Christmas Day
Sermon by Bishop Michael Hawkins
(The readings may be found here)
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name… And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.
The Church puts theology before story, in setting these readings from Hebrews and John for this morning. In part, it is assumed that we know the story line. The issue is, do we know by faith its meaning and power? Many of us know the basic story of Christmas, but the grace and truth of Christmas, of the Word made flesh, can only be known and received by faith.
It is by faith that we may see and know, in this helpless infant, the Word of God and Creator of the world. It is by faith that we behold this glory of God incarnate.
And again it is by faith that we receive him – the Word made flesh. It is by faith in him – the Son of God – that we are born again the children of God. This power is ours by faith.
The power of Christmas and the vision of Christmas can only be ours by faith. By faith, we know and receive the power and meaning of Christmas, we know and receive the Word made flesh, full of grace and truth.