“The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, … full of grace and truth.”  (St. John  1:14)

Tonight we are remembering a beautiful story about the Christ child.  It is full of tenderness with no hint of the burdens He will eventually bear in our name.  We will always hold this unchanging story dear in our hearts.  We will use it to resist the world around us as it attempts to wear away the patina of God’s love and the promise of life everlasting.

We have become accustomed to stories changing over time.  Today there are at least four productions of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”.  Each bears the same outcome but the situations created to illustrate the points change considerably.  There is always the danger of the morals sliding toward cultural norms.  Have you ever wondered why our story tonight has not changed?  Consider its source.  Our Holy Scriptures were inspired by God through the Holy Ghost and provide all that is needed for our salvation.  This story is not entertainment.  It is not a social commentary.  It is the story of God’s extraordinary gift of love to an undeserving world.

It would be a shame if this story is changed in the future.  It could happen if future archaeologists see it through the eyes of our culture.  Even today, outsiders would be confused about the place of this story in our secular, selfish world.  How could they possibly understand the significance of this story when it is suppressed in the media and governmental records?  Spreading the love of this story is the Great Commission of our Lord and Saviour.  How can we reflect its importance in our lives and in our culture?

Our society would have us believe that the story tonight is simply a story;  that can be replaced with a similar one next year.  Perhaps next year, the three wise men will simply twitter their observations and conclusions to the world and save themselves a long, arduous trip.  Perhaps next year, there is a last minute cancellation and Joseph and Mary get a room at the inn.  Perhaps next year, nobody notices the angels proclaiming the good news.  Perhaps next year, there is no reference to Jesus being God incarnate.

We have the scholarly study to verify that our Holy Scriptures reflect the teachings and practices of the early church.  And, we recognize the inspiration of the Holy Ghost in their writings.  We know they provide everything needed for our salvation.  The question is, “How do we keep this truth in front of the rest of the world?”  How do we convince the rest of the world that if Jesus is not God incarnate, there is no story at all?

We have all seen the manger scene with Santa Claus kneeling before Christ.  While some may find it comforting to think Santa Claus shares our faith;  some may think of Santa Claus and Jesus Christ as co-founders of this season.  While the original intent of Santa Claus was innocuous, it is clear that some people do not understand the significance of Christ’s birth.  Perhaps we can do more to share the good news of this memorable season.  Do you not think of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln on President’s Day?  Do you not think of the Declaration of Independence on the fourth of July?  You may even mention your thoughts to others as you recognize their importance to our country.

How often have you brought up Jesus Christ in conversation during the Christmas season?  Have you ever mentioned the Incarnation to anyone?  Earlier we acknowledged that if the Incarnation is not true, nothing else matters in the story of Christ.  We have an obligation and privilege to see that everyone understands the Incarnation and knows who, “was made flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth?”  As we think about how Christmas changed over the years, we should ask if we are responsible in a small way for those changes.  Do our actions declare the truth of Jesus Christ and his birth;  or do they unconsciously allow changing the story through neglect of the facts?  Are we spreading good cheer or the good news?

With the proper perspective, it is possible to do both.  We can spread good cheer and the good news by following Jesus’ guidelines.  While you are buying presents for those you love this year, buy a present for Jesus.  Before you say it is hard to buy for someone who has everything;  remember Jesus’ words, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”  The greatest gift you can give Jesus is to love one another.  We do a good job with friends and family.  We could do better with the poor and unfortunate.  We could certainly do better with those who antagonize us or ridicule us.  All of them are Christ’s children and a gift for them is a gift for Jesus.

This is not to say that everything about our secular expressions and holiday celebrations are bad.  They are a welcome relief after a year of hard work.  They may bring their own pressure and we may find ourselves “under the gun” to provide the best possible holiday for our family and friends.  Still, we find refreshment and joy in all the effort.

We are entitled to enjoy our holiday and remember that Holy Days are not limited to somber reflections.  Holy Days can be celebrated with light hearts.  We are supposed to enjoy them and find them inspirational.  Our spirits are lifted by the thoughts of others.  It is good to reflect and it is good to celebrate with joyful hearts and exuberance.  The joyful hearts and enthusiasm encourage us to show our Christian hearts and minds to others.  It encourages us to “hold the faith”, “talk the talk” and “walk the walk”.  How many times have you found your spirit rejuvenated by a favorite Christmas carol, a fond memory, or by tender thoughts of our Lord and Saviour wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger?

We are blessed with two glorious treats at Christmastide.  The first is the story of Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem.  We have known and loved that story all our lives.  It is as much an inspiration to us now as it was when we first heard it.  It is a sweet, refreshing influence in our lives and we are encouraged to hold this mystery with the wonder of a child.  We associate this story with the wonderful memories of friends and family.  This is the dessert of our Christmas feast.

The second treat is the meat that will sustain us through difficult times.  It is the revelation expressed by St. John that Jesus is the eternal Word and author of creation.  John says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”  This revelation is clear and straightforward.  It does not tell us how this could happen.  But it directly tells us it did happen.  When we add the dessert to the meat of our Christmas feast, we know that eventually there will be “Peace on Earth, and good will to all men.”

As we leave here on Christmas morning, we will leave with a sense of rebirth as we remember the innocence of this occasion.  We will hold the memory and continue to enjoy the desserts of our Christmas feast.  However, to sustain us throughout the next year, we must remember the meat of this message.  “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.”  Jesus Christ is the key to life’s fullness.  He is the path to our salvation.  He is life.  He is light.  In him the Father stands revealed.  To him the Holy Spirit brings us.  Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Even in a manger He is our Savior and our God.

 Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty;  for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine;  thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

(1 Chronicles  xxix. 11.)