The nativity of our Lord : December 24, 2007

Currents in Theology and Mission, Oct, 2007 by Joy L. McDonald Coltvet

Isaiah 9:2-7

Psalm 96

Titus 2:11-14

Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

First Reading

In the reading from Isaiah this night, we're given a vision of light, multiplication and increased joy at the harvest--like dividing plunder. I can't help but chuckle a little that this text is our Christmas Eve reading. My early pietistic training as well as the writer of Titus say instead, "Not that! We are supposed to renounce worldly passions. We wouldn't rejoice in dividing plunder." But in an era when pirate movies are very popular and pirates seem, well, friendly for the most part, we can actually imagine coming upon a buried treasure and maybe spreading it out among all the people.

On this night, I can imagine a joyful picture of children's eyes, wide at the foot of the Christmas tree. Almost everyone, rich or poor, has either experienced or imagined this scene. It is also significant that Isaiah's vision isn't that of hoarding the plunder but of dividing it, the joy of coming upon a pile of goodies so abundant that it brings joy to share it, to spread it around. The biblical writers are so honest in naming our hearts' desires--Can we be that honest in our preaching of this text?

Isaiah continues by describing the leader who is to come, using poetic words that have been put to music so often that music comes to mind as we hear them. Whether it is G. F. Handel's Messiah in English choral splendor or Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration (12) that comes to mind, hearing the names--Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace--brings music to the ears of your congregation.

That makes it especially appropriate that Psalm 96 also begins with singing. "Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy" (v. 12b). In planning services, some will opt to skip the psalm on Christmas Eve, but it is interesting that in the readings appointed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, it is an option to hear Psalms 96, 97, and 98 in order (if you do services Christmas Eve, Dawn, and Day). What other time of year do we hear the psalms consecutively like this? So, instead of skipping them entirely, if you do not usually intone the psalm on this celebratory night, you might choose a song that proclaims the psalm text. Possibilities include "Sing unto the Lord" (R295), "Sing Out, Earth and Skies" (R289), and "The Trees of the Field" (R188). (13)

The preacher gets to choose how many verses are read tonight from the Gospel of Luke. I suggest including verses 15-20 because they tell us that when messengers come proclaiming the news of Jesus' coming to us, we can respond as the shepherds did: "Let's go see it!" When we see it, we can make it known, glorify and praise God for all we've heard and seen.

Pastoral Reflections

Who's coming to worship tonight? In many congregations, the seats are not filled with those who have been journeying through Advent together. This is often a very different crowd--filled with strangers, people you haven't seen for a long time (but are supposed to remember), people who come only on this night every year. Families take up whole pews as relatives come together; children can barely contain themselves. People's stress may be at a peak level. Others are coming alone--during this season when family is so emphasized. Some are coming alone for the first time since a loved one died this year. People are here tonight with a wide variety of "ghosts" of Christmas past, present, and future.

That is why this night is important, although its texts are the same every year, although we can have all kinds of cynicism around why others are here or why we are here. I think it's safe to say that each person comes with a heightened sense of expectation on this night of singing and candlelight. Will God come and save us--from our materialism? from my grief? from our broken-ness? from my loneliness? from our stress? from my addiction? from our burdens? Will God be present tonight? God's saving work is both personal and collective. God comes for people uniquely and for the whole community of creation.

The emotions of those hearing the good news in the Gospel of Luke make a great transition from initially being terrified, then amazed, then filled with gratitude and praise of God. How might these same emotions also be present for those gathered tonight? For the shepherds, it's also a journey from terror and amazement to action. What kind of action might the preacher call for in those gathered to worship tonight? After you tell them about the child tonight, what words do you hope they will go and "make known" to others?

The preacher has the opportunity using all the most familiar language and perhaps using some new language to do evangelism on this night--not only with the strangers but with the members. Tonight is the night to remind people why they've made a commitment to be people of the Way or why they might. Even more important, this is a night to describe what God has done and is doing among us. JLMC

12. Dianne Reeves, Patti Austin, Stevie Wonder, and George Duke, Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration, Audio CD (World Entertainment, 1992).