A Christmas Eve sermon based on Isaiah 9:1-7, Rev. J. Orlando Flahn
INTRO: A television interviewer was walking the streets of Tokyo at Christmas time. Much as in America, Christmas shopping is a big commercial success in Japan. The interviewer stopped one young woman on the sidewalk and asked, “What is the meaning of Christmas?” Laughing, she responded, “I don’t know. Is that the day that Jesus died?” (Donald Deffner, Seasonal Illustrations, San Jose: Resource, 1992, p. 16). Well, there is some truth in her answer.
EXPOSITION
Although our Series Theme says, “Away in a Manger,” the Christ Child born in Bethlehem of Judea is not far from our congregation and us. He is closer to us than we might think. Jesus is not merely “away in a manger,” but He is “here in our Church.” Through Him, heaven has come down into the manger. He comes near to offer His life on the cross to save us from sin.
The prophet Isaiah puts it this way: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given” (Isa 9:6a). A proud couple met me quite recently with a big smile, and their faces beamed with joy, saying, “Pastor, we are expecting a baby! We are having a baby!”
Surely, Mary is going to have a baby. But Mary’s baby is truly heaven coming down into our spiritual darkness. We have seen many babies born, and we are yet to see many more in our world. But this Child of Mary is particularly different. He is a unique Child! He is “God from God,” as we confess in the Nicene Creed.
And then Prophet Isaiah also says of this Child: “And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6b). This is no ordinary Child. He is the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and this boy Jesus, who is heaven on earth, the prophet says, He is our Prince of Peace.
ILL: Prince of Peace
Just before Christmas, a story is told of a father whose son had gone off to fight for the Union Army during the American Civil War. After months of camp fever, his son finally saw battle and was seriously wounded. News of his son’s wound reached the father on Christmas Eve, and, being a poet, he sat down and expressed his anguish in a song. The father’s name was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He wrote these words on that bleak Christmas morning: “And in despair I bowed my head. There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the song Of Peace on earth Goodwill to Men.”
At the birth of Christ, the angels proclaimed “Peace on earth, goodwill to men.” But when it comes to Peace, the world sends mixed messages. We only need to turn on the T.V. or look at our daily Newspapers to see clearly that there is very little “Peace on Earth.” In fact, statistics say that, since the beginning of recorded history, the world has been at peace for less than 8% of the time! Moreover, according to the Moody Bible Institute, Today In The Word, June 1988, p.33, more than 8000 peace treaties were made–and broken.
Yet in this war-torn world, the prophet Isaiah proclaims to us tonight: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Martin Luther emphasizes that the phrase “a Son is given to us” means more than a good line in our Christmas carol. It means that the primary work of Christ’s coming into our world is to save us from the chaos of our world. It is not some abstract theological concept or philosophical idea. Christ was given to us as heaven’s goodwill, showing that the God who made us and who possesses us has given Himself to us, sinners, to save us and give us peace.
The gospel of John says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (1:14).
Through Him, peace is granted to those who know their sin must be forgiven. To them, God says that because they are justified by faith in Christ, they have peace with Him (Romans 5:1).
On that glorious morning when Jesus Christ was born, the angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:10-14)
Jesus is our peace, and because He is our peace, we have peace in this world despite the challenges we face (John 14:27; 16:33).
APP: What are your fears, dark circumstances, pains, hurts, and despair? Loneliness? Sorrows? Grief?
ILL: In the Lutheran Cathedral in Copenhagen, Denmark, behind the high altar stands Bertel Thorvaldsen’s statue of Christ. It is said that Thorvaldsen erected the statue so that it beckons worshipers to “Come closer.”
Jesus invites you tonight, saying, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Are you burdened? Jesus invites you tonight, saying “Come closer!” He says, “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me, and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matt 11:28-30 MSG)
APP: The surveys tell us that holiday burnout is very real, stemming from increased demands such as shopping, cooking, social events, financial pressure, and work deadlines, leading to stress, exhaustion, anxiety, and a sense of being overwhelmed.
But every year at Christmas, the world hears God’s call, “Come closer.” Tonight, heaven is in the manger, calling and beckoning us, “Come closer.” The Word made flesh and blood dwelt among us, and He calls us to “Come closer.” So, let this be your prayer: “Be near me, Lord Jesus! I ask Thee to stay, close by me forever, and love me, I pray.” Amen!
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