Christmas Eve sermon 2005

Christmas Eve Sermon "Why Go To Bethlehem?" 12/24/05

Why do you go some of the places you go? Why do you so some of the things you do? Why have you come to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Springfield, Ohio on this Christmas Eve? What were all those nice people doing at Bethlehem on that first Christmas Eve? Let's see what we can learn---

The parents were required to be there! Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem in response to a governmental decree. “In those days Ceasar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Judea. And everyone went to his own town to register.” (Lk. 2:1-3) The Emperor had commanded a census be taken and he ordered everyone to return to their place of birth to be enrolled. Bethlehem, the city of David, was Joseph’s hometown. I’m not certain they knew their journey to Bethlehem--- a difficult 70-mile journey, likely on foot, over unforgiving terrain--- was to fulfill the announcements of Old Testament prophets from centuries earlier. They were simply going to Joseph's hometown to obey an imperial decree. The timing may have seemed inconvenient, but proved providential! Such, still, is often the case!

The angels were sent! The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible defines an angel as "a celestial being a little higher in dignity than man." They do seem to keep appearing all over the place in the Bible, more often in the Old Testament than in the New! As messengers of God, they go where God sends them. Angels were present “in that region” with the newborn King, because God sent them there to announce to all who would listen that very soon heaven would meet earth in a Bethlehem manger.

The shepherds were curious! These were not educated people, but like the rest of us they were curious people. It wasn't every night that an angel appeared to them, let alone “a multitude of the heavenly host.” (Lk. 2:13) Their first reaction to this unique experience was naturally that of fear. They felt like somehow their own lives were in danger; therefore the angel’s words, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all people..." were intended to comfort them. They weren't sure what they were in for, but the angel had said “To you is born this day…a Savior” and “This will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Lk. 2: 11-12) So, they went to Bethlehem to see what this was all about…to see if this was some great hoax or group hallucination or an incredible miracle. “They went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger." (Lk. 2: 16) In obedience, they witnessed the truth of God’s Word!

The Wise Men were led! This was sometime later and the authorities disagree as to just how much later. They agree, though, regarding the fact that these men from "afar" followed a star---conservatively, about 800 miles---until it led them to the manger in Bethlehem. Drawn by all the religious history pronouncing that a Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea, they made this lengthy, time-consuming trip, carrying gifts, no less! The Wise Men, like the shepherds, listened to the angels and received their navigation from heaven. In returning home, they obeyed God, rather than wicked King Herod. God then, and now, gives great directions!

The holy parents, the shepherds, the angels, and the Wise Men all found themselves in and around Bethlehem. Why, we might ask? Bethlehem was not a crossroads city like St. Louis, Missouri. If you went to Bethlehem, you had a specific reason for going there. It wasn't the nightlife nor the educational or employment opportunities nor the sporting events nor the symphony nor the art museum that attracted all these people to Bethlehem. It had to be something else!

I am offering the best sermon I know how to prepare and present this night, but I realize people have not come this night because of my sermons. We have a wonderful, strong music ministry, but I am pretty sure people have not come this night because of our music. I rejoice that we have as beautiful a facility as any church I know of, but I am pretty sure people have not come this night because of our facility. We have a great deal of parking on this site, but most all of you have a reserved parking place in the driveway or garage near your home...so, I'm pretty sure people have not come this night because of our parking.

What are you doing here? Are you curious, as were the shepherds? Were you required to come by the "orders" of some higher authority, as were Joseph and Mary? Were you sent, as were the angels, or led, as were the Wise Men? Tonight is as close to Bethlehem as most of us are likely ever to get. God went all the way to Bethlehem that night for a reason. Why have you come to Grace this night?

A Russian dancer named Pavlova was asked what she was trying to communicate in her dance. She replied, "If I could have said it with words, I would not have danced!" God comes to Bethlehem because what He wants to say to us...what God desires to communicate to us...what God so wants to share with us...could not be adequately expressed in words. If the power and promise could have been simply communicated with words, God would have sent us a letter or e-mail. But, the message of Christmas...the reason God went to Bethlehem that holy night...required a never before shown or know form of communication! God sent His Son!

Let us pray: "Mighty God, You announced the birth of Your Son with angel songs and dazzling light: startle us anew with the wonder of the event. Even as we thought ourselves prepared for this night, may we hear the story as if for the first time and received it with the eagerness of little children. To You be all honor, praise, and glory as we have come together in Thy house to meet and greet You here!

Amen.