As soon as the final verse of A Mighty Fortress is sung, the last brats and pretzels are eaten and the last Oktoberfest stein is drained, anticipation for the holiday of holidays begins to build. Sure, we have the November distraction of Thanksgiving, but let’s be honest thanksgiving is just a practice run for the main event. Garden gourdes and corn stalks are temporary space fillers for evergreen trees and twinkling lights. Roasted turkey, apple cider, and pumpkin pie are great, but they simply prepare the pallet for honey baked ham, hot cocoa, and chocolate covered peanut butter balls.
This time of year provides us with a variety of holidays to celebrate, but none of them are more eagerly anticipated than Christmas. The entire month of December is dedicated solely and completely to the celebration of Christmas. Hanukkah makes a feeble grab for attention but is easily overshadowed by Christmas. Stores are filled with Christmas shoppers, radios play Christmas music, T.V.s play Christmas movies, and homes are decorated inside and out with Christmas decorations. I pity those poor souls that have the misfortune of being born in the month of December. No one wants a slice of birthday cake when they can have peanut butter brittle. We have a handful of unfortunates among us whose birthdays are in December but none of them have it as bad as Matt Harding. While Matt is trying to celebrate his birthday, the entire world is celebrating Christmas Eve. Globally, there is no other holiday (not even Easter) that is more eagerly anticipated than Christmas.
Tonight, we take a few moments to pause and ponder what makes Christmas so eagerly anticipated. We suspect we know why the masses anticipate Christmas. We assume, for them, it has something to do with presents under a tree or some other superficial sentiment of Christmas. We tend to shake our heads at the ignorant masses, but I am not so sure we are all that different than they. Yes, we know Christmas is a celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus, indeed we know the story by heart. How an angel appeared to a young virgin and told her she would miraculously conceive and give birth to God’s Son. We know all about the treacherous journey the virgin and her husband made to the little town of Bethlehem and how the inns were unfortunately full when they got there forcing them to seek shelter in a stable. We know the story so well we can almost smell the straw, hear the lowing of cattle, and see the baby laying in a manger. It is a beautiful scene, one that is worthy of your attention. But if that scene is all that causes you to anticipate Christmas than you are no different than the ignorant masses; your anticipation is motivated by a religious version of superficial sentiment.
I am as guilty as anyone of giving in to the superficial sentiment of Christmas. That is why I am so grateful for the season of Advent and specifically the readings that we have before us tonight. These reading, as you will soon discover, build anticipation for Christmas; not by appealing to superficial sentiment, but by presenting us with the substance of Christmas.
Our first reading[1] tells us about the “comfort” Christmas brings us. Sinners, such as ourselves, are rightly agitated. You don’t have to read very far in your bible before you are informed about the wages of sin. Within the first fifteen minutes of a typical Sunday service you are reminded that sin makes you a lost and condemned creature. If you pay any attention at all to your conscience you will quickly be agitated by your sin. But then at Christmas you are reminded your “sin has been paid for”. That thing that agitated you has been taken away. It is no small thing that sinners, such as ourselves, should be comforted, which is why we eagerly anticipate Christmas.
Our second reading[2] tells us about the “safety” Christmas provides us. We are surrounded by enemies who seek to harm us. If the harm only came from those who mock us for our faith and ridicule us for our beliefs we could, with the support of the fellowship of the believers, endure it. However, ours is an ancient foe; one who has been likened to a predator stalking his prey. The harm this enemy seeks to inflict is painful and permanent. But then at Christmas we are reminded we are protected by a “king” who “reigns wisely” and “does what is right in the land”. Being reassured that we are safe from all who seek to harm us makes us eagerly anticipate Christmas.
Our third reading[3] tells us about the “glory” that shines on us at Christmas. In North America, Christmas is celebrated during the darkest time of year. To combat the darkness trees and streets are strung with twinkling lights and candles are placed in wreaths and windows. It is a beautiful sight, but the lights of men are nothing compared to the light of the Lord. The Lord’s light does not simple pierce the darkness it chases it away. The Lord’s light is so bright we can’t bear to see the full force of it, but at Christmas we get to see it concealed behind the flesh of the virgin’s baby. Getting a sneak peak of the Lord’s glory causes us to anticipate Christmas.
Our fourth reading[4] tells us about the “ joy” Christmas brings us. The joy on a child’s face as they see their name written on a present under the tree is a wonder to behold. But no matter how amazing the gift beneath the wrapping paper might be, it is nothing compared to the gift that the children of God are presented with at Christmas. Our gift is wrapped not in paper but in swaddling clothes and it is placed not beneath a tree but in a manger. Our gift is salvation. The more we unwrap this gift through the pages of scripture the more joy it brings us and the more we anticipate Christmas.
Our fifth reading[5] tells us about the “favor” that is extended to us at Christmas. Old Saint Nick is said to have a list on which all children are classified as either naughty or nice. As the story goes, the nice children get presents the naughty children get lumps of coal. The Ancient of Days also has a similar list, but His standards are much higher and your place on His list is much more important. No matter how “nice” you try to be, you know which column your name should be written in. Thankfully the Ancient of Days gives gifts based on His grace instead of your behavior. We anticipate Christmas because it is a reminder that unworthy people, like you and me, find favor with the Lord.
Then finally, our sixth reading[6] calls upon us to “prepare” our hearts for Christmas. Spending time in God’s word, like you are doing tonight, is an essential part of your preparations, but so is setting aside time for prayer. I know that is easier said than done. This is a busy time of year full of extra worship services, ornament exchanges and live nativities, and additional choir practices and parties. I know that I am largely responsible for taking up any free moment you might have during this busy time of year. But I urge you, make time and take time to read your bible and pray to your God. Make time and take time to express your sorrow over what you have done and your gratitude over what He has done. A heart that makes and takes the time to be properly prepared is a heart that eagerly anticipates Christmas.
[1] Isaiah 40:1-8
[2] Jeremiah 23:5-6
[3] Haggai 2:6-9
[4] Isaiah 35:1-6
[5] Luke 1:26-35, 38
[6] Mark 1:1-4, 7-15