Christmas Eve 2006 Sermon

Christmas Eve December 24, 2006

There’s a story that God one day called the angel Gabriel into the office and said, “Gabriel, I want you to organize and lead all the other angels for a special performance. I want a huge choir with trumpets, harps, stringed instruments, dancers, the works! I’m going to pull out all the stops for a really big concert and have a great concert with songs of praise and peace for all people on earth.”

Gabriel asked, “What’s the occasion?” God said, “Jesus is going into the world to become human.” “Become human?” “Yep. Human! Even since I first created them, human beings just haven’t been able to stop sinning. They keep taking advantage of those who are weak, the poor and the sick. They keep on killing each other, and it makes me mad. I think they forget why I made them in the first place. But I’m confident that once Jesus becomes one of them, and shows them his love, they will trust him and believe in him.”

Gabriel, said, “Wait a minute! Didn’t you try to the same thing with the other prophets like Isaiah and Elijah? Do you think they’ll listen to Jesus? What if they kill Jesus, too?”

God said, “I suppose they might, but if they do, I’ll raise him from the dead to show them who is the king of the whole creation, just like Jesus always has been.”

Gabriel said, “It sounds risky, but you’re the boss. You said he was going to be born by a woman. Did you have one in mind?”

God said, “Yes, I’ve got one in mind. Her name is Mary, and she lives in Israel. The performance will be the night she gives birth to Jesus. Say, why don’t you drop in this afternoon and tell her that I chose her to give birth to Jesus. She’s one of the most faithful and humble people I’ve ever created. She’ll love to hear that I’ve picked her.”

“Okay.” Gabriel said. “I’ll do it. And that gives me about nine months to rehearse this choir you were talking about.”

Gabriel told all the other angels in the choir what was happening. He said, “I’ve even contacted a young lady who God selected to be his mother. She’s about 14 years old, just a humble peasant from Palestine. Her name is Mary. Our performance will be given the night that Mary gives birth to Jesus as a baby, born in a little town called Bethlehem.

So it happened, just as God had planned. Mary gave birth to the infant Jesus in a town called Bethlehem. Then the angels all sang to the shepherds in the fields nearby singing Glory to the newborn king. God chose the lowly shepherds to be the first to hear the good news that is the new born king.

We Christians around the world have been singing praises to God ever since. There have been fantastic recitals by J.S. Bach, powerful anthems of Handel and Beethoven and Mozart. Tonight we’re singing the beloved carols like O Little Town of Bethlehem, Joy to the World, The First Noel, O Come All Ye faithful, and Silent Night. Then there are popular songs like “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

I’m astounded at all the good Christmas music available being recorded today that reflects the hopes and dreams of all the years that came to meet in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Recently, I heard music playing while I was shopping, and I realized that I was singing along with Natalie Cole, a song called “My Grown up Christmas List.” The song has recently been re recorded by Kelly Clarkson. It’s a big hit. Have you heard this?

I really like that song, and its message. First, the singer remembers the day she sat on Santa’s knee and told him her childhood fantasies. But then she sings about how she’s all grown up now, and the things she would like for Christmas. They’re things that are not just for herself but for the needs of all humankind. The song tells us her adult Christmas wish list.

“Lives that won’t be torn apart. And wars will never start, And time will heal the heart. Everyone will have a friend And right will always win, And love will never end. This is my lifelong dream, My Grown up Christmas List.”

The singer is longing for the peace of Christ, a peace with justice for all people. The story of Christmas promises that when Jesus comes to the world, God is fulfilling her wish. From his birth, Jesus is prince of peace, the wonderful counselor. When he comes to rule the world, the government will rest on his shoulders.

Whenever we hear the story of his birth, we are hearing the genesis of a new covenant God brought to us through Christ. In the first covenant, God was known through prophets given to Israel. But the new covenant is given to all people of every race in every language. People in power wanted to kill him, and Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross. When God raised him from the dead, he appeared to his disciples could we can see his victory. By his death, and only his death, God forgave our sins so that we can be reunited in his body though all eternity.

So what does God want from us? Some will say that God won’t forgive you unless you do this or that. Don’t believe that baloney. Jesus has already unconditionally paid the bill and forgiven our sin, and we don’t owe anything. That’s what we call God’s grace.

In my first call, our family was scheduled to go to dinner with Al and his family who were in our congregation. The family invited us to go once a month at the local Elks Club, and Al always paid the bill. One time, we showed up at the restaurant and the waitress said, Al called and said he was sorry they couldn’t come to the restaurant, but said to for you go ahead and have dinner on him.

God’s grace is like that, too. Our bill has already been paid before we showed up.

What God wants from us is our love and respect. Jesus wants us to honor him by helping those who are in need. Jesus taught that whatever you do for someone in need, you do to him. Usually this is extremely rewarding, just knowing that you are serving Christ. But when you help people in need, the devil hates you. And there is always a risk that the evil one will find a way to hurt you.

This Thursday, The Fort Worth Police buried an officer that gave himself helping two people in need. About a week ago, officer Dwayne Freeto was stopped to make a routine check on a car on the shoulder on I 35. Adrianna DeGardio and her friend had a flat tire that night. According to police normal protocol, Officer Freeto had the option of leaving the scene after that. But told Ms. DeGardio that he was going stay until she was safe. He returned to his police cruiser to keep the lights going to warn other motorists. But then in an instant, a drunk driver came and struck his car, starting a fire that killed officer Freeto instantly. Just like the evil one found a way to get Jesus crucified, so he also took the life of officer Freeto.

Officer Freeto knew the risks just like all police officers. And Freeto was also a committed Christian. His father is the Pastor of Midlothian United Methodist Church. When Dwayne Freeto joined the force, he considered that his calling. He knew that God he was following God’s command, following his calling. He didn’t plan to become a hero. It just turned out that way.

A few days after this tragedy, Adrianna gave thanks for what officer Freeto had done for her. She said he was my guardian angel, always watching over me. I’d say that Officer Freeto was doing one of the things Jesus did for all of us, protecting those who are vulnerable. This is why Jesus came to the world. What Freeto did was an honorable way to give thanks to God for what Jesus did for us.

The good news is that we don’t have to be a hero. There are as any ways to serve as there are people in the world. Whenever and by whatever means we honor Christ, we are working to fulfill our own wish for Christmas. Let Jesus be born in you! Let us work together so that

“Lives won’t be torn apart And wars will never start, And time will heal the heart. Everyone will have a friend And right will always win, And love will never end.”

Amen