December 24, 2007

Facing Christmas

When God Took a Human Face

John 1:1-14

Opening words: During this season of Advent I have been preaching a sermon series called Facing Christmas. We have been preparing for Jesus by looking at various characters surrounding the nativity. To date we have looked at Zachariah, Joseph and Mary. In their stories we have found ourselves. While technology has changed our world, the human condition remains the same. Jesus speaks to all generations. Let us continue our journey today by looking at the star of the season, the reason for the season, Jesus. We are in the very first chapter of the spiritual Gospel, John. Let me call this Christmas Eve message “When God Took a Human Face.”

John 1:1-14 ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning.

    ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

    ⁶There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. ⁸He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. ⁹The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

    ¹⁰He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹²Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Is anyone here tired of the classic Christmas movie, It’s A Wonderful Life? It has only been on television about a million times. I don’t care. I don’t care its theology is bad. I love it. You know the story. Jimmy Stewart plays the part of the common man, George Bailey. As a young man he dreamed of seeing the world. However, he never gets to eave his hometown of Bedford Falls. The reasons is he inherits the family business, The Bailey Building and Loan. The times are hard. The business survives the crash of the stock market in 1929 but the business can not survive lovable yet absent-minded Uncle Billy, who misplaces $8,000. When the bank auditor comes and there is no hope of finding the money, George knows he going to jail. His life seems to be over. He feels like a failure and decides to commit suicide. He wishes he had never been born. As he stands on the bridge to end it all, he meets his guardian angel, Clarence Oddbody, who grants his wish. He shows George what his world would have looked like had he never been born. Through the rest of the movie George discovers the significant impact he has had on his family, his friends, his community. The movie helps us realize the impact one person can make on their world.

One of the reasons It’s a Wonderful Life is so popular is everyone can relate to George Bailey. When you were young did you dream of seeing the world? When you were young did you set your goals high but one by one your dreams were taken away by reality and responsibility? Does anyone here feel taken for granted? You are not going to get for Christmas what you really want because the extra money was spent on someone else’s gift. You don’t want a parade to recognize your sacrifice but would it be nice hear just one time, “Thank-you?” Have you ever wondered if you are making a difference in this world? The truth is your story and George Bailey’s story stand side by side. The impact you have had on your world is greater then you will ever know.

We come here this evening to acknowledge the difference that Jesus has made both in our individual lives and the world, itself. If Jesus had not been born there would be no Christmas story. If Jesus had not been born Mary and Joseph would have just lived and died. If Jesus had not been born the shepherds never would have heard the announcement of the heavenly choir. If Jesus had not been born the Magi would have never left home in search of the new born king. If Jesus had not been born the two billion people, who claim Christianity in our world tonight as their faith, would still be living in spiritual darkness. If Jesus had not been born the poor in our world would have less hope. If Jesus had not been born there would be fewer non-profit organizations. Organizations such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army were started by the church in response to Jesus’ call to care for the poor and forgotten. If Jesus had not been born there would be less support for victims of natural disasters. If Jesus had not been born there would be less concern for orphans and fewer hospitals. The church has always taken a lead when it comes to those who are in need. If Jesus had not been born there would be fewer colleges and institutions of high education. If you study your American history you will find it was the church who saw the need to educate the common man. We come here this evening to acknowledge the difference that Jesus has made to us. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Our scripture lesson for this evening is not easy to understand. There is nothing easy about the Gospel of John. It looks at the life of Jesus from a different perspective. Matthew, Mark and Luke deal with the historical life of Jesus. John deals with the spiritual or theological impact of Jesus. Have you ever stopped to consider the theological impact Jesus? When God took a human face everything suddenly changed. To help you understand the spiritual impact Jesus has had on our world let us look at three words. Each one of these words begin with the letter R. So if you are ready say, “Amen!” I will be brief. You have presents to open and eggnog to drink.

Revelation

The first word is revelation. When God took a human face we suddenly had better understanding of God. Martin Luther said, “The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.” Try to get your minds around the incarnation of Jesus. God left the perfection of heaven and entered our imperfect world to dwell with us. Why? God wanted to experience all that we experience.

C.S. Lewis said we can compare the incarnation of God to our dogs. Imagine, for the moment, that your dog and every dog is in deep distress. Many publicly proclaim their love for their dog. Maybe that is you? There is nothing young with caring for your family pets. But would anyone here what to trade places with your dog? Would you put down your human nature, leave your loved ones, your job, hobbies, your art and literature and music, your favorite team and choose instead of the intimate communion with your beloved, the poor substitute of looking into the beloved's face and wagging your tail, unable to smile or speak? That is what Christ did for us. He left unhindered communion with God and took a human form. When we look into the face of the baby Jesus we discover the vastness of God’s love for us! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!” The first word is revelation. The second word is relationship.

Relationship

Someone once wrote…

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer;

But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

When God took a human face we suddenly had an opportunity to have a personal relationship with the God of the universe. Verses twelve and thirteen say, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” That old Gospel message still resonates in our souls today. It is not complex but is it potent. The only way to live at peace with God in this world and go to heaven when you die is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Salvation can not be earned. We are saved by grace and by grace, alone. If you haven’t accepted Jesus or if you are not sure you have accepted Jesus, then do it today! Advent is a time to remember his first coming and prepare ourselves for the second coming. Be prepared! He could come at any time. God wants a relationship with you! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!” The first word was the word revelation. The second word is the word relationship. The third word is the word represent.

Represent

When God took a human face we suddenly had an opportunity to represent God in this world. On the day you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you knew you were going to heaven. You knew you didn’t deserve to go to heaven. You were saved by grace and grace alone. You may not be a perfect person but you are a person of integrity. You can’t take this great gift of salvation and not respond in someway. So everyday you get up and find a new way to thank God for saving your sin sick soul. You understand you represent Jesus in this world. You maybe the only Bible someone in your life may ever read.

Around the year 200 CE a sailing ship was caught in the grip a terrible storm outside the Turkish port of Myra. As cargo was being thrown overboard by the crew in a desperate attempt to save themselves, someone remembered a man of God was on boar. Perhaps he could help. The cry went out, "Nicholas!" He emerged from his cabin wearing his white beard. Holding the rail he prayed for God's mercy. His prayer was answered. The storm died down and the ship limped into the port. Upon reaching dry land Nicholas made his way to the nearest church. He simply wanted to thank God for saving his life. Unbeknown to him a group of elders were gathered in that church, seeking God's will, as to whom should be appointed bishop of their city. The elders saw the white bearded Nicholas as the answer to their prayers. As bishop he wore a long red robe and became known as the "Bishop of Miracles.” It was during his time as bishop he discovered something that disturbed him. Young girls were sold into life a slave prostitution if their parents were too poor to afford a marriage dowry. As he was from a wealthy family Nicholas struck upon a plan of action. He launched it one December 6th. Under the cover of darkness he secretly moved around the town, dropping small bags of gold coins through the window of homes where there was a little girl who would have no dowry. From that day on Nicholas would follow the same practice every December 6th. It is said that one year when Nicholas reached through a window, the bag of coins fell into a stocking hanging by the fire to dry. Families were relieved and elated to save their daughters.  It was not until the year of his death that people discovered who the mystery benefactor was. Five hundred years later Nicholas was made a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. As the story of Saint Nicholas spread so did his kindness. The kindness of Saint Nicholas was not created in his own heart. It was learned in his soul. He gave back because of what was given him. He found a new way of thanking God for saving him. May we do the same thing! May we find a new way to thank God everyday for saving your sin sick soul. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”