“Love Awakened”

Christmas 2020

Story of the Boy in the Barn

Just as the young boy in our story overheard his father whispering to his mother of the great love for his son, so too do the Angels in this gospel story whisper to the Shepherds, and to us, “You have nothing to fear! I come to proclaim good news to you – tidings of great joy to be shared by the whole people.  This day in David’s city a Savior has been born to you, the Messiah and Lord!  Let this be a sing to you!”

            The savior born to us, the Savior born for us, is truly a SIGN – a SIGN that God’s love has once again been awakened in us, His people!  The love of God has been with us through history for two thousand years.  We are reminded of this love every time we come and gather around this table of God’s Word and Sacrament.  We are reminded especially in times during difficult situations like the pandemic we find ourselves in this year.

            The love we gather to celebrate tonight is the same love that is necessary to keep awake in the forefront of our minds and hearts every day of the year.  The message behind the love given us in the Christ child seems to lose its importance and splendor once the tree comes down, the decorations are put away, and the presents are tucked away in closets.  But the real gift we have been given is to be given over and over and over, each day of our lives.  It is the message that we are loved!  UNCONDTIONALLY LOVED!

            The father in the story I shared loved his son so much that he did not want him to suffer from loss of sleep as he grew into a young man.  The father knew that his son needed his rest, but the father needed the son to help him on the farm – some of you may relate to this story.  The Son was awakened to the love of his father.

            Our Father in Heaven knows how much we need to be loved and supported in the trials and perils of our earthly journey.  He knows as our faith lives grow and mature how much we depend on His love – but our Heavenly Father needs us to help Him to build up the Heavenly Kingdom too!  To “work the farm of earth” so to speak.  To help spread the Good News that we are loved by a merciful, generous, and loving God!   To awaken that love in others.  Hopefully, through our Advent journey the love of God has been awakened in us, ad our love for God has also been awakened. 

            Just as in the story, where the young boy surprised his father b doing the milking and other chores, we too need to find ways in our daily lives that we can surprise those we love by sowing that we are loved.  The gift of love given to us today is not just to be shared today – but every day, and every day after that.

            As we celebrate this Feast of Christmas, we receive the greatest gift ever to be given – the love of God our Father to the world!  Let us remind ourselves that this is one gift that will not wear out, it will not break, it will not loose it’s power, it will not become rotten or spoil, it will not fade, and it never, never dies!  The gift God gives to the world this holy night is truly the only gift that “keeps on giving” right up to the Cross on Good Friday and Resurrection on Easter Sunday!

            MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL, AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL WHO LIVE IN SIMPLICITY OF HEART!