1 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:09,720 Welcome to our Christmas. Eve service it is. 2 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:13,240 Truly the most wonderful time of the year and you all look 3 00:00:13,240 --> 00:00:14,680 wonderful. So great. 4 00:00:14,680 --> 00:00:18,120 Job getting here and and and looking your best. 5 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:22,360 Will you join me in Luke? Chapter 2 as we just read the 6 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:27,360 great story of the 1st. Christmas as given to us in the. 7 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,320 Gospel of Luke. I'm going to start in. 8 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:36,080 Verse 8 it says. Now there were in the same 9 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:37,480 country. Shepherds. 10 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:40,560 Living out in the fields, keeping. 11 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:45,560 Watch over their flock. By night, and behold, an Angel 12 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:46,600 of the Lord. Stood. 13 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:49,320 Before them and the. Glory of the Lord. 14 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:51,960 Is shown around them and they were. 15 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:56,120 Greatly afraid. Then the Angel said to them, do 16 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:58,040 not. Be afraid for behold. 17 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:01,720 I bring you good tidings of great joy. 18 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:06,280 Which will be to all people, for there is. 19 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:09,480 Born to you this day in the City of David. 20 00:01:09,960 --> 00:01:14,760 A Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to 21 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:17,120 you. He will find a babe wrapped in 22 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:21,640 swaddling clothes, lying in a Manger and suddenly. 23 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:26,600 There was with the. Angel now a multitude of the 24 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:29,680 heavenly host, praising God and saying. 25 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:33,680 Glory to. God in the highest and on earth, 26 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:38,280 peace, goodwill toward men. We'll, we'll stop there. 27 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:41,600 For now and come. Back to this story I hope you 28 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:45,880 never tire of. Hearing this incredible moment 29 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:49,960 captured in scripture given to. Us of the very. 30 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:56,360 First Christmas where Jesus, the fulfillment of God's promise to 31 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:59,040 send a savior and a Messiah, came. 32 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:03,000 Just as he said he would. And became unto. 33 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,720 US A. Savior, I love this particular 34 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:11,080 telling of the. Story because it overlaps 2 of. 35 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:13,680 The great moments in. Scripture throughout Scripture. 36 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:17,280 And that is simply the revelation of God. 37 00:02:17,960 --> 00:02:20,320 Overlapped with the. Response of man of. 38 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:22,480 Course we just saw. That, in our reading, it was. 39 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:25,880 A great. Revelation as seemingly heaven 40 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:30,080 opened up and a messenger in the form of an Angel gave the 41 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:34,120 revelation of God's redemptive plan in sending his son. 42 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:39,400 And then there is a response to the glory and goodness of God as 43 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:42,400 seen in And there will be continued responses as we. 44 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:45,280 Go through the story, but that is. 45 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:50,320 In a sense going to be captured for some of you if you exchange 46 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:51,080 gifts. I think it's a. 47 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:53,560 Great tradition tomorrow morning, children. 48 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:56,840 You've waited this whole time you've you've seen the presents 49 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:57,520 under the. Tree. 50 00:02:57,520 --> 00:02:58,880 You've asked. You've waited. 51 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:04,560 And tomorrow there will be a symbolic recapturing of these 52 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:07,800 two great moments, revelation and response. 53 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:11,280 That is the revelation of what's behind the wrapping, when it 54 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:14,160 opens and as I get. Older father. 55 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:17,120 Of children, I now love the moment where the response 56 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:19,080 happens. How will you respond to the gift 57 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:22,600 that is given? I heard a story recently of a 58 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:25,280 grandfather. Who put a? 59 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:29,320 Present under the tree for his grandson, a young boy opens. 