Dr. Martin Luther brought back the Gospel to light. He let us hear, what the Gospel is about and what it meant for us. He changed our way of seeing things by showing us God, His person and work in a new light. 

Before his time people in Wittenberg – and for much of the Middle Ages – Christians of the Western Church envisioned the Lord Jesus Christ as the almighty and ever righteous judge of all at the final Judgment. That picture was imprinted on people´s minds. It was magnified before them in sermons and art. In the city church of Wittenberg, the big picture (2,15m) depicted Jesus Christ with the two-edged sword in his mouth. This is the imagery Dr. Martin Luther grew up with: Jesus Christ, the sword wielding Judge, who was to be trusted, feared and trusted above all. The great reformer feared Him alright, but always fell short on the loving and trusting part, which is demanded as much in the first commandment. This seemed much easier with dear mother Mary, holy Virgin and Mother of God. She was ever so sweet and endearing. No wonder the city church was named after her – like countless others in Europe: Unserer lieben Frauen! Her image of cradling baby Jesus on the front portal was even bigger than that of the fearsome Judge, which was rather hidden in the sacristy.  

The Lutheran Reformation did a lot to correct wrong perceptions. Luther´s hymns laud and praise the “glad tidings of great joy” brought to us by heavenly hosts: 

To you this night is born a child of Mary, chosen virgin mild;  This little child of lowly birth shall be the joy of all the Earth. This is the Christ, our God most high who hears your sad and bitter cry; He will Himself your Salvior be from all your sin to set you free. He will on you the gifts bestow prepared by God for all below,  That in His kindgom, bright and fair, you may with us His glory share.

Dr. Martin Luther 1535 translated by Catherine Winkworth 1827-1878 LSB 358,2-4

Our good Lord, who himself is the very font and source of our joy, peace and salvation. He, not only to be feared, but far more loved and trusted above all else, because He was not out to get us by force, but rather seek, forgive and heal us – bringing us home to the Father.  

All Dr. Martin Luther´s life and work circled around these good tidings for all the world:

My heart for very joy must leap; my lips no more can silence keep. I, too, must sing with joyful tongue that sweetest, ancient cradle song; Glory to God in highest heav’n, who unto us His Son has giv’n! While angels sing with pious mirth a glad new song to all the earth.

ibd. Stanzas 14-15. 

Whereas the Germans celebrated the legendary St. Nicolas as the true giver of good gifts, Dr. Martin Luther wanted his children and all people to trust, that it was our good Lord Jesus Christ himself – “das liebe Christkind” – who brought us all good from the Father and made us true heirs of heaven and God´s very own children. So, he shifted the previous emphasis on the Saints of the church to the fount and source of all goodness, yes, to our very good God himself: Jesus Christ. 

That is why Luther brought in the imagery of the wonderful and miraculous Christmas tree of light and colors bearing many gifts, sweets, fruits and nuts in the middle of winter reflecting the biblical tree of Psalm 1 and that of Revelation 22, but also of course the tree of life in Genesis 2,9ff. These direct us on to Nehushtan in Numbers 21,8f and ultimately to the most precious cross of our Lord on Golgotha, where He bore the ancient curse for us and brought about our salvation by being our propitiation with the Father, yes, He became sin for us, to save, forgive and free us. Thus, He changed the accursed beams to become for us the most beloved and dearest of all trees – the very tree of life: “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (1. Corinthians 2,2). That is why we celebrate Christmas even today. We erect big Christmas trees and we light up a lot of lights and celebrate all the good that our gracious God has in His overwhelming goodness so richly and freely bestowed on us and our children and all of His children far and wide. 

Oh, this is not just Dr. Martin Luther´s story. It is God´s very own story and all the world celebrates it. There will come a time, when all knees will bow before him like those ragtag shepherds, but also the rich and wise kings from the East did in Bethlehem. Yes, all tongues will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord indeed. He, the very own Son of our heavenly Father, who became our brother, so that we would be God´s own children – back at home in heaven forever. 

Today, many people see the old pictures and stone relics of the city church. Even more celebrate the many lights on the Christmas market on the public square. There is lots of music, good food and drink, many happy faces. The impressive Christmas tree is something to behold, but sadly like in those old days, when people relied more on the Saints, that on our only Saviour, too many are satisfied with the leftovers falling from the Lord´s table – and neglect the only saving truth of the Gospel and its most precious content Jesus Christ himself. Therefore, Luther’s message focussing us on the core and nitty gritty of the Gospel remains our focus and top priority. 

Just like that Lutheran pastor, who grew up close to Wittenberg in Gräfenhainichen and studied in Wittenberg wrote down for all of us:  

Come, then, banish all your sadness! One and all, great and small, come with songs of gladness. We shall live with Him forever there on high in that joy which will vanish never.

Paul Gerhard, 1653 translated by Catherine Winkworth 1827-1878: LSB 360,6

Merry Christmas to You and Yours: Read more about the Old Latin School by clicking this link.