Advent 3
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook - SERIES C
Zephaniah 3:14-20 (C)
Zephaniah 3:14-18a (L)
Zephaniah 3:14-18 (RC)
Rejoice, for Yahweh will restore his people to their homeland.
This is the only use of Zephaniah in the three-year Lectionary. Zephaniah lived during the reign of Josiah in the 7th century, prior to the Babylonian captivity. Our pericope is considered an addition by an unknown author of the Deutero-Isaiah period. The passage gives good news of salvation to those in exile: a return to Jerusalem, victory over enemies, Yahweh in their midst, and renown among the nations. This is ample reason for wholehearted rejoicing with loud singing. Out of the doom and des-truction of the first two chapters comes a chapter of hope and thus appropriate as a Lesson for Advent.
Philippians 4:4-13 (C)
Philippians 4:4-7 (8-9) (L)
Philippians 4:4-7 (RC)
Rejoice in the Lord who is at hand.
The key verse in the passage is verse 5: "The Lord is at hand." This is the reason and occasion for rejoicing just as it was in Lesson 1 - "The Lord, your God, is in your midst." Because he is near, we have reasons to rejoice - the joy of prayer, of peace, and of contentment with life's situation. Paul is referring to the Second Coming. Our problem is that "at hand" has required 2,000 years of waiting. Will there be 2,000 more? If so, we who are living today will not fully experience this joy. However, the solution may be that we can have Christ in our hearts now and experience the joy as a foretaste of a greater joy when he returns.
Luke 3:7-18 (C, L)
Luke 3:10-18 (RC)
John the Baptizer preached the good news of Christ's coming.
Here we find John the Baptizer preaching not to the religious leaders of his day, but to the people. He blasts their false security of claiming ancestry of Abraham. Though Jews, they are to repent in ethical fashion: "fruits of repentance," ethical behavior. Then he answers their questions, "What then shall we do?" The remaining paragraph in the pericope is John's description of his relationship with Christ. He says he is not the Christ but he points to the coming Christ who in judgment will baptize with fire and the Spirit. Luke considers John's preaching as "good news."
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty God, you once called John the Baptizer to give witness to the coming of your Son and to prepare his way. Grant us, your people, the wisdom to see your purpose today and the openness to hear your will, that we may witness to Christ's coming and so prepare his way."
Hymn of the Day
"Hark, a Thrilling Voice is Sounding"
Theme of the Day: Reasons To Rejoice
Gospel - Rejoice over the good news of Christ's coming.
Lesson 1 - Rejoice that your King is with you.
Lesson 2 - Rejoice in the Lord who is at hand.
Formerly this third Sunday in Advent was known as Gaudete, meaning "Rejoice." It is the theme of today. It reminds us that Advent is not all sorrow, solemnity, nor seriousness. Advent has a quiet joy of anticipation of someone great coming, a Deliverer and Savior. An appropriate hymn of Advent is "Joy to the world, the Lord is come-ing." Although the Gospel does not mention "rejoice," it is implied in John's announcement that a greater than he is coming. The Exiles are to shout and sing with rejoicing for their return to Jerusalem is promised. Paul finds the source of his joy "in the Lord" who is at hand. The Psalm harmonizes with the theme: "Shout and sing for joy." The Hymn refers to a "thrilling" voice that Christ is near. While the Lessons and liturgical propers deal with rejoicing in Advent, it is a joy of anticipation. It does not match the joy that we have on Christmas when the promise is fulfilled and the savior has come.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: Luke 3:7-18
1. Vipers (v. 7). Suppose you began your sermon, "You congregation of snakes." Would that be your last Sunday as pastor? John the Baptizer said, "You brood of vipers! " Who were the "vipers"?
Pharisees, publicans, prostitutes? No, they were true Jews who had enough religion to leave their homes to go to the wilderness to hear a prophet. John is speaking to the respectable church-going people of his day and calls them to be baptized for repentance. Isn't it a fact that many church members, content in their false security as members, need to be called to repent?
2. Fruits (v. 8). The main emphasis in John's preaching was repentance. But he was not content for the people only to feel sorry for their sins, confess their sins, and put on sackcloth. For him repentance was a practical matter, a change in one's living. He wanted to see some practical changes which he mentioned to various groups who asked, "What then shall we do?"
3. Axe (v. 9). John's message afflicted the comfortable. He uses the figure of an axe to portray what will happen to the wicked. The axe is a symbol of the wrath of God. The tree of an evil life will be cut down and burned. Moreover, he claims that Christ will burn the chaff "with unquenchable fire." Here is a word of warning: repent or experience the wrath of God! Dare we preach this to today's congregation?
4. Fire (v. 16). John sees himself as baptizing with water for repentance, but sees Christ as baptizing with the Spirit and with fire. Could the water of John's baptism put out the fire of Christ's baptism? Do we have here two baptisms: water and Spirit baptism? There is only one baptism: The baptism with the Spirit and fire is outwardly seen by the water of the baptism. The essentials are Spirit and fire, for fire symbolized God who is a consuming fire. Fire represents life, heat, light, and power of God. In Christian baptism God comes to the repentant believer in Christ as Spirit and fire.
Lesson 1: Zephaniah 3:14-20
1. Aloud (v. 14). The Jews are urged to sing aloud. So loud that they should "shout." Why? "Rejoice and exult with all your heart." This is not a half-hearted joy. This is the greatest thing to ever happen to a people held in slavery in a foreign country for fifty years! How could anyone be soft in voice when your heart is bursting with gladness? If we Christians experience the deliverance from the slavery of our sins, we will sing, "O for a thousand tongues to sing."
2. Midst (v. 15). God is not absent, not far off in the heavens. He is here and right in our midst. God never stands off nor on the periphery of our lives. Because of his love, he comes into the center of humanity, into our hearts as the seat of our beings. If God is for us, who can be against us? His presence erases our fears and gives us victory. Thus, a name for Christ is "Emmanuel," God with us.
3. He (v. 17). Here is a surprising thought! We have been thinking of our rejoicing over God's coming to be in our midst, but in this verse we are told that Yahweh himself is rejoicing over his people, renewing them in his love, and singing aloud in festivity. Now how about that - God singing, shouting, rejoicing that we are his people! Amazing, right?
Lesson 2: Phiippians 4:4-13.
1. In (vv. 4, 10). "Rejoice in the Lord." While in prison Paul writes that he rejoices in the Lord and urges his readers to do the same. Can you imagine anyone in jail with its confinement, miserable food, personal discomforts, and possible physical abuse? He teaches us that a Christian's joy does not depend upon eternal conditions. Under any and all circumstances, good or bad, we can be happy in Jesus.
2. Minds (v. 7). In our Christian faith, we tend to emphasize the heart and neglect the mind. In the greatest commandment, we are told to love God with all our minds as well as with all our hearts. When some go to worship, they park their minds along with their cars outside the church in a parking lot. The mind is important, for as a person thinks, so is he. What we say and do result from our thinking. Paul claims that the peace of God keeps our minds in Christ. He suggests what we are to think about - v. 8. We are to have the mind of Christ so that we will think clearly, accurately, and nobly.
3. Can (v. 13). Here is good news to those who feel inadequate to the crises, needs, and challenges of life. We say, "I can't take it any more," or "I can't bear to hear it," or "I can't measure up to all that is expected of me." Paul says he can do all things - "all things." That is a big order! How so? "In Christ" is the answer. Christ is the strength of our lives and makes us sufficient for any crisis, challenge, or opportunity.
Preaching Possibilities
Three Lessons
Zephaniah 3:14-20; Philippians 4:4-13; Luke 3:7-18
Joy in Pianissimo
Need: Today's theme is "Rejoice." Advent is a time for rejoicing in the Lord. It is not the Christmas joy when all the stops on the organ are pulled out, but a pianissimo joy, a joy of quiet expectation and anticipation. In two Sundays we will celebrate Christmas with the fulness of joy. Now the time of Christ's arrival is fast approaching and we are happy that he is coming.
Outline: Reasons for rejoicing this Sunday -
a. Time of the Lord's coming: soon - "The Lord is at hand" - Lesson 2.
b. Place of the Lord's coming: here - "The Lord is in your midst" - Lesson 2.
c. Result of the Lord's coming: presence of God - "Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" - Gospel.
Gospel: Luke 3:7-18
1. What's Good about the Good News? 3:7-18.
Need: Luke describes the preaching of John the Baptizer as good news. (v. 18) Usually we associate good news with Jesus. Can the fiery preaching of judgment be considered good news, the call to repentance, the threat of death? In this sermon we will find good news even in the harsh words of an ascetic prophet.
Outline: What is good about John's good news? -
a. Good to be warned - vv. 7-9, 17
b. Good to change your ways - vv. 10-14
c. Good to receive Christ's baptism - vv. 15-16
2. Repent, You Saints! 3:7-14.
Need: Sinners, repent! True, sinners need to repent. What about the saints, the children of God, the covenant people of God? In this passage John is preaching to the Jews, circumcised people of the covenant. They had Abraham as their father and the temple for prayer and worship. They had the Law and the Prophets. Yet, John calls them "vipers" and asks them to repent. In our day, do church members need to repent also?
