Jesus Christ, The Star Maker

[0:00] Let me just read for us John 1, 1-5 from the Good News Translation. It says, In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God and the Word was God.

[0:12] From the very beginning the Word was with God. Through him God made all things. Not one thing in all creation was made without him. The Word was the source of life and this life brought light to all people.

[0:24] The light shines in the darkness and the darkness is never put out. Isn't that a good one to remember this Christmas? See I think very often we can forget that the nativity isn't the start of a new story.

[0:41] But it's the start of a second act of a story that has been in motion since the beginning of time. The one who set the stars into existence.

[0:52] Who hung them in the sky. Who knows each of them by name. He is so powerful. He is so clever. The one who made the stars came to earth as a baby.

[1:06] He became a man to be the one who would die for all of our sins. To be the one who would conquer sin and shame. And come back to life so that we could have a relationship with him now and forever more.

[1:20] He is so powerful. He is so clever. And this is the point of Christmas. That the star maker didn't want to be apart from us anymore.

[1:33] He wanted to be with us. Among us. Known by us. He wanted to show us who he really is. He wanted to have a friendship.

[1:44] A relationship with us. That's Christmas. Who here has plans to see family over Christmas?

[1:56] Yeah. Who is going to eat lots of food? Who's got a fun Christmas wish list and is excited to open lots of presents?

[2:08] Yeah. Who's been part of a show or a concert or a performance of some kind? Maybe with school or with a group. Amazing. See these things are really fun.

[2:21] We love our traditions. The excitement. The mulled wine. The Christmas films. The jolly songs. But none of that. As wonderful as those things are. None of those are the point.

[2:34] It's Jesus. Jesus is the reason for the season. Yes Christmas is busy. There are lists and calendars and schedules.

[2:45] There are many places to be. There are things to be done. There are people to see. There's fun. There's tinsel. There's sparkles. There is the hope of snow and a white Christmas.

[2:56] But the star maker became like one of us. So that we could become like him. Because the star maker really, really loves each and every one of us here.

[3:10] So this Christmas, can I invite you. When you look up at the night sky and you see the stars in the sky. Join me in taking a moment to remember the reason for the season.

[3:25] The star maker. Because he is so powerful. And he is so clever. I'm just going to pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you that you stepped down from heaven.

[3:39] You became a baby. You had the newborn scrunch that would one day stretch out into arms that would be nailed to the cross for our sins.

[3:49] You became like one of us so that we could know you and be known by you. So that we could have an everlasting relationship with you.

[4:00] And we just pray now, however we're feeling about this week. However we're feeling about Christmas. Whether we're excited. Whether we're feeling overwhelmed by all the preparation still to be done.

[4:12] Whether maybe we're feeling lonely at this time of year. Or we're missing someone who should be with us. Lord Jesus, would you be with us.

[4:24] Prince of Peace. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Wonderful Counselor. And would we know your presence with us.

[4:35] And understand this Christmas a little bit more than we did last Christmas. About who you are. And what have you done for us. In your name we pray. Amen.