The Feast of the Nativity

December 25, 2023   Today's Reading: John 1.1-14Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 49:1-18; Matthew 1:1-17And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son  from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “Christmas just doesn't work out for me. Never has.”  That is the punch-you-in-the-gut moment as you get to know Billy, the sad, impoverished child picked up by the Polar Express.  He is dressed in a tattered night shirt, and comes from an old, run down house “on the wrong side of the tracks.” Christmas has not been a time of plenty, but of continued need.  Still, there is a problem.Billy has a hard time trusting anyone, as tough as life has been.  Throughout the story, he is welcomed and befriended by two other children.  And in the end, the conductor artistically punches words into the passengers’ tickets.  Billy’s has the words: “COUNT ON.”  He is encouraged to count on others, to count on his new friends, to count on Santa, to count on Christmas working out for him.Christmas is indeed a time to “count on,” but not in the simplistic, earthly sense of counting on friends, family, or others. Christmas is the great festival of the Incarnation and Nativity of Our Lord!  God-in-the-flesh has come and there is no one more perfect, loving, and holy to “count on.”Today you worship God Incarnate and then go about your daily life in the true Christmas Spirit.  That is, the Holy Spirit, who has called you to faith and delivered the Gospel and Sacraments of the Word Made Flesh.  It is not you who have the ability to count on God; it is the loving and merciful gift of the Lord that He sends His Spirit to give you faith—the gift of “counting on” Him alone. The Holy Spirit is the One who is giving you joy over Jesus’ birth; God becoming Man for you!Merry Christmas, you dear, forgiven saints!  Merry Christmas, as you celebrate in the gift of faith, counting on Christ Jesus, who is delivered to you in His Gifts of Word and Sacrament!  His Holy Spirit brings you to believe and understand the most profound words about Christmas, which are not even from Luke 2, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."  Yes, Joy to the world!  The Lord is come!" And He will continue to come in His Word and His Sacraments, until He gathers you to Himself in eternity!  THAT is an amazing Christmas gift that you can “count on” and “believe!”  Merry Christmas!  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, grant that the birth of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free from the bondage of sin; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.  -Pastor Richard Heinz is pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.