Outline: Why saints need to repent -
a. Repentance without its fruits - v. 8
b. False security in tradition (church membership) - v. 8
c. Hearers and not doers of the Word - vv. 10-14
3. A Baptism of Fire. 3:16-18.
Need: John's baptism was a water baptism of repentance. Jesus' baptism is a spiritual baptism of fire. Fire is a common symbol of God and his work. Moses met Yahweh at a burning bush. The Spirit came on Pentecost as cloven tongues of fire. In this text John says Jesus will baptize with fire. When Jesus comes, he will do just that. To date maybe our baptism was only a Johannine baptism of water. We can explain Christian baptism by comparing it with fire.
Outline: A baptism of fire means -
a. A fire of cleansing - v. 17
b. A fire of Spirit - v. 16
Lesson 1: Zephaniah 3:14-20
1. Sing and Shout for Jesus! 3:14-18.
Need: When Christ comes to us, we must express our joy. If we did not, as Jesus said about the praises sung on Palm Sunday, the very stones would cry out. Nothing greater, nothing more important can happen to us than to have Jesus in our midst. His coming for the first time in our lives or for the last time in history is an occasion to sing and shout: "Praise the Lord!"
Outline: Sing and shout because -
a. We have the victory - v. 15a
b. We have God with us - vv. 15b, 17a
c. We have no fear - vv. 15c, 16b
2. Is God Happy with You? 3:17.
Need: We have good reason to be happy with God, but is he happy with us? Our text tells us God is as happy with us as we are with him, maybe more so. We are happy with him because he takes away our fear and gives us victory over our enemies. What would make God happy with us?
Outline: God rejoices over us -
a. When we worship him.
b. When we are faithful to his covenant.
c. When we love and serve him.
Lesson 2: Phiippians 4:4-13.
1. The Happy Christian. 4:4.
Need: Some Christians are not happy. They look as though they lost their best friend, or lost their job, or failed to pass a test. The problem may be that we base our happiness on external conditions or events. Joy is an inner quality of having Jesus, for to have him is to have all.
Outline: How you can be happy -
a. What to do - "Rejoice"
b. Why rejoice - "in the Lord"
c. When? - "Always"
2. Why Can You be so Happy? 4:4-13.
Need: You see some Christians, like Paul, who have a radiance of joy about them. They have a smile on their faces. They are cheerful and optimistic. How can they be happy in a world like this, when trouble is a reality, when there are crises and ill health? The secret: Christian happiness is not in favorable circumstances or "good luck" but in having Christ as Lord. Paul asks us not to be happy in ourselves or our circumstances but "in the Lord."
Outline: Why you can rejoice in the Lord -
a. He hears your prayers - v. 6
b. He gives you peace - vv. 7, 9
c. He provides you with strength - v. 13
ADVENT 4
The Lessons
Micah 5:2-5a (C)
Micah 5:2-4 (L)
Micah 5:1-4 (RC)
Out of Bethlehem will come a shepherd king who will be great.
Micah was a prophet of the seventh century during the reigns of Ahaz and Hezekiah. The first three chapters are considered to be the work of Micah, but chapters 4 and 5 are believed to be the work of an unknown author writing during or near the end of the Babylonian exile. In the dark years of the exile, the Jews looked for a restoration of the nation under a Davidic shepherd-king who, like David, would be born in Bethlehem. Matthew sees the passage as a promise fulfilled that Christ would be born in Bethlehem.
Hebrews 10:5-10
Christ came to the world to do the will of God by offering himself as a sacrifice.
The author of Hebrews points to the finality and all-sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for sin in contrast to the Levitical sacrifices of the temple, sacrifices which cannot remove sin. Christ became incarnate to do God's will of making a perfect sacrifice for sin. By so doing, the former sacrifices were brought to an end. The purpose of the Incarnation was to make the sacrifice possible. This passage teaches us that Jesus was born to die on the cross for the redemption of the world.
Luke 1:39-55 (C)
Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) (L)
Luke 1:39-45 (RC)
In response to Elizabeth's greeting, Mary said the Magnificat.
The lection is of two parts. The first (vv. 39-45) gives the historical account of pregnant Mary's visit to Elizabeth also pregnant with John. Elizabeth acknowledges the superiority of Mary as "the mother of my Lord" and the superiority of Jesus over John indicated by the baby's leaping in Elizabeth's womb at the time of Mary's appearance. The second part (vv. 46-55) constitutes the beautiful Magnificat. Scholars claim that the poem is a pre-Lucan product celebrating redemption through the Messiah. The use of the past tense (vv. 51-55) indicates that it was written from a post-Easter perspective. The Magnificat expresses theology in a poetic and narrative poem.
Prayer of the Day
"Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the hindrance of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always."
Hymn of the Day
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
Theme of the Day : How God Sent His Son
Gospel - The person through whom Christ is coming: Mary.
Lesson 1 - The place where he is coming: Bethlehem.
Lesson 2 - The purpose of his coming: to be the perfect sacrifice.
On this fourth Sunday in Advent we are on the threshold of Christmas. Within a week the church and world will be celebrating a festival or a holiday. With Christmas on our minds, we give attention to the methods God will use to bring his Son to us. Psalm, hymn, and prayer of the Day cry for the Advent: "Stir up thy might and come," "Stir up your power and come," and "O Come, Emmanuel." The Lessons tell us how the Christ will come. In the Gospel Christ is coming through a woman who in gratitude rejoices with the Magnificat. Lesson 1 gives us the place of his coming, the birthplace of his father, David. Lesson 2 explains the reason for the Incarnation: His body is to be the perfect sacrifice for sin.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: Luke 1:39-55.
1. Blessed (vv. 42, 45, 48). The word is used four times in this pericope. It is often translated "happy." Elizabeth considers Mary to be blessed because she was to be the mother of the Messiah and because she believed the promise of God given her through Gabriel. Mary sings that all future generations will call her blessed because she brought Christ into the world. Moreover, the child to be born will be blessed also. Who are the blessed ones of our day? The carriers of Christ, the obedient, the ones who are in Christ and who bear, like Mary, Christ within them.
2. Leaped (vv. 41, 44). The unborn child, John, in Elizabeth's womb leaped. One reason for the prenatal movement was John's reaction to Jesus' presence still in Mary's body. The unborn baby recognized Mary's unborn child as the Messiah. Moreover, the baby leaped for joy. To leap for joy is a natural reaction to a great victory. A child jumps up and down while waiting for a gift to be opened - the child cannot wait! Do we feel that way as we wait for Christ this Sunday before Christmas?
3. Magnifies (v. 46). Mary sings, "My soul magnifies the Lord." To magnify is to make great, to enlarge, to praise. She may have had reason to magnify herself, her ego. Look who she is! A woman chosen above all other women of all time to bear the Christ! Rather, she magnifies God who in his mercy chose her as a simple peasant girl. He has done great things for her in allowing her to bear the Messiah. Do we magnify God for letting us serve him?
Lesson 1: Micah 5:2-5a
1. Little (v. 2) Bethlehem is associated with "little." We sing, "O Little Town of Bethlehem." Big things can happen in little places such as the birth of David and David's greater Son. We are not to despise the day of small beginnings. Some had difficulty in accepting Jesus, for they asked, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" The great Lincoln was born in a tiny log cabin in Kentucky. The truth is that the "little" can be great. So, at Christmas the great God comes as a little baby born in a little stable in a little village through a little woman totally unknown up to this time.
2. Travail (v. 3). The author is probably referring to the Jews in exile who were in travail struggling in slavery and longing for their return to Jerusalem. When a woman brings forth a child, a descendant of David, Yahweh will through him restore the people to their homeland. Out of the travail of Mary, who had not even a mid-wife to assist in the birth, came the Christ-child who as a Davidic king restores us to our homeland in God. It reminds us that everything worthwhile comes through pain, suffering, and sacrifice.
3. Feed (v. 4). The promised king will feed his people like a shepherd feeds his sheep. In a time when politicians and rulers feather their nests at the expense of taxing their people, this king is a different breed! Often when an election is over, the newly elected officials raise their salaries. The One who is coming at Christmas is the Good Shepherd who feeds his sheep with love and justice. Instead of living off the people and the fat of the land, he gives and gives even to laying down his life for the people.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 10:5-10
1. Body (vv. 5, 10). For Christ to come to our world, he needed a body to live in our physical world. Thus, at Christmas we celebrate the Incarnation. The Spirit becomes enfleshed so that God in Christ could identify with humanity, become sin, and be known by human beings. The body is essential for a spirit or soul to be on earth. Yet, the body is more than a material substance. The body is the total person with a body which makes possible existence on earth.
2. Will (vv. 7, 9). Christ came to earth to do the will of the Father. And what was that will? Jesus struggled with the question. For forty days he wrestled with the question while tempted in the wilderness. In Gethsemane, he had a bloody sweat in bringing himself to accept God's will that he should go to the cross. Jesus came to earth to die as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The manger should have been in the shape of the cross. With the cross in sight, we can be saved from the usual sentimental baby-Jesus, meek and mild. In this sense Christmas has a bittersweet taste.
