We all have our ideas about Christmas, don't we? Ideas shaped by our traditions. Ideas shaped by our culture. Ideas shaped by our faith.

During Christmastime, we try to express our beliefs about what this season means to us and how this season informs our faith. And we use key words to talk about the central themes of the season. We have a special vocabulary that we use during this season of the year.

Take the four candles of our advent wreath, for example, symbolizing love, hope, joy, peace. Each word is packed with special meaning. They are words that describe some aspect of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ, words that describe the experience of Christmas, words of promise from God.

As I think about Christmas and all that surrounds the birth of the Christ child, I would like to suggest one more word that we add to our Christmas vocabulary: Instead.

What does "Instead" mean to you? To me it means that where something once was, there is now something else, something different. To me it means something of a replacement, or an alternative given to us.

"Instead" also has a powerful theological meaning. "Instead" is a word that provides the basis for hope. It means that God has plans for you. It means that God is not content with the way things are, that God is not satisfied with the status quo. And that really is at the core of the Christmas message, isn’t it? The announcement of the birth of our Savior is God’s promise to us that he has an "Instead" in his plans for us. "Instead" is a word that conveys that God has something more in mind. "Instead" is a word that conveys real hope, because things will not always be the way they are today.

You see, the Christmas narrative is the beginning of the fulfillment of what God promised through the prophets of long ago. The birth of Jesus Christ is God’s great "Instead" to us. The birth of Jesus Christ is God’s way of telling us that instead of coming to condemn the world, he has come to save the world. The birth of Jesus Christ is God’s way of telling us that instead of abandoning a world filled with sin, instead of turning away from his sin-sick people, God has joined the human family to redeem the human family and to make the human family part of his family. Instead of being a far-off God of another world, he is Emmanuel, the with-us God, the Word-Made-Flesh-and-dwelt-among-us God.

Instead. That’s God word to us at Christmas. Instead of despair, we are offered hope. Instead of enmity and hatred, we are met with love. Instead of captivity to sin, we are given freedom to serve Christ. Instead of fear we are offered peace that passes understanding. Instead of condemnation, we are offered salvation.

Friends, I hope you’re here today because you know that the birth of the Christ child is indeed a very significant thing. The birth of the Christ child is significant because it means that God has said "Instead" to the world in a decisive way. Instead of fear, God has offered us good news of great joy. Instead of condemnation, God has offered us grace and mercy and forgiveness. Instead of allowing us to remain separated and estranged from God, we have been offered reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Instead of death, we are offered eternal life.

When you consider the meaning of Christmas, will the word "Instead" be a part of your vocabulary?

"But the angel said to the shepherds, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. . .’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared. . .praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace. . ."

Amen.