The Nativity Of Our Lord
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Cycle A, THIRD EDITION
THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
A child is born whose name is wonderful and whose government is characterized by permanence, justice, and righteousness. The people of Isaiah's day were in darkness. Assyria had just taken Zebulon and Naphtali to captivity in 734 B.C. Out of this darkness the people see a light of God's promise of a messianic king, a son of God. This produces great rejoicing. His royal names define his character: wisdom, courage, fatherly concern, and peace. His government will be characterized by permanence, justice, and righteousness. The result will be peace. This will take place not because of human effort or political intrigue but because of Yahweh's zeal. Christians interpret this message by seeing Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Son of God, whose nature and government will bring peace between God and sinners.
Lesson 2: Titus 2:11--14 (C, RC, E)
The grace of God appeared in Jesus for the salvation of the world. In this passage we have a wedding of theology and ethics. The grace of God became incarnate in Jesus for the world's redemption, for he gave himself to purify all humankind. He is coming again. His first and second comings are for the purpose of our living upright lives and to free us from sin.
Gospel: Luke 2:1--14 (15--20) (C, E); Luke 2:1--14 (RC)
An angel announced to shepherds that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. It is the Christmas story of a babe born in a manger in Bethlehem. An angel announced the birth to shepherds and a choir of angels praises God. Then the shepherds left the fields to check out the story and found it to be true. It is the old, old story that never grows old: a Savior is born in the humblest and poorest of circumstances. All of heaven joins in the celebration with joyous singing.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 96 (C, RC, E) - "Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad" (v. 11).
Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty God, you have made this holy light shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus' presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory."
Hymn Of The Day
"From Heaven Above To Earth I Come"
Theme Of The Day: The Day Of The Lord
Gospel - The angels rejoice that a Savior is born - Luke 2:1--4 (15--20)
Lesson 1 - The people rejoice that a child of God is born - Isaiah 9:2--7
Lesson 2 - Christians rejoice that grace appeared in Jesus - Titus 2:11--14
Christmas is a happy time of the year and a day of joy. The Psalm cries out, "Let the heavens rejoice." The Hymn sings about "the joy of all the earth." At the birth of Jesus, the heavens break forth with the Gloria in Excelsis. When the people in darkness see the light of a newborn son, they rejoice like people at a harvest and at a military victory. The reason for rejoicing is that "the grace of God has appeared." It is celebration time. It is a time to be merry because of what God has given to the world.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Luke 2:1--14 (15--20)
1. Decree (v. 1). The relation of church and state is a problem every generation faces. At the very beginning of Jesus' life the state had its say. A "decree" from Rome gave Jesus' parents a difficult time: a long, arduous trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem at a time when the expectant mother needed to stay at home with family. The decree resulted in a stable for a delivery room and animals for attending nurses. "Caesar" continued to be a problem for Jesus to the very end of his life - "Render unto Caesar"; sentenced to death by one of Caesar's men. Yet, on the other hand, the "decree" reminds us that Jesus came into a real world at a definite time and place. The incarnation is not a theory or myth or the product of human imagination. Christmas is rooted and grounded in history.
2. Shepherds (v. 8). The shepherds were the first to hear of the birth of a Savior. Was it not strange that God sent the angel to tell the shepherds? Why not announce it to the important and powerful people of the world? Why not to kings and generals? Why not to Pharisees and Sadducees? The shepherds of Jesus' day had a bad reputation as thieves. They were among the very poor and usually classified with publicans and prostitutes. The poor seem to be God's greatest concern. Jesus was born of poor peasants. Later Jesus taught "Blessed are the poor...." As proof of his messiahship, he reported to John the Baptist, "the poor have the gospel preached to them." Jesus' birth is good news to the hungry, needy, deprived, and poor.
3. Pondering (v. 19). There was much excitement during the birth. You can see a nervous, frantic new father trying to be midwife to a woman having her first baby. Then came a group of shepherds asking questions and staring at the new baby in adoration. Later came the Wise Men. There was much talking, coming and going, chores to be done, and general confusion. While all this was going on, Mother Mary pondered all these events and sayings. What is the meaning of all this hubbub? Who is this new baby? What will he amount to? Christmas should be a time for reflection and meditation. For some Christmas is over in a day and then life goes on as before. If so, Christmas is only a mad rush and a state of confusion. For those who "ponder," Christmas is a meaningful experience.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7
1. Light (v. 2). When Isaiah wrote this passage, there was darkness in the land. Assyria conquered two of the tribes and carried off the people to bondage. There was the darkness of oppression, homelessness, and forced labor. At Christmas there is much darkness in our world, too. People are sitting or walking in the darkness of loneliness, pain, bereavement, poverty, and addiction to alcohol or drugs. The good news of Christmas is that the light of Christ has come to dispel the darkness to where we can hope and have peace.
