Pious Lutheran

Madonna of Lilies and Pieta , William-Adolphe Bouguereau 1899 & 1876 Christmas is the preface to Easter Empty Sentimentalism doesn’t last The celebration of Christmas is always balanced with the anticipation of Easter Here you have come to Mt. Zion I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, sparkling lights glimmering in the bleak midwinter amidst a chorus of pensive voices, and a smorgasbord of sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, decadent dressing, roast beast, and a hot toddy to top it all off. But for how long? The sentimental traditions of yesteryear hold on by a piece of tinsel with a bow on top. Christmas is a grand celebration of the enfleshment of the second person of the Trinity, who in flesh was crucified and risen for the deliverance of mankind. But without that divine commemoration, Christmas is just a party about nothing. This holy day becomes a hallmark holiday without the incarnation of Jesus. It’s a wrapped box filled with nothing save...

Angels Announcing the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds , Govert Flinck, 1639 Our Christmas Journey To ancient Judea To the manger To the shepherds in the field To the angels Merry Christmas! “ Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ” This evening’s message is a simple message, albeit remarkably profound. It’s a message of joy and a cause for celebration, a message of happiness and peace: The Son of God has been born a man and is our Savior. This evening we go on a journey, a Christmas journey, better than a magical sleigh or train could ever offer you, because this journey is real and its impact eternal. Today we journey from Iowa to Judea, from the 21st century to the 1st century. “ 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. ” In those days Rome was the world power, ruled by the first Roman emperor Caesar Augustus. For Rome ...

The Nativity,  Lorenzo Lotto, 1523 The true meaning of Christmas Jesus came to be with us Jesus saves His people from their sins Merry Christmas! What a fun time of year! Lots of pretty lights to look at. Upbeat music on the radio. Good food, family time, fun parties. The snow makes for a winter wonderland, even if it makes a mess and disrupts travel plans. I’m so glad that you all took some time out of your busy schedule during this fun time of year, to come to church this evening. I sincerely hope you all come to church tomorrow morning since tomorrow is the actual feast of Christmas. Today is just the preparatory day, tomorrow is the feast day! Though, I do wonder, why are we all here today? What did we come here to see? Are we just here to sing Christmas carols and sing silent night while holding a candle? Are we here out of cultural expectations; gotta go to church on Christmas Eve with grandma? Whatever it may be that brought you here tonight, I am honestly overjoyed that you...

The Nativity,  Sandro Botticelli, 1485 Merry Christmas! St. Matthew’s nativity account is much shorter than St. Luke’s. Luke talks about the angel speaking to Mary, traveling to Bethlehem, wrapping baby Jesus in swaddling cloths, lying Him in a manger, and the angels and shepherd coming to worship Him. Matthew’s account, which we read this evening, includes none of that. Luke focuses on Mary, while Matthew focuses on Joseph. While the blessed virgin Mary is certainly important (she gave birth to the Son of God!), Joseph is much more relatable to us. The angel Gabriel went from heaven to a small town in Galilee, Nazareth, and spoke directly to Mary. But to Joseph, an angel of the Lord appeared to Him in a dream, not even in person.  Mary experienced these things personally, she knew as a matter of fact that she had been faithful to Joseph and that the baby in her womb did not come about the usual way, which meant she knew from her experience that the child in her womb was from ...

  Merry Christmas! “Thou christian heart, whoe’er thou art, be of good cheer and let no sorrow move thee! For God’s own Child, in mercy mild, joins thee to Him; how greatly God must love thee!” Tomorrow is Christmas, and for us Christians it’s the greatest celebration on earth, second only to Easter! God Himself, the second person of the Trinity, has become man in order to join us in our flesh in order to redeem us from the sins of our flesh. What joy and gladness cheers our hearts because of this most profound act of God! The whole heavenly host of angels even sing of this wondrous event: “ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! ” The Immortal has put on our mortality; the eternal has stepped into the temporal; God is clothed in our flesh and blood. “ The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ” in the small human body of Jesus. The Light of the World has entered into the darkness within which we dwell. “ The peo...

“ 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 cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. ” And when the shepherds heard by the word of the angels what had just happened, they said: “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us. ”  We are just like the Shepherds! It’s been announced to us that Christ is near with His cheer and never will He leave us! So we flock to and congregate in sanctuaries around the world to see this thing that has happened. We travel in haste so that we might find, with the shepherds, “ the baby lying in a manger. ” Truly I say to you, the rea...

“ Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ” What things do you treasure up and ponder in your heart? Today it’s December 24th, the end of a long year. As you ponder back on the happenings of the last 12 months, what things run through your mind? Maybe the birth of a child, the death of a loved one; a move to a new house, selling an old one; an 18th birthday or an 80th birthday. Maybe nothing’s really changed, it’s the same old same old, and now at the end of year you’re tired of the grindstone and need a break.  In the midst of the shortest and darkest days of the year, tired from the happenings of the last 12 months, Christmas comes. “ The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. ”In the midst of such a dark and tired season, a light shines in the darkness. What things do you treasure up?  Maybe it’s the chance to see family again today or soon. Maybe it’s the good...

Merry Christmas! A special welcome to all of our guests and visitors with us this evening. It is such a joy and privilege for us to have you joining your voices with ours, the shepherds, and the angels this evening as we praise the one true God. I suspect that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are a couple of the most happy days in your life each year. Here we are gathered together in this sanctuary, surrounded by gorgeous decorations both inside and outside. As you drive home this evening, I’m sure you’ll pass by any number of houses decked out in enough lights to give our electric companies a nice Christmas bonus this year. Along with the lights, the mood is enhanced by the chilly temps outside and the warm, cozy atmosphere inside. Soon we’ll light our candles, dim the lights, and sing everybody’s favorite: Silent Night.  We’ll all go home, gathering around the Christmas tree, slipping into our comfy pants while we sip on a nice warm beverage. We’ll tear into our Christmas pre...