Wingrave Church – Midnight Mass
Reading Isaiah 9:2—7
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.
All Alleluia.
Gospel Luke 2:1—14
The birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’
Sermon
Two readings—Isaiah 9—Luke 2.
Both are familiar—read each year on the night before Christmas. You might have thought they are entirely different—both in intention and separation by nearly 750 years. But not so—we are justified in placing these two pieces of prophecy side by side.
Reading from first book of Isaiah—2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
—is set around 732BC. Northern kingdom of Israel has fallen to Assyrians—Assyrian army is conquering the whole region. Barely 2 centuries later Southern kingdom of Judah will also fall—this time to Babylon and sent into exile.
All is darkness and failure—but the prophecy sets a different tone. People who walk in darkness have seen a great light—and they are to be joyful and rejoice—for a child is born who will reverse their fortunes and save them—he will become a great governor—a man of peace—there will be justice and righteousness throughout the kingdom.
“Great light” is actually a theme continued from the chapters before. In Isaiah 7, God offers to all of Israel a prophetic sign of peace in the face of imminent political disaster from conquering nations.
This sign is the birth and name of an actual child, Immanuel, which means “God-Is-With-Us.” This child is meant to be a physical sign of God’s assurance that no disaster will befall Jerusalem. But the frightened and faithless king ultimately rejects it, and with it, God’s saving help.
The parallels in Luke 2 are evident—similar background is oppression, failure, separation from God, and despair—all symbolized by the brooding presence of darkness—again the theme of light. From this unpromising context there emerges hope—the birth of a saviour from the line of David.
On this eve of another Christmas—we gather once again in the place of meeting to await the coming of the Christ-child. This time—unlike Isaiah 9—God’s promises will not be frustrated and fail—regardless of the malevolent presence of evil that leads Immanuel to the cross. Even this apparent failure is not the end.
The dawn brings the new light—there will be rejoicing—this is a statement of faith, hope and gratitude. Just as it appears the powers of this world have a firm hold on humanity—God’s power brings the final victory.
How can we Christian listeners fail to hear in the words of the 8th C prophet the whole reason why we are here tonight?
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Amen—Come Lord Jesus.
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