Christmas Sermon, Candle lit service - Luke 2.1-14

           How beautiful, on this holy night, to hear the narrative of the holy birth.

            Part of what I love about this telling, is how Luke weaves together so much wonder and truth, in such subtle ways. The emphasis on contrasts highlights the profound nature of this birth. By juxtaposing the extreme differences, it shows how God chooses to come forth into the world: and it's not in a way many would expect.

            We hear about the ruling elite: the Emperor and the Governor! and they are secondary characters to the birth story of a child born in poverty.

            We hear of the royal lineage of the House of David - and then focus on Joseph, a man of simple means, a tradesman.

            And into this family, the firstborn son; the heir of all that is, the one who will carry the birthright - yet for whom the circumstances have being wrapped in rags.

            But this is the Messiah! The long-expected and long-awaited Messiah was physically manifest in human form on earth! The one who carries the promise of redemption and salvation! and yet there was no provision to welcome him at the inn.

            So despite being right beside a proper and appropriate guest house, the child is laid in a manger, out of earthly desperation for anywhere for him to lay.

            Yet - he was here. The child was delivered, and so a great declaration was made! By angels, messengers sent directly from God! and they carried their message of glory and peace to lowly shepherds. 

             The contrasts are stark: they tell us how unlikely, and how un-majestic things were. We learn of people and places that are humble and vulnerable and... ordinary.   Especially considering how the birth *could* have happened. This is the Son of God, after all, choosing that time and that place and that way to enter into this realm.

            Yet...

The circumstances are humble; but not powerless.

The holy family is vulnerable; but not uncared for.

The witnesses are ordinary: but not unexceptional.

            And this is God's truth: the birth of Jesus proclaims that the glory of God will not be limited... that the presence of God will not be limited... that the peace of God will not be limited.

            God choose this lowly birth, in contrast to all the riches and comforts that were possible, to remind us that God is here, at all times and for all people. Jesus is continually breaking forth into our world, at unexpected times and in unanticipated ways, inviting us to be surprised by joy and inspired by love.

            And so we are invited:

to look beyond what is likely, to go beyond what cultural might limit, and to love beyond what we think we can. God did; God does; God will continue to do.

So I invite us to engage with this Gospel, tonight and always. May we have the courage to cherish the message of God's impossible, improbable, and perfect love.

May we share the joy of the infant Jesus with all whom we encounter, as we celebrate that we too have been given good news, of a great joy, for all the people.