Christmas Eve

Jesse Jacobsen

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Time-stamp: "Thu Dec 22 16:49:55 2005"

You will find Him wrapped in swaddling cloths

Merry and blessed Christmas! Tonight we prepare for our Savior's birthday! It was at the end of such a day as this when Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem and began looking for a place to stay the night. There were lots more people than usual staying there, because of the decree from Caesar Augustus. The little town was already overflowing with short-term residents, so Joseph had to take his new wife Mary to a stable for the night. Some time during that night — technically the next day according to Jewish reckoning — Jesus was born.

You heard what happened from our children a few moments ago, but let me read St. Luke's careful account again from chapter 2, verses 1–14. As I read, listen closely to the sign that the angel gives to the shepherds, so that they will know when they have found their Savior.

Luke 2:1–14



And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Did you hear the sign? “You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” This is the great mystery of Christmas: the Son of God was diapered and swaddled, and was lying in a stable's manger for His bed. That was a good sign to look for, because it was unmistakeable. There were not many babies in the world that were sleeping in mangers that night — maybe none but Jesus. Certainly that was true in Bethlehem. This was a distinctive sign, because it was such a humble sign.

The Son of God did not come into the world with great pomp and circumstance. He did not bring legions of angels to sweep over the earth in His train. He did not have a royal bassinet or cradle, with lace and silk to keep him warm. He was found wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. So tonight, that is how we should look for Him.

How else might someone look for their Savior? Maybe as a knight in shining armor come to rescue us from our troubles. Maybe as a provider of great wealth or good luck on earth. Some may want a Savior tonight that makes them feel all warm and fuzzy inside — like the little bear in the Snuggles commercial. Some may be looking for a familiar Savior, one they can recognize from their youth. Some may prefer a Savior that doesn't demand very much, but lets us live the way we want.

Let me tell you, a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths can be pretty demanding! But consider who this was: the Son of God, in human form. Jesus has no beginning, and yet He was born in such a way at such a time. The almighty Creator has come to earth, and was laid gently into a manger of hay by the loving hands of his virgin mother.

Those who look for another kind of Savior may not like this very much, but He comes on His terms, not on our terms. He was born as a tiny baby because every one of us was born as a tiny baby. He came to take away the sins we committed as tiny babies. Believe me, babies are capable of sinning. But not Jesus. His perfect record is given to us, so that through the washing of rebirth and regeneration, we wear His righteousness to cover ourselves.

The angel told the shepherds what to look for. Tonight, we should consider what we need to look for. There have been Christians who undertake long trips as pilgrims to Bethlehem. They go looking for the manger, thinking that they will find God's blessings, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. But God hasn't told me to do that, and He hasn't told you either.

Instead, Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” This is not a worldly kingdom, so we will not find it the usual way. It's not visible from the air, and you won't find it in the phone book. The kingdom of God is found where the Gospel is taught and preached and the Sacraments are used according to His will.

“What a disappointment!” you might say. But remember, with the kingdom of God, we have Jesus too, our Savior. Every time we are convicted by God's law, and absolved by the Gospel; every time we receive the forgiveness of sins through our Lord's body and blood, we have encountered Jesus Himself. The Word of God is the swaddling cloths, and the bread and wine are the holy manger where we may find Him. The Shepherds had only one chance, the night the angels spoke to them. We can seek out our Savior every week. They had the command from God to do this. So do we. They were blessed in finding Him. So are we.

What if the shepherds had ignored the angels? Can you imagine it? “Oh, they'll come back again next week, or next month. Tonight, it's cold and we've got other things to do. Why, that baby will probably still be in the manger next year! What's the rush?” But that's what we do every time we don't seek Him out in Word and Sacrament. Is work really more important than the forgiveness of sins? Maybe you're not such a sinner as I am, but I know I need forgiveness every Sunday. Is an hour of sleep really better for you than coming face-to-face with your Savior? Probably not. Sleep may be more comfortable than facing the reality of our sin, but everyone has to wake up eventually. Nobody will be sleeping after Jesus returns in glory, but by that time it will be too late for many people.

So don't delay! When Sunday rolls around, and every time the opportunity arises, imitate the shepherds. You also have a Savior who forgives all your sins. He is Christ, the Lord. You will find Him wrapped in swaddling cloths, and lying in a manger. Take care that you do not stumble in your faith on account of His lowly appearance. When you find Him, rejoice! This is God's Son come to earth in order that you may join Him forever in heaven. So may your Christmas be blessed and very merry! Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria!

This document was translated from LATEX by HEVEA.