Why Christmas Matters
Commentary
All the lessons testify to the theme of why Christmas matters! The festival encourages sermons on what Christ accomplishes in our lives and a joyful celebration of thanks for the best Christmas present of all -- the babe in the manger.
Isaiah 62:6-12
The First Lesson is drawn from a prophetic book which is really the product of two or three distinct literary traditions. The first 30 chapters are the work of the historical prophet who proclaimed a message to Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah from 742 BC to 701 BC. Chapters 40-66 emerged a later period immediately before the fall of Babylon, and these verses probably come from a period after the Babylonian exiles had returned in Jerusalem and had experienced some disappointment. This lesson, emerging from the later period, is part of a poem on the glory of Jerusalem and its Temple.
The lesson begins with the prophet telling Jerusalem that Yahweh has posted sentinels on her walls and that they will not remain silent (v.6a). “Sentinels” may well refer to the prophets God has sent. Those who remind Yahweh of the plight of the people give him no rest, calling on him to establish Jerusalem and make it renowned in the earth (vv.6b-7). Yahweh is said to have sworn by his right hand [God’s special place of honor] and mighty arm (zeroa, a symbol of his power) that he will not again give Israel’s food and drink to enemies, but those who gather these fruits will eat it and praise Yahweh (vv.8-9). What follows is a summary of the eschatological hope referred to in previous chapters. The people are directed to prepare the way for the people, to build up a highway, for the Lord has proclaimed to Zion that their salvation comes, and that they shall be called a holy people, the Redeemed of the Lord (vv.10-12).
A January 2006 Barna Research poll found that nearly three out of four American adults (73%) believe it is possible for someone to become holy. But only about half of the population (55%) claims to know someone who is holy and only about three in ten (29%) consider themselves holy. Likely little has changed in this way of thinking in Americans in the last decade. The proclamation of the holiness of the faithful made in this lesson is needed this Christmas. We learn from it that God in the end times begun in Jesus has already made us holy people! The same poll reveals the public’s misunderstanding of what holiness is (as 21% concede they do not know what it is and 88% define holiness in terms of something we are to do). The point of this lesson by contrast is that holiness is accomplished by Christ -- it just comes with accepting him. Yes, Christmas really involves a present -- the gift of holiness.
Titus 3:4-7
The Second Lesson is taken from one of the pastoral epistles, along with 1 and 2 Timothy, so named because of their concern with pastoral leadership. This book purports to a letter of Paul to Titus, a Gentile colleague in ministry (Galatians 2:1-3). Like all of the pastorals, this one is probably not written by Paul, for it differs from his authentic epistles in vocabulary, style, and treatment of concepts like faith, law, and righteousness, characterized by more emphasis on good works. Also many of the historical circumstances described in the pastoral epistles do not seem readily accommodated to Paul’s ministry described in Acts. This is turn suggests that they may not have been written until the second century as circular letters written not to Titus or Timothy but to a general audience. Titus seems to engage in debate with leaders maintaining fidelity to Jewish traditions (1:10,14).
This lesson is part of the author’s exhortation regarding the relationship of pastor and flock. In the context of urging that pastors remind the flock of our lowliness (v.3), proclamation of the great things that God has done is offered. Listeners are told of the goodness and kindness of God our savior has appeared, that he saved us not because of any works we have done but according to his mercy through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (vv.4-5). Through Christ our savior the Spirit has been poured out on us richly (v.6). Consequently we have been justified by his grace, so that we might become heirs of the hope of eternal life (v.7).
Christmas is not a time for many to reflect on how we are saved by grace and not works. No, we associate this festival more with the baby Jesus or the new presents we have received. But poll data indicates that we don’t have this theme much on our minds most of the time. A 2016 poll conducted by LifeWay Research has found that more than 3/4s of Americans (76%) believe that an individual must contribute to his/her own individual salvation! We clearly need to link all our devotion to the babe in the manger to the recognition that he has come to save us, to do all the heavy lifting it will take to save. This Christmas message is needed today in order to liberate a lot of Americans from the bondage of thinking that they are only loved contingently by God, that the events of Christmas and Easter are not sufficient alone to save us.
Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20
The Gospel is drawn from the first part of a two-part history of the church, traditionally attributed to Luke, a physician and Gentile associate of Paul (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon). Along with Acts, the author’s intention was to stress the universal mission of the church (Acts 1:8).
