Christmas: Unplugged
by Pastor Walter Snyder

A recent phenomenon in the music industry is "unplugging." Bands and artists who normally rely
on electric guitars, synthesizers, and the like pare down to simple acoustic instruments in order to
let the lyrics and simple musical themes speak more clearly. Instead of the thunder of thousands of
watts of amplifiers, backup singers, or horn sections, you might encounter a solo artist picking out
notes on a guitar or caressing a piano keyboard.

While many of these "unplugged" artists made millions of dollars on electronic versions of their
works, they sometimes wonder if people have gotten the full impact of their lyrics. So they pull
the plug (save for a microphone or two) and let simple songwriting and musical craftsmanship
speak for themselves.

Perhaps Christmas occasionally needs to be unplugged, also. And believe it or not, I'm not only
talking about the gaudy excess draped around some homes, the secular television specials and
"holiday" films, or the unending appeals to buy more stuff for self and others. I imagine that few
people enjoy belting out Christmas hymns and carols along with a roaring organ any more than do
I. The banners and decorations at church are beautiful and I wouldn't want to miss any of the
services nor skip our school program.

Yet even in these, we can get distracted. Personally, I try so hard to get the Christmas celebration
"just so" that I risk keeping focus on why we celebrate at all. If it's not the perfect gift for my
wife, it's the perfect service for Holy Cross on Christmas Day. And no, I'm not about to give less
than my (imperfect) best in sermon preparation and worship planning. However....

The Lord did an outstanding job speaking through the pen of Saint Luke, so I offer without bells,
whistles, or flashing lights the simple drama of God in a manger, the creative and eternal Word of
the Lord wrapped not in gold and silver, but in the clothes of a newborn Babe. So here,
unplugged and unadorned is God's Present to you, not under your tree but anticipating being
hung upon Calvary's tree:

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be
registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of
Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house
and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while
they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and
wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in
the inn.

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by
night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good
news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby
wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace among those with whom he is pleased!'

"When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us
go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to
us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And
when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And
all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these
things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."

God grant you the marvel of the shepherds and the contemplation of the virgin mother. It ~is~
just as has been told you: The Savior, Christ the Lord, has come and He has taken away all your
sins.

Merry Christmas! Feel free to plug back in and let the celebration shine.

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~<TM>,
© 2001 by Crossway Bibles.

Ask the Pastor, © 2004 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer,
by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations
into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international
copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others.

Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book
~What Do Lutherans Believe.~