The Nativity Of Our Lord
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle A
Object:
Seasonal Theme
We begin the Christmas season and take on a focus of God with us in human flesh. The incarnation means God knows what it is like and has entered the world to save us.
Theme For The Day
The birth of Christ brings a new light into our dark world. That entrance of God into the world re-orders our lives from then on.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 9:2-7
Out Of Darkness
The exegesis of this passage has been debated over and over, but for average Christians it is Isaiah's wonderful prophecy that the Messiah would come lead them out of darkness to the brightness of Christianity (also see 2 Corinthians 4:6). It will be of no benefit to discuss the scholarly questions about the original meaning of Isaiah's words here. The celebration of the birth of the Christ has completely appropriated these words of triumph and promise for them as anticipating Christ's coming to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem (v. 6). It is the song of a promised savior and of his kingdom and people. The passage is completely identified with faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son.
The words describing the born son are important: Wonderful Advisor -- one wiser than all the rest; Mighty God -- a hero strong with the strength of the eternal; Eternal Father -- a parent who has a love of people that cannot be destroyed; Prince of Peace -- in whose rule there was hope these good virtues could be realized. Isaiah doesn't talk about victories over enemies or armies but rather the strength of this kingdom over which the Prince of Peace rules is twofold: honesty and justice. I like the words of the commentator in The Interpreter's Bible: "Give us these in personal life, in the social order, and in international relationships, and the atomic bomb, the hydrogen bomb, and all the instruments of death will be remembered as creations of a barbaric age." So we see here what Isaiah promised would come, did so in the person and mission of Jesus.
New Testament Lesson
Titus 2:11-14
God's Own People
When Paul writes to Titus, he is instructing him that a new way of life is possible because of what God has done by sending Jesus the Christ. Paul also tells the Christians of Crete that God really wants us to be God's own people (v. 14b). Here seems to be a call to Christians to right behavior because of Jesus' coming in Bethlehem, going to Jerusalem's cross, and coming out of the grave for us. The passage also speaks of hope.
The Gospel
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Peace On Earth
Here we have the most familiar birth narrative. Luke, like Matthew, sets out to prove Jesus was born in the City of David. He must be born there as the Son of David and the Messiah (see Micah 5:2). The actual birth is presented in all its simplicity. "No room in the Inn" probably ought to be translated "guest room." Matthew has wise men from the east come to the manger, whereas Luke brings in the shepherds. In verse 9, we have the angel coming in brightness, which is the symbol of divine revelation. So this good news can be considered direct from God. There is a sign here that these surroundings are simple, as in Isaiah 7:14 and 15. The best translation of verse 14 would be: "On earth, peace, good will among people." To say that the peace is conditional on the human attitude of the people is contrary to Luke's theology. For Luke the new possibilities on earth are due entirely to God's grace.
Luke's telling of the story is set in the gentle themes of pastoral life. It sets the tone already of the "good shepherd" who has been born this very night. These shepherds become the example of Christian witness as they return (v. 20). Here, then, is the beginning of witness to the presence of the Christ in one's life.
Preaching Possibilities
A. Because this is often a sermon which will be given at night and many times by candlelight, the theme of light in the dark is almost mandatory. From the Old Testament Lesson, verse 9:2 of Isaiah, the promise and prediction is set. Then to Luke's birth narrative where in verse 9 the Bethlehem dark sky is illumined as the shepherds are visited by the angels bringing good news. The scripture and our lives are fully light and dark metaphors. There are also personalities here which can be described by the preacher. How did the birth of Jesus affect Mary, Joseph, the owner of the guest room, and the shepherds? After talking about the good news for each, you could wish them a merry Christmas.
B. There is also the possibility of using the entire sermon time on the good news of the angels: "Don't be afraid; there is good news and you have a savior." You might check your Christmas cards to see if you can open one for each point which has the appropriate words to read to the congregation at the end or beginning of each point. Be sure to identify from whom they came. Just be warned that if you are using this technique, you'll receive many more religious Christmas cards next year!
C. The same idea can be used with decorations off your Christmas tree which illustrate the main moves of your sermon.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Introduction: tell of a frightening time you or someone you know experienced in the dark. Tell of the joy when light came or when you found light. You might even use an object such as a road sign reflector, flashlight, portable spotlight, etc.
