Sermon for the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord—Christmas Morning, 2025

The Word became flesh. Nothing and no one can change this glorious truth. While the world hastens from one thing to another, while the generosity of friends and neighbors will dissipate, while store-bought presents will eventually end up in the same trash heap as their wrappings, even so, the Word shall yet remain. Through hardship and heartache, despite grief and sadness, the Word shall yet remain. Indeed, heaven and earth will pass away, and yet the Word, which created them, shall endure forever. Nothing and no one can change that. Not the world, which mocks, makes light of, and shuns the Word-made-flesh; nor, even, the devil who rallied his troops in an attempt to extinguish the Word-made-flesh. The world may not know Him nor wish to receive Him, the darkness of the devil and of our own hearts may wish to snuff Him out; even so, the Word became flesh in spite of this, indeed, to overcome them. Did His own receive Him? No. Was there room for Him in the inn, or in their hearts and lives, for that matter? Again, no. And what about you? Did the Word become flesh because you would receive Him, or because there was room in your heart and in your life, you, with your darkened and corrupt nature? Absolutely not! The Word became flesh despite this; the Word became flesh because He loves you, not because you first loved Him. 

Readings:

• Old Testament: Exodus 40:17-21, 34-38

• Epistle: Titus 3:4-7

• Holy Gospel: John 1:1-18

  
  

Sermon: