Fertile Lutheran

December 24, 2015

Christmas Eve

Text: Luke 2:8-11

                                                                     God is on the Move

Merry Christmas! The night everyone has been waiting for is finally here. The church is lit up

with Christmas lights, the trees are decorated- Christmas carols will soon fill the air- snow has

even fallen to give us a white Christmas. Like the song says: “it’s beginning to look a lot like

Christmas.” 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-

the outside- I know some have probably come with heavy hearts tonight. The season of

Christmas- with perfectly decorated homes and stores- and beautiful music and upbeat tv

commercials can be a reminder of how imperfect our lives really are- loved ones no longer with

us- financial struggles- health issues of a loved one or yourself-wondering what the next year

will 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 and

the Wardrobe.” It you are not familiar with it- it was a movie adapted from the book by the same

name 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 momentarily

hope and confidence that things would be okay. There was someone greater than they who was

coming 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 and

relationships.

But God was on the move- and on that first Christmas night- God did something so

unprecedented-so incomprehensible to human minds that would change the world one person at

a time forever. In the midst of a fallen world- in the midst of all the pain and suffering we may

experience 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 great

joy 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 Him

shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” And why? “for God sent His son into the world, not to

condemn the world, but to save the world.”

The same Jesus lying in a manger is the same Jesus who fed the 5,000 and healed the sick. It is

all so that we too might live in fullness of life with a hope and purpose right now and live with

Him forever.

The perfect Christmas is not determined by traditions or circumstances or emotions that are ever

changing. It is about God’s love made known to us in His son, Jesus Christ- who is the same

hardships and broken hearts, the reality of Christmas breaks through with power and peace. God

is on the move.

Last Sunday, the Sunday School did an excellent job of telling the story of what Christmas really

“perfect” and have fun singing secular songs- we need to remember what Christmas is really

tonight: “for to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his

shoulder, and his name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

Tonight we have come to worship Jesus. To set aside everything else and bow down and worship

God with us-come to save. That’s what Christmas is about- that is what Christmas really means.

Amen.

like a perfect night. Last night storms ripped through Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas-

from 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 the

tree- family together. Although things may appear perfect on the outside- I know we bring with

Tonight for many is far from perfect- but then that first Christmas was far from perfect- at least

from a human standpoint either.

and lights- seeing people home for the holidays, but what if all the traditions and festivities were

not be familiar with the story- the stories of Narnia is an allegory of the gospel and Aslan is a

lion who is the Christ figure in the story.

Lucy, Edmund, Peter, and Susan

On Christmas night- God was on the move- in such an unprecedented plan in all eternity. The

storms of sin had ripped through lives- tearing apart not word and mortar- but the very fabric of

relationships. The world was dark- but the people who dwelt in darkness had seen a great light.

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 those

things- 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 things

commercialized about Christmas- but there has to be more- there is. It is why we are here

tonight.

Traditions-no snow- guess what- it’s still Christmas. didn’t get the present you hoped for? it’s

still Christmas- disappointed things aren’t the way you hoped them to be? Circumstances beyond

our control? It’s still Christmas. Storms destroy you home and community? As devastating as

that may be- it is still Christmas. God is on the move. He is our first responder- He has come to

while we were yet sinners-

struggling in a relationship- some dealing with illness of their own or loved one. God is not the

author of those- he did not give them to us- they are a result of living in a broken world- living

with not only our decisions, but the decisions of others. But God has done something about it

once and for all- He is on the move- calling, guiding- us.

about.

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 defeat

Promises- I try not to make promises I can’t keep- things come up out of my control- and I hate

disappointing the ones I love.

When God gives His word- he is not only able- but willing and faithful to do it.