Sermon Tone Analysis

Saint Nicholas

I want to tell you about the day Nicky slapped a bishop.

In AD 325 Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea, the very first ecumenical council.

More than 300 bishops came from all over the Christian world to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity.

It was one of the early church’s most intense theological questions.

Arius, from Egypt, was teaching that Jesus the Son was not equal to God the Father.

Arius forcefully argued his position at length.

The bishops listened respectfully.

As Arius vigorously continued, Nicholas became more and more agitated.

Finally, he could no longer bear what he believed was essential being attacked.

The outraged Nicholas got up, crossed the room, and slapped Arius across the face!

The bishops were shocked.

It was unbelievable that a bishop would lose control and be so hotheaded in such a solemn assembly.

They brought Nicholas to Constantine.

Constantine said even though it was illegal for anyone to strike another in his presence, in this case, the bishops themselves must determine the punishment.

That man, that bishop, Nicky is also known as Saint Nicholas.

As in “old Saint Nick.”

“I only came to give presents and punch heretics… and I just ran out of presents.”

Why make such a big deal about such a small thing?

Isn’t the important thing about Jesus that he came, he lived, he died, he resurrected from the dead???

Yes, absolutely, amen and amen!

That is the gospel.

Saint Nicholas is slapping heretics… why make such a big deal about it?

It all comes down to this: Who is this Jesus?

Who is He?

Is He a remarkable and amazing man that serves as a model of love and forgiveness?

A great teacher, a wise man we should listen to?

Yes… but is that all He is?

Is He so great even, that God the Father saw Him and chose Him, adopting Him as His Son and glorifying Him.

“NO” shouts St. Nicholas.

That’s adoptionism, it’s heresy.

and it’s important because that’s not who Jesus is.

Jesus exists before Christmas.

Before humans existed, He was the Son of God.

So… maybe He was like the very first and most important creation of God: kind of like God but a step below God.

“NOOOO!” shouts Saint Nicholas… and that what Arius was saying when Nicky slapped him.

That’s a heresy called Arianism, after Arius.

Why get so upset about this?

Why is it so important?

Because It matters who Jesus is

This is the true meaning of Christmas.

It isn’t family, it isn’t presence, it isn’t even “love” in some generic sense.

Jesus is God, Himself.

God Himself, taking on flesh and dwelling with us.

We read this powerful truth in our Christmas passage today: John 1.

Who is this Jesus?

The Logos, the Word, the self-revelation of God and who God is.

Not just “with God” but also the Word “was God”.

Take that, Arius.

No slaps necessary, just the power of the Word of God.

Hear the anticipation?

“Became flesh.”

As Pastor Rod used to put it “con carne” with meat on.

Literally “tabernacled among us.”

Pitched his tent among us.

Not in any “disguise” or “illusion” kind of way.

In fullness.

In completeness.

Jesus is Emmanuel

God with us.

God incarnate.

“God with flesh on.”

God dwelling among us in a tent.

Why does this matter?

Jesus lives a perfect life.

Impressive.

Without sin.

Truly innocent.

The Lamb of God, then crucified on a cross… even though he was innocent.

That is a tragedy, but how much is the sacrifice of a man worth?

A life for a life?

Jesus’ life for mine… but not yours and mine.

The math doesn’t work.

It is only because Jesus is divine that He can take on all of sin and death backwards and forwards across space and time.

Because He is God, His sacrifice pays for all our sins, past present and future.

And if Jesus is the created son of God but not actually God… well that’s God pouring the sins of on someone else, ultimately.

“Here.. you take it.”

Sometimes this is “deconstructed” as divine child abuse.

But there is absolute unity in the Trinity, one God, one Being… and so this is God taking responsibility for His Creation, for His people, for all of it.

This is God Himself doing whatever it takes to save His children, His creation, you and me.

It is not divine child abuse, it is divine self-sacrifice.

That is love.

That is Christmas.

Silent Night

And so we find God Himself, born in a manger.

Born in a stable, which might have been a cave, which might have been the living room, crowded with people, with animals… messiness of child birth without epidurals or water baths or showers.

Born into all of our humanity, the full human experience, from single-cell fetus to screaming baby, to 30-year old rabbi.

On the spiritual side such incredible things are happening.

With spiritual eyes John sees the red dragon seeking to devour baby ninja Jesus… and the angel hosts led by Michael fighting the smaller fallen angel host led by Satan dragon… while Gabriel is out delivering messages for the divine invasion.

Amidst all of that, sure there is noise and chaos and crazy and power and all of it.

Imagine a moment of silence.

Of stillness.

Baby finally sleeping.

Mom finally resting.

Joseph dozing off.

Animals tired and quiet from all the crazy.

All of heaven catches it’s breath.

Now, look, who is that?

Who is this baby?

It matters who Jesus is.