And I will walk among you - Christmas Eve

Readings from tonight’s Christmas Eve service – December 24, 2019
Luke 1:26-38               v30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel said
Matthew 1:18-25         v20 “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.
Luke 2:8-20                 v10 the angel reassured the shepherds. “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news…”
Matthew 2:1-12           The wise men visit King Herod and the baby.

Any time I preach or lead a group, regardless of age, I start the same way. I’m going to say three short sentences. Please repeat each sentence, with enthusiasm.

God made me.           God loves me.            God has plans for me.

For centuries, preachers and teachers have told us how Jesus’ birth fulfills various promises from the Hebrew Bible (aka the Old Testament). One of my favorites is what God says in Leviticus 26:12 (NRSV) “And I will walk among you, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people.”

I will walk among you… That sounds terrific, but when it happens in the form of a personal appearance, it can be a bit terrifying.

Fear. In all my years of hearing the Christmas story in services like this one, only this year have I noticed how fear is just as prominent in the Christmas story as joy. Indeed, those two seem to act as foils against each other throughout this ancient legend of Jesus’ birth. From Zechariah to Mary to Joseph to the shepherds, they were all overwhelmed by the presence of heavenly angels – God’s presence.

For some of us, the Christmas season can feel a bit overwhelming – in a chaotic sort of way. So much so, that we can skip over what’s most important about this time of year – sensing God’s presence. Feeling overwhelmed can actually make it easier for us to appreciate and empathize with what Mary and Joseph were experiencing.

For example, traveling may be part of your holiday plans. Joseph and Mary walked about 100 miles over rough, desert terrain, to be in Bethlehem. (Even with a donkey, I imagine Mary, at 9 months pregnant, was consistently uncomfortable.) And when they arrived, rather than being greeted by family and friends with open arms and tables covered with delicious food, they were met with a series of “no vacancy” signs.

That was followed by Mary, just a teenager at the time, delivering her first baby, in a barn, with only Joseph to help her. No medical team. No sterile delivery room. No drugs. We talk about Jesus being a Christmas miracle. Mary surviving childbirth may be an equally impressive Christmas miracle. And hey, there’s nothing like a bunch of dirty, smelly shepherds showing up unexpectedly at your door to make you forget postpartum depression!

This was the chaos of that first Christmas night. And yet… they had peace and joy that came from God’s name for their child: Immanu El – God with us. Jesus – the Lord saves. Remember Leviticus 26:12 “And I will walk among you, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people.”

Through Jesus back then, and through the words and actions we share with each other today, God does walk among us. The Creator of the Universe is our God – our creator, and we are His people. And that my friends is the Good News of the Christmas season!

Like the shepherds in tonight’s story, go back to your flocks of family and friends, thanking and praising God for how you have heard and seen God’s loving presence in your lives.
Immanu El – God with us. Amen? Amen!