1. The people of Israel lived a long time in the terrible darkness of slavery and/or occupation by others. The promise was that one day this would all change.
2. With the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the promised light arrived. They had expected a political savior. This baby would be much, much more!
3. On Bethlehem's hillside, light came to shepherds. The good news was announced and celebrated and it "put a new light" on the lives of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and even God's angels as they now had a new news to proclaim.
4. Relate that we, after seeing the light in our dark world tonight (today), have the task and privilege to announce it to those still in darkness in their lives. We become the reflectors of that light to the dark world.
B. A second possibility would be to concentrate on the message of the angels and what it meant to the shepherds from then on in their lives. There are traditional moves possible.
1. To people afraid we have the promise we need not be afraid (v. 10). The closeness of God scared them.
2. There is good news (v. 10) for those who haven't had much good news lately. Judgment would not condemn them.
3. There is joy for those who desperately need it (v. 10). Their lives were hard.
4. There is a Savior for us who feel guilt and need rescue (v. 10). They were certain they could not make it on their own.
5. God gives peace to those who are in turmoil (v. 14). A life of worry and conflict could have God's own shalom.
In each of the above you will want to relate how it affected the angels because of Jesus coming into their lives; it can be so for us today (tonight).
Prayer Of The Day
Bless our celebration this night (day) as we commemorate your coming into our lives again this Christmas. May we also know, along with Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and angels, the true joy of a savior coming into our hearts again this year. And help us to go out from here into our dark world with this new light of good news for all those still in darkness. Amen.
Possible Stories
On the Fouth of July, I noticed during a fireworks display in Urbandale, Iowa, that one star in the heaven continued to shine brightly while all the human-made fireworks exploded into their light display. After we humans have shot off our stuff, still God's light remains constant.
John Stossel on 20/20 reported about SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) syndrome. One treatment is to sit in full spectrum lights every morning, which helps overcome the depression. So can the light of Christ for those who still live in darkness. The way it works is that to overcome the short daylight of winter, the artificial light goes into the brain and stops it from releasing so much of the chemical melatonin -- which also causes us to sleep at night.
We begin the Christmas season and take on a focus of God with us in human flesh. The incarnation means God knows what it is like and has entered the world to save us.
Theme For The Day
The birth of Christ brings a new light into our dark world. That entrance of God into the world re-orders our lives from then on.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 9:2-7
Out Of Darkness
The exegesis of this passage has been debated over and over, but for average Christians it is Isaiah's wonderful prophecy that the Messiah would come lead them out of darkness to the brightness of Christianity (also see 2 Corinthians 4:6). It will be of no benefit to discuss the scholarly questions about the original meaning of Isaiah's words here. The celebration of the birth of the Christ has completely appropriated these words of triumph and promise for them as anticipating Christ's coming to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem (v. 6). It is the song of a promised savior and of his kingdom and people. The passage is completely identified with faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son.
The words describing the born son are important: Wonderful Advisor -- one wiser than all the rest; Mighty God -- a hero strong with the strength of the eternal; Eternal Father -- a parent who has a love of people that cannot be destroyed; Prince of Peace -- in whose rule there was hope these good virtues could be realized. Isaiah doesn't talk about victories over enemies or armies but rather the strength of this kingdom over which the Prince of Peace rules is twofold: honesty and justice. I like the words of the commentator in The Interpreter's Bible: "Give us these in personal life, in the social order, and in international relationships, and the atomic bomb, the hydrogen bomb, and all the instruments of death will be remembered as creations of a barbaric age." So we see here what Isaiah promised would come, did so in the person and mission of Jesus.
New Testament Lesson
Titus 2:11-14
God's Own People
When Paul writes to Titus, he is instructing him that a new way of life is possible because of what God has done by sending Jesus the Christ. Paul also tells the Christians of Crete that God really wants us to be God's own people (v. 14b). Here seems to be a call to Christians to right behavior because of Jesus' coming in Bethlehem, going to Jerusalem's cross, and coming out of the grave for us. The passage also speaks of hope.
