THE BIG GIFT

by Rev. Bill Harmon King of Glory Lutheran Church and School
www.kogva.org

Merry Christmas! I can remember as a child in Baltimore being so willing to go to bed early Christmas Eve! We would rush to our beds and close our eyes trying our hardest to sleep. Of course, the next day when the first glimmer of sun light hit the house, my sister and I were ready to see what the new day had brought.

We would tip-toe down the hall, quietly open our parents’ bedroom door and then, as loudly as possible, burst in and wake them up. After all, we didn’t want them to miss out on the day either.

Grudgingly but lovingly, my parents would wake up. My father would head down to see if any presents had come. It was only years later that I found out that he was also making coffee and letting the dog out. He would give the “ok” sign and my sister and I would run down the steps to see all the packages under the tree.

What you may or may not know is that every child has that “first glance.” How many packages are there? How many have my name on them? And of course, every one is looking for the BIG GIFT.

You know that gift that is larger than all the others; surrounded by all the supporting gifts. It usually was in the back and always given last. And no matter your age, everyone wants that BIG gift. Everyone in the family wants to see that the big gift has their name on it, have the big gift placed in front of them, rip off that paper and with great delight show that gift to all who are present.

This year we will once again celebrate the joy of faith and the wonder of Christmas. We mediate and consider the gifts of God. And as we do, we all know the BIG GIFT that we receive. For at Christmas we receive the biggest gift of all; the gift that surpasses all the others. The gift that is more lasting, more powerful, more fulfilling, more loving than any BIG GIFT hidden behind the tree-we receive the gift of Jesus.

At Christmas, the one true God, out of love and compassion, comes. And in His coming, by His birth in the manger, by God choosing to come to this earth as a tiny baby, the big gift gets even bigger as a wonderful plan of hope and life is begun.

Added to that joy is not only what the gift contains but also who it’s for. The power of Christmas is that the gift of Jesus, the gift of the promised Messiah, the gift of God in the flesh who comes to love and restore and forgive- the BIG GIFT of Jesus Christ is especially for you, no matter who you are.

It is for you who have faith, who long to be as close as you can to your Lord and God. It is for you who find joy in worship, value in Bible study, power in prayer and strength in a community focused on the love of God.

And it’s also for you who look at things quite differently: those of you who struggle with your faith, who are striving to make sense of it all. Sometimes you believe and sometime you don’t. Rejoice this season that the gift of Jesus is yours as He longs for you to know Him more, to take the time to discover the wonders of His love and be changed by His eternal promises for you.

And it doesn’t stop there, no matter your situation the gift is for you: you whose marriage is on shaky ground; you whose friends have turned away; You who feel alone in this world. The wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the Prince of Peace desires to be your friend, to hear your prayers, and to love you like no one else can.

The gift of Jesus is for you with cancer, you with MS, you with the sickness and pain, you with the prognosis that does not look good. The gift is for you who are haunted by depression and anxiety. The great physician, the great healer of the blind and the lame, the Savior of our souls, desires to fill you with the peace that goes beyond all understanding.

He is that higher power who will fill you with the courage and strength to make it each day. He is that higher power who assures you that you have a living hope in this world and an eternal future in the world to come.

The BIG GIFT is for you who are grieving tonight, you who are conjuring up every ounce of energy to be merry and celebrate without your loved one. The God who defeated death, the God who has risen from the grave, the God who prepares mansions in paradise for those who know Him: He desires to grant you comfort and peace and surround you with His presence.

The BIG GIFT is for you who are burdened with sin and wrong doing. It’s for you who have made that poor decision, selected the wrong choice again and again, you who are getting beat up everyday because of the mistakes you have made. Jesus your Lord desires to restore your life. He welcomes you to come to that manger; He encourages you to reflect upon His life; He gives you a personal invitation to the cross where He gives His life for the sins of the world and where He promises to lavish you with the power of His forgiveness.

This is the power of Christmas! The same God who chose to give up the powers of heaven to be born in a manger is the same God who would give up the powers of Heaven to die on a cross for you. The same Jesus who allows the confines of a manger to keep Him is the same Jesus who would endure the confines of a cross.

The same Jesus who is wrapped in swaddling clothes laying in a make shift crib is the same Jesus who would be wrapped in grave clothes laying in a cold tomb for you.

The same God and Lord whose life comes to light in a little town with shepherds and angels is the same God and Lord whose life comes to light as He rises from the dead. The same Jesus who comes on that silent night, that Holy Night is the same Jesus who comes even now and blesses all people. Now that is a BIG GIFT!

No matter who you are. No matter where you are in life. No matter what you have done. The BIG GIFT of Jesus and all that comes with Him, His love and power, and mercy and forgiveness and joy and life-that BIG GIFT has your name on it.

So take it. Take if freely. Open it up and let it fill your mind, your heart, your soul. Take the gift of God and live in the joy and happiness that only He could give you this Christmas.

Rev. Bill Harmon attended Concordia College, Bronxville New York where he completed the Pre-Seminary program and earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Judeo-Christian Heritage. Following his graduation from college, Pastor Harmon went on to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree. He was ordained into the ministry on June 14, 1998.
Pastor Harmon previously served as Associate Pastor in Flat Rock, Michigan. Pastor then accepted the call to serve as Associate Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Garden City, New York. His duties as Associate Pastor included family ministry, youth, and children’s ministry. In 2002, Pastor Harmon was called to serve as the Lead Pastor at Resurrection.
Pastor has served as Circuit Counselor of the Nassau Circuit of the Atlantic District, Member of the Board of Directors of Long Island Lutheran Middle and High School and an adjunct religion teacher at the school. He has served as Chair of the Garden City Clergy Fellowship, Director and Board Member of the Garden City Community Council on Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention and Member of the Board of Directors of Lutheran Social Services of New York.
In 2008 Pastor Harmon accepted the call to serve the Lord at King of Glory, Williamsburg, Virginia. Pastor Harmon is blessed to be married to his wonderful wife and honored to be the father of their three children.

Events and Holiday Service Schedule at King Of Glory

4897 Longhill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188

THE LIVING NATIVITY

Bringing the Christmas Story to Life!

The Living Nativity, King of Glory’s gift to the community, is scheduled for Friday 17th & Saturday 18th of December. It is the time of year Christians reflect on the meaning and majesty of Christ’s birth.

In this Christmas season we look forward to worshipping together and praising the New Born King.

Friday, December 24^th – Christmas Eve

4:00 PM Family Service

6:00 PM Family Service

6:00 PM Lessons and Carols at New Kent

8:00 PM Candles and Carols

10:00 PM Candles and Carols.

All services will be services with Holy Communion.

Staffed Nursery Available

Saturday, December 25^th – Christmas Day:

The Nativity of Our Lord

10:00 AM Communion Worship Service