“Thank you, Baby Jesus.”
Matthew 20:28 The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
What do you do with Jesus? What do you do with this little baby born on Christmas day?
Larry Bourbannias knew what he would do. After the Columbine massacre in April, 1999, 59-year-old Vietnam veteran Bourbonnias asked himself, “What will I do if I am ever placed in a similar situation?” He concluded, and told his four daughters: “If something like that ever happened and I was there, I would go after the shooter, because you want to protect people.”
On December 9, 2007, Bourbannias’ words were turned into action. Christian-hater Matthew Murray opened fire on the people at Colorado Springs’ New Life Church. There were about 7,000 in and around the church at the time of the shooting. While others were running away, Bourbannais made his way toward the gunshots. As he went, he asked, “Where’s the shooter? Where’s the shooter?”
Without a gun, Bourbannais did all he could. Stepping out from behind a pillar, Bourbannais made himself a target and shouted, “Coward,” at heavily armed Murray. Murray fired at Bourbonnais who took some bullet fragments in his arm. Realizing he wasn’t seriously wounded Bourbannais repeated his challenge to the murderer who was then shot by a security guard, Jeanne Assam.
There had been violence in Colorado Springs directed toward Christians and churches, so New Life had armed security guards. Armed with her firearm, guard Jeanne Assam, had decided what she would do in such a circumstance. Standing in the open, Jeanne was praying as she called on Murray to surrender, and she kept on praying as they exchanged fire.
Bourbannias and Assam were hailed as heroes, thanked and credited with the saving of many lives.
It takes a special person to make themselves a target for someone else; it takes a unique kind of commitment and bravery to be willing to sacrifice yourself for someone else.
Today many people look into the Bethlehem manger and see a cute and cuddly little child. In the movie, Talledega Nights, Ricky Bobby prays to Baby Jesus because “he likes the baby version the best.” He says grace, “Dear 8 pound, six ounce, infant Jesus, so cuddly and yet omnipotent …” I know it’s a movie and a comedy, but it also has a ring of truth in that many prefer to keep Christmas as a celebration of birth and they stop Jesus from every growing older. They like “Silent Night” instead of “Go to Dark Gethsemane.” They prefer the Hanson’s version of “Were you there on that Christmas night,” to “Were you there when they crucified my Lord.” They never see Jesus’ temptations, His courage or His cross.
It is good for us to be here this morning to behold this wonder in the making. God has given us a great gift this day. Our gift is not under a tree, it is under the roof of a stable. It is wrapped not with wrapping paper, but with swaddling clothes. It isn’t signed “from Santa,” but “from God, with love.” It is a gift that was announced by the angels, heralded by the shepherds and treasured by Mary.
But our Gift grew up. He grew up and gave Himself once again as the Gift of salvation. This time wrapped in blood, covered in darkness and heralded by an earthquake. Treasured by a centurion announcing, “Surely this man was the Son of God.” As our bulletin cover shows, the manger and the cross are always side by side at God’s Christmas. The Christ Child’s birth always leads to Christ Jesus’ death.
Bourbannias and Assam had planned what they would do if confronted with terror, violence and death. Before the world was even created, Jesus knew He would be born in the city of David. He knew He would leave the glories of heaven to be born in a barn. He knew He would be God Incarnate, God in human flesh, so He might carry our sins – carry our sins in the manger, in the Jordan River, in the desert and onto the cross. He had it all planned out that He would die so we might have eternal life.
Jesus knew that He would have to confront terror, violence and death. Jesus made Himself the target of sin, Satan and the Law’s condemnation, so all who might believe on Him this Christmas Day might not perish but have everlasting life.
Whether it is Christmas Day or Good Friday, we hail Jesus as our Hero. We thank Him for His special birth that led to His sacrificial death. He gave Himself for the saving of many lives – ours included.
Jesus knew what He would do. He was born to give His life as a ransom for many. Thank you, Baby Jesus. Amen.
