Yes, Good Morning.
Good Christmas Morning!
This day brings so many joys and traditions and expectations. And that’s all good. I hope it’s a really good day for you. And if your day shapes up to be not so cheery and wonderful, I hope the true meaning of Christmas penetrates your heart with the peace of Christ even in your unfortunate circumstances.
Two quick things from me today.
First, I trust you attended a Christmas Eve Service last night. What a special night to be with our family and the Christ Child in the House of the Lord. And many of us will also have that same opportunity this morning as it is both Christmas morning and Sunday morning.
Second, in the nearly chaotic nature of Christmas morning, I want us to remember what this day is all about and what this day means for the hope of the world.
To do that I simply share with you here that True Meaning. Please read again this profound proclamation, whether by yourself or aloud with your family. And please be again amazed at this astonishing Truth of God’s own Son coming down from heaven to live a perfect life, die a death for the salvation of the whole world, and rise again that we too might have eternal life.
Never forget this Truth. And please never omit it from your Christmas.
From Holy Scripture, Luke 2:1-20, King James Version.
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Merry CHRISTmas everyone! Christ the Savior is born!
[Kollmeyer, a retired Lutheran pastor, is a thirty-six year resident of Fayette County. He offers his pastoral and preaching services to any and all Christians. Reach him at justin.kollmeyer@gmail.com]
