Christmas for the Whole World

OT Lesson: Psalm 67 (NIV)

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—
so that Your ways may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise You, God;
may all the peoples praise You.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for You rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise You, God;
may all the peoples praise You.

The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear Him.

NT Lesson: Galatians 3:26-29 (NRSV)

For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Sermon

Introduction

Good morning and Merry Christmas. Last Christmas Eve service was a phenomenal experience for me. It marked my first in-person Christmas Eve service in Lebanon since its cancellation last year due to severe winter weather. One amusing observation: it seems whenever I am not preaching, more people attend church. But jokes aside, all the songs and music were beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire service.

However, I cannot resist commenting on one particular hymn. The lyrics go, “If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.” This line intrigues me because, historically, shepherds were not the owners of the sheep; they were hired workers tasked with caring for the flock. It is akin to me saying, “If I were a valet-parking attendant, I would donate a Porsche from the down-town Indy hotel.”

While I appreciate the beautiful theme of the hymn and the essence of its expression, I must point out that it is somewhat problematic. If a shepherd were to bring a lamb to Jesus, technically, it would be theft. It is an interesting angle to consider, especially as we reflect on the meaning and messages of our beloved hymns.

Looking Back the Year

As we gather today, on the last day of this year, let us take a moment to reflect. This past year, with its 365 days, has been a tapestry of events. Some days were routine, the ‘same-old, same-old,’ while others had a profound impact on our lives. We have experienced moments of pride and moments of humility, joy and tears.

Recently, I had a moment of disillusionment, or simply betrayal. I have a safety box, not a cheap one, which I bought for its fire and water-proof qualities. Inside, I stored vital documents, like my citizenship certificate, marriage license, car title, things I’d need even if my house burned down to the ground. But just a few days ago, when I opened the box for the first time in years, I was greeted with dampness, mould, and an unpleasant smell. After cleaning everything with anti-bacterial wipes, I contemplated laminating these important documents for better protection. This experience made me feel deeply betrayed. Just for you information, my safety box does not have any cash, jewellery, or any valuables. Please don’t break into my house to steal the useless and malfunctioning safety box. So, as we look ahead to 2024, I pray earnestly that none of us experiences betrayal in our lives. Yet, in spite of such challenges, let us remember that God has been gracious and has blessed us, even amidst global turmoil.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine persists into its third year. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict continues to bring suffering to many Palestinians in Gaza, and the safety of hostages held by Hamas remains uncertain. The tension between China and Taiwan is escalating, and the military government in Myanmar is still oppressing its own people. The persecution of the Rohingya people by the Myanmar majority also continues. It is interesting and makes me frown that Myanmar people is one side being oppressed and at the same time persecuting other tribe. The list of global turmoil can go on and on.

In this season of Christmas and as we close this year, let us give thanks to God and pray for all those caught in these troubles and violent conflicts. In the spirit of today’s OT lesson, let us hope to see peoples around the world praising God, nations filled with gladness, and communities united in songs of joy.

God’s Love for the Whole World

Psalm 67 stands out as a remarkable song, distinct in its clarity and devoid of the historical or situational ambiguities found in other hymns, like the one about a shepherd bringing a lamb. More than just a beautiful composition, Psalm 67 can be seen as a prophetic poem, foretelling the coming of the Saviour. Central to the birth of the Messiah is the theme of glory and praise to God, and of peace and grace to people, as echoed by the angels in Luke: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests.”1

What makes this psalm particularly relevant to us is how it connects Christmas to our lives. Much of the OT seems to suggest that God’s salvation was intended exclusively for the Jews, that His great love was directed solely towards Israel. If this were the case, and we could not be saved as we are not biological descendants of Abraham, then Christmas would hold no significance for us. If God’s love was not extended to us because we are not of ancient Hebrew lineage, then Christmas would not be a celebration we could partake in.

However, Psalm 67 vividly declares that God’s salvation is meant for all nations, not just one or two. It joyfully proclaims that all peoples and nations will be glad and sing for joy. Indeed, God loves the Jews, but His love also embraces the Gentiles just as fully. As the Apostle Paul prophesied in Romans, “all Israel will be saved,”2 but so too are the Gentiles, loved equally by God. The birth of the newborn baby Jesus is significant to us because He is the Saviour not only for the Jews but also for us all. And as Isaiah foretold, we, who once walked in darkness, have seen a great light3 at the birth of the Messiah.

All Are One

In today’s New Testament lesson, the Apostle Paul puts an emphatic conclusion to the statement of Psalm 67. He brings clarity to the inclusivity of God’s love and the scope of Christ’s salvation. Allow me to revisit the Scripture: “For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.”

