God is on the Move, December 24, 2015
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Fertile LutheranDecember 24, 2015Christmas EveText: Luke 2:8-11God is on the MoveMerry Christmas! The night everyone has been waiting for is finally here. The church is lit upwith Christmas lights, the trees are decorated- Christmas carols will soon fill the air- snow haseven fallen to give us a white Christmas. Like the song says: “it’s beginning to look a lot likeChristmas.” It is about as picture perfect as it gets isn’t it?But not for everyone. Last night- storms ripped through Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama-demolishing houses- uprooting trees- injuring many and killing at least 10. First respondersarriving on the scene found mayhem and confusion- and began doing their best to rescue andhelp those lost and injured. For those people- it was far from what you would call a “perfect”Christmas.Thankfully there have not been storms demolishing our homes and killing loved ones here innorth Iowa tonight. On the surface, all is calm. But although it may appear calm and serene onthe outside- I know some have probably come with heavy hearts tonight. The season ofChristmas- with perfectly decorated homes and stores- and beautiful music and upbeat tvcommercials can be a reminder of how imperfect our lives really are- loved ones no longer withus- financial struggles- health issues of a loved one or yourself-wondering what the next yearwill bring. As much as we want things to be perfect- life seldom is.A few years ago- a movie came out during the Christmas season called: “The Lion, Witch andthe Wardrobe.” It you are not familiar with it- it was a movie adapted from the book by the samename written by CS Lewis. It is part of a seven book series called “The Chronicles of Narnia”and is an allegory of the gospel.There is a scene in the movie where Lucy, Susan, Edmund and Peter have been momentarilyrescued from wolves by a Narnian beaver that talks. As they share a warm meal together in thebeaver’s cozy hut, the conversation turns to serious matters at hand. Evil is terrorizing Narnia-striking fear in every heart. That is when the beaver leans in- and with a low voice filled withguarded excitement says: “Aslan is on the move”For those who may not be familiar with the book or the movie- Aslan is a great Lion who is theChrist figure in the story. The news that Aslan was on the move was a message that gave themhope and confidence that things would be okay. There was someone greater than they who wascoming to take control.That first Christmas people were living in poverty, and sickness. Death was a daily reality of life-but as devastating as that would have been- the storms of sin had ripped through their lives-demolishing not homes made of wood and mortar- but the very fabric of life- of families andrelationships.
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But God was on the move- and on that first Christmas night- God did something sounprecedented-so incomprehensible to human minds that would change the world one person ata time forever. In the midst of a fallen world- in the midst of all the pain and suffering we mayexperience in this world- God sent His son to rescue us.The angels announced to shepherds that night- “fear not- for I bring to you good news of greatjoy that is for all people- for tonight in the city of David- a savior has been born.”“for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son- that whoever believes in Himshall not perish, but have everlasting life.” And why? “for God sent His son into the world, not tocondemn the world, but to save the world.”It is a message we dare not ignore or loose in all the activities Christmas has become. Themessage is simple and clear. If all the lights, trees, carols and traditions were taken away- whatwould be left? The very reason for Christmas- God with us- Jesus our savior.The same Jesus lying in a manger is the same Jesus who fed the 5,000 and healed the sick. It isthe same Jesus who died on cross- the perfect sacrifice for our sins once and for all-and it is thesame Jesus who rose from the dead- defeating sin, death, and the power of the devil once and forall so that we too might live in fullness of life with a hope and purpose right now and live withHim forever.The perfect Christmas is not determined by traditions or circumstances or emotions that are everchanging. It is about God’s love made known to us in His son, Jesus Christ- who is the sameyesterday, today, and forever. And because of that-in the midst of an imperfect world ofhardships and broken hearts, the reality of Christmas breaks through with power and peace. Godis on the move.Last Sunday, the Sunday School did an excellent job of telling the story of what Christmas reallymeans. Even though there is nothing wrong with traditions or trying to make everything“perfect” and have fun singing secular songs- we need to remember what Christmas is reallyabout. Christmas is about God with us come to save.God is on the move today- healing relationships. Healing the broken hearted and comfortingthose who mourn. He came to set us free- to transform lives and rescue us from our waywardways and give us life.Speaking through the prophet Isaiah God spoke of the fulfillment of his promise we celebratetonight: “for to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon hisshoulder, and his name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,Prince of Peace.”Tonight we have come to worship Jesus. To set aside everything else and bow down and worshipGod with us-come to save. That’s what Christmas is about- that is what Christmas really means.Amen.
