Love Was Born

Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
-Luke 2: 4-12

Christmas Eve services are some of my favorites of the year. We joyfully sing, “Gloria” and thoughtfully sing, “Silent Night” together as we honor Immanuel; God with us. Sometimes the children get wiggly. Sometimes the candles don’t light on the first try. The first Christmas was a messy and awkward affair. Giving birth is hard work and there is always fear of something going wrong. So if things go a little haywire on Christmas Eve, maybe that’s a better reminder of the night Jesus was born. Mary and Joseph had surprising visitors in the shepherds who came to see their new baby. After they saw the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, the shepherds hurried off and told everyone all that they had heard and seen.

It is truly good news of great joy that the angels shared with the shepherds. Love was born on Christmas night. Love that is eternal. Love that overcomes sin and death. God’s love that endures forever.

I hope you can join us for worship this Christmas Eve. Please bring your family, a neighbor or a friend and let’s join the angels singing, “Gloria” together.

Throughout this season of Advent we have lived, waited, and remembered the hope, peace, joy, and love of God found in Christ.
Tonight we gather together and light candles in honor of the Christ Child.
With the birth of Christ, salvation has drawn near. The God who ordered the chaos of the universe has come down into the chaos of our world. The Word which was with God at the beginning came down and lived with us. While we were yet living in the valley of the shadow of death, the light of new life burst forth.
On this night, we remember God has come in the Christ Child.