Word of Life

Christmas Eve Homily

December 24, 1997

Luke 2; John 1

A simple story is what has brought us together here tonight. Christmas is so many big and wonderful things we sometimes forget how small and wonderful was the beginning.

A worried husband trying to find a place for his wife, who is about to have her first baby. A young mother in a cave-stable behind a small town inn. A brand new baby Boy. And then angels and shepherds. And later a Star, and wise men. And now, 2,000 years later hundreds of carols, and thousands of different Christmas traditions, and literally millions of personal memories.

The prophets told how there would be a light shining for people who sat in darkness. And then Luke told this simple story. Scriptures clearly said to look for One whose name would be 'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.' And then came this simple story. The world looked for a conqueror. God sent a Baby.

That Baby was God's final Word. By 'final' I do not mean a threat or an ultimatum, or anything like that. I simply mean that what God has to say to the world, to you and to me, He has finally said, and is still saying, in Life that began in that stable on the first Christmas so long ago.

Luke tells the simple story from birth to the Cross to the Ascension. John begins his story by calling this One who was born in Bethlehem, "the Word!" He writes: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

When we put these two introductions of Jesus Christ together the story grows and glows until we find that every one of us has the privilege to take a place in the Reality of God's great Gift!

In this Baby of Bethlehem, John tells us, God has lighted a light that shines to every person in all Creation. "That was the light," John wrote, "that lights everyone who has come into the earth." The WORD of LIGHT is not limited to Jewish people at Christ's time, nor to Catholics or to Protestants, or to any race or nation. God's WORD is meant to shine wherever there is darkness.

[Whatever darkness there may be in YOUR life just now, this WORD is more than a good feeling at holiday time! Good news! The Baby of Bethlehem is very much alive, and through Him God is shining into dark places!]

In this Christmas Story, John tells us, God is speaking a word of LOVE and of FAMILY. "As many as receive HIM," John wrote, "to THEM he gives the privilege to become sons and daughters of God Himself!" The WORD of LOVE and FAMILY says to all people everywhere that they can come to know God, and to call Him "Father." Through this Baby of Bethlehem we are offered the blessings of ADOPTION, and of NEW LIFE along with the assurance of FORGIVENESS OF SINS! All that from the simple story of one Baby's birth!

[There is an alone-ness and a loneliness to being human. We become separated from loved ones by distance. We become separated by silly quarrels and misunderstanding. We separate ourselves by stupid quirks of disposition. In our society divorce often does great damage with irreparable tears in relationships. For many of us here this evening, our loved ones have been removed from our presence by death. God Himself cannot change what has been done— but in this Babe of Bethlehem there IS the promise: "If you will let Me enter your life, you can be part of My Family! My Father will be YOUR Father! My brothers and sisters will be YOUR brothers and sisters! You will never be alone again!]

God has spoken a Word. It is a Word of Light. It is a Word of Life. It is a Word of LOVE. It is a FAMILY Word! Christmas is a truth for real people!

But the Christmas story is never complete until it has been received. If you have never welcomed Jesus Christ into your life, you can receive Him right now! December 24, 1997 in the Wollaston Church of the Nazarene you can receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your personal history. Receive Him as you are- Receive Him as you are led of God's Spirit.

The invitation to the Lord's Table is open to all who will come humbly to receive Him! Receive Him by yourself - with a friend - with your entire family. Receive Him, be a part of God's family!!

—

December 24, 1997

THE HOLY COMMUNION for Christmas Eve

All who truly repent of your sins, and who truly seek to worship the Lord Christ, and all who will acknowledge Jesus Christ 'Lord,' and all who desire to walk in His ways— draw near with faith and receive this Holy Sacrament to your soul's comfort.

The Lord Jesus Christ has said: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE. Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second commandment is like unto the first: Thou shalt love your neighbor as yourself. On these hang all the law and the prophets. Shall we pray:

Search us, O God, and know our most private thoughts. Try us, and show unto us the deepest motives, the real state of our hearts. Forgive us where we have been selfish, or insensitive, or sinful in any way. We cannot keep the Great Commandment, and truly love You, O God, with all our heart, soul, and mind unless You in mercy grant to us the grace of Your indwelling Spirit. We cannot love each other as we should unless Your love is shed abroad in our hearts.

Prayer of Confession and Absolution (in lieu of printed confession, on behalf of all truly taking part)

Lord, You see us here as we are. We confess that we need your grace: we have left undone those things which we ought to have done; we have done those things which we ought not to have done— there is no health in us.

But You, Lord, are gracious, and plenteous in grace and mercy. Forgive us all our transgressions, and grant to us Your great peace.

Lord, You have said that You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. You do forgive all those who confess to You, and who come to You in humble faith. Help us to draw near to You this Christmas Eve we pray. Let us Affirm our faith:

#67 STL (Responsive Te Deum Laudamus)

The Words of Institution

Father God: The same night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to You he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, "Take eat: THIS IS MY BODY, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Likewise after supper he took the cup and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you; THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink this, do it in remembrance of me:

We praise you for the mystery of our salvation! We truly believe Christ has died! - Christ is Risen! - Christ will come again! Amen

The Informal Invitation

("This is not my table . . .wherever you are in your spiritual journey, if the Host invites you, Come! Let us pray:)

We do not presume to come to this table trusting in our own righteousness. But your Word tells us, Holy and gracious Father, that in your infinite love you sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to reconcile us to You, the God and Father of all. This same Jesus, born in Bethlehem, has said to us, "Come unto Me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!

And now, together, we pray, as Jesus taught us: Our Father which art in heaven . . .

Now, humbly we receive the Gifts of God for the People of God