3. Offering (v. 10). People gave offerings to please and/or placate God. In the temple, offerings of animals were for the forgiveness of sins. If Christ's death was an offering for sin, does it mean that his death was a payment to win God's favor? Did the cross change God's mind from judgment to salvation? God has eternally loved his people and has always been a God of mercy and steadfast love. Why then the offering? The offering of Christ is a manifestation and demonstration of God's forgiving love to sinners.
Preaching Possibilities
Three Lessons
Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-55
Will God Make It To Earth?
Need: Never was there a greater feat than the infinite God almighty's, whose nature is spirit, coming to earth. How can the Spirit become material, the infinite become an infant, the holy become sin? Here we have the mystery and miracle of Christmas. Our Lessons tell us how God managed to become a human.
Outline: How God became a human -
a. The Person: Mary who bears his Son - Gospel
b. The Place: the little town of Bethlehem - Lesson 1
C. The Purpose: to die for the world's redemption - Lesson 2
Gospel: Luke 1:39-55.
1. Blessed is the Woman! 1:39-45.
Need: "Blessed is the man," says Psalm 1. In today's Gospel lesson, Elizabeth says about Mary, "Blessed is the woman." In this short passage the word, "blessed," is used three times. For centuries Protestants have neglected Mary probably because of reaction to the Roman Catholic emphasis on Mary as mediatrix, sinless, and being mother of God. It is time to gain a new appreciation of Mary as a blessed woman.
Outline: Mary is blessed because -
a. She was chosen as the mother of our Lord - v. 42
b. Her child was the "Lord" - v. 43
c. She believed in and obeyed the word of God - v. 45
2. A Leap of Joy. 1:44
Need: Ever see football players leap for joy at a touchdown? Ever see a child jump up and down at the prospect of getting a puppy? Ever notice the jumping winners of a TV give-away show? How many are leaping for joy that Christ is coming in a few days at Christmas? Elizabeth's unborn child leaped for joy when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, comes to visit. Christmas is a joyous celebration, but will we be happy because of gifts, of family reunions, of vacation from school or because Christ is born? Would we leap for joy at Christmas if no loved ones came to visit or if there were no gifts to open?
Outline: Why at Christmas we will leap for joy -
a. Who is being born: Christ the Lord.
b. What the child will accomplish: "A Savior who is Christ the Lord."
3. A Maiden's Christmas Song. 1:46-55.
Need: Christmas is a time for singing because it is a celebration of a birthday. Whenever a person has a birthday, friends and family join in singing, "Happy Birthday to You." We have our Christmas anthems, solos, and carols. Radio and TV keep the Christmas music and songs in our ears from Thanksgiving to Christmas. In our Gospel lesson we have a young lady's song about being a mother. Suppose we had to compose our personal song of Christmas. What would we sing? Look at Mary's beautiful Magnificat.
Outline: Mary teaches us how to prepare a Christmas song. -
a. A song of joy - v. 47
b. A song of gratitude - v. 49
c. A song of mercy - v. 50
d. A song of social change - vv. 51-53
Lesson 1: Micah 5:2-5a
1. Great Things in Little Packages. 5:2
Need: In 1976 Americans turned to a little town in Georgia, Plains, and to a little known peanut farmer for the President of the country - Jimmy Carter. The great Lincoln was born in a frontier log cabin in Kentucky. David as well as Jesus was born in Bethlehem, "little to be among the clans of Judah." It is easy to ignore or despise small places and little-known people. But God does not usual-ly use the strong and and mighty, not the famous and wealthy, but the poor, simple, and little people and places.
Outline: What God can do with the little -
a. A little place in which to be born a king - v. 2
b. A little body - a helpless baby - v. 3
c. A little woman - "He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden." (Luke 1:48)
2. Portrait of a Coming King. 5:2-5a
Need: Who is this one coming this Christmas? Is he worth all the preparations we have made? Will he be one the world needs? At the time the text was written, God's people were in captivity in a foreign land. Their nation and temple were in ruins. Oh, they said, if only we had a king like David to restore us to our homeland! The prophet tells of a royal baby to come out of Bethlehem where David was born. With hope the people look forward to the birth of a royal son.
Outline: The one to be born in Bethlehem -
a. Who he will be: "a royal ruler in Israel - v. 2
b. What he will do: "Feed his flock in the strength of the Lord" - v. 4
c. What the result will be: security - "They shall dwell secure" - v. 4
Lesson 2: Hebrews 10:5-10.
1. The Cradle and the Cross. 10:5-10.
Need: At Christmas the cross seems very distant and inappropriate. Christmas is considered a happy time, a joyous festivity celebrating new birth. Yet, in the background there is the dark spectre of a cross, the instrument of torture and death. Why spoil a good time by bringing up the horrors of a crucifixion? The cradle and cross belong together as two sides of a coin. Without the cross, the cradle is an object of sentimentality, baby talk, and oohing and ahhing by baby lovers. The cross gives mean-ing to the cradle. Why was Jesus born - to do the will of God which was to die for the sin of the world.
Outline: Why was Jesus born?
a. To have a body to live on earth - v. 5
b. To do the will of God - v. 7
c. To die as a sacrificial offering - v. 10
2. A Christmas Gift from God. 10:5-10.
Need: By this date most people have completed their Christmas shopping. The gifts are wrapped and piled at the base of the Christmas tree. Among the gifts, is there one from God? That is what Christmas is really all about: God gives the world the gift of Jesus. Should we be excited about this gift or is it "old hat" to us by this time? Indeed, the best and greatest gift we can ever receive is God's gift of the Christ-child.
Outline: God's best gift to us: Jesus -
a. The gift is wrapped in humanity - v. 5
b. The gift fulfills God's will for us - v. 7
c. The gift sanctifies us - v. 10
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
(Christmas Day)
The Lessons
Isaiah 9:2-7 (C, L)
Isaiah 9:1-6 (RC)
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-20 (C, L)
Luke 2:1-14 (RC)
The people in darkness rejoice at the birth of a Messiah.
Grace came in Jesus Christ for the salvation of all people.
The account of Jesus' birth together with the angels' appearance to the shepherds and their visit to the manger.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty God, you have made yourself known in your Son, Jesus, redeemer of the world. We pray that his birth as a human child will set us free from the old slavery of our sin."
Hymn of the Day
"From Heaven Above to Earth I Come"
Theme of the Day: Rejoice! Christ Is Born!
Gospel - Angels and shepherds rejoice because of Christ's birth.
Lesson 1 - People in darkness rejoice that the Messiah is born.
Lesson 2 - The church rejoices that grace came in Christ.
On this major festival, the theme of the day is obvious: a joyous celebration because of Jesus' birth. Angels and shepherds (Gospel) rejoice by praising God for the gift of the child. A people in darkness (Lesson 1) rejoice when the light of a baby born to be the Messiah shines. In Lesson 2 the thought of rejoicing is implied for the appearance of grace in Christ. Psalm 96 breaks out in a call for a new song to praise God for his salvation, majesty, and power. In the Hymn of the Day, Luther, in a most beautiful and tender way, re-tells the story of the nativity and meditates upon it. The Prayer of the Day reminds us as we pray that Christ came to reveal the Father and to redeem sinners.
Relation of Christmas to the Advent Season
Christmas and Advent should be considered as inseparable. A proper observance of Advent leads to a good Christmas. The Advent themes culminate in Christmas. It is well for the preacher to see his Christmas sermon in relation to the Advent themes we just covered.
Advent 1 - Anticipation: Christ is coming again.
Advent 2 - Preparation: for Christ's coming.
Advent 3 - Recognition: know the Christ who is coming.
Advent 4 - Expectation: Christ is on the way.
Christmas - Actuality: Christ is here!
Theological Reflections
Gospel
1. Caesar (v. 1). The birth of Jesus is rooted in history. The account of Christmas is set in the days of Caesar Augustus and Quirinius. Jesus is no mythical figure, no object of faith alone. Jesus was a man of history. He was a real person born at a certain time in a certain place in relation to world history. We cannot truly have a Christ of faith without a Jesus of history.
2. No (v. 7). It is an ironic and tragic word. There was no place in all of creation for the Creator's Son to be born. "He came unto his own and his own received him not." The inn was crowded with lesser people. The innkeeper was too busy with guests to find room for one more. Christ still finds a world that has no place for him. To be sure, there is place for business, for fun, and for government, but not for Christ.
3. Joy (v. 10). Christmas is a happy time in terms of the world's happiness: parties, drinks, banquets, gifts, and friends. This is the happiness that withers with the Christmas tree which is discarded soon after Christmas day. Joy is different from happiness. It is deeper because it is based on good news: a Savior is born to save us from our sins. It is a joy that remains long after the Christmas celebration is over. For this reason people who are unhappy at Christmas because of unfortunate circumstances can still have a great Christmas of joy.
4. Peace (v. 14). The Prince of Peace is born and the angels sing of peace on earth. In the recorded history of the world, there have been few years of universal peace, and there has been very little peace among nations since the first Christmas. How can Jesus then be called the Prince of Peace? The peace he brings is not necessarily peace among men but peace between God and humanity. Only when spiritual peace prevails will there be peace among nations. There will not be peace between God and people until Christ is accepted by faith.