2. Joy (v. 3). What is the joy of Christmas? Is it having the family together? Is it in the quantity of gifts received? Or is it because of a holiday from school or work? The real joy of Christmas is that light has come to our darkness, that a Savior has been born. But, we will never experience that "joy" unless we receive the Light of Christ in our dark lives and unless this "son" is born in our hearts.
3. Given (v. 6). Christmas just did not happen as though it were an accident or a human achievement. It is a time when God gave his only Son to a hopeless humanity. Most of us think of Christmas as a giving time. Rather, it is a human receiving time. God is the giver and we receive. Often it is more difficult to receive than to give. Christmas is an opportunity to receive Christ in the heart.
Lesson 2: Titus 2:11--14
1. Appeared (v. 11). At Christmas time the grace, the undeserved love of God, became a reality by appearing in Jesus. The grace became flesh that we might see, hear, and feel God as a reality. Christianity is not a philosophy, not a program of activity, not a code of ethics, but a person. He walked and talked, laughed and cried, lived and died. In Jesus we saw the love of God.
2. Renounce (v. 12). Should the incarnation make any difference in our style of life? Paul in this pericope says that one purpose of Christ's coming to earth was to persuade us to "renounce" irreligion and immorality. Because of the greatness of God's love shown in the incarnation and because of the cross, we cannot go on living in our sins as though Christmas never occurred. This great love prompts us to repent, to turn to God, and to let God's Spirit direct our lives into holy living.
3. Appearing (v. 13). Even at Christmas we are not allowed to forget Jesus' Second Coming. We wait for his "appearing" at the end of time. His first coming is a past event. His living in our hearts is a present event. His return is a future event. Without the last, the other two events are meaningless. This Christ whose birthday we are celebrating today, is to come to destroy evil once and for all and to gather us to himself for all eternity.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Three Lessons: Isaiah 9:2--7; Titus 2:11--14; Luke 2:1--14 (15--20)
Seeing Christmas As A Whole
Need: See "appearing" above. Christmas is more than an historical event of long ago. It is more than a present experience as a new birth in Christ. Christmas is related to the Parousia and the final event of life. To fully understand the meaning of Christmas, we need to see Christmas in all of its dimensions.
Outline: See Christmas from an eternal perspective -
a. Past: the promise of a baby--king - Lesson 1.
b. Present: the promise fulfilled today - Gospel.
c. Future: the promise of Jesus' return - Lesson 2.
Gospel: Luke 2:1--14 (15--20)
1. Merry Or Miserable Christmas? Luke 2:10, 11
Need: Just about everybody greets the other with "Merry Christmas." Yet for many, Christmas is not merry but miserable. Social workers report that more suicides take place at Christmas than at any other time of the year. Alcohol and drugs are taken in record amounts either to have a merry Christmas or to avoid a miserable Christmas. For many a merry Christmas depends on the quantity and cost of gifts, the family gathering, and the Christmas party. Few experience the true joy of Christmas because they have not heard the good news told by an angel to shepherds - to us. The source of our joy is in verse 11:
b. When he is born - "this day." Christmas is a contemporary experience, not an historical observance of an ancient event.
c. To whom he is born - "to you." It is not Christmas for you unless Christ is re--born in you. "Cast out our sin and enter in us today."
2. Christmas - "It's For Real!" 2:1--20
Need: A common opinion holds that Christmas is only a story, a myth, a legend - something akin to the story of Santa. But look how real Christmas is - concrete, specific:
a. Political facts: Caesar Augustus, Quirinius - vv. 1, 2.
b. Parents: Joseph, Mary - vv. 4, 5.
c. Delivery room: stable, manger, child - vv. 6, 7.
d. Shepherds: real people - vv. 8--20.
