Rev. Reed Lee Pedersen's
I wanted to do a special Christmas version of my blog. Below is the sermon I preached on Christmas Eve. If you want you can follow me preaching it by using the YouTube clip. (You can find more of these on the church's YouTube page.) Or you can just read it below. God's Blessings to everyone this Christmas. Enjoy! ‘Tis the night before Christmas, and all through this church, Like the shepherds did for Jesus, we have now ended our search The Christmas banner has been hung with care, And good old Christmas hymns sound in the air; The children are restless waiting for the presents to come Yet we gather tonight to praise the birth of God’s Son. Yes this baby Jesus was sent from above. This little tiny baby is the embodiment of God’s love. The prophet Isaiah promises from the stump of Jesse will come up a shoot. The prophet Isaiah promises that its branch will bear fruit. Truly this child king will bring with him peace Truly this child king will show God’s love will never cease This king came in the midst of a royal decree. This brought to Bethlehem the family of Joseph of Galilee. This royal baby’s birth could not have been stranger, Because this baby was not born in a palace but laid in a manger. He laid in hay because there was no room in the Inn. And somehow this lowly baby would come to erase our sin. Angels came to nearby shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. They shared this good news of the Messiah who was wrapped in cloth tight. Then angels gathered and sang something truly to savor, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place!” And the shepherds did find that baby in the manger space. They shared what they heard and Mary treasured them in her heart. She held her first born yet she knew it was just a start. When it came to Jesus’ glory she didn’t need anyone singing, “Mary did you know?” She cherished the king she cradled and who slept while she looked at him below. Upon seeing and witnessing to Christ in his bed, The shepherds went from town to town praising God so that Christ’s message may be spread. Sharing about the birth is certainly nothing new; Sharing the news of Jesus is still something we are all called to do. It’s not done by putting up lights or letting people know Santa is near. It’s done by putting Christ in your Christmas cheer. It is Christ who was God on earth. It is Christ who came by way of human birth. It is Christ who healed the sick and cast demons aside. When it came to learning about God, Christ was our guide. It is Christ who died on the cross for us and drew his last breath. It is Christ who rose from the grave proving he had conquered death. It’s no secret coming to a Christmas service is usually less about God’s mission. The attendance is higher because you may have wanted to make a family member happy or because its tradition. My hope this Christmas is that when the secular parts of Christmas begin to seize us. We can hold onto and remember Jesus. So as we sing some of the good ole carols, those good ole Christmas hymns As we partake in communion and feel Christmas joy in our limbs. Let us not forget that Christ died for all. Yes he rose to save us even though his beginning was so small. Praise be to Jesus Christ God’s shining light. And merry Christmas to you all, and to all a goodnight.
1 Comment
Wally Ladewig
12/25/2017 06:12:37 am
Great job sorry we missed your sermon.w= had my daughters for xmas
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AuthorPastor Reed is a first call pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois. Archives
July 2019
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