Christmas Day at Epiphany on December 25, 2010
What do you do with Jesus? What do you do with this little baby born on Christmas day?
Larry Bourbannias knew what he would do. After the Columbine massacre in April, 1999, 59-year-old Vietnam veteran Bourbonnias asked himself, “What will I do if I am ever placed in a similar situation?” He concluded, and told his four daughters: “If something like that ever happened and I was there, I would go after the shooter, because you want to protect people.”
On December 9, 2007, Bourbannias’ words were turned into action. Christian-hater Matthew Murray opened fire on the people at Colorado Springs’ New Life Church. There were about 7,000 in and around the church at the time of the shooting. While others were running away, Bourbannais made his way toward the gunshots. As he went, he asked, “Where’s the shooter? Where’s the shooter?”
Without a gun, Bourbannais did all he could. Stepping out from behind a pillar, Bourbannais made himself a target and shouted, “Coward,” at heavily armed Murray. Murray fired at Bourbonnais who took some bullet fragments in his arm. Realizing he wasn’t seriously wounded Bourbannais repeated his challenge to the murderer who was then shot by a security guard, Jeanne Assam.
There had been violence in Colorado Springs directed toward Christians and churches, so New Life had armed security guards. Armed with her firearm, guard Jeanne Assam, had decided what she would do in such a circumstance. Standing in the open, Jeanne was praying as she called on Murray to surrender, and she kept on praying as they exchanged fire.
Bourbannias and Assam were hailed as heroes, thanked and credited with the saving of many lives.
It takes a special person to make themselves a target for someone else; it takes a unique kind of commitment and bravery to be willing to sacrifice yourself for someone else.
Today many people look into the Bethlehem manger and see a cute and cuddly little child. In the movie, Talledega Nights, Ricky Bobby prays to Baby Jesus because “he likes the baby version the best.” He says grace, “Dear 8 pound, six ounce, infant Jesus, so cuddly and yet omnipotent …” I know it’s a movie and a comedy, but it also has a ring of truth in that many prefer to keep Christmas as a celebration of birth and they stop Jesus from every growing older. They like “Silent Night” instead of “Go to Dark Gethsemane.” They prefer the Hanson’s version of “Were you there on that Christmas night,” to “Were you there when they crucified my Lord.” They never see Jesus’ temptations, His courage or His cross.
It is good for us to be here this morning to behold this wonder in the making. God has given us a great gift this day. Our gift is not under a tree, it is under the roof of a stable. It is wrapped not with wrapping paper, but with swaddling clothes. It isn’t signed “from Santa,” but “from God, with love.” It is a gift that was announced by the angels, heralded by the shepherds and treasured by Mary.
But our Gift grew up. He grew up and gave Himself once again as the Gift of salvation. This time wrapped in blood, covered in darkness and heralded by an earthquake. Treasured by a centurion announcing, “Surely this man was the Son of God.” As our bulletin cover shows, the manger and the cross are always side by side at God’s Christmas. The Christ Child’s birth always leads to Christ Jesus’ death.
Bourbannias and Assam had planned what they would do if confronted with terror, violence and death. Before the world was even created, Jesus knew He would be born in the city of David. He knew He would leave the glories of heaven to be born in a barn. He knew He would be God Incarnate, God in human flesh, so He might carry our sins – carry our sins in the manger, in the Jordan River, in the desert and onto the cross. He had it all planned out that He would die so we might have eternal life.
Jesus knew that He would have to confront terror, violence and death. Jesus made Himself the target of sin, Satan and the Law’s condemnation, so all who might believe on Him this Christmas Day might not perish but have everlasting life.
Whether it is Christmas Day or Good Friday, we hail Jesus as our Hero. We thank Him for His special birth that led to His sacrificial death. He gave Himself for the saving of many lives – ours included.
Jesus knew what He would do. He was born to give His life as a ransom for many. Thank you, Baby Jesus. Amen.
Christmas Day at Epiphany on December 25, 2010
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