3. You Can't Be Too Bad For Jesus. 2:1--20
Need: When Jesus came from heaven to earth, he came all the way down to the lowest of people. Because of Christmas, no one can say Jesus is too good for him. No one can get any lower in class or condition than Jesus.
a. Place - a barn with animals - v. 7.
b. Poor - parents were so poor they walked to Bethlehem for the birth, and could not afford to buy a sacrificial lamb - v. 4.
c. Despised people - the first announcement of the birth came not to the rulers, educated scribes, pious Pharisees, aristocratic elite, but to shepherds - the despised, unlearned, crude, rough people listed with publicans and prostitutes.
4. Between Heaven And Earth. 2:14
Need: The importance of Jesus' birth is shown by the shock waves that his birth caused in heaven and on earth.
a. Heaven - "Glory to God."
b. Earth - "On earth peace among men."
Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7
1. Light For The Darkness. 9:2
Need: It is significant that Jesus was born on a "Silent Night, Holy Night." He came to a people who walked in darkness. He came as a light to eliminate the darkness.
a. The darkness of the world - caused by sin - 1 John 1:5--7.
b. The light of the world - Christ removed the darkness of sin.
2. You Shall Know Him By His Name. 9:6
Need: A name identifies the character of a person. In biblical thought you are a name. The son born on Christmas is no ordinary person as shown by the names he is given.
a. Counselor - guide, helper, advocate.
b. God - the transcendent, totally - other One.
c. Father - the warm, tender, caring, imminent God.
d. Prince of Peace - the creator of our peace with God.
Lesson 2: Titus 2:11--14
1. Love Came Down At Christmas. 2:11
Need: Christmas is a festival of love, God's love for us. "For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men...." We see this love in:
a. The family - love of Joseph for Mary, Mary's love for her child.
b. The person of Jesus - love took on a face in Jesus.
c. The gift of God - John 3:16: "God so loved the world that he gave...."
2. The True Meaning Of Christmas. 2:11--14
Need: Christmas is more than trees and tinsel, more than dolls and dancing, cookies and champagne. Titus gives us the true meaning of Christ's coming to earth:
a. He came to train us in godly living - v. 11.
b. He came to redeem us - v. 14
c. He came to cleanse us - v. 14.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
A child is born whose name is wonderful and whose government is characterized by permanence, justice, and righteousness. The people of Isaiah's day were in darkness. Assyria had just taken Zebulon and Naphtali to captivity in 734 B.C. Out of this darkness the people see a light of God's promise of a messianic king, a son of God. This produces great rejoicing. His royal names define his character: wisdom, courage, fatherly concern, and peace. His government will be characterized by permanence, justice, and righteousness. The result will be peace. This will take place not because of human effort or political intrigue but because of Yahweh's zeal. Christians interpret this message by seeing Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Son of God, whose nature and government will bring peace between God and sinners.
Lesson 2: Titus 2:11--14 (C, RC, E)
The grace of God appeared in Jesus for the salvation of the world. In this passage we have a wedding of theology and ethics. The grace of God became incarnate in Jesus for the world's redemption, for he gave himself to purify all humankind. He is coming again. His first and second comings are for the purpose of our living upright lives and to free us from sin.
Gospel: Luke 2:1--14 (15--20) (C, E); Luke 2:1--14 (RC)
An angel announced to shepherds that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. It is the Christmas story of a babe born in a manger in Bethlehem. An angel announced the birth to shepherds and a choir of angels praises God. Then the shepherds left the fields to check out the story and found it to be true. It is the old, old story that never grows old: a Savior is born in the humblest and poorest of circumstances. All of heaven joins in the celebration with joyous singing.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 96 (C, RC, E) - "Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad" (v. 11).
Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty God, you have made this holy light shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus' presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory."
