Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 49:1-18; Matthew 1:1-17
Christmas Day Reading: Exodus 40:17-21, 34-38; Titus 3:4-7; John 1:1-14(15-18)
”Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)
Why were the shepherds “sore afraid”? After all, God was showing up for them, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. Ah, but why? Why is God here now, in human flesh? That God is here now in human flesh is not yet good news. After all, maybe He is here to get us! To trap and condemn us for all our sins. God in the flesh is not necessarily good news.
Thank God today for the voice of the angel: “Fear not!” That voice tells you that God is not here to trap and condemn you for your sins. God is here, in human flesh, to save and rescue you from all your sins.
What of all your sins? No big deal? No! It is a good thing to be afraid of God when He shows up in all His blazing glory, angels in the sky, bright lights all around. As the Bible says, sinners cannot stand in His presence (Psalms 130:3). Your sins and mine should make us “sore afraid.” God has every reason to show up only to trap and condemn us for our sins.
But today, He doesn't. Instead, He shows up to tell you, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Peace, goodwill toward you! For instead of trapping you in all your sins, He will now trap Jesus. What mercy that Jesus would even consent to be born in human flesh!
Yet, He was. Today, Jesus takes on flesh and blood so that One Day, on the Cross, God could trap and condemn Him in your place. That is why today announces God's peace and goodwill toward you. Not because you ever get with it, make enough changes in your life and deserve God's peace and goodwill. As if that could ever effect a change in God's heart! No, what changes His heart toward you is the birth of His Son: “Fear not.”
Want signs? Don't look for the Child wrapped in swaddling cloths; He's not there anymore. Look for Him wrapped in Water and the Word; He's there for you now. Look for Him in the Words of Absolution, spoken and preached over you every Sunday; He is there for you, down on earth, in human flesh and blood Look for Him wrapped in bread and wine in the Holy Supper; He is there for you. Fear not!
What of your sins? Have at it. Work on rooting them out so that God may be glorified in you, and the people around you served. How do you do that? In this glad confidence: God's heart has forever been changed toward you by the birth, death and resurrection of His Son, and that is the change of heart that saves you. God's heart now announces to you His peace and goodwill. Merry Christmas!!