60 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:31,520 It up with great. Excitement, longing for the day 61 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:33,240 that finally arrived where he could open it up. 62 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:35,640 And he finds the under the wrapping is a box. 63 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:38,960 And he opens the box and he finds a Bible with his name 64 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,800 inscribed on it, his very first Bible given to him as a gift 65 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:43,800 from his grandfather. He pulls it out of the. 66 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:47,720 Box and opens it up and starts looking through the pages and 67 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:52,480 the grandfather says you're you've got it upside down and he 68 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:55,760 says oh, I'm not reading it yet. I'm looking to see if you put 69 00:03:55,760 --> 00:04:01,520 any money in here and Christmas through the eyes of a child in 70 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:05,080 ways that some some ways. Tell of. 71 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:07,400 All of our hearts and you know now that we're adults. 72 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:10,160 We're too sophisticated to. Give a response to gifts like 73 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:13,360 that you all know how to fake it and like it and and pretend that 74 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:15,400 everything you got is everything you wanted but the. 75 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:20,120 Reality is. Our response can sometimes be 76 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:24,240 less than complete satisfaction and joy in the goodness of God 77 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:27,120 for these moments. All of this can turn into 78 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:31,600 traditions on the road to the thing you really want and. 79 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:35,680 Today we will look. At this amazing reality that 80 00:04:35,840 --> 00:04:38,760 opening a present is a small symbol. 81 00:04:39,280 --> 00:04:42,280 Of the. Revelation of God-given to us in 82 00:04:42,280 --> 00:04:46,960 this incredible story. The good news as it unfolds. 83 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:50,720 This this this story is that this. 84 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:55,520 Is not unique to this moment in Scripture that God wants to 85 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:58,840 reveal Himself to humanity. Throughout the. 86 00:04:58,840 --> 00:05:00,800 Christmas Story. In fact, we could have picked a 87 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:03,880 number of moments in the Christmas story. 88 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:08,560 Where it is clear. That God is revealing Himself 89 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:12,360 sovereignly and purposefully to all of mankind. 90 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:15,800 You'll remember earlier in the. Gospel of Luke. 91 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:20,120 Mary has an encounter with an Angel named Gabriel in which he 92 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:23,240 tells her God's plan for her. Specific. 93 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:26,800 Role in the coming Savior. In the Gospel of Matthew, there 94 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:29,760 is a messenger sent to Joseph. To reveal God's. 95 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:33,920 Plan for Mary and. Joseph to take her as his wife, 96 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:36,080 as the the story. Will continue. 97 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:39,480 The nativity scene will include wise men from the East who get a 98 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:43,560 revelation in the sky. God wanting to organize ways for 99 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:46,760 the message. Of his love to get out to all 100 00:05:46,760 --> 00:05:48,720 people. And that is true now. 101 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:53,040 God is a God. Who wants to reveal? 102 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:56,000 Himself to each. And every one of us. 103 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:57,960 And the message may. Stop there for. 104 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:00,240 Some of you thinking that you're here. 105 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:03,240 As a favor or a social grace to a. 106 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:05,880 Friend or family member, you're joining them, There'll be a 107 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:08,440 photo op and then the real. Festivities will start later. 108 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:10,400 No, God wants to. Speak to you too. 109 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,840 God has a. Purpose and a plan to reveal 110 00:06:14,840 --> 00:06:16,880 himself to. Every. 111 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:21,240 Person and the great news is that he reveals himself with a 112 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:25,200 message of good news and great joy. 113 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:27,800 And once again, we can. Pause before. 114 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:30,760 We get to some of the responses of the revelation of God. 115 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:36,240 That are worth our copying, let us pause at the. 116 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:39,080 First response as we. Already read it. 117 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,960 Says in verse 10, the Angel said to them, don't be afraid. 118 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:48,360 And that is where many people. Stop in the revelations of God 119 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:51,520 as you find in a storyline of Scripture. 120 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:54,440 Where the glory? Of God, as we're seeing in this 121 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:57,280 in this story when the. Glory of God. 122 00:06:57,280 --> 00:07:00,760 Is on display. Seemingly, the heavens open up 123 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:02,720 to proclaim the glory. Of God. 124 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:07,840 It is almost a constant theme that the initial human response 125 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:11,240 is not let's. Take a photo. 