Christmas Midnight

December 24, 2020

Luke 2:1-20

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus.” Decree in Greek is δόγμα. “In those days a dogma went out from Caesar Augustus.”

The cultural revolution upheaving the Western world is intensely dogmatic. Each day a new dogma is decreed. Bake the cake, wear the mask, close your church, stay at home, check your privilege, shout your abortion, don't use those pronouns, gender is a social construct, the baby will be made comfortable as we abandon it to death. In the New Inquisition, expect no mercy. Fierce and unforgiving are the world’s dogmas.

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” The world's dogmas are in pursuit of power. A census is used for taxation and to assess military strength. King David took a census, even though Joab, the commander of the army, urged him not to do it. The census revealed 800,000 valiant men who drew the sword in Israel, and another 500,000 among the soldiers of Judah. But the David who in his youth slew the giant should have known that it is not the size of the army that matters, but trust in the Lord’s promises.

So David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly” (2 Sa 24:10). 

David is offered a choice of punishments: Famine, war, or a plague? David replied, “I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man” (2 Sa 24:14).

70,000 men died in three days. Such is the cost of relying on your own strength.

Now Caesar assesses his strength. “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus.” But long before Caesar issued his decree, the Lord had issued His. 

It was a secret decree in the heart of the God who made us. The dogmas of the world are unforgiving. The dogma of God is for forgiveness. Planned from eternity in the heart of God is the dogma of redemption. The holy apostle Peter writes, 

You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. [1 Pt 1.18-21]

That is the decree we celebrate this night: the Redeemer has come into the world. You have been tempted to place your faith and hope in politicians and scientists, vaccines and financial advisors. They cannot keep you alive. But unto you is born this day a Savior. “Your faith and hope are in God.”

It hasn’t been so every moment this year. You’ve worried. You’ve raged. You’ve abused the gifts God gave you. You’ve lamented lost time, lost opportunity, lost friends and family.

The dogmas of Christmas are light. They come to unburden your conscience, to lift away your guilt. Here at midnight is the dogma of Christ, the ancient decree of God that shines light in the darkness: “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.” Dear Christians, be a dogmatic people; cling to this decree! Jesus Christ is your great God and Savior. In Him you are made new.

You are now a people who “live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.” For it is God’s good decree to redeem you from all lawlessness, and to purify you for Himself.

God will not revoke His decree: “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” This is your dogma, this is God’s decree for you. On you who have dwelt in darkness, His light shines.  You are redeemed. The darkness recedes. You are free.