If We Believe by Pastor Derek Lang

In this year's Christmas message, the Pope quoted St. Augustine's Christmas Sermon #2. Speaking about the arrival of baby Jesus, Augustine said "for those good came such sublimity in such humility? Certainly He came for no good of His own, but for our great good - if we believe." "If we believe" echoed in my thoughts as I tried to explain to a friend what Christmas was all about. My words "God sent His Son Jesus as a baby into this world" must have sounded like a folk tale to someone without the context of belief. And yet, these words are so powerful to those of us who put our whole lives in the belief of a God that loved the world so much as to give God's Son to be vulnerable as a baby to the world and to die in love as a man for the world.

Charlie, Donna, and Amy explained to us last Sunday how one can interpret the Gospels' differing accounts of Jesus birth to reveal a truth deeper than fact about the meaning of Christmas. Christmas is more than a history lesson. It is more than facts about people, dates, and places. The story of Christmas reveals humility in a manger, a savior for all people are represented by shepherds lonely in a field, and the respect of kings bowing to the authority of God.

But you can only get to these truths if you believe; otherwise, it is all just a tale. Instead, the story of Christmas transforms us to give food to the hungry, sing carols to lift the spirits of those in need of company, offer gifts to bring a smile to children, and call for peace around the world. The Pope explains, "Today these prophetic words have been fulfilled! In Jesus, born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary, kindess and truth do indeed meet; justice and peace have kissed; truth has sprung out of the earth and justice has looked down from heaven."

"If we believe." Such words are so powerful and so fundamental. Yet, when we do believe, they open a door to wonder and hope. How can we not believe?! Merry Christmas.