Nativity of the Lord
Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-38
Christmas Eve Service
By Pastor Jane Shelton
Let’s pretend a moment that we have stepped back into the scene of the Nativity of our Lord. It is an arid, cool night, and the stars flicker above our heads, that is with the exception of the one enormous, bright star directly above a nondescript stable…way up in the sky it boldly shines for all to see and follow.
There is an unbelievable presence in a manger, a new birth, found there in this stable. It’s a new beginning. A new day in which the people of the world are changed forever.
People, like us, who have wandered aimlessly in darkness with little or no hope, and no peace of mind, curiously look up to the anomaly and wander aimlessly to where the light leads.
They are guided there by what seems like a strange energy, a divine spirit and find themselves gazing upon a baby wrapped in a mere cloth, lying in a trough, a makeshift cradle for this newborn bundle of joy.
His mother Mary smiles upon our arrival, and Joseph, the baby’s father, greets us by simply saying, “His name is Jesus.”
The shepherds have already arrived and begin to whisper to us, “It’s Jesus! The Messiah! The one prophesied as Emmanuel, God with us!” They and their animals kneel at the sight, and we are all amazed as once again our eyes are fixed on this miracle baby.
Mary glows as she and Joseph gaze upon Jesus, knowing the shepherds confirm the secret they have held in their hearts for months. Mary ponders and allows her heart to rest at last.
Weeks go by before Mary and Joseph begin the journey into their homeland of Jerusalem to obey the law of Moses where they offer two turtledoves to be sacrificed so their firstborn can be designated as holy to the Lord.
But Jesus is not just any firstborn. He is God come down from heaven to greet His people; to be near us.
As Mary and Joseph approach and enter the temple, they find Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who has been waiting for a long time for this arrival.
Simeon, you see, had the Holy Spirit rest upon him, and he has looked forward to this day when suffering people would be comforted, and there would be consolation of Israel.
The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
On this remarkable day, Simeon has been guided by the Holy Spirit to the temple, and he is very much aware that as Mary and Joseph enter the temple, they bring with them the Messiah, the one to save the people.
Simeon takes Jesus in his arms, and begins to praise God,
“Master, now you are dismissing me in peace, just as you said you would.
My eyes now see your salvation here in my arms, the One that you have
sent to save all people. The One that is the Light to be revealed to the
Gentiles and for the glory of the people of Israel.”
Hearing this, Mary and Joseph glance at each other, knowing that for the second time, their secret of their holy child is again confirmed.
Their hearts fill with joy knowing their decisions to do as they were commanded by God upon receiving word through the messenger angels was the right thing to do. Together they breathe a sigh of rest.
Then Simeon blesses them and their precious baby, looks at Mary and says, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and will be a sign that is opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed, and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”
Mary listens intently, trying to understand exactly what the words mean. She begins to discuss with Joseph but is interrupted by the sound of an elderly woman speaking.
The people in the temple tell Mary and Joseph that the prophetess never leaves the temple. Her name is Anna. She remains there day and night fasting as she prays and worships.
She approaches Mary and Joseph, and when she sees baby Jesus, she begins to praise God and speak about the child. She’s telling all the people, the ones who have lost hope and have no peace, “This is Jesus, the Messiah. The one that will bring redemption for all of us.”
Mary and Joseph once again share a glance between them, their eyes filling with tears as their ears hear for the third time the verification of the secret they have held. Their son, Jesus, Son of the Most High, ancestor of David.
How many of you are familiar with Simeon and Anna, the prophets found there in the temple?
Far too often we cut the story of the Nativity short, leaving off important statements of confirmation of the Messiah.
Indeed, Jesus is the Messiah, the child that saves, that redeems, that brings hope and peace.
Glory to God in the highest! Peace, goodwill to all men!
This Advent season, we have rested in true Sabbath with God. We have seen the beauty of God’s work, and his love for us. The true joy that comes from within when we have spiritual communion with our Lord. When we allow time to be in God’s presence.
With confirmation of what they knew for months, what they had been commanded to do, Mary and Joseph could rest in the confirmations of the shepherds, Simeon and Anna that indeed Jesus is the divine Holy One sent by God.
So now I say to you on this special occasion when we gather to remember a cool, arid night with an enormous star shining brightly watching over us, rest….all of you…rest from worry and fear…for unto you is the One who brings hope to the hopeless, peace to the weary, joy in the chaos, and love that outshines hatred.
Rest, all of you, for unto us a child is born, Jesus, the Holy One, Emmanuel…
OUR GOD IS NEAR!