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Green Blades Preaching Roundtable

Christmas Eve
Nativity of Our Lord I

Year C
December 24, 2024
Pastor Jonathan Dodson

Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14

 

God’s Delivery Room

 

Christmas Eve celebrates the birth of Christ, the Light of the World, bringing hope and renewal. This profound event invites us into God's delivery room. The lectionary readings for Christmas Eve—Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, and Luke 2:1-14—offer rich opportunities to roll up our sleeves and catch the Incarnation.

In Isaiah 9:2-7, the prophet declares the coming of a great light into a world steeped in darkness. This light brings justice, peace, and flourishing—a vision of Creation restored to its intended harmony. The imagery of growth and abundance (v. 3) reminds us that God’s redemption encompasses all Creation, calling us to be agents of this renewal. Just as Christ reigns as the Prince of Peace, so we are invited to live as peacemakers, fostering harmony within our world and with the earth.

Psalm 96 echoes this call as creation itself rejoices in God’s salvation. The psalmist proclaims that the heavens, earth, sea, and fields all sing for joy at the Lord’s coming (vv. 11-13). This vibrant imagery reminds us of the interconnectedness of all creation and our responsibility to preserve and protect its beauty, ensuring it can continue to praise God.

Titus 2:11-14 shifts our focus to God’s grace, which transforms us into a people eager to do good. This “good” includes acts of stewardship and care for the world God has entrusted to us. Grace teaches us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives—qualities that extend to how we use resources and care for our environment. Our actions should reflect the generosity and renewal that Christ’s birth signifies.

Finally, Luke 2:1-14 brings us to the heart of the Christmas story. In the humble setting of a stable, surrounded by animals, the Savior of the world is born. This scene underscores God’s deep connection with Creation, choosing to enter the world not in grandeur but in simplicity and closeness to the earth. The angelic proclamation to the shepherds—those who live close to the land—announces peace on earth, a peace that extends to all Creation.

Christ’s incaration is not just about individual salvation; it’s about the renewal of all things. Just as God brought new life into the world through Jesus, we are called to nurture and protect the life that surrounds us. This can be as simple as advocating for sustainable practices, reducing waste during the holiday season, or teaching our communities to cherish the natural world.

In a season often marked by excess, Christmas Eve reminds us of the beauty of simplicity and the sacredness of Creation. Peace, Joy, Hope. By caring for the earth, we participate in the ongoing work of renewal, echoing the angelic refrain: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace” (Luke 2:14). Our prayer is that congregations see the care of Creation for what it is – the faithful response to the miracle of Christmas.

Pastor Jonathan Dodson
Pastor Jonathan Dodson
Ebenezer, Minnesota

Pastor Jonathan Dodson is a child of God and a follower of Jesus. He serves in Northwestern Minnesota as pastor for Immanuel, Ebenezer and Bethany Lutheran. He is a first call pastor entering his twentieth year. Jonathan is part of the Care for Creation Task Force working in the NWMN synod. He completed, alongside friends, the Certificate for Climate Justice and Faith through Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. He enjoys everything an open air life delivers.

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