Christmas Eve Service 2022 Message

The Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 1-14 reads like this:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive 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 Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."


As I re-read this passage this week, this is the part that God seemingly lifted off the page and put before my eyes: to all who did receive 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.

While many of the Jews rejected Jesus because He didn't look like they expected, He did not come for His people only. He came, John says, to anyone and everyone who would receive Him and believe in His name. Without exception, without condition, without hesitation; the Hope of Christ & His Gospel not only receives anyone with open arms, but is also freely received by anyone who will open their arms.

This truth that we reflect on this time of year every year truly is transformational and other-worldly. The hope that you need is found in Jesus. The joy that you're lacking is found in Jesus. The peace that you're seeking is found in Jesus. And, John says, the relationship...the family...the community that is life-giving and soul-sustaining is found in the person of Jesus & His body, the church.

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I read earlier this week of a survey given to 1,200 people who grew up in the church but had left sometime in their adult lives. They asked them 6 questions, but the last one was, essentially, "What do you miss about being part of a church family?" The overwhelming number one response was...community. They miss fellowship. They miss a sense of the "heavenly adoption" that we consider and celebrate this time of year.

And while that yearning for family or community is true regardless of season, this time of year it can be profoundly and powerfully felt.  Tim Challies, a pastor in Canada, wrote poignantly of the loneliness and longing for community that many experience during this season and, at the same time, how it is the most joyful for those who know Jesus. He said:


There has always been something special about Christmas—with its well-established celebrations, personalized traditions, and faith-filled observations. And yet we recently learned a difficult lesson—that the most special days can also be the most painful ones, and that sorrows are often amplified in festive times.

It was just two short years ago that my son Nick was unexpectedly taken from us. He was a college student who was progressing well in his studies, a fiancé looking forward to his upcoming wedding, a faithful son, and a loving brother. But then, in an instant, he was taken—and our world was shattered.

Not a day goes by when he has not been on our hearts and in our minds. Not a day goes by when we do not miss him dearly and grieve him sorely. Not a day goes by when we do not long to hear his voice and see his smile.

And as this most special of days draws near, we feel that longing grow and that ache deepen, for we know that at Christmas we will sense his absence even more. It will be impossible to ignore or overlook—for there will be fewer gifts under the tree than there once were, fewer chairs around the table, one less stocking above the hearth. We know that on this day, of all days, he will be most deeply missed.

What we wouldn’t give to worship together as a whole family, intact and reunited. What we wouldn’t give to spend this Christmas as we’ve spent so many others, with all of us sitting, singing, and marveling together at the wonder of the day and all it represents.

And yet we are not without hope, and we are not without joy. Although we know Christmas will be a day of sadness, we are also convinced it will be a day of happiness. It must be a day of happiness, for how could we be without joy on Christmas, of all days?

If Christmas was only an occasion for our family to gather and enjoy one another, we might well despair. But there is far more to it than that. Christmas commemorates a historic event of tremendous significance—not only the birth of a baby, but the advent of our hope.

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This evening, I want you to ponder how this "heavenly adoption" into Christ and His family has changed - and continues to change - your soul, your heart,  your mind, everything about you. Remember Simeon, from Luke 2? He was an old man who was described as righteous and devout. He had, for years, been holding faithfully to God's promise that the Messiah would come. When he held the newborn Jesus in His arms, and personally experienced the joy of Christ, He said, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations." So, if you're barely clinging to God's promises about who He is and what He offers, then re-visit the newborn King and Simeon's joy.

Remember Mary's response when she was visited by the angel? When she's told that she has been chosen to bring forth God's Son, her simple response was, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." So, if you're facing a potentially life-changing situation or news, or perhaps in the middle of great uncertainty, remember that God chose you and is with you. You are never in it alone. You have much reason to hope and much opportunity to glorify God in this.

Christ came to bring relationship into emptiness and adoption to lonely hearts. As you reflect on the Good News of Christ's birth, please don't let it be detached from your own soul and life. If you need healing, Christ is here. Hope? Jesus has come. Peace? Come and worship.

Are you experiencing the pain of loss? Or the anxiety of uncertainty? Or perhaps the fear of the unknown? Maybe you are one of those many who feel quite lonely and unsupported? Without a family or community. No matter your situation, Christ is here. His family is here. He has brought light into the darkness and the darkness has not overcome the light. He has given you the right to become a child of God.

WALK OFF

CLOSING PRAYER:

"Our Father, we thank you tonight that you have come. We thank you that you are here.

We thank you that in a world full of darkness, you have brought forth light.

We thank you that in a world full of despair, you have brought hope.

We thank you that in a world full of loneliness, you have brought relationship.

We thank you that in our hearts full of sin, you have brought righteousness.

We thank you that in our lives full of unfaithfulness, you have brought faithfulness.

We thank you that in our souls full of brokenness, you have brought healing.

We thank you that in a world full of death, you have brought life.

As we celebrate YOU this season, fill us with Your Holy Spirit and Hope. May we live transformed lives, and be beacons of your light to those in darkness.

We worship You, Father, for who You are.

​In Christs name. AMEN.