Merry Christmas Eve from Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Arlington, Texas.
Sermon
My message, “Newsflash! A Savior is Born” is based on Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20.
You can watch the message below or read the manuscript.
Excerpt
In Luke’s birth narrative he shifts quickly, telling us in one verse about Jesus being born before shifting in the next to deliver a birth announcement. And this is where the angels and shepherds appear.[1]
Let’s travel there now. Allow yourself to be transported back in time across the centuries to a place called Bethlehem. Join me in entering into the story as if we were there – present but lurking at a comfortable distance from it all. Imagine us gathered in a field not far from a bunch of smelly sheep and some shepherds.
We are stepping in to observe a mind-boggling moment. So, let’s try to make sense of this one-of-a-kind birth announcement.
The shepherds were busy shepherding. These ordinary working-class folks were working. They were tending their sheep. They were minding their own business when a bunch of angels showed up out of nowhere.
And these angels did what angels do throughout Scripture when they appear to deliver a newsflash; they reassured the shepherds and anyone who may have been close enough to overhear – and, by this, I mean us.
The angels spoke from the bright light that surrounded them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”[2]
Hold on folks! The angels have arrived to interrupt all regularly scheduled shepherding activities. Whatever was happening has to wait. Life as we know it is paused until further notice.
And with that the angels continue their announcement: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”[3]
It’s happening! The world as we knew it has been forever changed. The angel just uttered words that are new to us and words that appear together nowhere else in Scripture. The first sentence of their birth announcement labels a newborn baby as Savior, Messiah, and Lord.
To say this is no ordinary baby is an understatement. In fact, my mind races to what this might mean and to other titles, especially a group of older titles found in the book of Isaiah. Titles that others will soon connect to the one who has just been born. He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.[4]
[1] Luke 2:7 to Luke 2:8.
[2] Luke 2:10b.
[3] Luke 2:11.
[4] Isaiah 9:6.