(Christmas Day sermon, December 25, 2002 Pittsworth Lutheran Parish, Qld. (Pastor Wayne Logan)
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, shine into our darkened minds, and be pleased to come and live in our hearts, for we belong to you, and we will never know true peace until we find our home in you. Have mercy on us, and help us! Amen!
In our normal daily lives, sometimes we can get 'mental blanks,' when we meet someone and try to put a name to a face. Often these are temporary lapses. We look for clues, and listen carefully for anything that might help us recognise the person. Sometimes, though, the best thing to do is to simply be honest and say, "I'm sorry, but I just can't remember your name, can you help me?"
More serious lapses of memory and recognition can happen when a person suffers trauma, head injuries, advanced age, or certain psychological conditions.
Our text today speaks of a very serious lapse of memory: the Lord himself came into this world, in the person of his Son, but the world didn't recognise him. He made the world. But his handiwork spurned him. When you make something, unless you sell it or give it away, it remains your own. The people of this world are called by our text, "his own," meaning we are all God's own people. Verse 11 says, "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him."
There are many stories where a king or a prince (perhaps a princess) goes out among his (or her) people, dressed in common garb. He is not recognised, and is able to see how things are in his kingdom. Sometimes in such stories, the royal person tries to command his subjects, but because of the humble clothes, he is ignored. He is not recognised.
Our text tells us that this is exactly what God is doing, through Jesus. God came to earth, not simply dressed in human form, but as a real human being: he was conceived and carried in Mary's womb, and then was born in a stable. He was visited by shepherds, and some foreigners (the wise men). They recognised that he was someone special. But as he grew up and lived among us, the words of our text came true: (V. 10&11): "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him."
Why not? In his 3rd chapter, the apostle John explains why not: (3:19-21) " This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
Earlier, I mentioned trauma, head injuries and psychological reasons for lapses of memory. When it comes to recognising God in our midst, the real reason, is moral and spiritual. Christ is the light! If you lock yourself in a darkened room to count stolen money, enjoy stolen goods, or indulge sinful addictions or fantasies, you won't want anyone barging in and exposing your sins to God and the world?! Of course it you never do, say, or think anything you should be ashamed of, you will have no fear of Christ's light, and you can welcome him into every part of your life. But who among us is squeaky clean?! In the dim light of our own ideas, and the dull illumination of the world, our lifestyle, thought-life and conversations might appear fine. But what if everything we did, thought, and said was held up in the clear light of day, and in the presence of God Himself?!
At Christmas time we sing about receiving the Christ child, and welcoming him into our hearts and homes, but I wonder if we really do this?! We sing about worshipping Christ, but do we have other things in our lives that really are more important to us, things we in a sense, worship more than Christ? Consider your own life, and don't mock God.
Today, Christmas day, is a day of joy and celebration. A day to worship God for the amazing way he entered our world, to live among us, and to deal with all the evil in our lives, and in all the world. It's not a day to decorate ourselves with presumed goodness and pretension.
Why are we joyful at Christmas?
We are ecstatic because into our darkness and despair has come a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord! We are thrilled to hear the news that we do not have to face the evil forces of the world alone! We are deeply humbled, perhaps to the point of tears, to receive the news that, through Jesus, this same Jesus who was born at Bethlehem, our sins are forgiven! Not excused. Not covered up. Not redefined. Forgiven! Without this forgiveness, none of us would have any hope. It is because of Jesus, and in particular, his blood shed on the cross, the sacrifice we acknowledge at Easter time, (and every time we celebrate the Lord's Supper), that we can truly have irrepressible joy, the peace that passes understanding, and hope that will never disappoint us!
It is because of Jesus, that we can become children of God, and will continue in his family forever.
God's Word today calls us to come out of any false worship and shallowness at this time, make sure we recognise Christ as the heart and soul of Christmas, and receive him as the light of our life.
If we are having trouble remembering him, in the midst of all the pressures and excuses we hide behind, then let's repent. Let's say to the Lord, "I'm sorry, I've forgotten who you are... can you help me with your name..."
And He will say, "My name is Jesus. I have come to save you from your sins. Don't be afraid. I will set you free from everything that binds you. I will lift up the burdens that weigh you down, and set your spirit free to know me as I really am, your Lord and Saviour, full of grace and truth!"
The joy Christ brings, will not fade like the dying leaves of a once-green Christmas tree; it will last forever. The peace he brings cannot be taken from our hearts, no matter what the world hurls at us. The love he has for us, love which brought him from heaven to earth, will remain strong and true, and tender, forever.
How can we refuse such a wonderful Saviour?! O Lord, grant us grace to recognise you, to receive you, to welcome you, and to live in daily worship of you, from now to eternity! Amen!
The peace of God, which is beyond all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Amen.