The Present of Presence
Isaiah 63:7-9
Matthew 1:18-25
Introduction
The world’s
greatest present could be waiting for you under the tree tonight and tomorrow. What
could it be? This is the present of presence, the one you have been waiting for.
While this
is a part of Christmas, listen to this quote, “To perceive Christmas through its wrapping becomes more difficult every
year.” E.B. White
What is the
wrapping around the present of all presents?
- The commercialization of Christmas
- The dumbing down of Christmas
- When it is only about gifts and not about Jesus.
This is the
wrapping that becomes more difficult every year.
Not just
nostalgia and sentimentality, but the wonder and joy of Christ’s birth.
Well, we
are going to tear it off this evening - all the pain, all the sorrow, the disappointment, the loss, and the distraction; all
the distress in the world and in your hearts.
“And
he became their savior in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but
his presence that save them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days
of old” (8-9).
Think of
all the ways you can be saved
- saved by the bell or time
- saved by knowledge
- saved by a life preserver
- saved by medicine
- saved by love and healing
- saved by…presence, by the vicinity, by the nearness.
Think of
your relationships. Long distance relationships are very difficult to maintain. Why? Lack of presence, absence. What is the opposite of presence? - absence
“And
they shall name him Emmanuel which means God is with us” (1:23).
The promise
is fulfilled by his birth.
“A
quality of poise and effectiveness that enables a performer (or leader) to achieve a close relationship with his audience.”
Websters
Isn’t
it amazing that this same concept can translate from our relationship with God to our human relationships? Three in particular – church, marriage, parenting
Before this,
the presence of God was a burning bush, a pillar of fire, a prophet shouting in the streets but now…
The Lord
was no longer calling in or emailing; now he is in the room with you. No more
conference calls or satellite interviews…
And what
does this mean? How does it save us from all our distress?
“Immanuel,
God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we
with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph and Second Advent splendor.” CH
Spurgeon.
Real, concrete,
it is so real you can’t avoid it. There are mysteries still of course,
but there is no mystery to the Emmanuel, God with us.
Conclusion
You thought
that the present of all presents was found under the tree…the present of all presents is the present of presence. We celebrate this night, this season the miraculous love of our God, who sends himself
to save us to bring salvation, joy, and peace to this world. This is your ultimate
gift tonight. He is here. He is
in your heart now. He is with us.
The good
news that begins with Emmanuel ends with the verse, “I am with you always even to the end of time”
(Matthew 28:20).