126 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:15,960 In front of this magical moment and hang it on our fridge that 127 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:19,840 the normal human response. Is that of fear. 128 00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:23,520 Which makes perfect sense theologically, whether you know 129 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:24,640 it or not. We are. 130 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:29,240 Proclaiming that the perfect and holy and faithful and just and 131 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:30,160 righteous. God. 132 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:35,480 Is sending His Son to redeem unrighteous, unjust, sinful 133 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:37,120 humanity. There is a divide. 134 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:40,160 That our senses know that. If you get too close to the 135 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:41,720 glory. Of God, your natural response 136 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:43,400 should. Very well be fear. 137 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:47,960 But that is not. What the revelation of this 138 00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:51,200 story? Wants to proclaim this morning 139 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:53,000 that some are called and some aren't. 140 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:56,160 I heard another. Story of the Great. 141 00:07:56,400 --> 00:08:00,440 English preacher Charles Spurgeon, 19th century he had a 142 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:04,320 famous Christmas Eve sermon that he gave in which he told a story 143 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:07,000 that happened just. Earlier that week as a. 144 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:09,400 Special offering was made. For a particular. 145 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:13,080 Widow and poor woman of their church, where he was going to 146 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:16,400 bring her the funds necessary. To help her at the. 147 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:19,080 Time of year that can sometimes be taxi and they also brought. 148 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:20,560 Some food. Just to bless her. 149 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:22,960 And he comes to her door and knocks on the door and she 150 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:26,080 doesn't answer. So he waits and knocks again. 151 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:27,320 And again. She doesn't answer. 152 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:29,480 And he doesn't. See her until that very 153 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:32,799 Christmas Eve service. She comes and he says. 154 00:08:32,799 --> 00:08:34,799 To her. I came to your house, but you 155 00:08:34,799 --> 00:08:36,720 didn't open the door, she said. When did you come? 156 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:39,640 He said just. The other day I came, she said. 157 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:40,320 What time? He said. 158 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:42,240 I came around noon. She said. 159 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:45,800 Oh I heard you knocking but I thought it was my landlord 160 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:48,040 coming to collect. The debt that I. 161 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:51,400 Owe and I don't have and this is the. 162 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:54,480 Perfect story. For this moment in the first 163 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:55,720 response that. All of us have. 164 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:58,920 When we consider the glory and the goodness of. 165 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:02,960 God, our first response. Is that of unworthy, and Even 166 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:03,640 so. Far. 167 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:09,080 As skepticism that God is not actually coming into your. 168 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:12,080 World this day to bless your life. 169 00:09:12,560 --> 00:09:15,720 But he's actually coming to demand things of your life. 170 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:17,840 So some of you don't come to church often. 171 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:21,000 Some of you are are here and you you may not come back and and 172 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:23,880 and something happening in. Your heart of hearts. 173 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:28,800 Is that you may consider that participating in the family of 174 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:30,960 God, the church setting and listening to sermons and 175 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:34,240 applying them to your life, there is a sneaky suspicion that 176 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:36,240 you have that it actually wouldn't be good for your life. 177 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:39,440 That that. God actually sends the preacher 178 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:42,120 into your life. To tell you all about. 179 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:45,440 His commandments and his demands and his rules and his rituals 180 00:09:45,560 --> 00:09:46,880 and to. Require a debt. 181 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:48,560 Of your life and you say I'd rather not open. 182 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:52,960 But This is why this story is so. 183 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:59,080 Powerful, the Angel says. Don't be afraid, because Jesus 184 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:02,200 does come into your world to open the door of your heart. 185 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:05,000 And it is not bad news, it's not burdensome news. 186 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:10,560 It's actually good tidings, which means it's great news and 187 00:10:10,560 --> 00:10:13,320 it's good tidings or great news of. 188 00:10:13,680 --> 00:10:16,120 Great joy, this. Is a message. 189 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:20,280 That, if true, will radically. Change every. 190 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:22,800 Person's life who? Experiences this message. 