Christmas Eve

1. I volunteered at the Salvation Army last Thursday and again this Monday. While sitting in a chair at Walmart, I could observe many people. Their expressions varied in my sight – some were happy, while others were not, especially the children. The reason for their unhappiness seemed to be that they couldn't get the items they wanted due to their parents' decisions. I noticed some people were joyous after purchasing a 55-inch TV. As it's the Christmas season, today is Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas when Jesus was born. We've adorned our house with bright lights and decorations. The city of Yorkton has been illuminated for a month with festive decorations. While exploring Yorkton and attending a children's performance last week, I pondered the true meaning of Christmas and what it meant in the first century, the day before Jesus was born. Did they celebrate similarly? Did they decorate items in anticipation of Jesus' birth? What did the birth of Jesus signify for them on that special day? In today's sermon, I aim to delve into the meaning and implications of Christmas. Let's reflect on this as we read Luke 2:8-14.

Luke 2:8–10 NKJV

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

Luke 2:11–12 NKJV

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:13–14 (NKJV)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

2. We appreciate object lessons because they offer a clear and tangible way to learn. That is why children’s group at our church has been preparing the object lessons and crafts to help them understand the Word of God practically. When we prepare object lessons for children, we aim to choose materials that are practical rather than theoretical. By "practical," we mean something we can see, touch, use, and even smell – something that has direct relevance to our lives. In contrast, the term "theoretical" suggests ideas, assumptions, or concepts that we cannot directly observe. When we create a theory, it may not always consider its applicability to our daily lives because a theory remains just that – an assumption or concept.

3. During the children's performance last Sunday, I operated the sound booth to manage the pre-recorded video for the show while watching it from upstairs. It reminded me of how God used an object lesson to inform the shepherds about the Messiah's arrival. In my sight, it was God’s object lesson for the shepherds. In first-century Judea, it was not customary for flocks to be in the heart of Jerusalem; they were typically situated outside the city, much like our situation. Reflecting on my time in Pelly, where my daughter desired a horse one time after the Bible Camp, I felt grateful to the Pelly Town office for not permitting horses within the town limits. If we wanted a horse, we had to either find a field outside of town or consider moving to a farm. Similarly, shepherds couldn't bring their flocks into the town, so they lived on the outskirts. Consequently, they were occasionally viewed as strangers, foreigners, or outsiders in other’s sight due to this arrangement.

4. In the stillness of the night, God dispatched an angel to the shepherds residing in the fields. Interestingly, God didn't choose to send the angel to a king, ruler, or the elite class. The angel wasn't directed to those deeply engrossed in the serious study of Messianic Expectation either. Instead, God chose the shepherds, often regarded as foreigners, strangers, and outsiders. This act emphasized that God deliberately selected those who were not well-versed in the Word of God, highlighting a preference for the seemingly weak. We can see the way of God when He starts and fulfills his promise. God opted for the weak to reveal the arrival of the Messiah, demonstrating that divine actions differ from human expectations.

1 Corinthians 1:24–25 NLT

But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

5. Reflecting on church history, a notable group emerged during the 16th-century Reformations known as the Anabaptists. Their distinctive belief centered around rejecting infant baptism. Instead, they advocated for baptism following a personal confession of faith by the individual. Interestingly, they weren't theologians or church priests but ordinary believers with a strong desire to study the Bible. These individuals, often working as mechanics or city caretakers, resembled the shepherds in the fields. Despite their earnest faith and desire to understand the Word of God, they faced rejection and persecution. The initial opposition came from the same Protestant group in Switzerland, notably from the Swiss Reformer Zwingli. This persecution cast them as outsiders. However, the enduring legacy of their faith and perspective continues to influence us today. In alignment with this historical perspective, the Alliance Church maintains a practice of not performing infant baptisms. Instead, baptism is reserved for those who confess their faith in the Lord.

6. Just as God chose the shepherds, who were considered outsiders, as witnesses to the birth of Jesus, He also selected a remarkable location for the event—the manger. Traditionally used for feeding animals, especially flocks, a manger is not a place designed for humans. I recall visiting a friend in Pelly who owned a cattle farm. During certain times, he would prepare a manger-like space for the cows. Similarly, the manger where Jesus was born wasn't a comfortable or clean place. It was small, dirty, and not ideal for human habitation and delivery. Despite its humble and unassuming nature, the significance of Jesus' birth in such a place underscores the extraordinary and unexpected ways in which God chooses to manifest His presence in the world.

