When I was growing up, I think that like most children, Christmas was my favorite day. I can still remember a typical Christmas when growing up. I would wake up at around 5 or 6:00 and come running down the stairs, trying to make as much noise as possible. The first thing I would do is go through my stocking. At some point my mom would wake up, and before she even has time for her morning coffee, she would be greeted with, "Is it time to open Christmas presents?" "Not until your dad wakes up," would often be the response. Then I would wait and wait for my dad to wake up. Finally he would wake up and come downstairs with his cup of coffee. I would immediately ask, "Is it time to open Christmas presents?" My mom’s response then would be, "Not until after breakfast." This would go on for a while, me asking, "Is it time?" and being followed by disappointment. Finally at a certain time, my mom would finally say to me, "It’s time to open Christmas presents."

Is it time? This is not just the question of an overeager young kid on Christmas day, but is also something that we hear from in the Bible. God’s people were continually asking, "Is it time?" to God. However, their questions did not involve Christmas presents, but rather they were asking, "Is it time for God to act?" They were a conquered people, with little hope in the future. The only place they saw hope was that God would act in history. Their prayers to God asked, "Is it time God for you to do something. We are a conquered people and in need of you. Send your Messiah." One of the great things we see about Scripture is that God did respond to these prayers. For God finally said, "It is time." On Christmas night he sent Jesus Christ to be born on earth, thereby fulfilling the earnest prayers of God’s people everywhere.

You would expect with the coming of Jesus Christ into our world, the people of God would be rejoicing much as a child would on opening presents on Christmas day. However, what we find is that there was often a silent groan from the people.

Imagine that you’re a child on Christmas day and there is this present that is sitting under the tree. This present has been tempting you for a long time. It is wrapped all nicely with a little bow. There must be something good on the inside. You can’t wait to open it. As time goes by it tempts you more and more, until finally on Christmas day, you have the opportunity to open it. Now imagine that when you open it, instead of receiving a new flashy toy, you receive a jacket. But… you wanted a toy, what is this? This just isn’t right. That gift was so built up in expectation that it was bound to disappoint.

The people of God had so built up God’s Messiah to be the one who would destroy the Romans and free the people of Israel. They expected a flashy new toy that would enrich them and make them a mighty nation. Instead what they received was a new jacket. The Messiah they got would heal and teach and die on the cross. Initially they were disappointed.

Let us think about that jacket that might be received on Christmas day. When you think about, a jacket is a lot better gift than a flashy toy. A jacket will be used more than toy. When you need a jacket the most, like during a storm or in the cold, a jacket will be the only thing that clings to you and keeps you warm. Do you really want that flashy new toy when we are outside in a storm? Or do we want that jacket? So too, when the storms of life affect us through illness and pain, do we want an impersonal Messiah who destroys kingdoms and enriches others? Or do we want a Messiah who comforts us in our affliction? When the storms of life are at their greatest, we want a Messiah who can sympathize with us and be with us.

Back when I worked as a hospital chaplain, I can still remember my first time visiting a lady who was about to die. I had prepared everything I was going to say to her. I even had my own checklist of things to say. I would introduce myself, then say I was a chaplain, and then say that I am here to speak with you. All this sounded good. So I was ready, I go into her room, and go through my prepared remarks. "Hello, I am Nathan Burgell." Introduction: check. "I am a Chaplain here at the hospital." Who I am: check. "I came here to speak with you." Why I am here: check. At this time I expected her to say something. Instead I am greeted only with silence. I then start to say something and fill in my words with rambling speech. It was then that the lady finally said to me, "Just tell me about Jesus." I thought that this is amazing. I tried to be so many different things and all she wanted to hear about was Jesus.

Paul says in our Epistle reading, "In the fullness of time God came." That is true. In the fullness of time God sent forth Jesus Christ to come to us. That time was Christmas night when God came as child in Bethlehem. Many did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah and rejected him. We see this with the Pharisees and Romans, but also with the anonymous voices that yelled "crucify him" on God Friday. We also see those who recognized him. The Shepherds on Christmas night who were told by the angel that a baby was born in Bethlehem, recognized Jesus. Those disciples who gave up their lives and daily wages to follow a man who only offered them a promise of forgiveness, recognized Jesus. The lady who I saw dying in the hospital, also recognized Jesus. We too today recognized Jesus. We see Jesus when the storms of life affect us and all we can cling to is Jesus. Jesus will be the one who wraps us up in his as we suffer in this world.

Jesus is the greatest gift that God has given to us. Jesus is with us during the worse times of our lives, much like how a jacket keeps us warm during a cold winter storm. Jesus also dies on the cross for each one of us and forgives us of our sins. Jesus is surely the gift that we have been expecting and the one that will be with us forever.

This Christmas, what was the greatest gift that you received? The greatest gift is not likely something we find under the tree, but rather over in the nativity set that might have in our homes. For the greatest gift of all is Jesus Christ, the baby born in a manger. For in the fullness of time God sent forth his Son to be our savior. Jesus will continue to be with us until the very end of age. God bless you this Christmas Season. Amen.