Hymn Of The Day
"From Heaven Above To Earth I Come"
Theme Of The Day: The Day Of The Lord
Gospel - The angels rejoice that a Savior is born - Luke 2:1--4 (15--20)
Lesson 1 - The people rejoice that a child of God is born - Isaiah 9:2--7
Lesson 2 - Christians rejoice that grace appeared in Jesus - Titus 2:11--14
Christmas is a happy time of the year and a day of joy. The Psalm cries out, "Let the heavens rejoice." The Hymn sings about "the joy of all the earth." At the birth of Jesus, the heavens break forth with the Gloria in Excelsis. When the people in darkness see the light of a newborn son, they rejoice like people at a harvest and at a military victory. The reason for rejoicing is that "the grace of God has appeared." It is celebration time. It is a time to be merry because of what God has given to the world.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Luke 2:1--14 (15--20)
1. Decree (v. 1). The relation of church and state is a problem every generation faces. At the very beginning of Jesus' life the state had its say. A "decree" from Rome gave Jesus' parents a difficult time: a long, arduous trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem at a time when the expectant mother needed to stay at home with family. The decree resulted in a stable for a delivery room and animals for attending nurses. "Caesar" continued to be a problem for Jesus to the very end of his life - "Render unto Caesar"; sentenced to death by one of Caesar's men. Yet, on the other hand, the "decree" reminds us that Jesus came into a real world at a definite time and place. The incarnation is not a theory or myth or the product of human imagination. Christmas is rooted and grounded in history.
2. Shepherds (v. 8). The shepherds were the first to hear of the birth of a Savior. Was it not strange that God sent the angel to tell the shepherds? Why not announce it to the important and powerful people of the world? Why not to kings and generals? Why not to Pharisees and Sadducees? The shepherds of Jesus' day had a bad reputation as thieves. They were among the very poor and usually classified with publicans and prostitutes. The poor seem to be God's greatest concern. Jesus was born of poor peasants. Later Jesus taught "Blessed are the poor...." As proof of his messiahship, he reported to John the Baptist, "the poor have the gospel preached to them." Jesus' birth is good news to the hungry, needy, deprived, and poor.
3. Pondering (v. 19). There was much excitement during the birth. You can see a nervous, frantic new father trying to be midwife to a woman having her first baby. Then came a group of shepherds asking questions and staring at the new baby in adoration. Later came the Wise Men. There was much talking, coming and going, chores to be done, and general confusion. While all this was going on, Mother Mary pondered all these events and sayings. What is the meaning of all this hubbub? Who is this new baby? What will he amount to? Christmas should be a time for reflection and meditation. For some Christmas is over in a day and then life goes on as before. If so, Christmas is only a mad rush and a state of confusion. For those who "ponder," Christmas is a meaningful experience.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7
1. Light (v. 2). When Isaiah wrote this passage, there was darkness in the land. Assyria conquered two of the tribes and carried off the people to bondage. There was the darkness of oppression, homelessness, and forced labor. At Christmas there is much darkness in our world, too. People are sitting or walking in the darkness of loneliness, pain, bereavement, poverty, and addiction to alcohol or drugs. The good news of Christmas is that the light of Christ has come to dispel the darkness to where we can hope and have peace.
2. Joy (v. 3). What is the joy of Christmas? Is it having the family together? Is it in the quantity of gifts received? Or is it because of a holiday from school or work? The real joy of Christmas is that light has come to our darkness, that a Savior has been born. But, we will never experience that "joy" unless we receive the Light of Christ in our dark lives and unless this "son" is born in our hearts.
3. Given (v. 6). Christmas just did not happen as though it were an accident or a human achievement. It is a time when God gave his only Son to a hopeless humanity. Most of us think of Christmas as a giving time. Rather, it is a human receiving time. God is the giver and we receive. Often it is more difficult to receive than to give. Christmas is an opportunity to receive Christ in the heart.
Lesson 2: Titus 2:11--14
1. Appeared (v. 11). At Christmas time the grace, the undeserved love of God, became a reality by appearing in Jesus. The grace became flesh that we might see, hear, and feel God as a reality. Christianity is not a philosophy, not a program of activity, not a code of ethics, but a person. He walked and talked, laughed and cried, lived and died. In Jesus we saw the love of God.
2. Renounce (v. 12). Should the incarnation make any difference in our style of life? Paul in this pericope says that one purpose of Christ's coming to earth was to persuade us to "renounce" irreligion and immorality. Because of the greatness of God's love shown in the incarnation and because of the cross, we cannot go on living in our sins as though Christmas never occurred. This great love prompts us to repent, to turn to God, and to let God's Spirit direct our lives into holy living.