5. Told (vv. 17, 18). Christmas was a communication event. The shepherds told the Holy Family what the angel said. If Christmas is good news, it must be told. It is told spontaneously. Here is good news! What has been promised and longed for over a thousand years has happened. The cradle of Chris-tianity is evangelism - the telling of good news to sinners that they might have life in Christ.
Lesson 1
1. Darkness (v. 2). The light cannot be seen nor appreciated unless it gets dark. In Isaiah's time the people were in darkness. Sin darkened the lives of the people. Immorality flourished. Wars threatened. The Messiah had not yet come. In this situation the light of the Messiah is seen. The Light means peace based on righteousness and justice. The nation will be delivered from destruction. It is still true. In the blackness of the hour we look for a light.
2. Government (v. 6). The Messiah who comes is a ruler, a king. Christ was born a king, a descendant of King David. For an ordered society we need a government of law, order, and justice. Without it, we have chaos. The problem is getting the right government which will be a blessing to the subjects. Christ comes as a governor whose kingdom is eternal and executes justice for all.
3. Name (v. 6). A name identifies as well as explains the nature of the one with the name. Jesus was given his name by the angel, and his name described his mission: "He shall save." In this Isaian passage, the Messiah has four names: "Counsellor," "God," "Father," and "Prince." Jesus was every one of these. Because of who he is, his followers greatly rejoice at his birth.
Lesson 2
1. Grace (v. 11). On Christmas love in terms of grace came down to earth. "God so loved the world that he gave his only son ..." Grace is a special kind of love. It is God's love for the undeserving, the rebellious, and the worthless. This grace came out of the very heart of God with no strings attached.
2. All (v. 11). Grace came for the salvation of all people. Jesus as a Jew came to the Jews. It would seem that Christianity would be a racial or national project. Not so! There is the word - "all"! Jesus came to die for all people regardless of status and nationality. Christianity is a world religion, and the church cannot rest until every knee shall bow before Christ as Lord. Thus, at the center of the church's program there must be evangelism at home and missions abroad.
3. Godly (v. 12). The end result of the Savior's advent is the quality of our lives. Religion and ethics are two sides of a coin. Because of this saving love, we are to live godly lives and to be clean from the dirty sins of the world. Faith must express itself in works. Worship must lead to service. Knowledge must be translated into practical helpfulness.
Preaching Possibilities
Preaching Problems at Christmas
1. The problem of being creative. Christmas is one of the two most difficult times to preach. What can you say about Christmas that you have not already said? Are there any new approaches or insights into a story everyone knows by heart? The preacher wants to avoid saying the same old thing in the same old way. Is the reason that we have lost the theological significance of Christmas and have resorted to moralism, nostalgia, and sentimentalism?
2. The problem of time for preaching. The Christmas service leaves little time for a sermon. The service is usually packed with carols, candles, and cantatas. The adult, youth, children's, and bell choirs must perform. At a festival when there is great news to proclaim the preacher is given just a few minutes. The preacher will have to fight for time to do justice to the Christmas story.
3. The problem of mood. The Christmas service is one of joy and festivity. The people are not in a mood to think theologically of the meaning of Christmas. This calls for the sermon to be light, joyous, and positive. People at this time are not thinking but feeling. They look at Christmas with the heart and not with the head. This must be taken into consideration when the Christmas sermon is prepared.
4. The problem of Christmasfatigue. By the day of Christmas, many are sick and tired of Christmas. The sales people are tired from overtime work. Shoppers are tired from fighting the crowds in stores and hunting gifts for people who have everything. Fathers worry about paying the bills for the Christmas gifts. On the day after Christmas, women largely dread going to packed stores to exchange gifts and to take advantage of sales. Then there is the task of cleaning up after Christmas, taking the tree down, and rearranging the furniture. Many sigh with relief, "Thank God, Christmas is over!" In all of this, where is Christ and the spirit of love and joy? Christmas seems to be a lot of bunk. Is it worth it? In the light of this, how can you get people to celebrate Christmas?
5. The problem of an antagonistic world. At Christmas the preacher is to proclaim peace, love, and goodwill among men. He/she declares that in Christ God came to the world. What difference does that make in the world? How can you celebrate and rejoice in a world like this: a world of darkness, despair, crime, hatred, hunger, and poverty? Is Christmas real or is it just a myth like Santa or a sweet story like " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas"?
Three Lessons
Isaiah 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Text: Three Lessons
Need: Christmas is a time for rejoicing. The angels and shepherds praised God with joy over the birth of the Savior. This is celebration time - we sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Our greeting is "Merry Christmas! " A large segment of society sees nothing about which to rejoice. There are problems: bereavement, divorce, despair, poverty, hunger, winter cold, and loneliness. How can people in these conditions rejoice? The congregation needs to realize we are not happy over world conditions or personal tragedies, but we rejoice in the coming of the Christ who can deliver us from the darkness of our world.
Outline: Rejoice! Rejoice! because -
a. The Christ is born - Gospel.
b. The Light has come - Lesson 1.
c. Grace has appeared - Lesson 2.
Gospel: Luke 2: 1-20
1. A Personal Christmas Greeting. 2:11 - "For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Need: At Christmas millions of greeting cards are sent with lovely messages of good wishes. Did you get one from God through an angel? The angel came to shepherds with a greeting which was a message of good news to them. Often Christmas greetings are general and impersonal. The greeting needs to be made existential - an individual greeting from God just for you.
Outline: God's Christmas greeting to you -
a. "Born this day" - Christ's birth is a fact today.
b. "To you" - a personal, individual gift.
c. "Savior" - one who loves and forgives.
2. Christmas is Bunk, Unless - 2:1-20
Need: As the world celebrates it, Christmas is bunk: weary from extra work, debts caused by Christmas gifts, extra work of cooking and decorating, loneliness. The day after Christmas many trees lie in gutters waiting for garbage men to take them to the city incinerator. All of this is so very unreal to the true meaning and spirit of Christmas.
Outline: Christmas is bunk, unless -
a. Christ is born anew in us - v. 11.
b. Worship of the Christ-child is experienced - vv. 15, 16.
c. The joy of Christmas is the joy of salvation - v. 10.
3. A Christmas Treasure Hunt. 2:16 - "And they went with haste, andfound Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."
Need: Christmas is more than a pageant of angels, shepherds, and the Holy Family. It is more than a story: "Unto you is born ..." Christmas calls for verification of the angels' report of a child's birth. It must become a personal experience and must result in obedience in a change of life. After the announcement of the angel, the shepherds started on a hunt for the treasure of the Savior. They were told he was born in a manger in Bethlehem, but in whose barn? They had to inquire and search. The same is true today - where will we find the treasure of Christ?
Outline: Where the treasure of Christ can be found -
a. Not in glory but in humility - not in a palace but in a stable.
b. Not in wealth but in poverty - Jesus' parents were poor.
c. Not in an angel but in a human - a helpless baby.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2-7
1. Because Jesus Was Born! 9:2-7
Need: History was divided at the point of Jesus' birth. He brought a new era, a new world. It has never been the same. Christ has transformed the world by making it more civilized. Yet, the world today is very much like it was when he was born or as it was when Isaiah wrote the text. The world changes for the better to the extent that the world accepts Christ and lives by his teachings. This leaves the church with a huge task of converting the world to Christ. At the same time our personal lives will change only when Christ is born in us.
Outline: Because Jesus was born -
a. Darkness can turn to light - v. 2.
b. Oppression can cease - v. 4.
c. War can be eliminated - v. 5.
2. Who Is This Child? 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given."
Need: The good news of Christmas is that a baby has come to the world. How can this be good news? Today 300,000 more babies are born daily in the world. It is not a matter of another baby, but who the baby is. What is the difference between a "child" and a "son" as the text gives it? These two words point to the dual nature of Christ.
Outline: Who is this child?
a. A human being - "a child is born."
A human comes to the world through natural birth with parents. The child is thus fully human with all the limitations and potentials.
b. A divine being - "a son is given."
"Son" refers to God's son. He was "given," not born. God gave his Son to the world as an act of grace to redeem a fallen world.
Lesson 2: Titus 2:11-14
1. Why Jesus Was Born. 2:11-14
Need: Christmas was all God's doing. In the hustle-bustle of Ghristmas preparations and festivities, we overlook the divine purpose in Christmas. For many, Christmas is only a major holiday for vacationing and fun. There is very little spirituality. God is almost forgotten. The text tells us why Jesus was born. Unless we know this, our Christmas celebration is simply humanism, leaving us after Christmas with empty purses and physically and emotionally exhausted.
Outline: Why Jesus was born -
a. Born for our salvation - vv. 11, 14.
b. Born to make us godly - vv. 12, 14.
c. Born to gain ultimate victory over the world - v. 13.
2. Born to Make Us Good! 2:12, 14
Need: A hymn claims that Jesus died to make us good. This text says that Jesus was born to make us good: "live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world." Our secular Christmas is not associated with godly living: drunkenness, suicides, shoplifting, mugging, pick-pocketing, etc. Put it this way: are we any better-living people after Christmas? How was it possible for an official of a Nazi concentration camp where thousands were killed to go home to be with his family on Christmas Eve and sing "Silent Night"?
Outline: Consider the moral equivalent of Christmas.
a. Negative: renounce irreligion, worldly passions - v. 12.
b. Positive: live sober, upright, and godly lives - v. 12.