191 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:26,200 Received the same. Way this woman would have 192 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:30,280 received opening the door. It's a message to say. 193 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:32,240 Yes, you're in debt and we've come. 194 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:35,600 To pay the debt. Yes, you need help, and you need 195 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:38,680 help lifting the burden. The point is Jesus. 196 00:10:38,680 --> 00:10:41,800 Doesn't come to demand from you, he comes to give. 197 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:44,400 To you SO. Fear not. 198 00:10:44,880 --> 00:10:48,000 This would be the great joy if you and could relate to this 199 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:49,520 story. At all and the phone is wrong 200 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:52,080 and you know that it's someone asking for money that you don't 201 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:56,440 have that is a small. Picture a parable of your life. 202 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:00,280 To help you understand the theological predicament we're 203 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:03,120 all in. There is a God. 204 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:07,360 Who we are in debt to that no matter. 205 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:11,320 How you believe the debt works? In the form of karma, doing more 206 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:15,000 good than than bad, trying your best to work more than you've 207 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:18,440 than you've taken the. Scales are always tipped. 208 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:22,680 Against you and Jesus comes into the world with a message. 209 00:11:22,680 --> 00:11:24,240 Of joy. Why? 210 00:11:24,560 --> 00:11:28,840 Because it says for this. Day is born to you verse 11 211 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:31,720 Christ the. Lord the Savior. 212 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:36,240 Matthew will complement this as the Angel tells Joseph, call his 213 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:38,160 name Jesus, because he will. Save you. 214 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:43,160 From your sins he has come to. Pay the debt. 215 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:48,760 The incarnation will in fact turn into the resurrection. 216 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:52,920 The Manger only matters as much as the empty tomb. 217 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:56,560 Is a reality. And I'll remind you John 316, a 218 00:11:56,560 --> 00:11:58,440 verse that could. Easily be preached today, for 219 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:00,880 God so loved the world. He sent his son to be born in a 220 00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:02,880 Manger. That whoever. 221 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:05,920 Believes in him. That he is a savior with the 222 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:11,400 power to pay the debt the. Penalty of sin is death, but let 223 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:15,800 you be reminded also of what John 317 says, for God did not 224 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:17,800 send his Son into the world to condemn the world. 225 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:22,480 But that through. Him the world might be saved. 226 00:12:22,680 --> 00:12:27,000 This is. Great news of joy and the 227 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:30,680 messages. Good joy for all people. 228 00:12:30,680 --> 00:12:33,480 The Revelation. Is a revelation of God's love 229 00:12:33,680 --> 00:12:36,960 and the scope. Of God's love is to all people. 230 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:39,880 And what better way? For God to get. 231 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:43,640 That message across than by his interesting choice of who the 232 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:46,720 messengers would be. If you come back for Easter, 233 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:50,000 you'll know that Jesus, Jesus in the empty tomb, had some 234 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:51,640 scandalous witnesses as the first. 235 00:12:51,640 --> 00:12:52,880 People to. Declare him alive. 236 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:56,720 They were women, and as much as modern times have advanced the 237 00:12:56,720 --> 00:13:00,480 status of women, in ancient times women did not make legal 238 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:04,040 witnesses. An interesting choice as the 239 00:13:04,040 --> 00:13:05,760 first witnesses to the empty tomb. 240 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:09,720 And now we have an interesting choice as the first witnesses to 241 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:13,960 God sending his Son. He has chosen shepherds, so we 242 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:15,800 don't have. A lot of. 243 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:17,920 Sheep herding in our valley anymore. 244 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:19,840 And maybe we have some shepherds among us. 245 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:21,440 I'm sure you'll you'll tell me if you are. 246 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:26,120 But in ancient times, shepherds were considered the very lowest 247 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:28,320 rung of the ladder. Of the social class. 248 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:30,760 In fact. Legally a shepherd. 249 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:35,120 'S witness would not count in court because they were known to 250 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:39,680 be untrustworthy people. And it is not that the message 251 00:13:39,680 --> 00:13:41,920 was supposed to be invalidated by the shepherds. 252 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:44,600 The message was supposed to be confirmed that it is in fact. 253 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:47,840 To the least of these the shepherds. 254 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:50,200 Fulfilling the promise of. Isaiah, that those. 