Christmas Eve…the most profoundly important night in all of history. The night that God, left His throne in heaven, taking on the form of a helpless baby.  His parents, a young and unmarried couple; humble and poor. They found themselves caught up in the biggest mystery of God’s holy grace. That night, the angels sang, Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth, good will to men.

Luke, chapter 2—

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be registered, each to his own town.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.  And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling 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,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.  And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.  And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

 Tonight, the world will gather together with family and friends to celebrate Christmas. While to many, this is just another holiday, to those of us who serve the Lord, it is a time to remember, reflect and rejoice in the love that God has given to us. For Jesus was born this night, with the specific purpose of going to the cross and dying for our sins. As we exchange gifts, let us not forget the greatest gift of all. Mary, a virgin, gave birth to the Son of God, in order to reconcile us. Jesus was the Lamb of God; born to bring healing and forgiveness, through His sacrifice and death.

Isiah 53—

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief;  when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

I felt it important to share God’s holy scripture. Many just see Christmas as a fable, a time when we celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus. But Jesus didn’t stay a baby. He grew up, lived a sinless life, and then willingly died in our place. His death wasn’t swift, but was agonizing! He not only bore the physical pain of the cross, but also the tremendous burden that each of us carry due to our sin. Our wrongs, our sins, our wicked hearts—were nailed to that wooden cross and bathed in His holy blood. As you gather tonight, remember what we are truly celebrating. Without Christmas, without Jesus, we all would be in darkness. But He is the light of the world and in Him we have salvation and the forgiveness of sin. Won’t you open your heart to Him tonight?