crush the serpent and darkness. A seed of a woman, a virgin,
shall bring into this world a light that shines.
Isaiah prophesies that beautiful verse which rings throughout history
for all to hear and believe: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a
Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His
name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace." This child will pull you out of spiritual
darkness, for in His life and death He shall shine in your life. This
is His desire for you.
This child, Jesus Christ, came to turn Adam and Eve around again.
Once walking away from the Angel who kept them from their home, an
angel came to pronounce peace and usher in the Savior who wants to
turn you back towards your true home, home with God. After all, Adam
and Eve had been able to visit with God in the garden.
The question for you is this: The light does shine in the darkness,
and that light is Christ, but does this light illumine your life, your
path? He entered our world to bring us spiritual goodness, to bring
forgiveness for the sins of the world. This gift is for all who
believe, but here is the catch: Believing in Jesus is not a passive
acknowledgment of Jesus. Believing in Jesus as the light, the Child
who comes in our midst to save us, means something. It means that you
make a confession of faith that says that you believe His forgiveness
to be upon you.
To believe in this Child is to say that He is and was man and God at
the same time. To believe is to say that you submit your life to
serve Jesus. You must confess that you are His and you live for Him.
You don't live for this world, you don't live for your job or your
family or friends. You live to serve Jesus Christ unconditionally.
Shepherds marveled, Joseph and Mary were awed. The entire heavenly
host gathered around this child in the manger to proclaim His honor
and majesty.
Heaven and Earth are full of this child's glory, and this child has
the power to damn and to bless. Some people will end up in hell even
though this child came to dwell among us, grow, and die on the cross.
Why? Because they didn't love their Lord by living a life of faith.
St. Paul reminds us, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not
inherit the kingdom of God?...(1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
We must understand the darkness in order to appreciate the light.
This Child will go on to say during His public ministry, "Every tree
that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says
to me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does
the will of my Father in heaven"(St. Matthew 7:19-21).
As the world beholds the light that shines through Jesus Christ, we
must remember these words in order that this Child's birth will be for
our salvation. "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved." We
gather around this altar tonight, to acknowledge this miraculous and
mysterious birth from a virgin. We come to confess that this Child
was and is God, that the heavenly host gathered around Him glorifying,
both, His birth and the fulfillment of God's word through the
centuries and from the beginning of time.
This child was without sin and went on to live in this world without
ever sinning. Jesus, then, went on to take your place and mine and
suffer for the sins of the world. He exchanged your sins for His
holiness. So, how can you be the good tree that bears good fruit? How
can you truthfully proclaim that you are not simply make a passive
statement that Jesus lived, but rather you proclaim that He lived for
you and died for you, and rose for you?
How can you be sure that someday you will be gathered around the
throne of glory and join in with the heavenly host that praised His
name that lonely night? Let His love cover you, and let His light
shine in your midst. He came to save, let Him come to you to fill you
up with His love. Jesus came not to hurt, but to heal, to teach, to
love, to redeem, to gather people up and declare them to be holy.
And when Jesus Christ comes toward you beckoning you to grow in Him,
let it be so. Gather in His word, around His altar, in the midst of
preaching, and in celebration of the Eucharist. His way is peace, He
is the Prince of Peace. In this reality of His love you shall find a
contentment, a joy, a certain tranquility that is not understood by
the world, but exists in the middle of it all. Confessing His name
desiring to be in His light and love, you shall not be disappointed
but you will find salvation and joy that is never-ending. Silent
night, holy night! Sins forgiven! Holy people, holy lives! Light a
candle and reflect on what His wonderful light means for you in a
world of darkness. Amen.
--
Rev. Chad Kendall
www.frchadius.blogspot.com
Trinity Lutheran Church
Lowell, Indiana
www.trinitylowell.org
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