Preaching Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

We come to a moment of holy mirth and joy; there is something to be said for some silence and also a word of simple praise. The story speaks for itself and the preacher might well use silence to emphasize it. Yet, there is a proclamatory opportunity here. One of my colleagues used to say, “If they are only going to come to church twice a year, Christmas and Easter are about their best options.” He was right.  They are coming back to their home town to pay their taxes, put their offering in. Like salmon returning to the same gravel bed where they were spawned, the children return to their families. The same incredible miracle is happening. Life itself, the Gospel comes to us. It is time to rejoice that they are here because the news is so good. Our sermons will need to reflect that good news for all people.