Zephaniah 3:14-18a (L)
Zephaniah 3:14-18 (RC)
Rejoice, for Yahweh will restore his people to their homeland.
This is the only use of Zephaniah in the three-year Lectionary. Zephaniah lived during the reign of Josiah in the 7th century, prior to the Babylonian captivity. Our pericope is considered an addition by an unknown author of the Deutero-Isaiah period. The passage gives good news of salvation to those in exile: a return to Jerusalem, victory over enemies, Yahweh in their midst, and renown among the nations. This is ample reason for wholehearted rejoicing with loud singing. Out of the doom and des-truction of the first two chapters comes a chapter of hope and thus appropriate as a Lesson for Advent.
Philippians 4:4-13 (C)
Philippians 4:4-7 (8-9) (L)
Philippians 4:4-7 (RC)
Rejoice in the Lord who is at hand.
The key verse in the passage is verse 5: "The Lord is at hand." This is the reason and occasion for rejoicing just as it was in Lesson 1 - "The Lord, your God, is in your midst." Because he is near, we have reasons to rejoice - the joy of prayer, of peace, and of contentment with life's situation. Paul is referring to the Second Coming. Our problem is that "at hand" has required 2,000 years of waiting. Will there be 2,000 more? If so, we who are living today will not fully experience this joy. However, the solution may be that we can have Christ in our hearts now and experience the joy as a foretaste of a greater joy when he returns.
Luke 3:7-18 (C, L)
Luke 3:10-18 (RC)
John the Baptizer preached the good news of Christ's coming.
Here we find John the Baptizer preaching not to the religious leaders of his day, but to the people. He blasts their false security of claiming ancestry of Abraham. Though Jews, they are to repent in ethical fashion: "fruits of repentance," ethical behavior. Then he answers their questions, "What then shall we do?" The remaining paragraph in the pericope is John's description of his relationship with Christ. He says he is not the Christ but he points to the coming Christ who in judgment will baptize with fire and the Spirit. Luke considers John's preaching as "good news."
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty God, you once called John the Baptizer to give witness to the coming of your Son and to prepare his way. Grant us, your people, the wisdom to see your purpose today and the openness to hear your will, that we may witness to Christ's coming and so prepare his way."
Hymn of the Day
"Hark, a Thrilling Voice is Sounding"
Theme of the Day: Reasons To Rejoice
Gospel - Rejoice over the good news of Christ's coming.
Lesson 1 - Rejoice that your King is with you.
Lesson 2 - Rejoice in the Lord who is at hand.
Formerly this third Sunday in Advent was known as Gaudete, meaning "Rejoice." It is the theme of today. It reminds us that Advent is not all sorrow, solemnity, nor seriousness. Advent has a quiet joy of anticipation of someone great coming, a Deliverer and Savior. An appropriate hymn of Advent is "Joy to the world, the Lord is come-ing." Although the Gospel does not mention "rejoice," it is implied in John's announcement that a greater than he is coming. The Exiles are to shout and sing with rejoicing for their return to Jerusalem is promised. Paul finds the source of his joy "in the Lord" who is at hand. The Psalm harmonizes with the theme: "Shout and sing for joy." The Hymn refers to a "thrilling" voice that Christ is near. While the Lessons and liturgical propers deal with rejoicing in Advent, it is a joy of anticipation. It does not match the joy that we have on Christmas when the promise is fulfilled and the savior has come.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: Luke 3:7-18
1. Vipers (v. 7). Suppose you began your sermon, "You congregation of snakes." Would that be your last Sunday as pastor? John the Baptizer said, "You brood of vipers! " Who were the "vipers"?
Pharisees, publicans, prostitutes? No, they were true Jews who had enough religion to leave their homes to go to the wilderness to hear a prophet. John is speaking to the respectable church-going people of his day and calls them to be baptized for repentance. Isn't it a fact that many church members, content in their false security as members, need to be called to repent?
2. Fruits (v. 8). The main emphasis in John's preaching was repentance. But he was not content for the people only to feel sorry for their sins, confess their sins, and put on sackcloth. For him repentance was a practical matter, a change in one's living. He wanted to see some practical changes which he mentioned to various groups who asked, "What then shall we do?"
3. Axe (v. 9). John's message afflicted the comfortable. He uses the figure of an axe to portray what will happen to the wicked. The axe is a symbol of the wrath of God. The tree of an evil life will be cut down and burned. Moreover, he claims that Christ will burn the chaff "with unquenchable fire." Here is a word of warning: repent or experience the wrath of God! Dare we preach this to today's congregation?
4. Fire (v. 16). John sees himself as baptizing with water for repentance, but sees Christ as baptizing with the Spirit and with fire. Could the water of John's baptism put out the fire of Christ's baptism? Do we have here two baptisms: water and Spirit baptism? There is only one baptism: The baptism with the Spirit and fire is outwardly seen by the water of the baptism. The essentials are Spirit and fire, for fire symbolized God who is a consuming fire. Fire represents life, heat, light, and power of God. In Christian baptism God comes to the repentant believer in Christ as Spirit and fire.
Lesson 1: Zephaniah 3:14-20
1. Aloud (v. 14). The Jews are urged to sing aloud. So loud that they should "shout." Why? "Rejoice and exult with all your heart." This is not a half-hearted joy. This is the greatest thing to ever happen to a people held in slavery in a foreign country for fifty years! How could anyone be soft in voice when your heart is bursting with gladness? If we Christians experience the deliverance from the slavery of our sins, we will sing, "O for a thousand tongues to sing."
2. Midst (v. 15). God is not absent, not far off in the heavens. He is here and right in our midst. God never stands off nor on the periphery of our lives. Because of his love, he comes into the center of humanity, into our hearts as the seat of our beings. If God is for us, who can be against us? His presence erases our fears and gives us victory. Thus, a name for Christ is "Emmanuel," God with us.
3. He (v. 17). Here is a surprising thought! We have been thinking of our rejoicing over God's coming to be in our midst, but in this verse we are told that Yahweh himself is rejoicing over his people, renewing them in his love, and singing aloud in festivity. Now how about that - God singing, shouting, rejoicing that we are his people! Amazing, right?
Lesson 2: Phiippians 4:4-13.
1. In (vv. 4, 10). "Rejoice in the Lord." While in prison Paul writes that he rejoices in the Lord and urges his readers to do the same. Can you imagine anyone in jail with its confinement, miserable food, personal discomforts, and possible physical abuse? He teaches us that a Christian's joy does not depend upon eternal conditions. Under any and all circumstances, good or bad, we can be happy in Jesus.
2. Minds (v. 7). In our Christian faith, we tend to emphasize the heart and neglect the mind. In the greatest commandment, we are told to love God with all our minds as well as with all our hearts. When some go to worship, they park their minds along with their cars outside the church in a parking lot. The mind is important, for as a person thinks, so is he. What we say and do result from our thinking. Paul claims that the peace of God keeps our minds in Christ. He suggests what we are to think about - v. 8. We are to have the mind of Christ so that we will think clearly, accurately, and nobly.
3. Can (v. 13). Here is good news to those who feel inadequate to the crises, needs, and challenges of life. We say, "I can't take it any more," or "I can't bear to hear it," or "I can't measure up to all that is expected of me." Paul says he can do all things - "all things." That is a big order! How so? "In Christ" is the answer. Christ is the strength of our lives and makes us sufficient for any crisis, challenge, or opportunity.
Preaching Possibilities
Three Lessons
Zephaniah 3:14-20; Philippians 4:4-13; Luke 3:7-18
Joy in Pianissimo
Need: Today's theme is "Rejoice." Advent is a time for rejoicing in the Lord. It is not the Christmas joy when all the stops on the organ are pulled out, but a pianissimo joy, a joy of quiet expectation and anticipation. In two Sundays we will celebrate Christmas with the fulness of joy. Now the time of Christ's arrival is fast approaching and we are happy that he is coming.
Outline: Reasons for rejoicing this Sunday -
a. Time of the Lord's coming: soon - "The Lord is at hand" - Lesson 2.
b. Place of the Lord's coming: here - "The Lord is in your midst" - Lesson 2.
c. Result of the Lord's coming: presence of God - "Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" - Gospel.
Gospel: Luke 3:7-18
1. What's Good about the Good News? 3:7-18.
Need: Luke describes the preaching of John the Baptizer as good news. (v. 18) Usually we associate good news with Jesus. Can the fiery preaching of judgment be considered good news, the call to repentance, the threat of death? In this sermon we will find good news even in the harsh words of an ascetic prophet.
Outline: What is good about John's good news? -
a. Good to be warned - vv. 7-9, 17
b. Good to change your ways - vv. 10-14
c. Good to receive Christ's baptism - vv. 15-16
2. Repent, You Saints! 3:7-14.
Need: Sinners, repent! True, sinners need to repent. What about the saints, the children of God, the covenant people of God? In this passage John is preaching to the Jews, circumcised people of the covenant. They had Abraham as their father and the temple for prayer and worship. They had the Law and the Prophets. Yet, John calls them "vipers" and asks them to repent. In our day, do church members need to repent also?
