"NOW WHAT?" John 1:14, Series B Christmas Day Thursday, December 25, 2008 OT Lesson - Isaiah 52:7-10 Epistle Lesson - Hebrews 1:1-6 Gospel - John 1:1-14 Zion Lutheran Church, Beecher, IL
Dear Friends in Christ Jesus, Last night, in the Christmas Eve worship service, we read the account of Jesus' birth according to St. Luke. You know that account... It's the one that has the most complete narrative of the events surrounding Jesus' birth. Toward the end of that, we're told that: "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." If Luke were writing his Gospel today, using our way of speaking, he might put it this way... "Mary thought about all that had happened and said: 'Now what?'" Is that the way that we are this morning? Is "Now What ?" the question that we're asking ourselves as the excitement of Christmas has already begun to wind down? For example, I imagine that most of us by now have torn into at least some of the presents under the trees in our homes. If you have, then part of the answer to the question before us is: "Take the trash outside..." "Set aside the things that don't fit to take back for a refund..." and "go to Wal-Mart to pickup batteries!" Unfortunately, for most of the people who celebrated Christmas, that'll be the extent of their pondering the events of the last 24 hours. They'll think about the "stuff" that they got under the tree... be glad that they have a paid holiday from work... and not give Christmas another thought until the mailman brings NOT Christmas cards... but credit card statements in the next few weeks! Today on Christmas Day itself... it's easier to cut through all the sentimental trappings that we associate with Christmas Eve. Today, we Christians can do what Mary did... we can sit back... and not be bothered as we ponder and reflect on what the celebration of Christmas really is! St. John, tells us in today's Gospel reading some incredible facts that we along with Mary would do well to "ponder." John describes Jesus' birth: "14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (ESV)" And with that said, we ask: "Now What? "Now what does this mean to me? to those around me? and to the world?" Simply put this means that God Himself, entered our world to become one of us... to live among us... to share our humanity! All the presents that we frantically buy and exchange with others at Christmas are merely symbolic of God's Gift to us. The Gift of His Son who took on human flesh in order to be our Savior. Now what we just said more than likely isn't a new idea for you, is it? But have you ever really "pondered" it? Have you ever really thought about what that means? Perhaps this story will help us... There was a famous psychiatrist named John Rosen. He was well known for his work with catatonic schizophrenics. People suffering from that are lethargic, having no energy, and almost "zombie-like". Dr. Rosen was different from most other doctors. Most doctors would remain distant from their patients not getting close to them. However, Rosen's way of treating patients was to literally move into the hospital ward with them. He slept in the same kind of room that they do in the same type of bed that they use. He ate the same food that they were served. In many ways he led the same life that they lived. By doing this he communicated a subtle, but clear message to his patients. Their doctor understood them and knew exactly how they feel and what they were going through. Not only did he understand them, but he also went above and beyond in another way... He'd put his arms around them and hug them... showing them love when often they had never known it before. Often, the first words that these patients speak when they'd come out of their depression were the words "Thank You!" This dear Christians is what God did at Christmas. He moved into our "ward" of sin and death with us. He placed His bed beside ours and lived the life that we must live so that He could take care of us. Now on this Christmas Day we, too, say "thank You" to God for setting aside His divine majesty and transcending from heaven to earth to redeem us and re-establish peace between God and us! Truly, the angel's words to the shepherds are meant for us as well: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Jesus was born so that He might complete an appointment that we couldn't keep. Because of our sin yes our sin of thought, word, and action our appointment was to spend eternity in hell receiving the just punishment that we deserve. But some 33 years after Jesus' holy birth in Bethlehem, He kept our appointment with hell doing so on a hill called Golgotha and on a day that we know as "Good Friday." You see, Jesus came to fulfill the Father's promise to Adam and Eve that a Savior a Messiah the Christ would restore the severed relationship between God and man that was done by our first parents in Eden. When Jesus died on Calvary, He didn't just die an earthly death... rather He endured the equivalent of eternal death in hell for every person who would ever live on this earth! And remember this is the Son of God that we're talking about here... He who had everything... He who was the Creator of everything... gave up everything in order to be one of us... to take on our sin and be an acceptable substitute for us!! Ponder that for a while: God... dying... for you!! Like Mary, on this Christmas Day we, "treasure up all these things and ponder them" in our hearts as we marvel at the love of God for us... The love of God that would cause Him to make a Gift of Himself to us... to redeem us... so that we might have forgiveness of our sins and live with Him eternally! This is why we're here once again this morning, taking time to "ponder"... and thus remain in awe at the love of God for us! And along with that "ponder" also the wonder and awe of how Jesus continues to come to us even here and now He comes to us in the mystery of His Word and blessed Sacraments. Using language He declares to you His love from eternity and into eternity. He says to you "I love you. I always have and I always will! I will be with you always, even unto the end of the age!" Ponder also how He comes to you using water, bread, and wine. Using those simple elements in Baptism He washes away your sin and calls you to be His very own - forever! In the Holy Communion, Jesus is to be found in, with, and under the bread and wine not only lavishing forgiveness upon you but also strengthening your faith. This is why we Christians, when we greet one another with the words "Merry Christmas" have a far deeper meaning to our words... for we have "pondered" the mystery of the unlimited love of God for us! Merry Christmas, dear Christians! Amen. May the peace of God, which passes all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen. ____________________________________________________________ Save $15 on Flowers and Gifts from FTD! Shop now at http://offers.juno.com/TGL1141/?u=http://www.ftd.com/17007 ___________________________________________________________________________ 'CAT 41 Sermons & Devotions' consists of works that are, unless otherwise noted, the copyrighted property of the various authors; posting of such gives members of this list implied consent for redistribution _with_ _attribution_ unless otherwise specified by the author, as well as for quoting or use in a congregational setting _with_or_without_attribution_. 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