Sermon Tone Analysis

Luke 2:1-11

Be sure to thank those that helped and those that participated—tell a few stories.

Think of how actions for others is a profound way of telling the Christmas story

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority.

Let no one disregard you.

Tell the story of the king who has come, who is come and will come again

Amidst the huddle and bustle of the holiday season, we have a few moments to consider once again the story and the event that changed everything.

In the words of Isaiah the prophet those who have lived in darkness, have seen a great light.

Until the time of the Christ child the creators creation, deemed good, had been living a marred existence, experiencing intimations of the imago dei, but clouded by evil, wicked, and sin.

Gods favored ones had experiencing the world not as it was intended, but incomplete.

Impacted by the false ways of the human heart, injustice, oppression, and evil.

But the great light, in the form of a child would open up a world that had not been experienced.

Creator God the father, had sent The son of God to enter into the sin, the evil, the wicked, the injustice, the oppression and stand firm--not returning evil for evil, but love in spite of evil.

The law of the prince of peace, the light of the world and the king of kings would be Love.

The sacrificial love of God would be made know and it would defeat the greatest of foes--death.

The light of Christ and the love of God would bring about hope and salvation to all who would receive.

Christmas Eve and tomorrows celebration is so much more than all of our wonderful acts of worship and generosity.

We celebrate the incarnation of God into the ultimate circumstances of life.

The God who has come and is come, yearns to unfold His life into every fiber and facet of our being.

Just as the Psalmist proclaims in

-we sing a new song of Life.

The invitation is to all the earth.

bless the name of the one who has come is come and will come again.

Let us tell of his salvation.

declaring his glory among all who will hear.

His marvelous works in the face of evil, wickedness, brokenness, oppression, and injustice.

The Lord of Lords will not be moved and His reign is forever.

Let us not be intimidated by the power of sin and death—let us anchor to the bringer of light, the source of Love, and the giver of life (continuing further)

I am sure many of us could find ways to dwell on the places and spaces in our world that are not as they should be, that are sources of sorrow and grief, and cause us to question the justice and righteousness of God.

But this Christmas Eve we have a choice.

To remain surrounded by the darkness of our world, to close our ears to the proclamation of the angelic choir, and harden our hearts like king Herod?

OR we can step into the light that has shone, is shining, and will continue to shine throughout the ages

We can open our hearts to the Love of Christ—letting the reality of God’s arrival into our lowly estate realize that He has come, He is come—He has considered us, He has heard our cries, He has stepped into the silence, and the earth is rejoicing.

May the Love of Christ envelope our world and may we become active agents of making known the message of Christ’s love

In the words of Titus:

Titus

The light and love of Christ that was unfolded on the Christmas morn, we remember and we celebrate once again.

Just as the angels implore you to fear not—to enter back into the patterns and disintegration of life outside of Christ—I ask you to consider how the life of the Christ child has come into your life, how He is come into life this moment, and how will come into your life today, tomorrow, and the days to come.

This Christmas, while you are recreating family traditions, forming news ones, opening presents, and enjoying a few days away from the toil of work, I hope you are able to walk deeper into the Life that God has made possible.

I invite you to stand with me as the final passage of our story is read this morning.

Which will be followed by the lighting of the Christ Candle and the singing of our final song—Silent Night.