Outline: Why saints need to repent -
a. Repentance without its fruits - v. 8
b. False security in tradition (church membership) - v. 8
c. Hearers and not doers of the Word - vv. 10-14
3. A Baptism of Fire. 3:16-18.
Need: John's baptism was a water baptism of repentance. Jesus' baptism is a spiritual baptism of fire. Fire is a common symbol of God and his work. Moses met Yahweh at a burning bush. The Spirit came on Pentecost as cloven tongues of fire. In this text John says Jesus will baptize with fire. When Jesus comes, he will do just that. To date maybe our baptism was only a Johannine baptism of water. We can explain Christian baptism by comparing it with fire.
Outline: A baptism of fire means -
a. A fire of cleansing - v. 17
b. A fire of Spirit - v. 16
Lesson 1: Zephaniah 3:14-20
1. Sing and Shout for Jesus! 3:14-18.
Need: When Christ comes to us, we must express our joy. If we did not, as Jesus said about the praises sung on Palm Sunday, the very stones would cry out. Nothing greater, nothing more important can happen to us than to have Jesus in our midst. His coming for the first time in our lives or for the last time in history is an occasion to sing and shout: "Praise the Lord!"
Outline: Sing and shout because -
a. We have the victory - v. 15a
b. We have God with us - vv. 15b, 17a
c. We have no fear - vv. 15c, 16b
2. Is God Happy with You? 3:17.
Need: We have good reason to be happy with God, but is he happy with us? Our text tells us God is as happy with us as we are with him, maybe more so. We are happy with him because he takes away our fear and gives us victory over our enemies. What would make God happy with us?
Outline: God rejoices over us -
a. When we worship him.
b. When we are faithful to his covenant.
c. When we love and serve him.
Lesson 2: Phiippians 4:4-13.
1. The Happy Christian. 4:4.
Need: Some Christians are not happy. They look as though they lost their best friend, or lost their job, or failed to pass a test. The problem may be that we base our happiness on external conditions or events. Joy is an inner quality of having Jesus, for to have him is to have all.
Outline: How you can be happy -
a. What to do - "Rejoice"
b. Why rejoice - "in the Lord"
c. When? - "Always"
2. Why Can You be so Happy? 4:4-13.
Need: You see some Christians, like Paul, who have a radiance of joy about them. They have a smile on their faces. They are cheerful and optimistic. How can they be happy in a world like this, when trouble is a reality, when there are crises and ill health? The secret: Christian happiness is not in favorable circumstances or "good luck" but in having Christ as Lord. Paul asks us not to be happy in ourselves or our circumstances but "in the Lord."
Outline: Why you can rejoice in the Lord -
a. He hears your prayers - v. 6
b. He gives you peace - vv. 7, 9
c. He provides you with strength - v. 13
ADVENT 4
The Lessons
Micah 5:2-5a (C)
Micah 5:2-4 (L)
Micah 5:1-4 (RC)
Out of Bethlehem will come a shepherd king who will be great.
Micah was a prophet of the seventh century during the reigns of Ahaz and Hezekiah. The first three chapters are considered to be the work of Micah, but chapters 4 and 5 are believed to be the work of an unknown author writing during or near the end of the Babylonian exile. In the dark years of the exile, the Jews looked for a restoration of the nation under a Davidic shepherd-king who, like David, would be born in Bethlehem. Matthew sees the passage as a promise fulfilled that Christ would be born in Bethlehem.
Hebrews 10:5-10
Christ came to the world to do the will of God by offering himself as a sacrifice.
The author of Hebrews points to the finality and all-sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for sin in contrast to the Levitical sacrifices of the temple, sacrifices which cannot remove sin. Christ became incarnate to do God's will of making a perfect sacrifice for sin. By so doing, the former sacrifices were brought to an end. The purpose of the Incarnation was to make the sacrifice possible. This passage teaches us that Jesus was born to die on the cross for the redemption of the world.
Luke 1:39-55 (C)
Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) (L)
Luke 1:39-45 (RC)
In response to Elizabeth's greeting, Mary said the Magnificat.
The lection is of two parts. The first (vv. 39-45) gives the historical account of pregnant Mary's visit to Elizabeth also pregnant with John. Elizabeth acknowledges the superiority of Mary as "the mother of my Lord" and the superiority of Jesus over John indicated by the baby's leaping in Elizabeth's womb at the time of Mary's appearance. The second part (vv. 46-55) constitutes the beautiful Magnificat. Scholars claim that the poem is a pre-Lucan product celebrating redemption through the Messiah. The use of the past tense (vv. 51-55) indicates that it was written from a post-Easter perspective. The Magnificat expresses theology in a poetic and narrative poem.
Prayer of the Day
"Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the hindrance of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always."
Hymn of the Day
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
Theme of the Day : How God Sent His Son
Gospel - The person through whom Christ is coming: Mary.
Lesson 1 - The place where he is coming: Bethlehem.
Lesson 2 - The purpose of his coming: to be the perfect sacrifice.
On this fourth Sunday in Advent we are on the threshold of Christmas. Within a week the church and world will be celebrating a festival or a holiday. With Christmas on our minds, we give attention to the methods God will use to bring his Son to us. Psalm, hymn, and prayer of the Day cry for the Advent: "Stir up thy might and come," "Stir up your power and come," and "O Come, Emmanuel." The Lessons tell us how the Christ will come. In the Gospel Christ is coming through a woman who in gratitude rejoices with the Magnificat. Lesson 1 gives us the place of his coming, the birthplace of his father, David. Lesson 2 explains the reason for the Incarnation: His body is to be the perfect sacrifice for sin.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: Luke 1:39-55.
1. Blessed (vv. 42, 45, 48). The word is used four times in this pericope. It is often translated "happy." Elizabeth considers Mary to be blessed because she was to be the mother of the Messiah and because she believed the promise of God given her through Gabriel. Mary sings that all future generations will call her blessed because she brought Christ into the world. Moreover, the child to be born will be blessed also. Who are the blessed ones of our day? The carriers of Christ, the obedient, the ones who are in Christ and who bear, like Mary, Christ within them.
2. Leaped (vv. 41, 44). The unborn child, John, in Elizabeth's womb leaped. One reason for the prenatal movement was John's reaction to Jesus' presence still in Mary's body. The unborn baby recognized Mary's unborn child as the Messiah. Moreover, the baby leaped for joy. To leap for joy is a natural reaction to a great victory. A child jumps up and down while waiting for a gift to be opened - the child cannot wait! Do we feel that way as we wait for Christ this Sunday before Christmas?
3. Magnifies (v. 46). Mary sings, "My soul magnifies the Lord." To magnify is to make great, to enlarge, to praise. She may have had reason to magnify herself, her ego. Look who she is! A woman chosen above all other women of all time to bear the Christ! Rather, she magnifies God who in his mercy chose her as a simple peasant girl. He has done great things for her in allowing her to bear the Messiah. Do we magnify God for letting us serve him?
Lesson 1: Micah 5:2-5a
1. Little (v. 2) Bethlehem is associated with "little." We sing, "O Little Town of Bethlehem." Big things can happen in little places such as the birth of David and David's greater Son. We are not to despise the day of small beginnings. Some had difficulty in accepting Jesus, for they asked, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" The great Lincoln was born in a tiny log cabin in Kentucky. The truth is that the "little" can be great. So, at Christmas the great God comes as a little baby born in a little stable in a little village through a little woman totally unknown up to this time.
2. Travail (v. 3). The author is probably referring to the Jews in exile who were in travail struggling in slavery and longing for their return to Jerusalem. When a woman brings forth a child, a descendant of David, Yahweh will through him restore the people to their homeland. Out of the travail of Mary, who had not even a mid-wife to assist in the birth, came the Christ-child who as a Davidic king restores us to our homeland in God. It reminds us that everything worthwhile comes through pain, suffering, and sacrifice.
3. Feed (v. 4). The promised king will feed his people like a shepherd feeds his sheep. In a time when politicians and rulers feather their nests at the expense of taxing their people, this king is a different breed! Often when an election is over, the newly elected officials raise their salaries. The One who is coming at Christmas is the Good Shepherd who feeds his sheep with love and justice. Instead of living off the people and the fat of the land, he gives and gives even to laying down his life for the people.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 10:5-10
1. Body (vv. 5, 10). For Christ to come to our world, he needed a body to live in our physical world. Thus, at Christmas we celebrate the Incarnation. The Spirit becomes enfleshed so that God in Christ could identify with humanity, become sin, and be known by human beings. The body is essential for a spirit or soul to be on earth. Yet, the body is more than a material substance. The body is the total person with a body which makes possible existence on earth.
2. Will (vv. 7, 9). Christ came to earth to do the will of the Father. And what was that will? Jesus struggled with the question. For forty days he wrestled with the question while tempted in the wilderness. In Gethsemane, he had a bloody sweat in bringing himself to accept God's will that he should go to the cross. Jesus came to earth to die as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The manger should have been in the shape of the cross. With the cross in sight, we can be saved from the usual sentimental baby-Jesus, meek and mild. In this sense Christmas has a bittersweet taste.