The Gospel
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Peace On Earth
Here we have the most familiar birth narrative. Luke, like Matthew, sets out to prove Jesus was born in the City of David. He must be born there as the Son of David and the Messiah (see Micah 5:2). The actual birth is presented in all its simplicity. "No room in the Inn" probably ought to be translated "guest room." Matthew has wise men from the east come to the manger, whereas Luke brings in the shepherds. In verse 9, we have the angel coming in brightness, which is the symbol of divine revelation. So this good news can be considered direct from God. There is a sign here that these surroundings are simple, as in Isaiah 7:14 and 15. The best translation of verse 14 would be: "On earth, peace, good will among people." To say that the peace is conditional on the human attitude of the people is contrary to Luke's theology. For Luke the new possibilities on earth are due entirely to God's grace.
Luke's telling of the story is set in the gentle themes of pastoral life. It sets the tone already of the "good shepherd" who has been born this very night. These shepherds become the example of Christian witness as they return (v. 20). Here, then, is the beginning of witness to the presence of the Christ in one's life.
Preaching Possibilities
A. Because this is often a sermon which will be given at night and many times by candlelight, the theme of light in the dark is almost mandatory. From the Old Testament Lesson, verse 9:2 of Isaiah, the promise and prediction is set. Then to Luke's birth narrative where in verse 9 the Bethlehem dark sky is illumined as the shepherds are visited by the angels bringing good news. The scripture and our lives are fully light and dark metaphors. There are also personalities here which can be described by the preacher. How did the birth of Jesus affect Mary, Joseph, the owner of the guest room, and the shepherds? After talking about the good news for each, you could wish them a merry Christmas.
B. There is also the possibility of using the entire sermon time on the good news of the angels: "Don't be afraid; there is good news and you have a savior." You might check your Christmas cards to see if you can open one for each point which has the appropriate words to read to the congregation at the end or beginning of each point. Be sure to identify from whom they came. Just be warned that if you are using this technique, you'll receive many more religious Christmas cards next year!
C. The same idea can be used with decorations off your Christmas tree which illustrate the main moves of your sermon.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Introduction: tell of a frightening time you or someone you know experienced in the dark. Tell of the joy when light came or when you found light. You might even use an object such as a road sign reflector, flashlight, portable spotlight, etc.
1. The people of Israel lived a long time in the terrible darkness of slavery and/or occupation by others. The promise was that one day this would all change.
2. With the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the promised light arrived. They had expected a political savior. This baby would be much, much more!
3. On Bethlehem's hillside, light came to shepherds. The good news was announced and celebrated and it "put a new light" on the lives of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and even God's angels as they now had a new news to proclaim.
4. Relate that we, after seeing the light in our dark world tonight (today), have the task and privilege to announce it to those still in darkness in their lives. We become the reflectors of that light to the dark world.
B. A second possibility would be to concentrate on the message of the angels and what it meant to the shepherds from then on in their lives. There are traditional moves possible.
1. To people afraid we have the promise we need not be afraid (v. 10). The closeness of God scared them.
2. There is good news (v. 10) for those who haven't had much good news lately. Judgment would not condemn them.
3. There is joy for those who desperately need it (v. 10). Their lives were hard.
4. There is a Savior for us who feel guilt and need rescue (v. 10). They were certain they could not make it on their own.
5. God gives peace to those who are in turmoil (v. 14). A life of worry and conflict could have God's own shalom.
In each of the above you will want to relate how it affected the angels because of Jesus coming into their lives; it can be so for us today (tonight).
Prayer Of The Day
Bless our celebration this night (day) as we commemorate your coming into our lives again this Christmas. May we also know, along with Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and angels, the true joy of a savior coming into our hearts again this year. And help us to go out from here into our dark world with this new light of good news for all those still in darkness. Amen.
Possible Stories
On the Fouth of July, I noticed during a fireworks display in Urbandale, Iowa, that one star in the heaven continued to shine brightly while all the human-made fireworks exploded into their light display. After we humans have shot off our stuff, still God's light remains constant.
John Stossel on 20/20 reported about SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) syndrome. One treatment is to sit in full spectrum lights every morning, which helps overcome the depression. So can the light of Christ for those who still live in darkness. The way it works is that to overcome the short daylight of winter, the artificial light goes into the brain and stops it from releasing so much of the chemical melatonin -- which also causes us to sleep at night.
