https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87555346165?pwd=fl6sZjUYNczibw9lwVcoV1vaPq73Zd.1
The mpeg recordings are saved by Zoom on this computer. We are working to have them posted at the top of the posts, starting with John 14 - Part 1, Advent Four, and Christmas Eve. We have come a long way from Vimeo and the first Zoom broadcasts.
Bethany Lutheran Church
Christmas Eve Service, 7 PM Central Time, 2024
Springdale, Arkansas
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
Hymn #81 O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is
The Place of Jesus’ Birth
KJV Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Hymn # 102 O Come All Ye Faithful
KJV Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Virgin Birth
KJV Isaiah 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.
Incarnation
KJV Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Hymn #109 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
KJV Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Let the Children Come To Me
We should be especially mindful of the relationship between the newborn Savior and young children. Most of the world considers age, education, and abilities as the greatest positive attributes. But I see a newborn in the grocery store, cuddled by her mother, as 100% alert and responding to everything - cooing, smiling, looking at Mom and the stranger.
Jesus said, "Let the children come to Me, and do not forbid them." (Forbid is not shooing them away but denying them within the circle of Jesus.) But how are leaders picked today - politics, bullying, being a joker or someone with a smooth personality.
"For to such belongs the Kingdom of God." There is no escaping this, coming from Jesus Himself. We should all be like the infant Jesus, all infants, innocent, taking everything in, listening, speaking or murmuring, smiling, turning to hear what the beloved is saying.
As Luther says, faith is from a child - utter trust. Adults need the utter trust which newborns display. The infants are listening, responding, hungering for food, and sleeping after all the energy expended.
Adults worry and fret about the things to come. We should be like the newborns, innocent while accepting the ultimate around them. Nothing in the world can be as powerful as Jesus Himself, with His angels, because the Savior has experienced everything, from wet diapers to torture and crucifixion, rising from the tomb.
Isn't it strange? The moderns of today want to dismiss the resurrection of Christ, His empty tomb, His world-wide appeal! Beneath their feet are billions and trillions of tiny creatures getting ready for spring, feeding and eating, sleeping and awake. "Isn't nature wonderful?" they ask. No, the Creation is far beyond our comprehension and the Babe in the manger established .
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
The Prayers and Benediction
In our prayers - Sarah Buck, Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Kermit Way, Lito Cruz and his family, many others in our circles of friendship and faith.
