A Reflection for Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024 by Kim Delp
Lectionary Reading for 12/24/24: Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)
Selected passage for reflection: Titus 2:11-14
Read
Titus 2:11-14 New Living Translation
11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Reflect
We often look at Christmas with expectancy! Why wouldn’t we? It’s the perfect redemption story that everyone wants to love with a surprise ending. The perfect unexpected answer to the Messiah; Jesus coming in a manger, lowly and humble to save us all. Not with pomp and circumstance, as was expected. When it was prophesied in Scripture that the Messiah would come from the line of King David, during political turmoil and injustice (not unlike today) everyone waited with expectancy. But when people prayed and anticipated a Messiah, the last thing they may have considered was a baby in a manger. We also see that there is expectation in waiting for the cross! (v14). How often do we think about THAT? Expectancy in the cross sounds a little dark, I’ll be honest. Expectancy of pain and death, devastation and seeming disaster? Maybe not so much. But expectancy in redemption? In resurrection? In restoration? I can get on board with that! We can’t have one without the other.
The kind of life goals talked about in verse 12 are lofty, right?
“And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.”
That is not something that happens overnight. Just as any transformation takes time, maturity in Christ is not immediate. It takes training and work. Failure and getting back up again, but this is the Biblical and Spiritual maturity that comes with wisdom. I love the NLT that says to live in this evil world with wisdom (v12). Do you know how hard that is? The great thing is that we are not just told these things of living a right life and then expected to figure it out ourselves. We have words from Titus, a roadmap and perfect example in Jesus of how to live, and the gift of grace in His death, resurrection and then the expectant hope of His return. How do we live in this evil world with wisdom? Knowing and living in expectancy that this evil world isn’t the end. We have the hope and redemption of Jesus, embodied as “God with us,” Emmanuel.
Verse 13 says to “look forward with hope.” In the looking forward, we see a wholly reconciled kingdom and Emmanuel, God with us! Friends, the story isn’t over! We can live in the present world with the expectancy of the manifestation of the living God after this world. There is more to come, and we can endure all the mess of this world, knowing and believing and living in expectancy of the world to come in communion with Jesus.
We strive to live these lives of spiritual maturity as a response to the gift God has given us, not out of obligation, but out of the overflow that grace, mercy and redemption brings. We remember that Jesus came and died to reconcile everything, to bring justice and peace and wholeness. We are called to do the same on earth while we are here. The strive to live as Jesus did, a life of walking with sinners, dining with outcasts, reaching out and holding up people on the margins and loving the people in the world He died to save. Those aren’t just a special, select group, verse 11 says, “it is for all people” and as Luke 2:10 says, “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” Our call from Titus and in turn Jesus Himself is to live lives as He did while we are here. Holding in tension the joy of the manger, the weight of the cross, and hopeful expectancy for the life with Jesus to come. While we wait, may we be people who bring peace, seek justice, and live in the hope of reconciliation and redemption.
Respond
As you enter into a time to respond and take in what you have read, holding the tension of the birth and death of Jesus as well as the expectant hope of His return, I want you to think on the 3 gifts that were brought to Jesus. As you think of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, it is a way to tie all of these things we hold at Christmas together. Do this when you have at least 5 to 10 minutes of uninterrupted time. Create a quiet place. Take a minute or two to calm your breathing, then take a minute to go head to toe and relax your body. Let go of the stress and weight you are carrying for a few minutes and focus on these 3 things. Take a couple of minutes to think of these different gifts that were given at the birth of Jesus and how you can bring the significance of them into your quiet space right now with Jesus. Take it a step further, maybe you have gold, or essential oils of Frankincense and Myrrh.
Gold: Reminds us of the value of our King. The King who is divine sees your value as well. He cared enough for you to create, redeem and give grace. Remind yourself of this beautiful gift you have received.
Frankincense – Temple worship always included this fragrant oil. Today, we are the temple, and the most important holiday preparation is cleansing our hearts so that His spirit can burn brightly in us! Jesus-centered hearts bring the scent of Heaven to earth. What beauty is there in engaging with His created beings to share Him (adapted from Inspiration Ministries)
Myrrh – Myrrh was an oil used in burial preparations after death. As believers, we have been buried with Christ and now live in His resurrection power. Myrrh reminds us that our earthly lives have eternal purposes. We endure and live in a broken world, but Jesus has overcome and reconciled it all and we have hope through His death.
Rest
CHRISTMAS PRAYER The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) p. 213
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
About the Author
Kim Delp is a wife to Joel, mom to Simeon (14), Esther (10), and Ephraim (9) and serves in Ecuador, South America as a missionary. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner and the Co-Founder of the Santiago Partnership which partners in Ecuador to start medical clinics, Homes for At-Risk Children, different community-based programs with the goal of working herself out of a job. Her passion is empowering women to see their value and worth and to use their passions to experience both things. She has only realized recently that writing is something that shows her identity and worth in Jesus. She is a lover of coffee, experiencing nature and being with people in authentic ways. Learn more about the Santiago Partnership at https://www.santiagopartnership.org/
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