The Savior is Born

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [Luke 2:1-14]

Historical narration in the text invites us to use analysis for the sermon outline. Our text records 1) the imperial decree which compelled Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem; 2) the birth itself in a room containing a manger; 3) the announcement of the angel; 4) the praise ,of the angel host. Loy illustrates this simple analytical type of outline.

The Savior is Born.

Let us dwell

1. On tire marvelous fact;
2. On the glorious announcement.
3. On the angelic praise.

The decree and the birth are placed into one part, so that the sermon appears with only the customary three parts. The formulation of the outline is entirely didactic and commonplace. It would be a pity if the sermon rose to no higher level. I should like to see the preacher on this higher level already in his outline.

Dun't eat straw on Christmas

Our tables are usually laden with the very best on Christmas. In many homes, however, the tables are laden with straw, and the nutritious food is discarded. The people who do this believe they are doing just the opposite. They are mistaken.

Jesus was placed in a manger where the food for animals was usually put. He is the true Bread of life. "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh" (Joh 6:51). Without Jesus we are spiritually starved, dead, without life. We shudder when we see pictures of malnourished children in underdeveloped countries. But are our hearts touched by the even more pitiful spiritual condition of people? Jesus has come to be the Bread of life. He wants to nourish our souls.

The tables of some on Christmas may be bare because they have misunderstood Jesus' mission. They believe that Jesus has come to supply us with earthly bread. Jesus, as God's Son, does indeed uphold this world, giving us sunshine and rain, causing the seeds to grow and blessing our work. But Jesus did not have to come to earth for this purpose. Earthly life belongs in the sphere of the first article of the Creed, or in other words in the sphere of creation or providence. He who understands Jesus' mission to be merely an earthly one, rejects the second and third articles of the Creed or, in other words, atonement and sanctification.

This has happened to many. To them Jesus is no longer the Son of God, co?equal with the Father. They have been left with only the man, Jesus. God's Son has always been in existence, but there has never been a Jesus from Nazareth, who was only a man. Jesus Christ is one person and at the same time true God and true man. God has become man, man has not become God. He to whom Jesus is only a man eats straw on Christmas. But He who believes that He is God's Son, knows that "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Jesus has never said anything that He cannot fulfill. His Word is true: "I have come that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (John 10:10).

In the sphere of the first article of the Creed we may have needs that even good will cannot entirely fulfill. But in the sphere of the second and third articles, that deal with atonement and sanctification, we do not have to be in need. We receive forgiveness for our sins according to the riches of His grace. We have received the eternal God as a Christmas gift.

At the manger

The festival of Jesus' birth causes us to pause at the manger from where the sun of God's grace shines and beckons us to draw near. Let us forget all our cares and look toward Bethlehem: We behold the King of kings. "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High... and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and His kingdom will have no end" (Luke 1:22,23). This little baby is the everlasting King, whom no one can remove from His throne. His kingdom is one of joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. We therefore behold the greatest miracle. The eternal Son of God has become a human being, lowered Himself and hidden His power.

But perhaps you say: "May I come to behold Him: I, the lowly one, to behold the Highest, the sinner to behold the Holy One, the child of darkness to behold the True Light, the prisoner of death to behold Eternal Life? Will He not turn me away from His presence?" You may come, friend, for He has not come to condemn you, but has rather come so that you through Him might be saved. He is your SAVIOR.

"When the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons" (Gal. 4:4,5). We had broken God's Law, it's true, but Jesus fulfilled it for us and suffered the punishment that the Law demanded. Already when He was still in the manger, the shadow of the cross loomed over Him, so that it might cover your sins, and the Father's love could shine through from the face of the Savior.

You can approach His manger with confidence. He will, with His grace, also illumine your dark heart, so that you may believe in Him and no longer doubt and be afraid, but rather be certain that your sins have been forgiven for Jesus' sake. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him" (John 3:17).

The earthly life of the Christ?Child, from the very beginning, was a constant battle against the temptor, and the battle ended in victory for Jesus. In the company of the Christ?Child you also will be victorious. We are still engaged in battle. Sin still lives in us and temptations confront us, but our redemption is already an accomplished fact. Go to the manger to behold your Redeemer and to follow His banner of victory. Then you will have the right kind of Christmas.

The Christmas tree speaks to children

I am a Christmas tree. Some children have gathered around me. They gaze at me with soulful eyes, filled with eager anticipation and joyful excitement, impatiently waiting. Children, I look at you and would like to grasp you with my branches and crush you against my trunk. That's how much I enjoy your happiness. Listen, children, I have something to say to you. Be as quiet as mice and I will whisper wonderful things to you.

I grew in a forest. No one noticed me until a certain man cut me down, threw me on the platform of his truck, drove to the city and sold me to you. I was bewildered: "Why did I have to leave my beloved forest and come here?" But my Creator told me: "You must testify of me in the home to which you go." I asked: "What should I say? I don't know how to speak the way people speak." My Creator replied: "Do not object. Go with a joyful heart. When the children and their parents look at you, you will begin to live in their imagination and in that way you will speak to them.

Children, look and see how green I am. Green is the color of life. I am a tree of life. I am a picture of God's Son, Jesus, who has brought us eternal life. Just as I left my own forest, so too He left heaven and became man. Just as I was cut down and will soon die, so too the Son of God suffered and died. In this way He atoned for your sins and earned everlasting life for you.

I have a star at my top. You remember, don't you, how the star of Bethlehem led the three Wisemen to Jesus. You too need such a star to lead you to Jesus. That star is God's Word, the Bible. Read it. It tells us about Jesus.

See how joyfully the candles flicker on my branches. They enjoy giving off light. They picture children and adults, who believe in Jesus. They testify of Jesus to others. In this way they give light and warmth. Yoy also admire the other decorations on my branches. What do they picture? They picture the good works of Christians. With them Christians adorn Jesus' Gospel so that people gladly hear and read it.

Children, whenever you see a Christmas tree, remember what I told you.