“If now I seek the forgiveness of sins, I do not run to the cross, for I will not find it given there… But I will find in the sacrament or Gospel the word which distributes, presents, offers, and gives to me that forgiveness which was won on the Cross.” (AE 40, 214)
St. Matthew 1:18-25 – Advent 4c (2007)
St. Mark Lutheran Church, Conroe, TX
Listen Here.
In the name of Jesus. Amen. Almost. So close. Almost here. Christmas. Just about. Just 24 hours. I hope all your stuff is done. All the presents under the tree with care? Hopes for St. Nick soon being here...
It's so close, that we hear today, on the last day of Advent, about the birth of Jesus. Can't wait any longer for this good news! Not another day.
This is how it happened, says Matthew. Joesph and a Virgin named Mary. Angel. Son of God. Emmanuel.
Missing is St. Nick. Rodolph and his red nose. Frosty and that old silk hat they found. No bouncing around Scrooge and no kid left home alone. There's not even a hint of the Grench and all the Whos in Whoville.
What happened was that there was a Virgin betrothed – that's engaged – to a man named Joseph. Somehow, she got pregnant.
Now, that troubled Joesph. It'd trouble you too. He wasn't the dad. It must be someone else. He, being just and righteous, thought that he'd put her away – that's divorce and cancel the engagement – quietly and quickly.
When he final got to sleep, he had a dream and in the dream an angel. "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
Then the clincher, "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
There was no funny business. No messing around by Mary – no matter what the History Channel might say. Mary, his betrothed wife, was with child by the Holy Spirit.
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."
Immanuel – that's God with us, for us, one of us. As we just sung..
“O Emmanuel, our King and Our Lord, the Annoited, for the nations and their savior: come and save us, O Lord our God.” (LSB 367)
King. Lord. Annoited. That's Christ. But not King as master, but Lord as in Savior, the one who saves His people from their sins.
So close. So Christmasy. But since we're still in Advent, I would direct you to prepare for His coming with your ears on the Word. Listen to the Angel.
Santa. Frosty. Scrooge and all the other myths and stories which are associated with Christmas all pale in comparison to this true historical event: The virgin conceived and she's bringing forth a son.
Today, as many people begin to wrap up their preparation for Christmas Eve, focus your attention on the One born of Mary.
Prepare by sitting down with those you love and reading the Gospel. Read the Gospel – read it to them together.
Dear Saints of God, the Gospel is what Christmas is all about! Other Christmas tales always have morals. That's what the world sees about Christmas. Scrooge goes from scroogy to lovable. The Grinch's heart grows within his chest. And everyone knows, you better be good for goodness sake!
But on this last day of Advent, put aside all moralizing and put your ears on this one.
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."
He is coming – not to condemn. Not to force goodness out of you by threat of coal in your stocking.
He is coming to save you. It's what His name means! You shall call His name Jesus, cause He will save His people – save you and me – from their sins.
That's not Christmas, that's Good Friday – where the One born of Mary saves us – suffering and dying for all our sins.
But this day, the last Sunday of Advent, we hear about the Child who does Good Friday, who does what His name says – He saves. The One Born of Mary lived the life required of us that we don't live and He then died the death we deserve for our disobedient lives. His death on the cross for the death you deserve. His life now is your life, your resurrection.
So, as you prepare, be good for goodness sake. Not to get on the good list instead of the naughty list. Christ already put Himself on the naughty list for your sake. You can't go there again. You are a child of God – baptized, that means forgiven and restored.
He is coming. Put away your sins. Forgive those around you who have sinned. Forgive your neighbor, your enemies, your family – whether they are sorry or not. Then, love them. That will be the greatest Christmas, I mean Advent, gift you can give them.
Then, with your family all gathered around today, read the Gospel lesson. Read about His coming.
Just one more day. Almost here. We can't wait any longer.
“This is how the birth of Jesus came about...” In the name of Jesus. Amen.