Christmas Eve, Year A

​6 For a child has been born for us,
  a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
  and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
  and there shall be endless peace
  for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
   with justice and with righteousness
  from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
~Isaiah 9:6-7
 
19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
~Luke 2:19
 
We find a little distance in the Christmas story between what is promised and what is experienced. Isaiah leads off with confidence and strength about the ways God delivers for the health and well-being of creation. Good (wonderful) counsel, strength and might, endless peace, predictable, good governance. The promises are robust and self-assured from this prophetic tradition that knows so much about what is wrong as well as what is right.
 
Luke’s gospel begins more humbly—with stories that speak to unusual, unexpected things—and a whole lot of unknowing. And yet these words are treasured…and treasures. Attention to them yields understanding and hope that helps us into the genuine promises of the story beyond the glitter and acquisitiveness that so quickly becomes cold comfort.
 
What is our story as Christians? God being totally vulnerable, totally poor, a little child. A seemingly dead stump with so much life and promise remaining. A humble, helpless baby who has come to love us in ways that we may not be ready to be loved. And yet, here, beloved ones, is our salvation. What treasures are waiting to be opened and pondered in this season?
 
Enter into worship.
​
Readings: Isaiah 9:2-6 † Psalm 96 † Titus 2:11-14 † Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) (Proper 1)
Isaiah 62:6-12 † Psalm 97 † Titus 3:4-7 † Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20 (Proper 2)
Isaiah 52:7-10 † Psalm 98 † Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12) † John 1:1-14 (Proper 3)
 
About the Art: Emma Oehler © 2025 ReformedWorship.org, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Used by permission.
 
Comments: The olive tree was chosen for its biblical resonance. It is one of the few trees in Scripture explicitly described as both flowering and fruit-bearing. In addition, olive branches hold deep symbolic meaning in the biblical tradition, representing peace and reconciliation, which is especially fitting for the season of Advent. 

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