The wind blows strong off Lake Michigan in December and it goes right down the wind tunnel created by the sky scrappers. It was good to get out of the wind as I walked down the stairs to Lower Wacker Dr and the Billy Goat Tavern.

As I entered, I heard the chatter of customers. Slim Whitman yodeling, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and saw the 1950’s aluminum Christmas tree in the corner. Jack the bartender smiled at me and I held up three fingers as I walked toward the rear booth.

There sat Dr Martin Luther, author of the 95 Theses, The Large and Small Catechisms, and the hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Sitting across from him, reading the sports section of the “Chicago Trib,” was Philip Melancthon, biblical scholar and author of The Augsburg Confession.

“Hi Joe,” said Luther. Melancthon lowered the “Trib” and said, “Good to see you. Sit down, sit down.” As I sat Melacthon asked, “Joe, do you know how to keep bears out of your garden?” I shook my head and he replied, “Put a goal post in the middle of the garden. The goal post seems to keep the Chicago Bears out of the end zone, so it should work in the garden.”

I offered a half hearted chuckle as Jack set three mugs of cold beer on the table. We each took a glass, held them up, as Luther spoke, “To the Prince of Peace and may the world know the peace that passes all understanding.” We clinked our mugs and drank.

“So what is your Christmas sermon about this year, Martin?”

“I was focused on that passage in Luke which says, ‘And Mary pondered all these things in her heart.’ What do you think she was thinking about?” replied Luther.

“She may have been thinking, ‘If Joseph had only called to make reservations at the inn, I might not have given birth to my first born in a stable,’” I replied.

Both men chuckled and then Luther said, “Mary was the daughter of a priest and I am sure she was well versed in the
Scriptures. She knew of the prophecies of the Messiah.”

Melancthon spoke up, “Like Psalm 22. ‘I am scorned and despised by the people, they mock at me…I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint…my mouth is dried up like a potsherd…you lay me in the dust of death.’”

“Or Isaiah 53,” added Luther. “He has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases,…struck down by God, and afflicted…he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities…He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth…They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich.”

“Normally children bury their parents, but Mary, well Mary knew she would bury her son,” added Melancthon.

“She held her new born son knowing that one day she would hold his lifeless body in her arms,” said Luther.

“While we celebrate his birth we should not forget why he came. He came to die to pay the price of our sins. We celebrate his birth with decorated trees, carols, pies, cookies and gifts. But the greatest gift ever given was the child in the manger who grew to be the man who took our sins to the cross so we might enjoy the greatest gifts of all, forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life,” added Luther.

As we sat there reflecting on Luther’s words, the silence was broken by a carol on the juke box, “Joy to the World the
Lord is come.”

We said our goodbyes and as I stepped outside the night didn’t seem as cold as when I came in. I was warmed by the
love of God which came into the world through the babe in the manger.

God bless you and Merry Christmas - Curt