Introduction

This Christmas Eve sermon explores the profound Christmas invitation that lies at the heart of the nativity story. Through the journey of the wise men, we discover that Christmas asks something of us: to choose between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God—and to kneel before a servant king who comes not to dominate, but to love and sacrifice.

There is a magic to this time of year that reminds this tired old world that there is still wonder to be found. The innocence of a child born in a manger, the faith of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds who find themselves witness to the birth of a king. It stirs something in even the most jaded heart. On this night, anything is possible. But like all great stories, this one has the capacity to speak to us on many levels and it asks serious questions of us. Because the baby born in Bethlehem is born into a very real and very troubled time in history. First century Palestine is ruled by Herod the Great, a ruthless, self-appointed king who seized the throne by force in 40 BC and governs using fear and an unholy alliance with Rome.

And now he’s growing old. His power is waning and he is becoming paranoid and anxious. And it is into that place that a long promised child is born. And of course, it isn’t just any child. The child is given this name, the Christ, which is the Greek word for Messiah or king, and the birth of a new king is a threat to the kingdoms of this world.

So who are your favourite characters in the nativity story? Who do you relate to the most? Maybe Mary, full of courage and faith, or softly spoken Joseph. Rather long suffering and stoical. Or the scruffy shepherds who feel they’re slightly out of place in this amazing scene. Or the grumpy innkeeper, or maybe the rather stubborn ox and the ass standing by, or the sheep who often goes astray.

My suspicion is that the place we find ourselves in this story is none of them, but in actual fact is with the wise men. These outsiders from a far off land blundering into events that they don’t fully understand. They’re remarkable features in the Christmas story. Who are they? Well, best guess they are ancient academics, astronomers and mystics from the east, most likely Babylon, who see a new and unexpected star in the heavens and interpret that as the sign of a new king. And they set out to pay their homage. And when they arrived in Jerusalem, they would’ve expected to find the place in celebration. A new king has been born, but it is far from that. And they turn up at the palace as perhaps would be expected, and they ask, where is the one born to be king?

Can you imagine the awkward silence that they encountered? Unsurprisingly, king Herod is deeply troubled at this news. The birth of a new king is a direct threat to him, but he has dealt with upstart kings before, and so he keeps his cool and he asks his advisors, where is this Messiah due to be born?

When they tell him, according to the Old Testament scriptures, it will be in Bethlehem, in the land of Judah. And then he comes up with a cunning plan. He gets the wise men on side and he says to them, go search diligently for the child and when you were found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.

This old tyrant will do whatever it takes to maintain his power, and he attempts to deceive these strangers into betraying the Christ child. Now, it’s no surprise that Herod is concerned in this story. But what is perhaps really shocking is that the city is also deeply troubled. Did you hear in our reading, it said Herod was afraid and all Jerusalem with him?

Is it possible that the ancient city of God has become so enmeshed with a corrupt and oppressive regime that the possibility of a new king is not a cause for joy, but for fear? Are they so invested in the status quo, so wedded to their privilege that they see the possibility of salvation as a threat?

And I think that poses a question to each of us. If there is a God who loves us, who has intervened to save us, is that good news? Or are we too invested in this world, too accommodated with the powers that we experience, to be able to celebrate when God intervenes? There is this choice that we are all asked to make a choice between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God.

There is a choice to be made in life, and it is a simple one, a choice between two kingdoms. One corrupt and power hungry and a servant king who comes to love and to sacrifice. At Christmas time, we are asked, who are we serving? And so guided by the star the wise men travel to Bethlehem and they find the place where Mary and Joseph are staying.

And when they saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and paid him homage. And then opening their treasures, they offer him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Do you see that? They make the choice. They bow the knee to the Christ child. They choose the kingdom of God over the kingdoms of this world, despite the risk, despite the cost, and they are willing to sacrifice status and reputation and even their safety to worship the true king.

And of course, the king that they bow the need to is a king unlike any other. In contrast to the kingdoms of this world which are self-serving, self-interested, exploitative of the weak and the poor, this king comes to serve and to sacrifice. This baby born without wealth or power or influence, who grows up in poverty, who enters into the ordinary joys and sadnesses of life and lives his life, resisting violence, siding with the poor, proclaiming a message of forgiveness, opposing vested interests, and building a kingdom of love. And in doing so, changes the course of history. And so at Christmas time, we find ourselves in the same place the wise men did 2000 years ago. Invited to kneel at the cradle of a baby, born to be king, and to choose a kingdom of God over the kingdoms of this world. The son of God entrusts himself to us, making himself vulnerable and asks us to do the same in return.

This is the invitation of the Christmas story. To believe that God has not given up. That change, that new beginnings are possible, and to kneel in a dusty, stable and discover a king unlike any other. To give of our best for him who gives himself for us. Are these wise men really wise? There’s certainly evidence in the story they’re not quite as wise as we might think. However, as someone once said, he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. And so in the midst of the darkness of this time of year, we have caught a glimpse of a great light. For a child has been born for us, a son given. And the government will be upon his shoulders and he will be named wonderful counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, prince of Peace. At Christmas time we are invited to choose which kingdom we serve. Amen.