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Merry Christmas. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. decorations- lights- even snow- it’slike a perfect night. Last night storms ripped through Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas-killing 7 people- and injuring countless people. Houses were torn off their foundations, spreadingdebris all over. First responders and rescue teams are on the scene-helping people- pulling themfrom the wreckage to safety-getting them to hospitals and saving their lives. For those people-Christmas is not picture post card perfect.What about you and I this evening? Thankfully we have our homes intact- presents under thetree- family together. Although things may appear perfect on the outside- I know we bring withus tonight many different hopes and disappointments and fears.Tonight for many is far from perfect- but then that first Christmas was far from perfect- at leastfrom a human standpoint either.Why are you here tonight? Many good reasons-traditions, singing Christmas carols, decorationsand lights- seeing people home for the holidays, but what if all the traditions and festivities werestripped away- what would be left?Narnia-The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe- introduced to them in college and have read themmany times since. So when the movie came out- it was like going to someplace I hadn’t been tobefore but felt like I was going home. There is a scene where Lucy,- are fleeing from wolves-and a beaver and his family take them under their care- eating a meal in their beaver hut- thebeaver leans down- and says in a hushed tone- “Aslan is on the move” to those of you who maynot be familiar with the story- the stories of Narnia is an allegory of the gospel and Aslan is alion who is the Christ figure in the story.Lucy, Edmund, Peter, and SusanOn Christmas night- God was on the move- in such an unprecedented plan in all eternity. Thestorms of sin had ripped through lives- tearing apart not word and mortar- but the very fabric ofrelationships. The world was dark- but the people who dwelt in darkness had seen a great light.
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Christmas reminds us of things that have changed- tonight we bring with us many emotions,thoughts, fears- But tonight there is something in the air that is different- in the midst of thosethings- God is on the move. Tonight a savior is born who is Christ the Lord.Why are we here tonight? Tradition? Okay- like the candle light? Like the music? Me too.SS gave their Christmas program last Sunday with a great message- was about all the thingscommercialized about Christmas- but there has to be more- there is. It is why we are heretonight.Traditions-no snow- guess what- it’s still Christmas. didn’t get the present you hoped for? it’sstill Christmas- disappointed things aren’t the way you hoped them to be? Circumstances beyondour control? It’s still Christmas. Storms destroy you home and community? As devastating asthat may be- it is still Christmas. God is on the move. He is our first responder- He has come torescue us and give us life.God desires all to be saved- but gave us a free will. Unfortunately –we have all chosen to goastray like sheep-we are all in need of a savior to rescue us. Tonight God is with us- come to uswhile we were yet sinners-There are some here tonight who are mourning a loss- some struggling with finances, somestruggling in a relationship- some dealing with illness of their own or loved one. God is not theauthor of those- he did not give them to us- they are a result of living in a broken world- livingwith not only our decisions, but the decisions of others. But God has done something about itonce and for all- He is on the move- calling, guiding- us.We’re invited in to see the manger- the cross- the empty tomb- that is what Christmas is allabout.All material gifts will either end up in a landfill or belong to someone else.God so loved the world that he gave His only Son- Jesus- God with us- on a mission- to defeatthe power of sin- set is free- defeat Satan.Jesus is the only gift we really need- it is life with purpose and joy now- and for eternity. Peopleeither focus on the now- and make wrong decisions- or focus only on the future- even eternity-and miss out on life God has given us now.God gave His word- what do we give Him?Promises- I try not to make promises I can’t keep- things come up out of my control- and I hatedisappointing the ones I love.When God gives His word- he is not only able- but willing and faithful to do it.