Happy Lutheran

A sermon for Christmas Day, 2024

The Word became flesh and lived among us.

Let’s begin with the flesh. Your flesh, my flesh.

The flesh of everyone you have ever known, or will know.

The flesh of billions you will never know, across time and space.

All flesh. The flesh of the whole creation.

Flesh that is young and carefree; flesh that is wrinkled and fatigued.

Flesh that bears the scars of deep wounds from long ago,

flesh that is red and raw with cuts from yesterday.

Flesh that bears the shame of past faults, and the ache of past regrets.

Flesh that has seen the ravages of injury and disease.

Flesh that feels the touch of death.

All flesh,

All made new, here—in this baby’s soft brown flesh.

And to the flesh, a word; the Word.

The word of grace: grace that looks kindly on mistakes;

grace that forgives sins, even ones you have buried deeply, and told no one.

Grace that picks you up, kisses skinned knees and bruised hearts,

and says, “try again.”

The word of hope: hope that follows a star and makes a way out of no way.

Hope that stretches out a hand and says, “come.” 

Hope that coaxes you into a remarkable future that you cannot yet see.

The word of peace: peace that says, breathe; peace that says, trust;

peace that says, listen.

Peace enough to spare for your heart, your home, your family;

peace enough to spare for strangers,

peace enough to spare even for enemies.

The word of courage; courage that dares, even in the face of fear.

Courage to embrace vulnerability.

Courage to speak out, to risk ridicule.

Courage to be wrong, and to admit it.

And, the word of love

If you have space for only one word, let it be love.

Love that transforms everything, makes everything possible.

Love that melts stone, warms ice, reconciles and restores.

Love that paints the whole world in beauty.

Love that holds you tight, and will not let you go.

And the point of it all: God dwelling among us.

This dwelling is joy.

A promise fulfilled.

A celestial song.

Rejoice—God is with you.

Rejoice—God is for you.

Rejoice—God is in you.

The Word becomes flesh and lives among us.

Here. Now.

Rejoice.