Dec. 24, 2009 - Christmas Eve Service
Luke 2:1-18
We were Christmas shopping in the Mall where we bought our wedding rings. And as we walked along out of over 100 stores I could count only 5 that were there when the mall opened in the mid 1970s. How things come and go. Is there anything that endures in this world? I wonder if other shoppers have stopped to think about this?
We spend so much time trying to find something to fill the appetite for a better life without realizing that everything "in style" today becomes a collectible tomorrow. In fact I noticed 2 collectible stores in this mall now where you can buy back the things you used to have but threw away. No fooling. And you get to pay even more for your stuff now than the first time you bought it.
Finally we came to the place where we had bought our wedding rings and remembered how the salesman told us that they had a life time guarantee. But now the store is gone. We never thought to ask: "who's lifetime?" It's a funny world. Does anything last?
Well tonight we celebrate a gift that does last, a gift for all seasons, the birth of our Savior and Lord. In the telling of this story angels play an important part. Several years after our wedding I discovered that my wife collected angels. And so I started shopping for these, not every year, but most years now. One time I gave an angel pin. Another year an angel made of ceramic, and another time one made of glass. This year I'm giving an angel of peace also of glass.
To me angels are like your best friend. They tell good news. And if they tell bad news, it is only to warn us of danger so that we can avoid it, like the angel that warned Joseph to flee into Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod after Jesus was born. At Christmas the angels tell us the greatest news of all.
"A son has been born to Mary and Joseph. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the most High. He will save people from their sins. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David, and of his kingdom there will be no end!"
Wow!! A Kingdom with no end. A Savior who rules forever!! What a present! What good news to brighten any darkness.
Sometimes we dwell on the sadness of life and what's wrong. But angels get us to thinking about what is right, how to make things right and to dream about new possibilities. Angels guide us to Jesus our Savior and friend who can help us put life back together again and gives us the promise of everlasting life. Christmas is a gift that keeps on giving in every season.
In light of God's gift it is only logical to think about new beginnings. Some might be making plans for their wedding day. Or are working up the courage to ask someone to marry. Others may be expecting a new child or have recently received a newborn. Some may be facing a new beginning after losing a loved one. Others may be hoping to fix a relationship, change jobs or getting ready to retire. Whatever your circumstance, I pray you will connect with God tonight and then keep the connection going in the new year so that whatever your new beginning may be it will be filled with all the blessing that God can give.
The angels have led us again to connect to something bigger than ourselves which truly endures in a changing world. Jewelry stores selling wedding bands come and go. But God's love, God's covenant with his people never ends. May the glad tidings of the angels renew the hope, joy and peace in all of you this most holy of nights as we welcome the light of the world that is come in Jesus Christ.