Christmas Eve

The Reading

The Gospel

Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20

[In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.]

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The Sermon

We know the story. Joseph and Mary are traveling to Bethlehem to be counted in a census. Mary is pregnant and about to give birth. They can find no place to sleep for the night and end up spending that night in a stable. Mary delivers the child and they wrap him in swaddling clothes and lay him in a manger. These humble beginnings set the stage for the life of someone who would literally change the world.

I think there is symbolism in the fact that the first people to visit the baby Jesus were shepherds. Shepherds were considered of very low status in the first century and yet they were the first to be notified of Jesus' birth. Jesus was destined to be a different kind of king. He would not be interested in rubbing shoulders with people of status and power. He came for everyone and that included those who were considered the least in society. So on this day shepherds, the least in status, came first and it was their fortune to visit an infant who would shepherd us into deeper understanding of our relationship with God.

All through his ministry Jesus focused on those who needed him the most. Jesus was there for the poor, the handicapped, the sick, and those who had been rejected by others. His message of love for those in need is just as important today as it was two thousand years ago. Let us continue to spread his message of love. Let us continue to reach out to our sisters and brothers in their time of need.

There are children today who have no home. People today, tonight, will be looking for a place to lay their heads. Remember that our mission is to continue Jesus' mission. We are here to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, welcome the stranger and visit those imprisoned and those who are sick. We are truly the hands and feet of Christ doing his work, sharing his love and sharing his message with all whom we meet.

Amen.