“HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, HAPPY INCARNATION”
Saint Luke 2.1-14
The Eve of the Incarnation of our Lord: 24 December Anno Domini 2004
Fr Watson
He was born in Bethlehem. Who? I AM. You believe that God was born in Bethlehem. What does showering your own loved ones with things they don't really need have to do with that? It wasn't a special baby that was born; it wasn't a kind, wise, sharing, socially aware baby that was born; it was True God. What does Santa, Frosty, Rudolf, or for that matter, Sleigh bells, snow, sugar cookies have to do with that?
She held in her arms God; light of light, of the "same essence" as the Father. There in Bethlehem, which means "house of bread" was born He would call Himself the very "Bread of Heaven."
You are here this evening for that bread. You are not here to sing your favorite hymns or to re-create sentimental memories from more innocent and happier youths. You are here for the only Bread that takes the hunger pain away; the only water that slacks the parched thirst which comes from desert dwelling.
The Virgin, who's Virginity, remained intact, wrapped God in swaddling cloths. She did this to protect Him, to safe-keep Him, to foreshadow the day three-decades later when her name sake from Magdala would assist a different Joseph in wrapping the same God in a burial shroud, swaddling cloths for a dead body.
You are here this evening for that Body; no longer dead, but alive forever, as you are, by eating that very Body. You are not here for egg nog, but for Blood; you are not here for Figgie pudding or even peanuts, hard candy, Hershey Kisses® and an apple in a paper sack; you are here for angels' food [Ps. 78.25 ] the very pledge which assures you of the New Testament.
The angel brought the shepherds good tidings of a great joy. The herald actually said "I am announcing good news," or "I am gospeling good news." As the writer to the Hebrews reminds us, this good message was not for the angels, not even for the ox and the lamb and the dove, but FOR YOU! The angel specifies that the good news is of "a great joy" (a "mega" joy as the Greek has it). And that's for you. Who? The Christ. It is the Anointed One who was sucking from Mary's breasts. He is anointed by the Father from all eternity to come here to you, and for you, to grow, to mature, to be perfect, to obey, to stand in for you, and to suffer and die.
That is the great joy to which the angel sings. Hark! Do you hear it? The joy is not earthly wealth, a comfortable home and life-style; the joy is not fame and acknowledgement in your field; it's not a "rose-garden" life with plenty of children, plenty of "good children" high-energy, meaningful contributions to the community, or even a synodical or district charter. No, the mega joy is that a Savior is born; is Alive; is here this very evening. A Savior, for though you were saved on a blood soaked hill called skull, two-thousand years ago, He brings you that salvation in person. He saves you every day from your sins and transgressions. He doesn't love you once. He loves you always. That's what the Nativity of God means. He is bom, yes, God is Incarnated in the Flesh, Oh yes, and it's forever and ever. Your Savior Christ is someone not only to hear, but to wear, to feast upon, to be in.
Because of all of this Incarnation stuff; this God in the Flesh truth, this Lord's presence with you reality, you join with the Celestial Choir in singing Doxa! Glory, Glory in the heights to God, and on earth. Peace! Peace, God's good pleasure among men.
The Seraphim, dutifully yet sorrowfully followed His orders at the East of Eden, blocking mans return to paradise---temporarily. These "fiery ones" observed His long-suffering, patience and mercy through the Hebrew's history of disobedience. These comforting "spirit-beings" had the unequalled joy to announce His greatest mystery: His Enfleshment!
Golden statues of Seraphim peering over the Mercy Seat of the Ark, pointing to a much greater MEGA Mercy Seat; of Angels peering into the creche, smiling with Mary and Joseph and the Shepherds to see God's face, His tiny yet beautiful face. Beautiful because it loves you and smiles at you in Word and Mystery.
Yes, Glory in the highest... but Glory here to you, for you, Peace among men on whom God's favor rests; the Peace of Jesus.
Join those same angel friends, those friendly and helpful and loyal messenger companions this blessed eve. With angels and archangels, with all the singing seraphs of the Sabaoth, come and worship the Savior, by being fed by the Savior. He forgives you your sins; THEY ARE FORGIVEN!
Not Ho, Ho, Ho, Happy kriss-misssss,
But Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Happy Incarnation, Eat and Drink the Christ- Mass.
In the Name of The Father and of The Son + and of The Holy Ghost