Sermon: Dec 24, 2022

Christmas Eve Sermon

For God, all people are worthy and deserving of his love. That’s what the chorus of heavenly hosts declared to the shepherds as they said, “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: for you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Tonight, we celebrate God’s love and peace coming to all of his creation which he delights in, especially those that society and the world think are unworthy. It is to you who are overlooked and pushed aside; You who have been taken advantage of and abused; You who are lost and spiritually searching; to you whose basic human rights are debated by the courts and politicians; to you who are searching for a better life and trying to escape unimaginable poverty; to you, who have been told you are unworthy and don’t count, to you and to all people is born this night a savior who loves you. In God’s eyes, you are worthy.

There are many of us struggling spiritually or emotionally this time of year. Many people come to this night having burdens weighing them down, or we may have heavy hearts. But God meets us in the messiness of our lives and offers us a sign of his love. Into a world filled with challenges and strife, God comes to us in the hopeful form of new life and says to you, “You are worthy of my love. I give to you, my child, to save you from sin and offer you a place in my heavenly kingdom. I give to you, my Christ, and join heaven and earth to show you how to love and care for one another, to show you how to live with compassion and mercy for all people. I give to you this night, Christ, as a beacon of light.”

May you find hope, comfort, and renewal through God’s offering of love and blessed peace. May you this night hear the words spoken by the angels and carry them deep in your heart, knowing that you are worthy and are deeply loved by God because this night is born for you and for all people a savior, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Merry Christmas.