CHRISTMAS EVE
The Promise Fulfilled

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December 24, 2009

Read Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 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. 5 He
went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 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.

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,
the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds
said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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“ Silent Night, Holy Night. All was calm, All was bright.”
“O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie.”

Silent night? Was Bethlehem really that still? The place was crowded! People had come to Bethlehem from all over. All the hotels rooms had been booked. All the spare bedrooms spoken for. All the futons and couches and easy chairs were
occupied with relatives. Everyone was in town for the census. These are not strangers, these are family and friends. The food was out and the wine was probably flowing. People were catching up with one another. Bethlehem was far from still! It was a noisy, bustling place. It was not a silent night.

Still, the Christmas carols proclaim truth. It may not have been a silent night, but it was a holy night. It was the Savior of the world who was born. Maybe the earth stood still, for just a moment, to mark this holy event.

The hustle and bustle probably continued. He came – into that noisy village of Bethlehem, the Savior of the world was born. He comes today. He comes into our noisy world. He comes, not with fanfare, but with love. He comes into your world. Jesus comes. Not to hush the cacophony. Rather, he embraces it.

Light the first, second, third, and fourth candles on the Advent Wreath.

Light the Christ candle, in the middle.

Sing Silent Night.

Prayer:

The Word was made flesh, Alleluia, Alleluia!
and dwelt among us, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Jesus, Son of the living God, splendor of the Father, Light
eternal:
Glory to you, O Lord!
You come into the world, such as it is:
noisy, crowded, full of things we’d rather not think about
tonight.
Still, you come.
You embrace it all in divine love.
This night may we know the wonder of your love,
which comes to us, such as we are.
Glory to you, O Lord!
Alleluia! Amen.

Updated December 2, 2009