May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of each heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer.  Amen.

           As we gather together this evening, it is possible that there is a place in tonight’s gospel for every single one of us.  Are you weary and irritable? – Mary would understand, especially after several days of either walking or riding a donkey while nine months pregnant, only to give birth with no bed available.  Are you joyful and ready to sing? – There is a place for you with the angels as they announce and sing the good news!

         Are you fearful or fretful? – Joseph would understand, as all of his attempts to look after Mary seem to have failed, and they are left on their own for the birth.  The shepherds are also familiar with a good dose of fear.  Are you feeling like an outsider or treated as if you don’t matter? – The shepherds would understand, as they were used to being shunned and ignored.  Are you disconcerted that your routine has been messed up, and things keep changing around you? – The animals might feel your pain, as their space is suddenly occupied by some extra humans, one of whom is very tiny and crying.

         Are any of you lonely or far from home? – Mary and Joseph understand.  Are any of you feeling totally unprepared for Christmas? – Mary and Joseph understand this, as well.  Are any of you feeling helpless and burdensome to others? – Jesus understands.  After all, who is more helpless than a baby?  Are any of you feeling as though it is all bad news and you never hear anything good? – The angel’s message is, quite definitely, for you!

         Did you notice that the angel announces “good news of great joy for all the people” (Lk. 2:10)?  The word that is used for “good news” or “gospel” was usually applied to the announcement of a new Roman emperor, although one might question for whom this would have been good news.  In this case, however, the news is announced to peasants, and outcasts, and common people – “a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Lk. 2:11).

         The shepherds, as it turns out, are given surprisingly little to go on in order to confirm that this good news is true.  A child has just been born in the city of David and is lying in a manger.  They figure out that the birth has taken place in Bethlehem, and go to check it out.  The detail that would have helped them the most is the manger, or feed trough.  All newborns would have been wrapped in swaddling clothes, or bands of cloth, but how many would have been lying in a feed trough? – Probably just the one that they were looking for.

         As it turns out, this good news is not a scam, or a disappointment, or even an out and out lie.  It is true, and it is for all people – this child lying in the manger.  In fact, the news is so amazing that the shepherds just can’t help themselves from telling every person whom they meet.  May we, too, encounter our Lord and Saviour this night, marveling over how he meets us where we’re at, and loves us, bringing forgiveness and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Nativity of Our Lord – Christmas Eve       Luke 2:1-20

December 24, 2024

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2024 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved