Merry Christmas!
I know for some people, Christmas doesn’t seem very “merry” this year. But even if it doesn’t feel “merry,” it’s still Christmas. Christ has come.
We heard the prophecy from Isaiah and we heard the angel proclaim to the shepherds and to us: “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 is Good News. And it was such good news that the angels in heaven could not contain themselves. Their song rang out: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
It was an ordinary night in a world that was not at peace. The territory was occupied. There were many challenges in the world. And yet, the angels brought a message of hope, peace and joy for all people.
The angels didn’t show up at the palace. They had no sanctuary in which to sit. Instead… they came to the fields to the shepherds who were ordinary people doing low wage jobs with bad hours and low pay. It was to these simple folks -- not the first ones on anyone’s guest list-- to whom the angels sang. And after the shepherds received the news, they left their sheep behind and went to see the baby, the Christ child.. and when they left – what did they do? They glorified and praised God, lifting their voices with joyful shouts and songs.
You know this story. It is the same story that we hear every Christmas Eve. And yet each year, we are invited to hear it anew. You, like the shepherds are invited to the manger, to see the Christ child. For Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Lord, came not only for shepherds on the hillside of Bethlehem, but came for all people - including you and me.
The challenges of the world were not solved that night. Caesar still ruled the land. People were still hurting then and the world is still hurting now. But… on that night, Christ came into our world to save us and to redeem us. Jesus came as savior, messiah and as Emmanuel – God with us. And God is not done.
Despite knowing this, it is easy to get distracted by the world around us. Some years it is the Christmas glitter, parties and activities… but not this year. This year the challenges of the virus and the limitations it brings – and the division in our country -- threaten to overshadow our joy.
It turns out that there was also plenty of division and distraction at the time of Jesus’ birth. But despite all of the challenges then and now, the angels proclaim: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" And who would it be that God favors? Well… since the angel proclaimed that Jesus was the savior for all people, that means that the one whom God favors would be you… and your neighbor…including the lonely, the poor, the unemployed, the migrant, the refugee, those who sleep on hillsides and those who sleep under bridges and all those who call Jesus Lord. Christ has come for one and for all. This is good news.
And that is why, tonight, we sing. We sing – sometimes with tears in our eyes, remembering the ones who are ill and those who have been lost to us this year and in prior years… those grandparents, mothers, fathers, cousins, sisters, brothers, and children too. We remember each one of them who have been beloved to us. Yet even when our hearts are broken, still we sing.
We sing because we have faith to believe, to carry on, to endure – and yes, even dare to dream. Just as slaves once sang Gospel songs of freedom that proclaimed a future of promise even in the midst of slavery, so we sing the story of Jesus birth, proclaiming the glory of God that has come into a world that is still hurting and in need of healing.
We sing the angel’s song and the message of hope and joy because we know that the story is not over. God is still at work in our world. And we, people of God, are called to proclaim in word and in song the message of God’s incredible gift – the gift of Jesus, our savior and Lord. We are called to sing hope and healing into a hurting world. We are called to sing of joy and peace to a world that lives in fear and conflict. We are called to sing and to shout and to proclaim that Jesus Christ is our savior and Lord and is Emmanuel, God with us. The world needs to hear this message.
In the Charlie Brown Christmas program, Charlie Brown seeks to find the meaning of Christmas. He doesn’t find it in the glittery metal Christmas trees or in trying – unsuccessfully -- to direct a Christmas play or even in decorating his little tree. If you remember the story, his Christmas tree collapses with a single bulb. Feeling like a loser, he finally asks: Does anyone know what Christmas really means?
Linus does. He reminds Charlie Brown – and us – that the real Christmas story is the one that we just read, the story of Jesus’ birth. And, as Charlie Brown’s friends start to help decorate his little tree – giving it a little love and support – so we too are called to help our neighbor by sharing both acts of kindness and the message of the Good News of Jesus’ birth.
Brothers and sisters, friends in Christ, tonight, this holy night of Christmas Eve, I invite you… no I challenge you…to join me in singing the angel’s song and proclaiming God’s good news of Jesus’ birth. Be safe – of course – but then…let us sing – or shout – glory and praise to God. Sing out loud and strong. Don’t worry about whether you sing off key. Sing with hope and with gusto. For we were made for such a time as this. As God’s children, we are called to proclaim the Good News to people who are weary, to friends who are anxious and afraid, to those who need to hear the message that God – Emmanuel -- is with us still and will never leave us. So, sing out the Good news. For tonight… dear friends… we are celebrating Jesus’ birth. Sing it loud, sing it strong: Sing Glory to Jesus, the New born king. Amen.