December 24, 2021 – Christmas Eve Text: Isaiah 62:1-5
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Spin Doctors had a catchy tune 28 years ago – “One, two princes kneel before you.” Is it a fairy tale, pursued by two princes?
The Bible likes weddings. From Genesis, “man should not be alone,” to Jesus’ first miracle at the Wedding in Cana. The mystery is profound like Christ and the Church. Our text for tonight. “You shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” It’s Christmas Eve and wonderful to hear . . .
“GOD CHOSE YOU”
The gospel of Jesus Christ tells a love story. It is THE love story. And one, two princes kneel before you. One has eyes for you. He struts by and leans in. He has charisma and confidence. He makes your knees weak. He has smooth moves and slick lines. A tailored suit and stylish shades.
He is going to buy you an expensive drink or two or six. He has a fast car and faster hands and he swerves in and out of traffic. He turns heads at every club and the women wink. They have a history but no interest in a future.
This one gets around. This one gets you alone in a corner or in a hallway. How about his place or a hotel? This one specializes in no-strings attached, casual, and non-committal. He excels in one-night stands. He likes the darkness. He delivers the danger. He slips off those clothes and slides his hands over. You feel his heat and sweat. He can’t speak your name because he doesn’t know it and he doesn’t care. It’s nothing like love, just lust enough to get lost in. Who needs delight when you can indulge?
When he has had enough of fooling around with you he throws a few dollars your way to catch a cab. He didn’t come to take care, only to take advantage. You can’t decide whether he defiled you or you failed yourself. When you lack somebody who sees you as precious, you’ll let anybody treat you this way.
Ask around. Many know his name, but few speak it out of shame. Prince? Prince of demons. Prince of darkness. He masquerades as sexual preference and sexual promiscuity. He has a hundred other aliases: greed, gossip, envy, anger, idolatry, apathy.
His given name is Sin. But he goes by self-expression and personal choice and rights and equality. Hell himself disguised as death dressed up in freedom and promising heaven to have you in bed. Sinfulness doesn’t love you. Sexual choice and immorality don’t love you. Look at how he leaves you. Sin doesn’t rescue humankind. Selfishness doesn’t create. It consumes. Death doesn’t redeem. It discards. It doesn’t choose you; it uses you and discards you and abandons you.
But one, two princes kneel before you. The other has a heart for you. This one doesn’t need you, yet He wants you. This one has character and compassion. He humbles Himself in servanthood. He bends low not to sweep you off your feet but to sit beside you in the gutter. He comes near to take you in His arms to strengthen you and stand with you and walk with you. He takes the blame for indiscretions and idolatries and gluttonies. He pays the price for your hostilities and apathies and blasphemies. He leads you to a castle, lifts you up to a kingdom and a mansion, yes, a palace and a paradise, making you His own.
His scarred hands protect. His stricken side and stinging scalp preserve. No pretty pick-up lines, but presence and promises. No fancy booze, but daily bread. He doesn’t entice or seduce but embraces, absolves, accepts. He doesn’t turn away from your wounds but He tends them. He won’t rip off your clothes. He will robe you in his majesty. He’ll outfit you in attire of dignity. He doesn’t pour sweat over you but for you, yes, He sheds His blood and spends His last breath to cleanse you from guilt. He advocates and sacrifices for you.
This one gives you a new name. He calls you by name. He doesn’t ravage your body. He asks for your hand. He creates you special and calls you priceless. In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish all the way to eternity. Welcome, bride of the Heir, daughter and Son of the King Himself. Welcome to new life and family and security and home! Welcome not returning to work but with a purpose.
Know Him as grace. Call Him Savior. Know Him as forgiveness and faithfulness and patience. Greet Him this night as Jesus, Son of God, and Lord of all. You chose sin, but God chose you. Life chose you. Baptism chose you. Communion chose you. Heaven chose you. Kneel before Him. Kneel beside Him as prince and princess now yourself. Each one selected by God. Each one a gift no matter age, appearance or abilities. No matter how many princes pass by, you were created for this because God chose you. A Blessed Christmas in his love.
Amen.