Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols Video and Sermon Text
Christmas Eve – Isaiah 9:2-7 & Luke 2:1-20
O Lord, Your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
When the heavenly host of angels appeared to the shepherds in the night sky, they sang out “Glory to God in the highest and peace to God’s people on earth.” Tonight, we join with the heavenly host in glorifying God for the gift of Jesus. Jesus, sweet baby Jesus, born in humble surroundings, is a child born not for the sake of Mary and Joseph or for the sake of continuing the family line. Jesus is born for the sake of the world. In and through the life of this baby, we receive the promise of salvation. For the peace he brings us; for the forgiveness he wins for us through the cross; for the hope he instills within our hearts, and for the embodiment of grace that is Jesus, we join the heavenly choir in declaring “Glory to God in the highest.”
The church’s praise of God, and the church’s witness of the birth of Christ do not begin and end with words. Words are crucial, but the church also uses music and candles and trees and lights to glorify God. The church building itself and all its adornments bear witness to God’s glory and encourage worshipers to reflect on the magnitude of this moment. God comes down to earth. Jesus, the very Word of God, comes down from heaven to dwell with us. He inhabits our space, our skin, our challenges and joys.
The Christmas trees that are before you play a crucial role in our worship tonight. They do more than add beauty, they tell the story of our salvation. They show us the purpose of Jesus Christ. When we look at the Christmas tree, we also see the tree that was in the middle of the garden of Eden. This one tree that was forbidden to Adam and Eve had fruit that looked delicious. From the tree dangled a talking serpent that slithered doubt into the minds and hearts of Adam and Eve. The serpent asks, “Did God really say? Did God really mean this?” In an understated act of defiance and rebellion, Eve and then Adam took the fruit from the tree and ate of it. When they acted upon their impulse for forbidden fruit and forbidden knowledge, our world changed. We have been suffering the consequences of their choice ever since.
In the Middle Ages, there was collection of plays called “mystery plays” that told the important stories of the Christian faith. The one prop that was used during the Adam and Eve cycle was a fir tree that had apples hanging from it.
The Christmas tree takes us back to the Garden of Eden. The Christmas tree also serves to remind us that Jesus, the author of our salvation, hung on a tree for our sakes. The cross is made from rough timbers of wood. Jesus hangs from the tree. He does not entertain temptation on the cross. He resists it. He resists the urge to mock God. He resists the call to abuse his divine nature. He chooses to remain on the cross bearing the weight of our sin. He suffers for the sake of the world. His suffering on the cross transforms the punishment of the tree of Eden. Where the tree of Eden led to death; Jesus’ death on the cross leads to life and salvation for the sake of the world.
The ornaments that adorn the tree remind us of the fruit that hung from the tree in the Garden. In Christ, the fruit is transformed into something beautiful that bears witness to the transforming act of grace. I love to gaze upon the Christmas trees in the sanctuary because of the Chrismons that adorned the trees. The Chrismons tell the story of Christ. The fruit now has the cross upon it. The fruit of Christ’s crucifixion is for us grace and forgiveness and peace. The instrument of temptation that originally tore us away from God is now, through Christ Jesus, a symbol of his providential care for us.
No Christmas tree is complete without lights. The lights radiate the power of the gospel in the midst of darkness. The Gospel of John declares: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The light is Jesus, born in a stable for us, so that we may know that no matter how difficult, no matter how dark, no matter awful, our Jesus is the light that keeps shining, and the darkness cannot overcome Him. His radiant love shines upon us and call us to have faith in Him. He is your light. He is your savior. He is your hope. He cannot be overcome. Because He claims you, because Christ is crucified and risen for you, because you are wrapped in his love through Holy Baptism, His light shines upon you and within you. Christ’s light is stronger than sin. Christ’s love for you is stronger than sin. Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection. You will know the light of Christ forever.
The radiant light points us to the promises of Christ Jesus. Through the cross and resurrection, Christ shows you that God is more powerful than sin, death, and the devil. Their darkness does not overcome the light of Christ. The everlasting light of Christ burns brightly for all to see. The radiant light of the Christmas tree lights remind us that on account of Christ, the end is the beginning. Death is the transition from earthly life to heavenly glory. Christ’s cross and resurrection is your hope.
In a short time from now, when the lights are dimmed, and we light our candles, and join in the singing of silent night, the truth of God’s Good News in Jesus will wash over us. The radiant light from the candles and trees will proclaim to you: Jesus is the light of the world, and no darkness can overtake Him.
On this night, we rejoice that Christ is born for us. The angels are right to announce their worship: “Glory to God in the highest.” The child long promised to the world is here. “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
The child born in Bethlehem is the Savior of the world. He is your Savior. In Jesus, God enters our existence and time. Jesus is the grace of God. He is the light that illumines our darkness. He renews the hope of redemption within our hearts. Receive him with faith.
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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