Most of what Christians believe about the Christmas story is drawn from this text. The only parallel is in Matthew (1:18 -- 2:12). The lesson begins with the revelation of an angel to shepherds (vv.8ff.). The first (optional) 7 verses report the background of Jesus’ birth, the background on the census that led Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and her delivery of Jesus. The revelation by the angel is said to produce fear [phobeo] among the shepherds as they encounter the glory of God (they experienced the fear of God) (vv.8-9). The angel comforts them, bringing the good news of the Messiah, whom they are told they can find in Bethlehem in a manger (v.12). The angel is then joined by a heavenly multitude (presumably other angels) who praise God and sing of peace among those he favors (vv.13-14). When the angels depart, the shepherds proceed to Bethlehem, finding Mary, Joseph, and the child (vv.15-17). All who heard the story are said to be amazed. Mary is said to treasure these words and ponder them (vv.18-19). It is reported that the shepherds then return, glorifying God (v.20).
Inevitably American Christians lament that the Christmas story is not getting the attention it deserves on this holy day/night in America as a whole. Poll data warrants these suppositions. A 2017 Pew Research Center poll found that only 46% of Americans consider Christmas a religious holiday. That is not surprising given the fact that only 66% of us believe in the virgin birth and only 57% of Americans believe in the entire account of Christmas offered by Luke, according to a 2017 Barna Research poll. The same poll found that only 56% believe Jesus is son of God.
Sermons on this lesson need to make clear that Jesus matters, makes a difference in everyday life. Even American Christians do not seem to be very clear on this point. The same Barna poll just cited found that only 63% of American Christians who claim a personal commitment to Jesus believe that faith in Christ gains salvation. Many are convinced that the faithful must do more. Obviously we need a Christmas message focused on how Christ matters in order to make clear that he saves.
There are other reasons for stressing the implications of Christ’s birth, for polls suggest it has salubrious implications for the way we live and our quality of life. A Pew Research Center 2016 poll revealed that 40% of the highly religious (including many who are centered on Christ) are happy in life (compared to 29% of the public as a whole) and that 65% of the highly religious give to the poor (compared 41% of the public as a whole). Yes, a life centered on the Christ-child makes a difference in the way in which we live, and Christmas can be a time for making that clear.
Collectively the lessons get us to think about Christmas in a Christ-centered way, helping us appreciate the most important gifts that we receive in this joyful festival, how Christ makes as difference in life.
Isaiah 62:6-12
The First Lesson is drawn from a prophetic book which is really the product of two or three distinct literary traditions. The first 30 chapters are the work of the historical prophet who proclaimed a message to Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah from 742 BC to 701 BC. Chapters 40-66 emerged a later period immediately before the fall of Babylon, and these verses probably come from a period after the Babylonian exiles had returned in Jerusalem and had experienced some disappointment. This lesson, emerging from the later period, is part of a poem on the glory of Jerusalem and its Temple.
The lesson begins with the prophet telling Jerusalem that Yahweh has posted sentinels on her walls and that they will not remain silent (v.6a). “Sentinels” may well refer to the prophets God has sent. Those who remind Yahweh of the plight of the people give him no rest, calling on him to establish Jerusalem and make it renowned in the earth (vv.6b-7). Yahweh is said to have sworn by his right hand [God’s special place of honor] and mighty arm (zeroa, a symbol of his power) that he will not again give Israel’s food and drink to enemies, but those who gather these fruits will eat it and praise Yahweh (vv.8-9). What follows is a summary of the eschatological hope referred to in previous chapters. The people are directed to prepare the way for the people, to build up a highway, for the Lord has proclaimed to Zion that their salvation comes, and that they shall be called a holy people, the Redeemed of the Lord (vv.10-12).
A January 2006 Barna Research poll found that nearly three out of four American adults (73%) believe it is possible for someone to become holy. But only about half of the population (55%) claims to know someone who is holy and only about three in ten (29%) consider themselves holy. Likely little has changed in this way of thinking in Americans in the last decade. The proclamation of the holiness of the faithful made in this lesson is needed this Christmas. We learn from it that God in the end times begun in Jesus has already made us holy people! The same poll reveals the public’s misunderstanding of what holiness is (as 21% concede they do not know what it is and 88% define holiness in terms of something we are to do). The point of this lesson by contrast is that holiness is accomplished by Christ -- it just comes with accepting him. Yes, Christmas really involves a present -- the gift of holiness.
