Christmas Mid-Morning – Titus 3:4-7

But then something happened: God our Savior and His overpowering love and kindness for humankind entered our world. (Titus 3:4, VOICE)

The presents have been unwrapped and the food has been steadily decreasing on the table… And, now we are left.

Now, we are left to sleep, to play, to watch, to listen. We are also left with an important truth, a truth you hopefully heard proclaimed last evening, and/or this morning, a truth that Titus shows wonderfully: “But then, something happened.” Something happened indeed. You see, Christmas is not about the presents. It is about this: God, the creator of everything that ever was, is or will be broke the boundaries we thought were impenetrable and Christ’s love overpowered and entered our fragile world.

God entered our world, our life as we all do, kicking and screaming. God entered this world and has become one of us. The power of the incarnation is this: That God knows. God, the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient knows. Our omnipotent (all-powerful) God knows what it is like to be powerless. Our omnipresent (all-places) God knows what it is like to be limited creation. Our omniscient (all-knowing) God knows what it is like to need to learn.

Next time you despair and wonder if God really understands, remember the wonder of Christmas… not just the sighing at the baby in the manger, not just laughing the Miracle on 34^th Street, not just crying at It’s a Wonderful Life, but this: that God broke in and experienced, fully experienced, our human struggles. What a great gift!?!?!

All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world has brightened weary hearts with peace. Call us out of darkness, and empower us to proclaim the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

– Pastor John Sipf, St. Peter’s and St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Churches