December 24, 2023 – Christmas Eve Evening Text: Romans 3:23-24
Dear Friends in Christ,
What is a Christmas memory that lasts? Every year as a kid it was the holidays in Wisconsin. Christmas Eve on mom’s side and Christmas Day on dad’s side. Before my organized sports and when my parents were both teachers we would stay up there until the New Year. This all changed on December 24, 1983. Oh, the usual plan was in place but . . . a snowstorm hit. Blizzard conditions. We left and traveled through the country from Argenta to Maroa. Could barely see the road. The 10-minute trip took 45 minutes. We took many trips to Wisconsin in the snow, but this was different. My parents made the wise decision to head back home. That day many of you will remember that Illinois played Kentucky in basketball with high school referees wearing players high tops because the regular refs couldn’t get there. I don’t remember any of my gifts that year, but I do hold that memory.
What about the shepherds this night? Routine, right? I don’t think so, my friend. They were probably sitting around jawing, “Bill, are you going to see your family for Christmas?” and then an angel appeared and made it a night they would never forget. The reason for that? They were going to see a gift wrapped in a manger. They were going to realize as I pray we do that . . .
“SOME GIFTS LAST”
Many of our Christmas gifts do not last. Get a box of chocolates or fruit and it usually gone before Epiphany. Clothes might work for a while, but then you binge on some cinnamon rolls, and you are looking for an alteration store. A book is well read and then becomes something you have to dust around. Calendars are nice . . . well, you know where this is going.
This gift lasts because it has always been. This gift is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. This gift was prophesied for hundreds of years and now here He is in the flesh. The Godhead see. That’s the gift of the Savior born today. No past promise was thrown away, they all came true as this gift lived His life and went to His death for us. This gift lasts because it is what the world needed, what it needs, and what it will need.
Why do you and I as part of the world need this gift? “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God?” You do fall short, don’t you? No one can live the holy life. Scripture shouts everywhere that we are far away from the perfection that the Law of God requires. Wouldn’t life be more peaceful if we could live the holy life? If certain issues faded or we repented or are worries were carried away? God has the answer. We are in God’s caring hands. He surrounds us with His love.
While we fall short of God’s glory, He doesn’t leave us hanging. “We are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” This gift is always useful, this is why it lasts. Sin, yes thank you, every day. Grace, yes thank you, every day. Justification, yes thank you, every day. Redemption, yes thank you, every day. Christ Jesus, yes thank you, every day. Christ is always there, because we always need the gifts that He provides.
Every day we get up could be the day of our death. But that shouldn’t concern us. When God sent this gift down to earth, He knew He wouldn’t return for about 33 years and 40 days. His Son had a job to do. His Son was obedient to His Father. He was gift giving. He lived the perfectly holy life. He didn’t fall short. He healed. He did miracles. It was a wonder. Then He suffered. Then He died. Was the gift dead? No, it was a wonder. He came back to life. This gift appeared to many. He unwrapped a plethora of blessings for us. We are forgiven. We are loved. We have an eternal home that awaits us. The gift of Christmas lasts and lasts and lasts. It has no end.
Maybe tonight or tomorrow you will get a gift you remember for a while. But then the memory of it begins to fade. Christ is born for you. He will never forget you. You are most precious to Him. Jesus and His grace is the gift that lasts.
Amen.