CHRISTMAS

Christmas is for kids. Ever said that? Many have. And like most slogan-statements that catch on with some regularity, this one contains some grains of truth.

Christmas would definitely not be the same without those saucer-sized eyes that just seem to grow larger with each additional package put under the tree. Those eyes that fairly sparkle and dance in the reflection of reds and greens and oranges radiating from the tree.

Christmas would not be the same without those appetites that are too small for green beans and carrots but bottomless pits when it comes to Christmas goodies. And Christmas would be so different if we couldn’t listen to tiny tots struggling with Away in a Manger and shouting out Rudolf in the wrong key. Or if we couldn’t sense the rising palpitation level and observe those hands just itching to descend upon the tree and discover the mystery behind the bow and paper.

Christmas is for kids. The world has seen to that. But we can’t lay all the burden on the world. God has had a hand in this, too. After all, God came as a child on the first Christmas. A child is what Christmas is about.

"Away in a manger, no crib for a bed; the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head." "Holy infant, so tender and mild." "Christ the Savior is born." "O Christ born of Mary." We sing many lyrics about the CHILD in the crib.

Shepherds bowed down to worship this Child. His mother caressed him gently. His father stood tall and proud. The eastern sages offered valuable treasure in his honor, gifts that you would bring to a king.

Christmas is centered about a child. That makes children very important at Christmas. And this is a very important child in the crib. It is certainly something out of the ordinary when grown men, men who have been hardened by the sand of the desert and toughened by the night air and the loneliness of a shepherd’s life will stoop before any obscure manger and bow their heads.

There is something strange about foreigners whose business was astrology to travel miles and miles to a remote outpost like Bethlehem to pay respects at that same manger as if it were a throne.

Humbling themselves before a child in a smelly stable? Not likely! But then this child is not likely either. For in this unlikely birthplace God’s light has dawned and hope has begun for humankind. Before this child who will grow to live and die and be resurrected, before this child we need to join the shepherds and the wise men.

Christmas is for children. Many parents brought young children to Jesus and he took them up in his arms and blessed them. But his disciples began to chase these bothersome parents away. To which Jesus responded, "Let them come to Me, for to them belongs the Kingdom of God."

Nicodemus came asking the way into the Kingdom of God. "Be born again," answered Jesus. "But how?" was the question. "Unless you become like a little child, you simply cannot enter the Kingdom."

Christmas is for children. For six year olds, twenty-five year olds, and fifty-three year olds, and for the children our society politely refers to as the golden-agers.

Christmas is not just for the young at heart. Christmas is for the young in faith, for those of every age who are willing to bend the knee and bow the head before the rude manger of our King.

Jesus is born! In Jesus we are born again! By the miracle of God young Mary has delivered the Savior. By the miracle of his Spirit, God has delivered us and made us part of his Son. By the leading of a star God has led the world to behold his glory. By the brightness of his light God has turned off the switch of our darkness and brought his glory to be with us.

By this joyful event at Bethlehem God has announced to his world that his promise is coming true. By the birth of our Baptism God has made that promise true in your life and mine. In this holy infant God is pronouncing his word of forgiveness on us. In his body and blood God continues to offer that forgiveness we need so badly.

In the pain of childbearing, the anxiety of a new father, in the drafty stable-cave, in the quiet sleep of all those who had so filled the inn that it was too crowded for one more family, God speaks his Word.

Into our hurting and our worries, our sleepless slumber, our agony and ecstasy, God speaks His Word.

The Word can be heard by his children. The Word can be touched and handled and used and enjoyed by his children who are willing to recogize his Word as Truth. The blessings of birth and rebirth become real for those who come to the crib to bow before this Child.

For Christmas is for children. Amen.