255 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:53,880 Sitting in darkness have now seen a great light as they were 256 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:56,160 in the. Dark of the field that they 257 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:57,240 were. Hurting their. 258 00:13:57,240 --> 00:14:00,560 Sheep, the shepherds. Themselves turn into messengers. 259 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:05,240 Of the Savior of the world, to prove to all of us that this is 260 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:09,200 for all people. So once again, lest you think 261 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:13,600 that you're here not really as a religious person that you're 262 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:16,160 here, you know, and and the people you know are kind of the. 263 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:18,160 Church goers, but this? This message doesn't really 264 00:14:18,160 --> 00:14:19,040 apply to you. The. 265 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:22,520 Revelation of God is. For you today, yes, you. 266 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:25,000 And one of. The ways that we're. 267 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:28,920 Breaking the tradition in. Fact is that you. 268 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:31,320 Actually don't need to come listen to a preacher. 269 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:34,000 With a with a. Suit coat standing on a stage of 270 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:36,920 flowers in this well lit sanctuary to hear the message. 271 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:39,600 The whole point is he comes first to the darkness of a 272 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:42,920 field. It is to the scope of all 273 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:47,200 people, to the place of all people, that is. 274 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:49,920 How the revelation is meant to be received. 275 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:56,280 Young and old, rich and poor, he will later send. 276 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:59,560 Gifts through. Wise Magi and he'll. 277 00:14:59,560 --> 00:15:03,000 Start with Shepherds. This is a message that radically 278 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:05,520 changed the world. Because it is for all people. 279 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:09,040 There is never one time as a. Preacher of the. 280 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:12,640 Good news message that I have to qualify the audience. 281 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:16,520 I never have to tell the ushers, you know, make sure certain 282 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:19,160 people don't come in because I'm about to give a message of. 283 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:23,240 God's love. That turns into salvation and 284 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:26,160 newness of life. It is always. 285 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:29,080 For everyone. So you are here. 286 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:33,680 To hear that and that is the. Scope of. 287 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:36,760 Who this message is For now, consider how the revelation 288 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:39,840 comes. The revelation comes very simply 289 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:41,800 as the story continues in what can. 290 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:45,320 Only be described as. Glorious humility. 291 00:15:45,760 --> 00:15:51,280 Consider these two competing statuses given to us starting in 292 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:53,280 verse. 12 It says this will be the. 293 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:56,080 Sign to you. You will find a babe wrapped in 294 00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:59,000 swaddling clothes lying in a Manger. 295 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:07,840 God Incarnate. God sends His Son encoded into 296 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:12,240 human DNA. Paul will say. 297 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:16,040 Have this mind in in you which was also in Christ, who did not 298 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:18,360 consider. Equality with God. 299 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:22,520 A thing to be clung to. He emptied himself of his divine 300 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:25,840 nature. And how? 301 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:31,720 Does he come? In a Manger, they say. 302 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:32,920 These are the. Three things to look. 303 00:16:32,920 --> 00:16:35,520 For a baby. Swaddling clothes and a Manger. 304 00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:40,000 The 1st 2 are not very descriptive of a unique thing. 305 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:43,400 Many people are born at all times of the year. 306 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:45,600 There's probably someone born today. 307 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:47,400 In fact. I know the Seth who led us in 308 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:49,720 worship was in fact born on December 24th. 309 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:52,400 It's his birthday today. So say you know Merry Christmas 310 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:55,640 to him with a wink. The fact. 311 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:57,000 That a baby was born is not unique. 312 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:59,760 The fact that a baby is born and then put in swaddling cloth. 313 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,720 Not unique, just very common. We do it to this day. 314 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,280 Wrap the baby. Up keep him warm, let him sleep 315 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:09,880 the uniqueness is the humility that the. 316 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:13,560 Baby would be. Found laying amongst the 317 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:16,599 barnyard animals in a feeding through. 