LUKE 2:17-20 It's the most wonderful time of the year, croons Andy Williams.

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time, enthuses Paul McCartney. Yes, nearly everyone would agree that Christmas time is a wonderful time. But only God's Word reveals just how wonderful Christmas is. The theme of this year's Christmas Eve service is, The wonder of it all. And the true wonder of Christmas is that God's Son Jesus Christ took on human flesh and blood so that he could be our Savior. Heavenly angels become the first Christmas carolers. God wants the world of sinners to hear this message. He entrusts it to no less than his holy angels to make the announcement that Jesus the Savior of the world has been born in Bethlehem. But the angel messenger must warn the shepherds. Yes, warn. He must tell them they will find the Savior of the world as a tiny baby, in an animal feed trough, wrapped in just enough winding rags to keep him warm. If the angel doesn't tell them this, they may be disappointed. They may even think there must be some mistake. This is the almighty God, come down form heaven to save us sinners from curse and hell? Yes, it is. This is how he must come. If he comes in his majesty and glory, he can only come to be our Judge. That's how we deserve to have Jesus come to earth. For we have sinned against God's holy commandments, and we deserve nothing but his punishment now and in eternity. But God doesn't give us what our sins deserve. In totally unmerited mercy for us guilty sinners, Jesus sets aside the display of his glory. Instead, he comes in lowliness, poverty and humility. He subjects himself to his Father's commandments and keeps them all for us. He suffers and dies on a cross to pay the penalty for the sins you and I and everyone in the world have done. The shepherds in turn become Christmas carolers. As they wend their way back to their flocks in the fields outside of town, they spread the word. The shepherds are careful to tell the message exactly the way God has revealed it to them. That's the mission Jesus has given to his Church on earth. There are two reactions to the message. All who heard it were amazed. For them, Christmas was as shallow as kids jingle belling and everyone telling you, be of good cheer. Christmas was simply, Aww, a cute baby has been born tonight. The world will go on. It's a wonderful, beautiful thing. But for Mary, and all who have the same faith created by God's Word that she had, it's truly a wonder-ful, that is, a miraculous, time. Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. She didn't understand. But she had God's Word, spoken to her by the angel who had come to her with the news that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of the Savior. Now she had God's Word spoken by the angels outside Bethlehem, relayed to her ears by the shepherd messengers. By God's grace, you have the same great blessing from the God of all grace, who wants you also to trust in Jesus as your Savior. God has established his Christian Church on earth to announce to all people that Jesus has come to save us. Jesus has lived his perfect life. Jesus has suffered and died on the cross. The Creator of the universe has shed his precious blood to pay the price that ransoms us back to the holy Father in heaven. Jesus has risen from the dead to assure us that the payment he made for us was fully acceptable to the Father. Jesus has ascended into heaven to prepare a place for all who trust in him. From the right hand of the Father, Jesus has poured out the Holy Spirit to empower the Church to proclaim this saving message to the entire world. Jesus works through the Gospel message in his Word, in Baptism, and in the Lord's Supper to create and strengthen faith in Jesus. That's the wonder of it all. That's what makes Christmas a wonderful time.