Rev. Steven S. Billings
Christmas Eve
Sermon
12-24-2006
St. Luke 2:1-20
1 Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her first_born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 "And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." 15 And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Dear highly favored ones, do not be afraid, for I bring you good tidings of great joy, which is for all people. Today, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. So, if I say a thing or two tonight that troubles or upsets, remember how the angels spoke that evening to the shepherds. It is not for fear that angels show up, speaking to poor sinners. It is not for dread, despair or any other shameful thought that comes to mind that pastors open up and speak the way they do. Don't be afraid! It is all Good News for you to hear what must be said this evening! And it is all the better that it comes through one like me! A sinner. No better, and most likely, somewhat worse than all of you.
It occurred to me to speak this way, not long ago, when I was corresponding with a Christian brother in the Virgin Islands, and he asked me if in America we had, well - how did he put it? - HEALTHY women, winged and dressed in white atop our Christmas trees. You see, he wondered . . . Where are the men in black? The "fallen" guys God gives to His people? The ones with collars on, not halos? The ones whose feet, not wings, are talked about in Holy Scripture: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation."
My friend was pointing out a problem in our day. The Bible never speaks of lady angels. Always men, with names like Michael and Gabriel. Don't ask me how we got it turned around. I'm just glad to see it straightened out a bit on TV where some angels – four of them – show up – all guys – in little albs – with headsets on and flying in formation by each tire. It's a car commercial. The angels there are air force types, high tech and highly trained and dedicated to protection.
Tonight, there isn't any talk of angels standing guard or going off to fight for us. They do that, the Bible says. But tonight, the Holy Ones show up as preachers. Ministering spirits speaking God's Good News, and pointing out the Savior, where He is, and how He may be found. And there's singing. That's great news for all of us, for you and I can join them, with all the heavenly chorus, singing: "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men."
If an angel came to you this evening, how would he speak? What would he say? We know that well enough already, don't we? You heard it when I opened up my mouth and said: "Don't be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people."
Even in the beginning, when an angel showed up in the Garden, with a flaming sword in hand, that was not for fear and dread and the despairing of God's people. It was so that Adam and Eve would not turn again and eat from the Tree of Life, and live forever in their sin. It was for salvation! So, when the angels speak – when the Glory of the Lord shines round about us – showing us how much above our ways are God's, how different are His thoughts than ours – that is not to drive us to despair.
It will, of course! Just let the angels sing their Holy, Holy, Holy in the throne room of our God, let heaven shake a bit and fill with smoke, and any sinner's gonna tremble! Isaiah, in the 6th chapter of his prophecy admits it: "Woe is me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!"
Tonight, we need not have the heavens part to get a picture of the woe that we are due! The Holy Scriptures tell us: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good."
How much would one of God's Most Holy angels have to add to that, before we start to tremble? Before we learn repentance? To confess our sins? Our love of what is wrong? Our wallowing in wickedness?
Tonight, if we DON'T learn to tremble at our sins, then angels are for nothing but our judgment. Read your Bible. It tells us that the angels wield the sword in wrath as well!
So, what would one of them proclaim right now – to sinners like us; who leave too much undone, who do too much that we should simply stop; who go on saying 'yes' to things we should say 'no' to? There isn't any doubt. He would say: "Do not be afraid!" It is GOOD News that the angels bring, even when they're pointing out our sin! Even when they're telling us about our love of wickedness, our love of evil, our shameful going on as if God didn't matter and as if we mattered most, our giving in to what can only bring us misery – even when the angels tell us that all of that can only drag us off to hell – it is not for our destruction. It is for our life!
Go back and read Isaiah 6, how one of God's Most Holy Ones brought coal – a fiery brand – from off God's Altar, the place of Sacrifice – and carrying it in tongs (for even angels cannot touch the Holiness of God!) – the angel put it to Isaiah's lips, a sinner, saying: "See, this has taken away your guilt; your sin is atoned for!"
Do not be afraid, therefore, dear sinners. God has come to earth; the highest, most Holy, most Glorious God – from Whom the angels hide their faces! But He has come to earth FOR YOU! The Glory of God in the Highest brought low for the peace of the earth; for peace ON earth, good will to men!
You and I do not flee wickedness the way we should. We should perish for that. Many will, but not because their wickedness is any worse than ours. Men will die the death that they deserve because of this: They will not have the Peace God brings to earth. They will not have the Glory of the Highest wrapped in low-down places, where it does not scorch or destroy, but saves!
To the earth is born a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord! He is God Most High, but He is God Who's destined for the altar; destined for the flames; destined to be strung up on a cross to die for sinners. And after the wrath of God is poured out on God's Son, He'll rise again. And He'll ascend back to the right hand of the Father. And then, He'll put Himself – His Roasted Flesh, His Flame-kissed Blood – where it can touch the lips of sinners, brought to them by Ministers that God sends, so that men might have their sins absolved and live with God's Salvation on their lips.
You simply have to read Isaiah chapter six. But for tonight, be satisfied with Luke, chapter 2! For there, poor shepherds get Good News from God's Most Holy Angels. The shepherds come, directed by the preaching and the pointing of the Holy Messengers of God. And where do they go? To Bethlehem! To the City of David. Bethlehem means "House of Bread." And there, in the Bread House, is the Glory of God. The Majesty of God. The Wonderful One, the Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
But do not be afraid. He is lying in a manger, and a manger is a place for eating. Even dumb animals get that much! The Bread of Life Come down from Heaven, in the Bread House, lying in a food trough!
Dear Christians, listen to this lowly angel, the sinful messenger whom God has given you tonight: You've got a God sized-right for sinners. A mouth and ear-sized God. And that is for your blessing. Apart from such a God, there's nothing but the fearful prospect of His punishment. Apart from where the Glory of the Highest is brought low to earth, there's nothing but a woeful future, and the hope that whatever man-made thoughts, religion, opinions people have, well – Hope they pass the test and quench the flames! Good luck with that!
But don't despair. Don't be afraid. I simply cannot be a proper angel if I do not point you from whatever thinking leaves you on the outside, in the darkness, where the shepherds were before the Angels spoke and pointed them to Bethlehem. But I won't point you to THAT city. I won't even point you to the manger. There's no point. God has given us the places where He is for you and me: In the preaching of the Gospel, in the speaking of the Holy Absolution, in the Waters of Holy Baptism, and in the Eating and the drinking of Christ's Flesh and Blood in bread and wine. Through these, and only through these, is it proper for you to hear: "Despite your sin, your waywardness, your love of what is wicked – Do not be afraid, for I bring you good tidings of Great Joy!"
That is pointing you to where Isaiah had the peace of God, where Shepherds had the Savior. That is being an angel. You can be that, too, as surely as the shepherds were when they told others what they'd heard and seen. That is why its good that little ones dress up like angels from time to time; a good reminder, like the HEALTHY winged-women in our homes. But, so that you remember that the Messengers of God aren't cute – just look at the one God's put into this pulpit! What's important is that they point us to where the Savior is – where His Body and His Blood are all wrapped-up for our forgiveness. Angels can wear wings and albs and halos if they want to – even headsets, I suppose. But this is what they're good for most of all: Preaching a Savior Who is all the way down to earth for you, all the way into your own flesh and blood. All the way to the cross for you. And though He is risen and ascended, He is still all the way down to earth enough for your ears and your mouths. You see? All this has taken away your guilt, dear Christians, and by it the payment for your sin has been made. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
