When God Speaks (Christmas)

“The Word became flesh” to redeem by his word what he had created by his word. When God speaks, things are made and they are redeemed. It is through Jesus, the Word, that God created the world. Jesus is Lord, God in the flesh.

And this Jesus has been at work since the beginning of time. You see, the preincarnate Christ was at work in the account of creation in the Book of Genesis. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (). This is a reference to God the Father. We also hear that “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (). An obvious reference to God the Holy Spirit. So where’s Jesus? He’s the “God said.” “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good” (). Jesus is the “God said.”

Listen to how St. John in the Christmas Gospel affirms this: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him” (). Notice the pattern of how things are made through Jesus. “God said . . . it was so . . . and it was good.” “In him was life” (). God through Christ finished the work of creating us on the sixth day, and on the seventh day he rested. So life comes from the Father through the Son by way of the Holy Spirit.

When God speaks, things are made and they are redeemed. Christmas is about God’s gift of new life for us, a gift given when God speaks. Yes, it’s a Christmas gift!

When God Speaks, What He Says Is Given and Bestowed.

Listen to How God has Been Speaking!

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (vv 1–2).

The eternal Son’s word first created us.

That’s the “God said” at creation. The Holy Trinity always works together on such things.

1. That’s the “God said” at creation. The Holy Trinity always works together on such things.

2. And the way God chose to work in creation was through speaking. For whatever reason, in his perfect wisdom, God has simply decided that the way he’s going to do things, the way he’s set up the world to work, is through words, speaking. That’s God’s way of getting things done.

And the way God chose to work in creation was through speaking. For whatever reason, in his perfect wisdom, God has simply decided that the way he’s going to do things, the way he’s set up the world to work, is through words, speaking. That’s God’s way of getting things done.

3. That’s the Son, the speaker, the Word.

That’s the Son, the speaker, the Word.

The preincarnate Christ long ago spoke to our fathers by the prophets.

B. The preincarnate Christ long ago spoke to our fathers by the prophets.

1. For thousands of years, ever since Adam and Eve’s sin, David, Isaiah, and countless others spoke these words . . . but also clung to these words for their hope of salvation—for they, as we, shared in that first sin and needed a Savior. (Give specific examples of sins that are common among us.)

For thousands of years, ever since Adam and Eve’s sin, David, Isaiah, and countless others spoke these words . . . but also clung to these words for their hope of salvation—for they, as we, shared in that first sin and needed a Savior. Sins that are common are: impatience; anger; jealously, etc.

“No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” ().

2. “No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” ().

These are God’s words, not the words of man. We have them written down for us in Scripture; we can cling to them too.

3. These are God’s words, not the words of man. We have them written down for us in Scripture; we can cling to them too.

But now, since Christmas, Jesus has the last word, a word that redeems us from sin and death.

C. But now, since Christmas, Jesus has the last word, a word that redeems us from sin and death.

The Word became flesh to accomplish our salvation. Hear that word the angel Gabriel speaks to Mary: “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son” ().

1. The Word became flesh to accomplish our salvation. Hear that word the angel Gabriel speaks to Mary: “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son” ().

2. And the word, as always, came true! (Insert illustration 1 from the Ideas for Illustrating section.)

And the word, as always, came true!

Just as God once spoke to create and “God said . . . it was so . . . and it was good,” so

Jesus said to a storm, “Quiet, be still,” and it was so, and it was good.

Jesus said to a paralytic, “Get up and walk,” and it was so, and it was good.

He said to Lazarus, who had been dead in a tomb for four days, “Come out,” and it was so, and it was good.

Then Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to accomplish our salvation. On the sixth day, Good Friday, he finished that work that he was born to accomplish for the life of the world. He cried out as he died on the cross for the sins of the world, “It is finished,” and it was so, and it was good.

On the seventh day, he rested in the tomb. On the eighth day, if you’re counting from Palm Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead. The number 8 signifies eternity. The resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday marked the dawn of the new day that never ends.

On that first Easter evening, Jesus goes to the disciples who were behind locked doors for fear of the Jews, and he says, “Peace be with you,” and it was so, and it was good. When God speaks, he does the same for you. “Peace be with you!”

Hear all that when you hear the Christmas angel say, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (, KJV).

3. Hear all that when you hear the Christmas angel say, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (, KJV).

See What God’s Speaking Has Given and Bestowed!

“He [Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (v 3).

The Father eternally begets Jesus.

1. Jesus possesses and reveals to us all that is of God.

Jesus possesses and reveals to us all that is of God.

When you see Jesus, you see God the Father.

2. When you see Jesus, you see God the Father.

3. This Jesus “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (v 3). (Insert illustration 2 from the Ideas for Illustrating section.)

This Jesus “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (v 3).

4. Can you see all that in the face of the baby in the manger?

Can you see all that in the face of the baby in the manger?

“After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs” (vv 3b–4).

B. “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs” (vv 3b–4).

“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” ().