3. Appearing (v. 13). Even at Christmas we are not allowed to forget Jesus' Second Coming. We wait for his "appearing" at the end of time. His first coming is a past event. His living in our hearts is a present event. His return is a future event. Without the last, the other two events are meaningless. This Christ whose birthday we are celebrating today, is to come to destroy evil once and for all and to gather us to himself for all eternity.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Three Lessons: Isaiah 9:2--7; Titus 2:11--14; Luke 2:1--14 (15--20)
Seeing Christmas As A Whole
Need: See "appearing" above. Christmas is more than an historical event of long ago. It is more than a present experience as a new birth in Christ. Christmas is related to the Parousia and the final event of life. To fully understand the meaning of Christmas, we need to see Christmas in all of its dimensions.
Outline: See Christmas from an eternal perspective -
a. Past: the promise of a baby--king - Lesson 1.
b. Present: the promise fulfilled today - Gospel.
c. Future: the promise of Jesus' return - Lesson 2.
Gospel: Luke 2:1--14 (15--20)
1. Merry Or Miserable Christmas? Luke 2:10, 11
Need: Just about everybody greets the other with "Merry Christmas." Yet for many, Christmas is not merry but miserable. Social workers report that more suicides take place at Christmas than at any other time of the year. Alcohol and drugs are taken in record amounts either to have a merry Christmas or to avoid a miserable Christmas. For many a merry Christmas depends on the quantity and cost of gifts, the family gathering, and the Christmas party. Few experience the true joy of Christmas because they have not heard the good news told by an angel to shepherds - to us. The source of our joy is in verse 11:
b. When he is born - "this day." Christmas is a contemporary experience, not an historical observance of an ancient event.
c. To whom he is born - "to you." It is not Christmas for you unless Christ is re--born in you. "Cast out our sin and enter in us today."
2. Christmas - "It's For Real!" 2:1--20
Need: A common opinion holds that Christmas is only a story, a myth, a legend - something akin to the story of Santa. But look how real Christmas is - concrete, specific:
a. Political facts: Caesar Augustus, Quirinius - vv. 1, 2.
b. Parents: Joseph, Mary - vv. 4, 5.
c. Delivery room: stable, manger, child - vv. 6, 7.
d. Shepherds: real people - vv. 8--20.
3. You Can't Be Too Bad For Jesus. 2:1--20
Need: When Jesus came from heaven to earth, he came all the way down to the lowest of people. Because of Christmas, no one can say Jesus is too good for him. No one can get any lower in class or condition than Jesus.
a. Place - a barn with animals - v. 7.
b. Poor - parents were so poor they walked to Bethlehem for the birth, and could not afford to buy a sacrificial lamb - v. 4.
c. Despised people - the first announcement of the birth came not to the rulers, educated scribes, pious Pharisees, aristocratic elite, but to shepherds - the despised, unlearned, crude, rough people listed with publicans and prostitutes.
4. Between Heaven And Earth. 2:14
Need: The importance of Jesus' birth is shown by the shock waves that his birth caused in heaven and on earth.
a. Heaven - "Glory to God."
b. Earth - "On earth peace among men."
Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7
1. Light For The Darkness. 9:2
Need: It is significant that Jesus was born on a "Silent Night, Holy Night." He came to a people who walked in darkness. He came as a light to eliminate the darkness.
a. The darkness of the world - caused by sin - 1 John 1:5--7.
b. The light of the world - Christ removed the darkness of sin.
2. You Shall Know Him By His Name. 9:6
Need: A name identifies the character of a person. In biblical thought you are a name. The son born on Christmas is no ordinary person as shown by the names he is given.
a. Counselor - guide, helper, advocate.
b. God - the transcendent, totally - other One.
c. Father - the warm, tender, caring, imminent God.
d. Prince of Peace - the creator of our peace with God.
Lesson 2: Titus 2:11--14
1. Love Came Down At Christmas. 2:11
Need: Christmas is a festival of love, God's love for us. "For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men...." We see this love in:
a. The family - love of Joseph for Mary, Mary's love for her child.
b. The person of Jesus - love took on a face in Jesus.
c. The gift of God - John 3:16: "God so loved the world that he gave...."
2. The True Meaning Of Christmas. 2:11--14
Need: Christmas is more than trees and tinsel, more than dolls and dancing, cookies and champagne. Titus gives us the true meaning of Christ's coming to earth:
a. He came to train us in godly living - v. 11.
b. He came to redeem us - v. 14
c. He came to cleanse us - v. 14.
