German Christmas Service 2021

Das Prediger: Herr Doktor James Zwernemann

English Translation of the sermon

Let us now go to Bethlehem! Luke 2:15

(Translation of the sermon "Laszt ~ 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 ~ 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. How can someone who has found the SAVIOR 
withhold that salvation from others? Believing and confessing that belief must go hand-in-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.

0·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