318 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:24,200 The glory of God, humbled to the lowest of the low, that is how. 319 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:29,200 Christ enters the world and it's described as glorious humility. 320 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:34,240 Because look what it. Says in the very next verse and 321 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:36,240 suddenly. There was with the. 322 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:40,880 Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and 323 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:44,760 saying glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace and 324 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:48,560 goodwill towards men in in in one moment the humility of God 325 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:52,040 is on display and sending him to a Manger and not a mansion and 326 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:55,360 with in almost a spontaneous form of worship as the heavens 327 00:17:55,360 --> 00:17:57,960 open up. It is the glory of the heavenly 328 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:03,680 hosts, the It's not one Angel. It is countless angels that 329 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:06,520 break into a song of worship and. 330 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:11,080 Praise this is. The glorious king that we're 331 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:15,120 celebrating now this. Is the God who humbled himself 332 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:19,520 to. Come into our world and still 333 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:23,480 humbles himself now to come into each and every one of your 334 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:25,640 worlds, in your heart and in your mind. 335 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:31,360 Who will receive him? He comes to all people, and He 336 00:18:31,360 --> 00:18:35,440 comes with glorious humility. And here is now the revelation 337 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:39,760 that demands a response. If you will receive that this 338 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:41,800 is. Good news, and you will go 339 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:45,120 beyond the fear that sometimes keeps you from coming into the 340 00:18:45,120 --> 00:18:48,560 light we now see in this story. The. 341 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:52,160 Beautiful responses that are worth our attention. 342 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:55,920 It says in verse 15. So it was when the angels had 343 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:58,200 gone away from them into heaven. That the Shepherd. 344 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:01,640 Said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this 345 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:04,800 thing that has come to pass. Which the Lord? 346 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:08,640 Has made known to us. I want to point out once again 347 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:11,960 that when we talk about the revelation of this message, when 348 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:15,120 we talk about God sending his Son to proclaim His love, 349 00:19:16,360 --> 00:19:17,920 notice. The Shepherds. 350 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:20,880 Did not call this a message from angels. 351 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:23,440 They didn't call it a message from. 352 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:27,200 Choirs, they said. Let us go see. 353 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:29,840 This message that has been made known. 354 00:19:29,840 --> 00:19:34,760 To us which the. Lord has given us, and I want 355 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:35,560 to. Assure you. 356 00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:39,280 Each and everyone of you that this is not a message from a 357 00:19:39,280 --> 00:19:42,280 preacher. He can use my voice and my 358 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:43,120 feeble. Words. 359 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:46,800 This is not a message that comes to you through, you know, 360 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:49,000 Christmas movies and stories and parables. 361 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,640 This is a message that is. God gets a hold of your heart. 362 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:55,600 He uses the devices to get a hold of you because He. 363 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:59,880 Wants to reveal. Himself to you God. 364 00:20:00,120 --> 00:20:05,400 Wants to know you, and God wants you to know him. 365 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:09,880 And then it says, And they came with haste, and found Mary and 366 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:12,920 Joseph, and the babe lying in a Manger. 367 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:17,200 Just. What they were looking for, and 368 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:20,560 now when they had seen him, they made widely known the saying 369 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:24,000 which was told them concerning. This child, this is. 370 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:27,240 A beginning point for us to begin to take notice. 371 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:32,760 You have now sat under the revelation of the redemptive 372 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:36,560 plan of God to send His Son into the world. 373 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:40,720 To give you life. Through this message and one of 374 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:42,280 the ways, we can begin to take note. 375 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:44,960 Is that these shepherds had their lives radically. 