Sermon from 5pm Christmas Eve worship by Felicity Thompson, Seminarian, 12/24/2024
It’s Christmas Eve and we have been in a holding pattern for several weeks. We have been waiting for the birth of Jesus Christ. We have been praying, meditating and waiting. The decree of Emperor Augustus and the governance of Quirinius set the stage for Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy, Micah 5:2. This reminds us that God works through human history, regardless of the actions of earthly rulers, to accomplish His divine purposes. The mention of Augustus and Quirinius places Jesus' birth within the political and historical time period of the Roman Empire. Emperor Augustus and Quirinius in Luke chapter 2 offer fascinating insights into how the Nativity narrative ties the life of Jesus to both Jewish prophecy and the larger context of world history. Let’s dive deeper into the historical, theological, and symbolic implications.
It reminds us today that the Incarnation happened in a real time and place, tying the story of Jesus to world history. It also clearly shows the contrast between worldly rulers like Augustus, who wielded immense power, and Jesus, whose humble birth brought a very different kind of kingdom.
Imagine a very pregnant Mary and her husband Joseph, coming into the town of Bethlehem. They have been waiting patiently for the birth of their first son. Bethlehem is a small town and I have always wondered why Mary and Joseph couldn’t “find a room in the inn”. Could it be that they came into town late in the day? Most homes had put out the cooking fire in the kitchen, secured the main entrance and were probably resting after a long day. No one was contacted about Mary and Joseph’s impending arrival. There was no family to spend the night with, no friends to hang out with. That’s probably why they could not find a place to stay. That’s probably why the only place they could stay was in the part of a house where the animals were kept.
While the privileged in society were comfortably waiting for the Messiah, expecting something to happen sometime, God chose to have the Messiah enter this world in an unremarkable place. Jesus, the Savior of the world, is born in a humble setting - a manger among animals, not a five star hotel, not a palace … a manger. This challenges our assumptions about power and glory, showing us that God's kingdom is marked by humility and accessibility to all.
The Nativity scene like the one we have here, (point towards manger) is a familiar way of retelling this story with the shepherds living in the field watching over their flock. The mention of sheep reminds me of our Christmas pageant just a few days ago, and one or two shepherds. Shepherds were the bottom rung. They were the lowest on the social ladder in society.
Jewish religious leaders considered shepherds ritually unclean. You see, shepherds find it impossible to observe the Sabbath because of their duties. Working as a shepherd was a physically dirty job for men who were down on their luck. Society stereotyped shepherds as filthy, liars, and thieves. Yet, it’s the shepherds who were witnesses to the Good News! The announcement to shepherds, often marginalized in society, shows us that the gospel is for everyone, especially the lowly and overlooked.
The waiting is over! This passage describes the announcement of God’s Son entering the world. The angelic announcement to the shepherds is a celestial fireworks display of divine light, sound, and glory, celebrating the birth of Christ, the Savior of the world. It reminds us of the overwhelming joy and awe that accompanies God’s intervention in history, an event so extraordinary that heaven itself cannot remain silent! The message - “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors” - proclaims reconciliation between God and humanity through Christ.
The shepherds' immediate response is one of faith and obedience. So, just imagine the reaction of the shepherds when they saw the angels. Imagine their reaction to the celestial fireworks, Imagine their reaction when they heard the Good news of great joy. If those shepherds were with us today, centuries later, how would they feel, knowing they are an important part of that Nativity scene, a central part of the Christmas story told every year.
Mary "treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart." Here disciple Luke shows us that Mary demonstrates her thoughtful, reflective faith. Her example invites us to meditate deeply on the mysteries of God's work in our lives while we wait …
The shepherds glorify God and share what they’ve witnessed. This combination of worship and testimony is a natural response to encountering Christ. It challenges us to both praise God and share the Good News with others.
This passage calls us to marvel at the incarnation. Marveling at the Incarnation today - God becoming flesh in Jesus Christ - requires cultivating a sense of wonder, reflection, and gratitude for this profound mystery. Here are ways to approach and deepen our marvel:
During the Eucharist, let’s marvel at the mystery of His presence in bread and wine, and in the gathered Body of Christ.
While meditating on Scripture, passages like John 1:14 ("The Word became flesh and lived among us"), let’s spend time in silence, focusing on the mystery of Emmanuel ("God with us"), allowing space for the joy of the Incarnation to be felt deeply in our hearts.
While we wait, let’s intentionally find Christ in others. Marveling at the Incarnation includes seeing Christ in the faces of others, particularly in the marginalized, the poor, and the suffering.
Just as God entered into our human condition, we marvel at the Incarnation by demonstrating Christ’s love and compassion in our actions, through acts of love and service. Serving others with humility and generosity reflects the incarnate love of God.
While we wait, we reflect on this Mystery. The Incarnation is an inexhaustible well of meaning - the very idea of God fully divine and fully human. Studying and reflecting on this with an open heart deepens our appreciation for its significance.
Evangelism, sharing the story of the Incarnation reminds us of its wonder. By speaking of God’s love made manifest in Christ, we participate in making the Incarnation real for others.
Recognize the upside-down nature of God’s kingdom. How does this story speak to you in this season? The Incarnation is the ultimate expression of God’s love - a love so profound that it entered into our humanity to redeem, restore and transform us. By reflecting on this mystery in our worship, we are drawn into deeper wonder and gratitude. As we marvel at the Word made flesh, we are called to embrace the knowledge of Christ’s presence. This ongoing wonder invites us to celebrate not only the birth of Christ but also His presence with us today.
So, we marvel at the Incarnation by engaging with it through worship, prayer, service, and reflection, letting it transform how we see God, how we see ourselves, how we see fellow shepherds and how we see the world. The wonder of the Incarnation is not just a historical event to remember but an ongoing reality that invites us to live in awe of God’s love made flesh among us.
Merry Christmas!