John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Christmas Day. On a Sunday, no less. Merry Christmas! So, how does the faithful Christian celebrate Christmas, even if it happens to land on a Sunday? Simple. How does the faithful Christian celebrate Christ, who is “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth”?
Most non-Lutheran evangelical churches don’t have Christmas Day service. So, I once asked a non-Lutheran pastor in town what they do if Christmas happens to land on Sunday. He said that they cancel service and try to make it as easy as possible on the people, putting no burden on them or requiring anything of them like attending a service. I knew that he thought he was being “truly evangelical” with that answer but all it did was sadden me… for them, because they’re missing out.
I mean, where else would I want to be to celebrate Christ than gathered with His people around His Word and Sacrament? What could possibly be more important than that, and how is it in any way putting some kind of burden on me? Is it a burden to kiss my wife or hug my children? Of course, not—I rejoice in it. Is it a burden to gather to hear God’s Word of all that He has done for us in Christ and to respond together in thanks and praise? Of course, not—I rejoice in it.
“In the beginning was the Word… 3 All things were made through Him… 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it… 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God… 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
The Christmas day Gospel, the story of Christ arriving to save us from sin, death, the world, and the power of the devil is nothing short of mind-blowing, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world! Merry Christmas, indeed.
Let us pray: Almighty God, grant that the new birth of your only Son in the flesh may set us free from our old slavery under sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