3. Offering (v. 10). People gave offerings to please and/or placate God. In the temple, offerings of animals were for the forgiveness of sins. If Christ's death was an offering for sin, does it mean that his death was a payment to win God's favor? Did the cross change God's mind from judgment to salvation? God has eternally loved his people and has always been a God of mercy and steadfast love. Why then the offering? The offering of Christ is a manifestation and demonstration of God's forgiving love to sinners.
Preaching Possibilities
Three Lessons
Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-55
Will God Make It To Earth?
Need: Never was there a greater feat than the infinite God almighty's, whose nature is spirit, coming to earth. How can the Spirit become material, the infinite become an infant, the holy become sin? Here we have the mystery and miracle of Christmas. Our Lessons tell us how God managed to become a human.
Outline: How God became a human -
a. The Person: Mary who bears his Son - Gospel
b. The Place: the little town of Bethlehem - Lesson 1
C. The Purpose: to die for the world's redemption - Lesson 2
Gospel: Luke 1:39-55.
1. Blessed is the Woman! 1:39-45.
Need: "Blessed is the man," says Psalm 1. In today's Gospel lesson, Elizabeth says about Mary, "Blessed is the woman." In this short passage the word, "blessed," is used three times. For centuries Protestants have neglected Mary probably because of reaction to the Roman Catholic emphasis on Mary as mediatrix, sinless, and being mother of God. It is time to gain a new appreciation of Mary as a blessed woman.
Outline: Mary is blessed because -
a. She was chosen as the mother of our Lord - v. 42
b. Her child was the "Lord" - v. 43
c. She believed in and obeyed the word of God - v. 45
2. A Leap of Joy. 1:44
Need: Ever see football players leap for joy at a touchdown? Ever see a child jump up and down at the prospect of getting a puppy? Ever notice the jumping winners of a TV give-away show? How many are leaping for joy that Christ is coming in a few days at Christmas? Elizabeth's unborn child leaped for joy when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, comes to visit. Christmas is a joyous celebration, but will we be happy because of gifts, of family reunions, of vacation from school or because Christ is born? Would we leap for joy at Christmas if no loved ones came to visit or if there were no gifts to open?
Outline: Why at Christmas we will leap for joy -
a. Who is being born: Christ the Lord.
b. What the child will accomplish: "A Savior who is Christ the Lord."
3. A Maiden's Christmas Song. 1:46-55.
Need: Christmas is a time for singing because it is a celebration of a birthday. Whenever a person has a birthday, friends and family join in singing, "Happy Birthday to You." We have our Christmas anthems, solos, and carols. Radio and TV keep the Christmas music and songs in our ears from Thanksgiving to Christmas. In our Gospel lesson we have a young lady's song about being a mother. Suppose we had to compose our personal song of Christmas. What would we sing? Look at Mary's beautiful Magnificat.
Outline: Mary teaches us how to prepare a Christmas song. -
a. A song of joy - v. 47
b. A song of gratitude - v. 49
c. A song of mercy - v. 50
d. A song of social change - vv. 51-53
Lesson 1: Micah 5:2-5a
1. Great Things in Little Packages. 5:2
Need: In 1976 Americans turned to a little town in Georgia, Plains, and to a little known peanut farmer for the President of the country - Jimmy Carter. The great Lincoln was born in a frontier log cabin in Kentucky. David as well as Jesus was born in Bethlehem, "little to be among the clans of Judah." It is easy to ignore or despise small places and little-known people. But God does not usual-ly use the strong and and mighty, not the famous and wealthy, but the poor, simple, and little people and places.
Outline: What God can do with the little -
a. A little place in which to be born a king - v. 2
b. A little body - a helpless baby - v. 3
c. A little woman - "He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden." (Luke 1:48)
2. Portrait of a Coming King. 5:2-5a
Need: Who is this one coming this Christmas? Is he worth all the preparations we have made? Will he be one the world needs? At the time the text was written, God's people were in captivity in a foreign land. Their nation and temple were in ruins. Oh, they said, if only we had a king like David to restore us to our homeland! The prophet tells of a royal baby to come out of Bethlehem where David was born. With hope the people look forward to the birth of a royal son.
Outline: The one to be born in Bethlehem -
a. Who he will be: "a royal ruler in Israel - v. 2
b. What he will do: "Feed his flock in the strength of the Lord" - v. 4
c. What the result will be: security - "They shall dwell secure" - v. 4
Lesson 2: Hebrews 10:5-10.
1. The Cradle and the Cross. 10:5-10.
Need: At Christmas the cross seems very distant and inappropriate. Christmas is considered a happy time, a joyous festivity celebrating new birth. Yet, in the background there is the dark spectre of a cross, the instrument of torture and death. Why spoil a good time by bringing up the horrors of a crucifixion? The cradle and cross belong together as two sides of a coin. Without the cross, the cradle is an object of sentimentality, baby talk, and oohing and ahhing by baby lovers. The cross gives mean-ing to the cradle. Why was Jesus born - to do the will of God which was to die for the sin of the world.
Outline: Why was Jesus born?
a. To have a body to live on earth - v. 5
b. To do the will of God - v. 7
c. To die as a sacrificial offering - v. 10
2. A Christmas Gift from God. 10:5-10.
Need: By this date most people have completed their Christmas shopping. The gifts are wrapped and piled at the base of the Christmas tree. Among the gifts, is there one from God? That is what Christmas is really all about: God gives the world the gift of Jesus. Should we be excited about this gift or is it "old hat" to us by this time? Indeed, the best and greatest gift we can ever receive is God's gift of the Christ-child.
Outline: God's best gift to us: Jesus -
a. The gift is wrapped in humanity - v. 5
b. The gift fulfills God's will for us - v. 7
c. The gift sanctifies us - v. 10
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
(Christmas Day)
The Lessons
Isaiah 9:2-7 (C, L)
Isaiah 9:1-6 (RC)
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-20 (C, L)
Luke 2:1-14 (RC)
The people in darkness rejoice at the birth of a Messiah.
Grace came in Jesus Christ for the salvation of all people.
The account of Jesus' birth together with the angels' appearance to the shepherds and their visit to the manger.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty God, you have made yourself known in your Son, Jesus, redeemer of the world. We pray that his birth as a human child will set us free from the old slavery of our sin."
Hymn of the Day
"From Heaven Above to Earth I Come"
Theme of the Day: Rejoice! Christ Is Born!
Gospel - Angels and shepherds rejoice because of Christ's birth.
Lesson 1 - People in darkness rejoice that the Messiah is born.
Lesson 2 - The church rejoices that grace came in Christ.
On this major festival, the theme of the day is obvious: a joyous celebration because of Jesus' birth. Angels and shepherds (Gospel) rejoice by praising God for the gift of the child. A people in darkness (Lesson 1) rejoice when the light of a baby born to be the Messiah shines. In Lesson 2 the thought of rejoicing is implied for the appearance of grace in Christ. Psalm 96 breaks out in a call for a new song to praise God for his salvation, majesty, and power. In the Hymn of the Day, Luther, in a most beautiful and tender way, re-tells the story of the nativity and meditates upon it. The Prayer of the Day reminds us as we pray that Christ came to reveal the Father and to redeem sinners.
Relation of Christmas to the Advent Season
Christmas and Advent should be considered as inseparable. A proper observance of Advent leads to a good Christmas. The Advent themes culminate in Christmas. It is well for the preacher to see his Christmas sermon in relation to the Advent themes we just covered.
Advent 1 - Anticipation: Christ is coming again.
Advent 2 - Preparation: for Christ's coming.
Advent 3 - Recognition: know the Christ who is coming.
Advent 4 - Expectation: Christ is on the way.
Christmas - Actuality: Christ is here!
Theological Reflections
Gospel
1. Caesar (v. 1). The birth of Jesus is rooted in history. The account of Christmas is set in the days of Caesar Augustus and Quirinius. Jesus is no mythical figure, no object of faith alone. Jesus was a man of history. He was a real person born at a certain time in a certain place in relation to world history. We cannot truly have a Christ of faith without a Jesus of history.
2. No (v. 7). It is an ironic and tragic word. There was no place in all of creation for the Creator's Son to be born. "He came unto his own and his own received him not." The inn was crowded with lesser people. The innkeeper was too busy with guests to find room for one more. Christ still finds a world that has no place for him. To be sure, there is place for business, for fun, and for government, but not for Christ.
3. Joy (v. 10). Christmas is a happy time in terms of the world's happiness: parties, drinks, banquets, gifts, and friends. This is the happiness that withers with the Christmas tree which is discarded soon after Christmas day. Joy is different from happiness. It is deeper because it is based on good news: a Savior is born to save us from our sins. It is a joy that remains long after the Christmas celebration is over. For this reason people who are unhappy at Christmas because of unfortunate circumstances can still have a great Christmas of joy.
4. Peace (v. 14). The Prince of Peace is born and the angels sing of peace on earth. In the recorded history of the world, there have been few years of universal peace, and there has been very little peace among nations since the first Christmas. How can Jesus then be called the Prince of Peace? The peace he brings is not necessarily peace among men but peace between God and humanity. Only when spiritual peace prevails will there be peace among nations. There will not be peace between God and people until Christ is accepted by faith.
5. Told (vv. 17, 18). Christmas was a communication event. The shepherds told the Holy Family what the angel said. If Christmas is good news, it must be told. It is told spontaneously. Here is good news! What has been promised and longed for over a thousand years has happened. The cradle of Chris-tianity is evangelism - the telling of good news to sinners that they might have life in Christ.
