December 24, 2004; The Feast of the Nativity, Christmas Eve Readings: Isaiah 9:2-4,6-7; Psalm 96:1-4,11-12; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14   The Rev. Dr. Hilary B. Smith Glory to God "Glory to God in the highest heaven," the angels say..."and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" The angels give God glory for what has happened. The Messiah has been born. The Chosen One of God to save all people has come into the world. The birth of Jesus glorified God. The birth of Jesus favored the world. Because of Jesus, you and I have access to God in a saving way. We are able to praise God, love God, and worship God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Maybe we need to step back from theological language and consider just why it is that we join with the angels tonight in giving glory to God. What is it about our celebration of Christmas that moves us and draws us deep into the mystery of God? What is Christmas about, really? What is real about Christmas; what will last beyond a day or two and sustain us amid the changes and chances of life? The way God came to us says much about God’s love for us. To come to us as one most vulnerable taught us much. I heard about a priest in our diocese who, for his Christmas Eve sermon one year, took a newborn baby around the sanctuary and invited people to look upon the child—that was it. That was his entire sermon. Certainly a minimalist approach to preaching at Christmas, but I do see his point. When you connect with the holiness, the hope, the love, the possibilities contained in one so small and new, we can see and learn much about God and what it is to be human. We can learn much about ourselves, and about what really matters in life. What passes for valuable in much of our culture does not register with God. Have you ever thought about what it would take in life to be successful? I have. Many people have a sense that they have to prove their worth in one way or another. Christmas means that you don’t have anything to prove. Everyone is of great value to God. When we were little babies, before we were able to do or achieve anything, God loved us with a love that demanded action. The birth of Jesus was God’s action that favored the world. Because of Christmas, God has a particular kind of relationship with you and me. It is what Karl Barth the great 20th century theologian called God’s "togetherness" with humanity—a togetherness through which God formed a "partnership" with us ("The Humanity of God." In The Humanity of God, p .45). We see that right at the beginning of the story. God choose ordinary people, Mary and Joseph to bring such favor into the world. The way Mary and Joseph became part of the story says much about God’s way of relationship. There was an invitation and an assurance not to be afraid. And again, tonight, we heard the shepherds encouraged not to be afraid. What an awe-inspiring moment when we realize invites us into the divine life. God comes to us with invitations. The birth of Jesus was an invitation to communion—to partnership—with God. This is an invitation that goes to all. Christmas is about the promise of new life and transformation given to us. What is that like? How can that be described? Well, it’s like a group of hard working shepherds encountering a band of angels. The normal tasks of life, the normal round of our days, are surrounded by the grace of God. St. Paul truly captured the import of God’s favor given through Jesus when he said that nothing could separate us from the love of God: "neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come...will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." That is it. That is Christmas. This is the Christian faith. God is with us. No amount of trouble or pain can change the fact of God’s presence with us—though it can sometimes feel that way. Jesus is God’s victory and our salvation. The birth of Jesus glorified God. The birth of Jesus favored the world. The most important question tonight is what is Christmas about for you? This week a member of our church said to me that he is tired of being asked if he is ready for Christmas. What is that supposed to mean? Probably, have you gotten all the presents that you need to get? Is everything decorated as it should be? There is actually a lot of potential pressure associated with this holiday. And what if one is not feeling ready emotionally? While every ad we see tells us that we are supposed to be happy, Christmas time is a difficult time for many. Thankfully, happiness is not required. Not much is required on our part because the greatest gift of the holy day is a true gift—God’s gift to us. As another church member said, it is not about the "presents" under the tree, but the "presence" of God in our lives. And as another very young church member said: When we give gifts to each other, it’s like God giving Jesus to us. That is way giving gifts to each other is so nice, because we participate in a spirit of generosity and joy that comes from God. Gathered here on Christmas Eve to worship God and remember, we connect with an experience that has touched many—with the One who has touched many. Our celebration, being wrapped in centuries of Christian spirituality, conveys a power that cannot be manufactured, bought or sold. Our celebration is wrapped in the power of Spirit. The story of Jesus’ birth is our story. It is our story of new life and possibility—of hope and love. He came for us, to lead us, and to bring us chose to God and to each other. Through Christ we are partners with God in a world that desperately needs such a partnership. Right from the start, the story goes, those involved knew. They knew that he was going be different; they knew that they were going to be different. And the angels said: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" Amen.