1. “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” ().

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” ().

2. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” ().

3. Can you see that future day—all creation bowing before Jesus—in that helpless little baby?

Can you see that future day—all creation bowing before Jesus—in that helpless little baby?

God speaks in these last days by his Son through apostolic ministry and through his priesthood of all believers.

C. God speaks in these last days by his Son through apostolic ministry and through his priesthood of all believers.

The apostles were sent out to say what Jesus says.

1. The apostles were sent out to say what Jesus says.

Pastors are called and ordained to say what Jesus says.

2. Pastors are called and ordained to say what Jesus says.

3. Every Christian speaks the Christmas message to his friends, her family: “Jesus is our Savior! Christ the Lord!”

Every Christian speaks the Christmas message to his friends, her family: “Jesus is our Savior! Christ the Lord!”

D. See what that speaking gives and bestows? God reigns among us through the proclamation of his Word (). (Use Christus Rex as illustration.)

See what that speaking gives and bestows? God reigns among us through the proclamation of his Word ().

Isaiah 52:7 NASB95

7 How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 52:7 NASB95

7 How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

When God speaks in Holy Baptism, we receive his name and with it everything that belongs to Jesus, including his life that conquers death and his peace that surpasses all understanding. The Spirit hovered over those waters of the new creation at your Baptism, just like he did over those waters of creation. In Holy Baptism, he gave you new life in Christ.

1. When God speaks in Holy Baptism, we receive his name and with it everything that belongs to Jesus, including his life that conquers death and his peace that surpasses all understanding. The Spirit hovered over those waters of the new creation at your Baptism, just like he did over those waters of creation. In Holy Baptism, he gave you new life in Christ.

2. When God speaks through pastors and his priesthood of all believers who say what Jesus says, forgiving us in his name, we are forgiven.

When God speaks through pastors and his priesthood of all believers who say what Jesus says, forgiving us in his name, we are forgiven.

When God speaks “this is my body, this is my blood,” the incarnate Word’s body and blood are truly present in the Holy Supper. Jesus then says through the pastor, “The peace of the Lord be with you always,” and there’s peace because his favor rests on you. This is the peace the angels proclaimed at Jesus’ birth.

3. When God speaks “this is my body, this is my blood,” the incarnate Word’s body and blood are truly present in the Holy Supper. Jesus then says through the pastor, “The peace of the Lord be with you always,” and there’s peace because his favor rests on you. This is the peace the angels proclaimed at Jesus’ birth.

Dear Friends, when God speaks, things are made and they are redeemed, which includes you. Christmas is about God’s gift of new life for us, a gift given when God speaks. And in His speaking “we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (). “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (). There’s no greater gift. Merry Christmas! Amen.

Prayer of the Church

Christmas Day

25 December 2019

On this festal day as we celebrate the incarnation of our Lord, Jesus Christ, let us now lift up holy hands in prayer for the Church and the world.

Brief silence

Lord God, heavenly Father, as You have caused Your eternal light to dawn on our darkness in the incarnation of Your only begotten Son, cause His glory to shine on us in the grace and truth of His Word, so that we may receive Him with joy and believe on His name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

As You have given us new birth as Your children in Holy Baptism, keep far from us the error that we could in any way come to You by our own works or will. Fix our eyes on the descent of Your Son into our flesh to save us, so that we might hold fast to the truth that He alone could restore us to You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be near to all those who suffer persecution for the sake of Your Son. As the darkness seeks to quench His light in them, sustain them in the truth that as deep and oppressive as the night may grow, it cannot overcome Him. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Send forth Pastors to publish Your peace and bring us Your good news of happiness. Keep them faithful in declaring Your gracious reign in Christ. Bless the work of our missionaries at home and abroad, that all the ends of the earth may see Your salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

As Your Son upholds the universe by the word of His power, grant our nation to walk in humility before You. Bless all our soldiers this day who stand watch in foreign lands. Keep them in safety as they serve us, and uphold their families while they are apart. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Look in mercy on the destitute of the world. Overcome every form of selfishness that leaves so many without the necessities of life. Open Your hand through us, that their desires might be satisfied and their sorrow turned to joy. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your Son took up our flesh that He might heal and restore it, according to Your good purposes; let His healing hand be upon all the sick and those who suffer in our midst Jeff Warhol; Barb Lynch; Jana Clutter; Matt Young; Linda Bateman; Holly Weiland; Darsie Hartzell; Ed Ray and those whom we name aloud at this time __________. Bless doctors, nurses, all medical professionals and caregivers in their service of aid and comfort; and that all would rejoice in the good news of Christ, our Light and our salvation. Comfort those who grieve this day with the truth that the Babe of Bethlehem was born that the dead might live. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Petition for Karen Prenzlow...

Joining in heaven’s eternal praise for the revelation of Your love in Your Word made flesh, we boldly lay all our petitions before You, dear Father, trusting that You will hear us for His sake, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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