German Christmas Service 2020

Guest preacher: Rev. Dr. James Zwernemann

Let us now go to Bethlehem ! Luke 2:15

(Translation of the sermon "Laszt uns nun gehen gen Bethlehem!')

The angels' message is God's message. God's message is God's power and this power accomplishes what God desires. (Isaiah 55:11) The shepherds did not doubt the message of the angels which they heard. God had made it known to them. They took the message into their hearts and minds. The message brought about in them a "living faith." They responded with simple words: "Let us now go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened , which the LORD has made known to us." And they were not disappointed.

Their faith was attached to the WORD. The WORD is the joyful message ("good tidings of great joy")of Christ's birth. It presents Christ to us as the Son of God and SAVIOR of the world. This message brings grace, peace, life, and happiness.

God does not bring us this message anymore through the mouths (the voices) of Angels. Now the message comes through the mouths (the voices) of men and women and children. Never-the-less this message still brings about the same results that the shepherds first experienced , that is, Joy and Peace. No one can take this joy from us. And we can now speak "in faith." "Let us now go to Bethlehem!"

The joy, which the message brings about, breaks forth. Who truly believes from the heart that the Christ Child in the manger is the SAVIOR must now also share this joyful message with others. Those whose heart is full of the joyful message must now let that message come out of their mouths. Flow can someone who has found the SAVIOR withhold that salvation from others? Believing and confessing that belief must go handin-hand.

Not everyone will believe the message. For many, the message brings about only amazement or wonder. You often hear the comment: "Oh, the Christmas Gospel is so moving.! The Christmas carols and hymns are so soul-stirring! " --- But take notice: With the ringing of the bells and the beautiful flourish of the trumpets the compassion and emotion often are drowned out and disappear. Not everyone goes spiritually to Bethlehem to show a great deal of sympathetic feelings to this celebration of Christ.

God must wonder why what we see in Bethlehem does not change us and our outward appearance, our activities, and our lives. But in our hearts joy reigns, and our voices ring out with praise and thanks to God. It is the message (the very WORD) that we hear on Christmas that fills us with joy and with praise and adoration of God. To this WORD we must all be committed. Where Christ lives through his WORD in someone's heart, that heart is jumping for joy and can not be sad or depressed.

-Who ever believes the WORD is the one who remains in his or her "calling" and carries out one's daily work in peace and truth. And that operson is ,therefore, also the one who rejoices in God our SAVIOR . This SAVIOR has been born for us. He was born in order to make us blessed. Oh, yes, the blessings of the heavenly kingdom has been prepared

for us. With joyful hope the believer speaks trustingly: "INDEED, WE WILL BE THERE!

Now let us go to Bethlehem,

And with the shepherds go right in

To see what God to us has giv'n,

" His loving Son who gives us heav'n" AMEN