Who Is Jesus To You Now?

Who Is Jesus To You Now?

Good Morning Friends,

Today is Christmas morning 2017 and some places it is snowing but here in Florida it is mild and a little foggy. Regrettably the fog was so dense yesterday morning that it became the contributing factor in a plane crash that killed one of my dear friend’s older brother, family members and a friend on takeoff at the Bartow Airport. Five people in total died, two a young couple, and it is sad and horrific for they had just given Christmas cookies to the airport staff minutes before their death. It seems odd that we celebrate the birth of the greatest gift to humanity ever in the face of such sadness. But for such a time as this, Jesus came. And though it seems awkward that we might greet the family with a “Merry Christmas,” we press on in the hope of redemption for all things, even as we read today’s scripture and ask in the face of anguish, Who Is Jesus To You Now?

Scripture: But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:1-6 (NRSV)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region, there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Luke 2:1-14 (NRSV)

So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak: “You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.’ Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his work, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet.”

Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 (NRSV)

Message: The challenge today is to have a Holy Christmas that is a beginning of a journey not a destination and certainly not an ending. The challenge is in making worship of Jesus in our relationships at the personal level the most important part of the celebration…the sharing of a holy meal that affirms our salvation and belief in something eternal. The pagan problem of a focus on materialism, that so wears us out with physical preparation, tends to leave no time for this, especially in the face of tragedy. So today we seek not an infant Jesus but an infinitely powerful Jesus and the hope, joy, love and peace that is the most important part of the Advent season but also the ushering in of the rule of Christmas that begins today. I trust you want to embrace this marvelous event or would not be reading this. So, let us have a Holy Christmas, by making the worship of our Lord the most important part of this day. So, take and eat not only of the Word but of the mystery of it all. The prophet Isaiah foresaw a kind of king to rule this day in our love and in our grief. He described him as the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Each of these four titles tells us something special about Jesus and reveals him to be the very best Christmas gift ever even for those who need this day to be redeemed and resurrected in the creation of something new. So feast this day for you are alive in Christ.

Pray we help each other to accept Jesus’ wonderful counsel, to rest in His mighty strength, to bank on God’s forever love, and to know the rest and calming peace of the divine. Pray in the Spirit of this power for those facing grief this season. Pray they and we make room for Jesus. Pray therefor we not focus on getting things of a material nature but on the giving things of the Spirit. Pray we remember no one is beyond redemption and everyone is infinitely loved in Jesus’ eyes. Pray we share in the hope that others will open the same gift of salvation you and I have already opened. Pray we overcome the obstacles of the world. Pray we take Jesus at His word and make room for Him in our hearts. Pray our faith grows as we see God at work. Pray we overcome the world’s message of despair and realize that Jesus came to bring us life even in the face of death. Pray that because of the hope and peace and love in the resurrection in us we have a reason for living joyously. Pray we be a Merry Christmas.

Blessings,

John Lawson