Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols

December 24, 2020

Luke 2:1-16

Disasters upend priorities.

Where will you go if there’s no room in the inn? What will you do if you lose your job? In the hour of death, to what will you cling?

Disasters upend priorities. The shipwrecked need a plank, something to keep them above water. In that moment, nothing else matters.

Christmas is for the shipwrecked.

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” entertains those who are warm and have someone to be with. It brings no cheer for the cold and lonely.

God appeared in the world to the cold and lonely. God appeared in the world to the nobodies and the losers. Kings were oblivious to His coming. He came for those ruined by the storms.

You who are warm and well-fed: upend your priorities tonight, before disaster comes. Reassess what you want.

What do you want for Christmas?

When I was six or seven I wanted a SWAT tactical vehicle based on a popular television show at the time, and I also wanted the six-million dollar bionic man action figure (doubtless among a pile of other presents). I got one but not the other. With guilt, I still remember that dissatisfaction. Lavish me with gifts and I will still be disappointed. Surely I was covetous from birth.

The SWAT van and the Bionic Man are long gone. The presents under the tree don't last much longer than the tree itself.

What do you really want for Christmas? What do you need? 

We don’t need more under the tree. Through our desire by a tree in the garden we were cursed. We need One who on the tree of the cross will overcome this curse.

Christ comes for the cursed.

Christ comes for the shipwrecked. 

Christ comes for the lost.

Christ comes for the lonely.

He comes for the sinner.

So you must be a sinner, i.e., confess it.

The comforts you've surrounded yourself with must become worthless.

You are shipwrecked, and drowning. 

You are lost. The compass by which you’ve been navigating is faulty.

Abandon your dreams of riches, and come to the cradle of the One who made Himself poor for you.

This year has been a year of fear. Virus and lockdowns, riots and strife. So not only to shepherds but to you comes the word, “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.”

A Savior. That’s what the shipwrecked need.

No president can be your savior. No vaccine will keep you alive. No worldly gifts will satisfy the deepest longing of your heart.

To you, the shipwrecked, comes a Savior.

To you, the estranged, comes reconciliation.

To you, the sinner, comes pardon. 

To you, the dying, comes Life.

What do you want for Christmas? What do you need? 

“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.”

No other gift will satisfy. He is what you need. This Jesus is your Savior.

(Inspired by "Shipwrecked at the Stable" by Brennan Manning)