376 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:48,600 Changed and it did not live in a moment of time. 377 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:53,120 They immediately went and they saw and they confirmed and then 378 00:20:53,120 --> 00:20:56,840 it says they went everywhere proclaiming and that will be one 379 00:20:56,840 --> 00:20:58,040 of the. Ways that you live. 380 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:03,160 In the response of this message, you will become someone who 381 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:06,240 cannot help but allow the message of God to become the 382 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:09,760 message. Of your life that his love. 383 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:12,680 Will now come to define who you are. 384 00:21:14,120 --> 00:21:18,160 And as the shepherds proclaim all that they saw and heard, we 385 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:20,880 now see 3 responses in the following. 386 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:26,040 Verses that is the. Beginning in the middle and the 387 00:21:26,040 --> 00:21:28,680 progression of this story, it says in verse 18. 388 00:21:29,960 --> 00:21:32,040 And all who heard. The proclamation of the 389 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:35,240 Shepherds. They marvelled at the things 390 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:37,960 which were told. Them by the shepherds. 391 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:40,200 This is a. Great. 392 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:45,760 Place to begin to respond to the revelation of God's love in your 393 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:47,840 life. It says. 394 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:51,960 They simply marvelled, other translations say. 395 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:53,880 That the people who. Hear this message. 396 00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:59,280 We're amazed, in wonder, impressed. 397 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:03,720 Stopped. And they saw something that 398 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:05,520 grabbed a hold of their attention. 399 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:10,000 You know, we just sang a song, one of my favorite Christmas 400 00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:12,640 songs, Joy to the World. And it's it's a song that's so 401 00:22:12,640 --> 00:22:15,840 depth in in its message. That I still. 402 00:22:16,640 --> 00:22:18,280 Can be blown. Away by the lyrics, year by 403 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:20,560 year. Listen to one of the. 404 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:23,800 Lyrics It says joy to the world. He rules the world. 405 00:22:24,440 --> 00:22:28,400 With truth and grace and makes the nation's prove. 406 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:33,040 The glories. Of his righteousness and the 407 00:22:33,040 --> 00:22:36,080 wonders of his love. We sing it over and over again. 408 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:40,120 The wonders. Of his love, that is what it. 409 00:22:40,120 --> 00:22:46,200 Means to marvel. That God loves you. 410 00:22:47,320 --> 00:22:49,800 And you're meant to to to wonder at that the. 411 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:54,400 Wonderful, marvelous love of God is supposed to radically. 412 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:59,640 Change your life. Have you ever marveled? 413 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:04,000 At the love of God if this story is real. 414 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:07,680 A moment in history. Where God so loved the world. 415 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:10,640 That he entered into. The story. 416 00:23:11,520 --> 00:23:16,480 What a wonderful message. What a marvelous, amazing thing. 417 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:18,800 That the God who? Created heaven and earth. 418 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:22,400 Would declare his love for you, so it. 419 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:26,080 Begins with marveling and then it says in verse 19. 420 00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:30,240 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 421 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:32,760 And this is the progression of the message. 422 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:36,480 It starts with amazement and wonder, but it cannot end there. 423 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:39,840 Mary is now given to us as an example of another response of 424 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:42,440 the revelation that must. Happen for this to. 425 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:44,280 Change your life. It goes. 426 00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:49,400 From the mind to the heart, she takes all of these things and it 427 00:23:49,400 --> 00:23:53,560 says she just ponders them. She considers them. 428 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:57,000 Think about all she had to consider as the story unfolds 429 00:23:57,000 --> 00:23:59,560 around her. Earlier, Gabriel said that she 430 00:23:59,560 --> 00:24:01,920 would be. Holding this child and 431 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:03,160 conceived. By the Holy Spirit. 432 00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:04,760 And it would. Be the Son of God. 433 00:24:04,760 --> 00:24:07,440 She must be thinking, What does this mean? 434 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:11,680 Elizabeth. Earlier she meets her cousin and 435 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:13,520 she's still pregnant and her cousin. 436 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:18,400 Says this is the, this is the. This is my Lord inside of you. 437 00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:22,400 The Lord. Of people's lives inside of her 438 00:24:23,520 --> 00:24:25,960 Now the shepherds are showing up and they've been confirmed 439 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:29,120 shepherds rush in she's just giving birth and saying. 440 00:24:29,480 --> 00:24:31,600 This is the savior. Of the world and Mary's just 441 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:34,600 taking everything and putting them in her heart. 442 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:39,480 Other translations say she treasures these things. 443 00:24:40,520 --> 00:24:43,680 She takes this beautiful. Confirmation, these revelations 444 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:47,360 given to her moment by moment, and she just continually puts 445 00:24:47,360 --> 00:24:49,920 them in her heart. And if year after? 