Christmas Continues but in a Different Way

"In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old." (Isaiah 63:9 ESV) The Sunday after Christmas can sometimes seem to be a bit of a letdown. The days are still short but the presents are opened, the decorations are coming down, and the guests and family are returning to their homes. It is not because the message and reality of Christmas are diminished but because the reality of our normal schedules and activities are back and perhaps the “tinsel of the season” is beginning to wear off. How important, then, for us to hear again the words of the prophet Isaiah as he speaks to us of the Word of the Lord made flesh for us! Today at International Lutheran Church, we still celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus and embrace more fully His appearing that it would transform each and every day.

In order to more fully embrace what our Lord’s Incarnation means for us, we continue to read the prophecy of Isaiah during this Christmas season. Today we also hear and meditate on the reality of the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy that followed the birth of Jesus that reveals the very nature of Jesus’ coming as a fight and struggle even unto death itself. As the wrath of Herod stains the idyllic picture that we often make of Christmas, we learn, too, that this is why He was born for us. Isaiah also said as much as he revealed just how the LORD would save by becoming a part and one with us in our affliction. You see, not only does God see and show pity, but He takes a very active role in removing our bondage to sin and death. Our affliction becomes His own. Not only has our sin and callous living earned for us the harsh judgment of God’s justice, but it also was placed on Jesus as He shared in our plight. Though He was without sin, He would endure the affliction that brings us peace. The babies slaughtered in Bethlehem and the lament of Rachel refusing to be comforted shows us just how far He must go in becoming like us – becoming our very sin on the cross and experiencing what it means that God would become our “enemy” and actually fight against us as sinners.

While pity is a common reaction to seeing others in distress and suffering, God’s way of showing pity includes the very active participation in that suffering. This is the true meaning of Christmas - the very consequence of the Incarnation. Michelangelo famously depicted it as the touch of God’s finger to the finger of Adam. Yet the reality was much more profound. He actually takes our place under the Law and carries in Himself, in His own body, the mystery of the ages – God in the flesh delivering us in and through death itself.

As we say our goodbyes and put away our Christmas decorations, we hold on to the promise that His birth has given us in time and in eternity. And as we prepare to welcome the new year this week, we also know that He is Immanuel – God with us - in every way, no matter what tomorrow brings. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Pastor Carl