Lesson 1
1. Darkness (v. 2). The light cannot be seen nor appreciated unless it gets dark. In Isaiah's time the people were in darkness. Sin darkened the lives of the people. Immorality flourished. Wars threatened. The Messiah had not yet come. In this situation the light of the Messiah is seen. The Light means peace based on righteousness and justice. The nation will be delivered from destruction. It is still true. In the blackness of the hour we look for a light.
2. Government (v. 6). The Messiah who comes is a ruler, a king. Christ was born a king, a descendant of King David. For an ordered society we need a government of law, order, and justice. Without it, we have chaos. The problem is getting the right government which will be a blessing to the subjects. Christ comes as a governor whose kingdom is eternal and executes justice for all.
3. Name (v. 6). A name identifies as well as explains the nature of the one with the name. Jesus was given his name by the angel, and his name described his mission: "He shall save." In this Isaian passage, the Messiah has four names: "Counsellor," "God," "Father," and "Prince." Jesus was every one of these. Because of who he is, his followers greatly rejoice at his birth.
Lesson 2
1. Grace (v. 11). On Christmas love in terms of grace came down to earth. "God so loved the world that he gave his only son ..." Grace is a special kind of love. It is God's love for the undeserving, the rebellious, and the worthless. This grace came out of the very heart of God with no strings attached.
2. All (v. 11). Grace came for the salvation of all people. Jesus as a Jew came to the Jews. It would seem that Christianity would be a racial or national project. Not so! There is the word - "all"! Jesus came to die for all people regardless of status and nationality. Christianity is a world religion, and the church cannot rest until every knee shall bow before Christ as Lord. Thus, at the center of the church's program there must be evangelism at home and missions abroad.
3. Godly (v. 12). The end result of the Savior's advent is the quality of our lives. Religion and ethics are two sides of a coin. Because of this saving love, we are to live godly lives and to be clean from the dirty sins of the world. Faith must express itself in works. Worship must lead to service. Knowledge must be translated into practical helpfulness.
Preaching Possibilities
Preaching Problems at Christmas
1. The problem of being creative. Christmas is one of the two most difficult times to preach. What can you say about Christmas that you have not already said? Are there any new approaches or insights into a story everyone knows by heart? The preacher wants to avoid saying the same old thing in the same old way. Is the reason that we have lost the theological significance of Christmas and have resorted to moralism, nostalgia, and sentimentalism?
2. The problem of time for preaching. The Christmas service leaves little time for a sermon. The service is usually packed with carols, candles, and cantatas. The adult, youth, children's, and bell choirs must perform. At a festival when there is great news to proclaim the preacher is given just a few minutes. The preacher will have to fight for time to do justice to the Christmas story.
3. The problem of mood. The Christmas service is one of joy and festivity. The people are not in a mood to think theologically of the meaning of Christmas. This calls for the sermon to be light, joyous, and positive. People at this time are not thinking but feeling. They look at Christmas with the heart and not with the head. This must be taken into consideration when the Christmas sermon is prepared.
4. The problem of Christmasfatigue. By the day of Christmas, many are sick and tired of Christmas. The sales people are tired from overtime work. Shoppers are tired from fighting the crowds in stores and hunting gifts for people who have everything. Fathers worry about paying the bills for the Christmas gifts. On the day after Christmas, women largely dread going to packed stores to exchange gifts and to take advantage of sales. Then there is the task of cleaning up after Christmas, taking the tree down, and rearranging the furniture. Many sigh with relief, "Thank God, Christmas is over!" In all of this, where is Christ and the spirit of love and joy? Christmas seems to be a lot of bunk. Is it worth it? In the light of this, how can you get people to celebrate Christmas?
5. The problem of an antagonistic world. At Christmas the preacher is to proclaim peace, love, and goodwill among men. He/she declares that in Christ God came to the world. What difference does that make in the world? How can you celebrate and rejoice in a world like this: a world of darkness, despair, crime, hatred, hunger, and poverty? Is Christmas real or is it just a myth like Santa or a sweet story like " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas"?
Three Lessons
Isaiah 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Text: Three Lessons
Need: Christmas is a time for rejoicing. The angels and shepherds praised God with joy over the birth of the Savior. This is celebration time - we sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Our greeting is "Merry Christmas! " A large segment of society sees nothing about which to rejoice. There are problems: bereavement, divorce, despair, poverty, hunger, winter cold, and loneliness. How can people in these conditions rejoice? The congregation needs to realize we are not happy over world conditions or personal tragedies, but we rejoice in the coming of the Christ who can deliver us from the darkness of our world.
Outline: Rejoice! Rejoice! because -
a. The Christ is born - Gospel.
b. The Light has come - Lesson 1.
c. Grace has appeared - Lesson 2.
Gospel: Luke 2: 1-20
1. A Personal Christmas Greeting. 2:11 - "For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Need: At Christmas millions of greeting cards are sent with lovely messages of good wishes. Did you get one from God through an angel? The angel came to shepherds with a greeting which was a message of good news to them. Often Christmas greetings are general and impersonal. The greeting needs to be made existential - an individual greeting from God just for you.
Outline: God's Christmas greeting to you -
a. "Born this day" - Christ's birth is a fact today.
b. "To you" - a personal, individual gift.
c. "Savior" - one who loves and forgives.
2. Christmas is Bunk, Unless - 2:1-20
Need: As the world celebrates it, Christmas is bunk: weary from extra work, debts caused by Christmas gifts, extra work of cooking and decorating, loneliness. The day after Christmas many trees lie in gutters waiting for garbage men to take them to the city incinerator. All of this is so very unreal to the true meaning and spirit of Christmas.
Outline: Christmas is bunk, unless -
a. Christ is born anew in us - v. 11.
b. Worship of the Christ-child is experienced - vv. 15, 16.
c. The joy of Christmas is the joy of salvation - v. 10.
3. A Christmas Treasure Hunt. 2:16 - "And they went with haste, andfound Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."
Need: Christmas is more than a pageant of angels, shepherds, and the Holy Family. It is more than a story: "Unto you is born ..." Christmas calls for verification of the angels' report of a child's birth. It must become a personal experience and must result in obedience in a change of life. After the announcement of the angel, the shepherds started on a hunt for the treasure of the Savior. They were told he was born in a manger in Bethlehem, but in whose barn? They had to inquire and search. The same is true today - where will we find the treasure of Christ?
Outline: Where the treasure of Christ can be found -
a. Not in glory but in humility - not in a palace but in a stable.
b. Not in wealth but in poverty - Jesus' parents were poor.
c. Not in an angel but in a human - a helpless baby.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2-7
1. Because Jesus Was Born! 9:2-7
Need: History was divided at the point of Jesus' birth. He brought a new era, a new world. It has never been the same. Christ has transformed the world by making it more civilized. Yet, the world today is very much like it was when he was born or as it was when Isaiah wrote the text. The world changes for the better to the extent that the world accepts Christ and lives by his teachings. This leaves the church with a huge task of converting the world to Christ. At the same time our personal lives will change only when Christ is born in us.
Outline: Because Jesus was born -
a. Darkness can turn to light - v. 2.
b. Oppression can cease - v. 4.
c. War can be eliminated - v. 5.
2. Who Is This Child? 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given."
Need: The good news of Christmas is that a baby has come to the world. How can this be good news? Today 300,000 more babies are born daily in the world. It is not a matter of another baby, but who the baby is. What is the difference between a "child" and a "son" as the text gives it? These two words point to the dual nature of Christ.
Outline: Who is this child?
a. A human being - "a child is born."
A human comes to the world through natural birth with parents. The child is thus fully human with all the limitations and potentials.
b. A divine being - "a son is given."
"Son" refers to God's son. He was "given," not born. God gave his Son to the world as an act of grace to redeem a fallen world.
Lesson 2: Titus 2:11-14
1. Why Jesus Was Born. 2:11-14
Need: Christmas was all God's doing. In the hustle-bustle of Ghristmas preparations and festivities, we overlook the divine purpose in Christmas. For many, Christmas is only a major holiday for vacationing and fun. There is very little spirituality. God is almost forgotten. The text tells us why Jesus was born. Unless we know this, our Christmas celebration is simply humanism, leaving us after Christmas with empty purses and physically and emotionally exhausted.
Outline: Why Jesus was born -
a. Born for our salvation - vv. 11, 14.
b. Born to make us godly - vv. 12, 14.
c. Born to gain ultimate victory over the world - v. 13.
2. Born to Make Us Good! 2:12, 14
Need: A hymn claims that Jesus died to make us good. This text says that Jesus was born to make us good: "live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world." Our secular Christmas is not associated with godly living: drunkenness, suicides, shoplifting, mugging, pick-pocketing, etc. Put it this way: are we any better-living people after Christmas? How was it possible for an official of a Nazi concentration camp where thousands were killed to go home to be with his family on Christmas Eve and sing "Silent Night"?
Outline: Consider the moral equivalent of Christmas.
a. Negative: renounce irreligion, worldly passions - v. 12.
b. Positive: live sober, upright, and godly lives - v. 12.