446 00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:52,680 Year as she's. Raising this young child, she's 447 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:54,720 got a treasure in her heart that she's holding on to. 448 00:24:56,280 --> 00:25:00,000 This is one of the most important things you'll ever 449 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:05,040 hear on Christmas. It's not meant to live in this 450 00:25:05,040 --> 00:25:09,440 moment. You are not meant to impress. 451 00:25:09,440 --> 00:25:12,600 God with your. Nice clothing and your 452 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:15,440 commitment to to come and remember him once a year. 453 00:25:15,640 --> 00:25:18,960 This is supposed to. Live inside of your heart. 454 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:23,400 How many of you have seen the signs that say keep Christ in 455 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:25,400 Christmas? I think it's a great sign or 456 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:26,920 message or however you've seen it. 457 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:31,080 And of course we should keep Christ in Christmas because we, 458 00:25:31,080 --> 00:25:33,280 and we need that reminder, especially in the busyness of 459 00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:34,640 our culture. And there's so much on the 460 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:37,320 plate, and you've got, you know, plans you're making and food and 461 00:25:37,320 --> 00:25:40,520 gifts and trappings and programs and there's so much that can 462 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:44,080 happen that we can forget. Christ all together, so please 463 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:45,720 keep. Christ in Christmas, you're 464 00:25:45,720 --> 00:25:46,840 doing that now. Great job. 465 00:25:48,560 --> 00:25:51,120 What I I'd like to propose that the day after. 466 00:25:51,120 --> 00:25:54,840 Christmas We should put up a new sign that says don't leave 467 00:25:54,840 --> 00:25:59,600 Christ in Christmas. We treat him like the Garland. 468 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:01,800 It goes in the box and up in the attic and we'll take. 469 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:05,520 It out next year. Ponder this all in your heart. 470 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:12,200 Allow him to radically change. Your life. 471 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:16,600 And that turns into verse 20. Then the shepherd's returned, 472 00:26:16,880 --> 00:26:20,520 glorifying and praising. God for all the. 473 00:26:20,520 --> 00:26:25,160 Things that they had heard. And here is the revelation of 474 00:26:25,160 --> 00:26:30,440 God in the responses in full from marveling in the wonders. 475 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:33,160 Of God's love. To considering and treasuring 476 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:35,960 God's love in your life. To becoming a person. 477 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:39,000 Who lives your? Life under the praise and the 478 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:43,120 glory. Of God the Shepherd. 479 00:26:43,120 --> 00:26:47,480 'S came and proclaimed him. They praised him. 480 00:26:48,120 --> 00:26:51,640 They gave. Glory to His name and for some 481 00:26:51,640 --> 00:26:54,200 of you that's the the exact reason you're here. 482 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:58,160 For others of you, until you come to this moment. 483 00:26:59,360 --> 00:27:04,320 Then Jesus is just a story. It may be a true story, maybe a 484 00:27:04,320 --> 00:27:07,880 good story, maybe a story you respect, but until you praise 485 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:13,600 Him and glorify him not as a babe in a Manger but as a king 486 00:27:13,880 --> 00:27:20,600 of eternity, then nothing will actually change. 487 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:27,000 And So what we're going to do now is take one final moment to 488 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:30,520 allow these responses a moment in your life. 489 00:27:32,080 --> 00:27:35,480 Some of you are. Probably still in the stage of. 490 00:27:37,120 --> 00:27:40,200 The widow behind the door, not wanting to come into the light, 491 00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:42,400 lest. God, get a hold of your life. 492 00:27:43,560 --> 00:27:48,040 Receive the great joy today. Join us like a choir of angels. 493 00:27:49,320 --> 00:27:53,880 Join us in in wondering and marveling in the love of God if 494 00:27:53,880 --> 00:27:55,280 you'd like to do that. All you have to do is. 495 00:27:56,400 --> 00:27:57,880 Take that candle and let it be lit. 496 00:27:59,880 --> 00:28:02,240 Let the light of God invade your life as a. 497 00:28:02,240 --> 00:28:04,240 Representation of that candle. For for. 498 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:07,160 Others of us, we need to ponder once again, God, what does this 499 00:28:07,160 --> 00:28:13,080 mean for my life and now let's just take a moment for all of us 500 00:28:13,080 --> 00:28:16,040 to to praise and. Glorify God. 501 00:28:17,080 --> 00:28:22,880 In a final word, in between the Manger in the cross. 502 00:28:22,920 --> 00:28:26,880 Jesus will gather his disciples together and say, let your 503 00:28:26,880 --> 00:28:28,640 light. So shine before men, that they 504 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:31,440 may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 505 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:35,800 As we light these candles, it will be a. 506 00:28:35,800 --> 00:28:38,760 Picture of that very. First Christmas morning where 507 00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:40,720 light invaded and then it spread. 508 00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:44,120 Everywhere let your light. So shine. 509 00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:46,960 If you've received the. Revelation that God. 510 00:28:46,960 --> 00:28:50,720 So loved you. That He sent his Son into your 511 00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:54,000 world to take away the penalty of sin and give you newness of 512 00:28:54,000 --> 00:28:58,040 life. Let your light so shine and 513 00:28:58,040 --> 00:29:02,320 spread like. Wildfire, thanks for joining us 514 00:29:02,320 --> 00:29:04,120 today. If you would like to watch the 515 00:29:04,120 --> 00:29:06,680 full service, check out the link in the description. 516 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:10,920 For next steps and to learn more, visit calvaryboise.com.