Paul’s declaration is bold and transformative. He states unequivocally that in Christ, the divisions of Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, are dissolved. We are united as one in Christ Jesus, regardless of our backgrounds. With the birth of Jesus, the dividing line between Jews and Gentiles was erased. On Christmas Day, distinctions and discrimination between men and women were rendered irrelevant. There was Joseph. So was Mary. There was Simeon and so was Anna. In the love of Christ Jesus, social barriers—whether economic, social, or racial—lose their power. In Christ Jesus, we are not defined as royals, nobles, slaves, rich, poor, Asians, Blacks, Whites or Latinos, but as children of God. 

Anyone, literally anyone, can become a child of God, provided they choose to place their faith in the Messiah and undergo baptism. This universal invitation means that Christmas holds meaning for everyone on earth. It is a celebration of divine love and inclusion, a manifestation of God’s promise to all humanity.

Saviour of the World from the Very Birth

Reflecting back on our journey through the Advent season, let us consider the profound messages each Sunday brought us. The last Advent Sunday focused on Israel and love. Indeed, God’s unwavering love for Israel, starting from Abraham, has been evident and unchanging. However, the other Advent Sundays offered a broader perspective. God extended a second chance and hope to Persia, arising from His love for them. To Egypt, He brought joy, a testament to His love for the Egyptian people. And to Rome, He offered peace, a reflection of His love for Rome. These nations were not among the chosen people, and yet, God’s love reached them too.

In the narrative of our Saviour’s nativity, God intentionally included these foreign peoples and Gentile nations. This was not a mere historical coincidence; it was a divine illustration that God’s love and salvation are not exclusive but inclusive. From the very beginning, Jesus was destined to be the Messiah for the entire world, the Saviour for all peoples on earth, not just for one chosen people.

This is indeed great news for us, for it assures us that we too are encompassed in God’s love. The birth of Jesus Christ was a manifestation of God’s love incarnate, a love that knows no bounds. The birth of Christ was not just for a select few; it was for every person, transcending all divisions. This universal reach of Christ’s birth is a powerful reminder of the inclusiveness of God’s love and the scope of His salvation.

Reflection on the Past Year

As we come to the close of this year, I invite you again to reflect on how we have experienced or witnessed God’s love. During the postlude, we will present a slide-show commemorating our family and friends who have been called to the Lord this year and last. Let us hold their memories dear and also contemplate how God has led and guided us throughout this year.

There are times when we may distinctly feel the presence and love of God. Yet, more often, we might not sense it as clearly. But does this mean God was not with us? Allow me to share a personal story. A few months ago, my family—Hannah, Samuel, and I—were looking through our Google Photos. We relived many joyous family moments at playgrounds, state parks, and beaches. In our family, I am usually, or frankly, almost always the one behind the camera. As a result, most photos showed Samuel and Mommy. This prompted Samuel to ask, “Mommy’s always there with me, but where was Daddy?” You all know the answer—I was there too, just on the other side of the camera. My absence in the photos does not mean I wasn’t with him. I was always there with him.

In the same way, just because we might not always feel the presence of God or the love of Jesus, it does not mean He isn’t with us or doesn’t love us. Through the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, God in flesh came to us and became Emmanuel, God with us. And now, through the Holy Spirit, God is perpetually with us. Whether we feel His presence or not, God is always there. So, let us look back and reflect: What were the occasions when we thought God was not with us, but in reality, His hand was still guiding and protecting us?

Conclusion

God’s love, my dear friends, is a testament to inclusivity. Therefore, let us strive to mirror that inclusivity in our own love. God’s love and His presence are not confined to the Christmas season; they are with us every single day of the year, in every moment of our lives. The magnitude of God’s love is immeasurable, far beyond what we can comprehend. God’s inclusive love is even beyond the scope of the Bible. The Bible does not mention Korea, yet God’s love encompasses Korea, and among its seventy-seven million people (North and South combined), He loves me as well and has called me into the grace and love of Christmas, the birth of Christ, that is the inclusive love of God. America is not named in the Bible either, but God loves America, blessing this nation and all its inhabitants.

As we embrace the truth that God’s love is boundless and inclusive, let this Christmas season be a time where we extend our love a little further, a little wider, embracing at least one more person in our circle of care and love. If each year, every Christmas, we expand our love to include more people, gradually, our love will become more like that of the baby Saviour, who from His very birth included the entire world. May we carry this spirit of expansive, inclusive love throughout the coming year and beyond. Amen.