Titus 3:4-7
The Second Lesson is taken from one of the pastoral epistles, along with 1 and 2 Timothy, so named because of their concern with pastoral leadership. This book purports to a letter of Paul to Titus, a Gentile colleague in ministry (Galatians 2:1-3). Like all of the pastorals, this one is probably not written by Paul, for it differs from his authentic epistles in vocabulary, style, and treatment of concepts like faith, law, and righteousness, characterized by more emphasis on good works. Also many of the historical circumstances described in the pastoral epistles do not seem readily accommodated to Paul’s ministry described in Acts. This is turn suggests that they may not have been written until the second century as circular letters written not to Titus or Timothy but to a general audience. Titus seems to engage in debate with leaders maintaining fidelity to Jewish traditions (1:10,14).
This lesson is part of the author’s exhortation regarding the relationship of pastor and flock. In the context of urging that pastors remind the flock of our lowliness (v.3), proclamation of the great things that God has done is offered. Listeners are told of the goodness and kindness of God our savior has appeared, that he saved us not because of any works we have done but according to his mercy through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (vv.4-5). Through Christ our savior the Spirit has been poured out on us richly (v.6). Consequently we have been justified by his grace, so that we might become heirs of the hope of eternal life (v.7).
Christmas is not a time for many to reflect on how we are saved by grace and not works. No, we associate this festival more with the baby Jesus or the new presents we have received. But poll data indicates that we don’t have this theme much on our minds most of the time. A 2016 poll conducted by LifeWay Research has found that more than 3/4s of Americans (76%) believe that an individual must contribute to his/her own individual salvation! We clearly need to link all our devotion to the babe in the manger to the recognition that he has come to save us, to do all the heavy lifting it will take to save. This Christmas message is needed today in order to liberate a lot of Americans from the bondage of thinking that they are only loved contingently by God, that the events of Christmas and Easter are not sufficient alone to save us.
Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20
The Gospel is drawn from the first part of a two-part history of the church, traditionally attributed to Luke, a physician and Gentile associate of Paul (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon). Along with Acts, the author’s intention was to stress the universal mission of the church (Acts 1:8).
Most of what Christians believe about the Christmas story is drawn from this text. The only parallel is in Matthew (1:18 -- 2:12). The lesson begins with the revelation of an angel to shepherds (vv.8ff.). The first (optional) 7 verses report the background of Jesus’ birth, the background on the census that led Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and her delivery of Jesus. The revelation by the angel is said to produce fear [phobeo] among the shepherds as they encounter the glory of God (they experienced the fear of God) (vv.8-9). The angel comforts them, bringing the good news of the Messiah, whom they are told they can find in Bethlehem in a manger (v.12). The angel is then joined by a heavenly multitude (presumably other angels) who praise God and sing of peace among those he favors (vv.13-14). When the angels depart, the shepherds proceed to Bethlehem, finding Mary, Joseph, and the child (vv.15-17). All who heard the story are said to be amazed. Mary is said to treasure these words and ponder them (vv.18-19). It is reported that the shepherds then return, glorifying God (v.20).
Inevitably American Christians lament that the Christmas story is not getting the attention it deserves on this holy day/night in America as a whole. Poll data warrants these suppositions. A 2017 Pew Research Center poll found that only 46% of Americans consider Christmas a religious holiday. That is not surprising given the fact that only 66% of us believe in the virgin birth and only 57% of Americans believe in the entire account of Christmas offered by Luke, according to a 2017 Barna Research poll. The same poll found that only 56% believe Jesus is son of God.
Sermons on this lesson need to make clear that Jesus matters, makes a difference in everyday life. Even American Christians do not seem to be very clear on this point. The same Barna poll just cited found that only 63% of American Christians who claim a personal commitment to Jesus believe that faith in Christ gains salvation. Many are convinced that the faithful must do more. Obviously we need a Christmas message focused on how Christ matters in order to make clear that he saves.
There are other reasons for stressing the implications of Christ’s birth, for polls suggest it has salubrious implications for the way we live and our quality of life. A Pew Research Center 2016 poll revealed that 40% of the highly religious (including many who are centered on Christ) are happy in life (compared to 29% of the public as a whole) and that 65% of the highly religious give to the poor (compared 41% of the public as a whole). Yes, a life centered on the Christ-child makes a difference in the way in which we live, and Christmas can be a time for making that clear.
Collectively the lessons get us to think about Christmas in a Christ-centered way, helping us appreciate the most important gifts that we receive in this joyful festival, how Christ makes as difference in life.