7. Indeed, the birth of Jesus stands out in its humility. Contrary to being born in a grand palace, Jesus was born in a humble, even the lowest, place—a location typically not used even by slaves in that era. Yet, this humble setting became the birthplace of Jesus. In contemporary language, we often associate the term "humble" with nobility and morality. However, in the biblical context, the literal meaning of "humble" doesn't carry the connotation of nobility. Instead, it refers to lowering oneself to the lowest, akin to a bond slave. A powerful example of this humility is illustrated in Philippians 2.

Philippians 2:5–8 MSG

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

8. The culmination of God's object lesson is the scene where a group of angels praises the birth of Jesus. In this humble, lowly place, among the outsiders, God orchestrated a chorus of angels to sing and celebrate the arrival of Jesus. It's a poignant reminder that for worship and praise, God doesn't require an elaborate building or fancy decorations. In glorifying His Son's birth, God didn't rely on grand earthly materials. Instead, He deliberately selected a modest, humble setting that often goes unnoticed. God chose those who were marginalized and overlooked by the mainstream groups to play a central role in this significant moment.

9. God's object lesson teaches us valuable insights into how He operates. Firstly, God doesn't rely on elites or those considered superior. While God did use individuals like Paul to spread His gospel, His primary requirement is not elite status but obedience to His voice and calling. The shepherds who welcomed Jesus did so not because of their scholarly knowledge but through their obedience to the divine message conveyed by the angel. Their obedience allowed them to witness the Messiah in the manger. Assuming a position of superiority over others hinders our ability to perceive God's work because our perspective becomes elevated above God's. Following our own expectations prevents us from experiencing the genuine work of God in our lives. Jonathan Edwards' notion that faith is about seeing, not doing, resonates well. If faith becomes a mere action, it risks turning into a source of pride. Faith, instead, allows us to perceive God's work. Our ability to recognize God's work and presence hinges on our faith in Jesus Christ. Without faith, Christmas may merely be a time for family gatherings and gift exchanges, devoid of a deeper understanding and connection with God.

10. God's object lesson underscores that the focus shouldn't be on seeking impressive buildings or aesthetically pleasing places. Beautiful structures can captivate us and sometimes lead us to perceive ourselves as superior to others. There's a common tendency for people to associate personal value with possessions such as a nice car or an extravagant house, often using them as indicators of wealth and importance. In some instances, churches may prioritize elaborate and expensive buildings to showcase their success. Contrary to these tendencies, God's method of fulfilling His promise didn't involve efficiency, grandeur, or outward appearances. The setting chosen for the fulfillment of God's promise was far from glamorous—it was a dirty, stinky, and seemingly messy place. God doesn't place value on these material things; rather, He seeks individuals who are willing to listen and follow His way. God is interested in those who respond to His calling with obedience, emphasizing the importance of a heart attuned to His guidance over the external trappings of wealth or grandeur.

1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)

But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Micah 6:6–8 (NLT)

What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

11. I want to express my gratitude to the Lord for His abundant blessings of love and grace in my life. As a South Korean, I've been a foreigner and a stranger, even though I've served as a pastor in Canadian churches for over eight years. In 2015, when I sent my resume to over 100 churches in Canada, the church that responded to me was Pelly Fellowship Chapel in SK. Similarly, in 2022, when I sought my next step, the church that responded to me was Yorkton Alliance Church in SK. Both these churches did not overlook the fact that I was a foreigner. Reflecting on how these churches decided to embrace a foreigner as their pastor, I believe it wasn't an easy decision. My English may not be perfect due to my accent and sometimes awkward expression. However, these churches did not disregard these challenges. Instead, I believe they sought the Lord in prayer and chose to follow God's way rather than the human way. This is why I consider myself a blessed pastor in Jesus. Following Jesus and living a life in accordance with God's call is indeed a challenging task. It requires surrendering our expectations to God. Being a Christian is not an easy journey. However, when we choose to follow God's way and obey His work, just like the shepherds who welcomed Jesus, we will witness and experience the transformative work of God. We will, in turn, praise the name of Jesus through our faith and life. The first Christmas was extraordinary because it didn't unfold according to human expectations. It was a celebration marked by the angels' song. As we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Messiah, let us do so with faith and obedience. Let us welcome Jesus with humility and obedience, remembering that Immanuel, God is with us. Jesus is our Lord, born to save us, and that is truly a cause for celebration.