The First Day of Christmas

The First Day of Christmas
December 25, 2024

Matthew 1:18-25
8 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Tonight we remember the night that the world received Jesus, Emmanuel, “God with Us.” It is a night when the world was fundamentally changed for the better, when the world was given true joy.
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We live in a profoundly lonely society.That loneliness was made more obvious by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, but it was on the rise before the then. It is so bad that the United States Department of Health and Human Services has taken notice and issued a report.


Typically, loneliness is brought on when we are isolated from other people. In our modern context, isolation can have several causes. Some are isolated by geographical distance. If you grew up and moved away from your hometown, your friends and family, your culture, then you have probably experienced loneliness. 


Speaking of culture, our cultural and political divide is growing in the United States. The right and left are increasingly unable to have intelligible conversations due to the fact that they are usually speaking two different languages. Social media seems to be exasperating this divide. That, too, leads to loneliness.


Worse than all of this, however, is the isolation of humanity from its Creator. The initial separation of God from man was caused by mankind’s disobedience to the simple and self evident commands given by God. 


Originally there was no such isolation. No loneliness, just joy. God walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. They saw God face to face. (Genesis 3:8) Now things have changed drastically. 


Besides the original cause of this isolation, even people who call themselves Christians are increasingly separated from God and His people through a lack of worship and fellowship with a brick and mortar congregation.     


Christmas is the day when our isolation ends and our loneliness is put on notice. In the birth of Jesus Christ-really from His conception in His mother’s womb-God is among us. He walks and talks with His family, apostles, and disciples. As God walked with Adam and Eve, Jesus walked with Peter, James, and John. 


While we do not see Jesus walking and talking as the apostles did, He does promise to be with us always. (Matthew 28:20) He is Emmanuel, God-with-us, through His Word. In the Scriptures, God Himself is speaking to us. (Hebrews 1:1-2) Do you want to know the mind of God? Do you want to be close to Him? Read this Bible. Listen to your pastor preach. Sing the hymns. Wherever the Word of God is proclaimed, there is Jesus causing our cup to runneth over with rejoicing. 


I know. “Word & Sacrament” has become a cliché. But we dare not allow the truth of this to pass us by. In the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, Jesus Christ is present with us. Our isolation from God is undone. He reaches down with human and divine hands to claim us as a son of God in Baptism. God places His body and blood into our mouths for the forgiveness of our sins and our union with Him. The Word of God and the Sacraments are Emmanuel.  


Union with Christ brings union with His people. The fact that Mary was with child from the Holy Ghost compelled Joseph to go through with his wedding plans, to be united with Mary in holy matrimony. Knowing and experiencing the actual presence of God compels us to unite with His people too. We can forgive those who sin against us as we are forgiven. We can bear with one another as God has borne our burdens. We can go to church for worship and fellowship.


Getting up on Sunday and heading to worship will not cure loneliness, at least not right away. But it does give true connection with God and other people. That is something you cannot get online. Your local congregation is a place that transcends cultural boundaries, languages, and even geography, for we worship with “angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.” There, most assuredly of all places, God is with us. (Matthew 18:20) May this knowledge fill your hearts with joy this Christmas season!