WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.060 Merry Christmas. 00:00:01.640 --> 00:00:02.419 Merry Christmas. 00:00:03.640 --> 00:00:08.640 Well done for getting up this morning and getting here. 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:11.040 We're so happy that you're here to worship with us. 00:00:11.160 --> 00:00:12.179 Can I invite you to stand? 00:00:19.719 --> 00:00:21.000 Let's bow our heads in prayer. 00:00:21.780 --> 00:00:25.400 Father Lord, we thank you for this Christmas morning. 00:00:25.980 --> 00:00:27.379 We thank you that you are Lord 00:00:27.379 --> 00:00:31.259 and that we can come and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this morning 00:00:31.259 --> 00:00:32.320 together as a family. 00:00:34.259 --> 00:00:36.479 Father, we just want to bring you glory. 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:37.560 We want to bring you praise. 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:41.299 And we just pray that Lord as we sing the songs this morning 00:00:41.299 --> 00:00:42.719 that they will be more than songs, 00:00:43.100 --> 00:00:45.560 that they will be a fragrant offering to you. 00:00:46.239 --> 00:00:47.960 We thank you and we pray in Jesus' name. 00:00:48.299 --> 00:00:48.599 Amen. 00:00:52.060 --> 00:00:55.099 Hi, my name is Caitlin Miller. 00:00:55.100 --> 00:00:58.520 This is my dad, Pastor Tobin. 00:00:58.840 --> 00:01:00.980 This is my mom, Christina. 00:01:01.700 --> 00:01:04.620 These are my sisters, Rachel and Rebecca. 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:09.420 This is my brother, Kip. 00:01:10.180 --> 00:01:13.340 Last but not least, this is my grandmother, Nana. 00:01:13.340 --> 00:01:14.340 This is my dad. 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:15.340 Thank you. 00:01:15.340 --> 00:01:15.400 Thank you. 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:15.719 Thank you. 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:15.780 Thank you. 00:01:18.820 --> 00:01:22.079 This is the final day of Advent, Christmas Day. 00:01:22.520 --> 00:01:25.900 Each week of Advent, we've been preparing to celebrate Jesus' birth 00:01:25.900 --> 00:01:30.140 by lighting a candle and focusing on different themes of Christ's coming. 00:01:30.520 --> 00:01:34.460 In this process, we have lit the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love. 00:01:34.459 --> 00:01:38.179 Today, we celebrate the birth of Jesus by lighting the Christ candle. 00:01:38.819 --> 00:01:42.419 While each of the different aspects of Jesus' birth that we have celebrated during this season, 00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:44.519 hope, peace, joy, and love are good, 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:48.019 they and them of themselves are not ultimately what we celebrate. 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:53.599 Ultimately, we celebrate Christ, God who became a man, lived a perfect life, 00:01:54.179 --> 00:01:58.479 died to pay the penalty we owe for our sins, and rose again in victory over death. 00:01:59.019 --> 00:02:02.819 Because apart from this, we would not truly know any of these other good things. 00:02:02.819 --> 00:02:07.559 The gift of Christ is not just something that was available to people 2,000 years ago, 00:02:07.759 --> 00:02:10.719 but something which is freely offered to us today as well. 00:02:11.159 --> 00:02:12.879 Although Jesus has returned to heaven, 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:16.459 he has given us a promise that he will one day come to the earth again 00:02:16.459 --> 00:02:18.479 to bring his followers to be with him forever. 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:22.639 And until that day, he will be with his people wherever they go. 00:02:25.079 --> 00:02:29.180 Please join us for the scripture reading found in John 14, 1-4. 00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:31.120 The words are on your screen behind me. 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:35.379 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:37.360 Believe in God. 00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:39.520 Believe also in me. 00:02:40.020 --> 00:02:42.920 In my Father's house there are many rooms. 00:02:43.539 --> 00:02:45.120 If it were not so, 00:02:45.560 --> 00:02:47.020 would I have told you 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:50.099 that I go to prepare a place for you. 00:02:50.099 --> 00:02:54.199 And if I go and prepare a place for you, 00:02:54.359 --> 00:02:57.919 I will come again and will take yourself. 00:02:58.919 --> 00:03:00.240 That's where I am. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:01.579 You are also. 00:03:02.259 --> 00:03:04.740 And you are on the way to where I am. 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:09.840 And in Matthew 28, 20, we find this. 00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:13.900 And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. 00:03:13.900 --> 00:03:16.260 Please pray with us. 00:03:16.700 --> 00:03:18.760 Dear Father, thank you for Jesus, 00:03:19.200 --> 00:03:21.360 the perfect gift that you gave to us. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:24.560 We celebrate the fact that through Jesus, 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:27.099 our ultimate need in life, 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:30.140 a restored relationship with you has been met. 00:03:30.599 --> 00:03:32.040 Thank you that even today, 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:33.540 Jesus remains with us, 00:03:33.980 --> 00:03:35.219 guiding us in our lives, 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:37.780 and that one day he will return 00:03:37.780 --> 00:03:38.939 to bring his followers 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:41.879 to be with him forever. 00:03:42.379 --> 00:03:44.800 God, we love you and praise you. 00:03:45.120 --> 00:03:46.199 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:46.639 Amen. 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:51.719 Before you're seated, 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:52.740 will you turn around 00:03:52.740 --> 00:03:54.939 and just wish somebody a Merry Christmas 00:03:54.939 --> 00:03:56.740 and welcome them to the house of the Lord? 00:03:57.699 --> 00:04:00.000 I'm going to try something 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:03.120 that we've never tried before. 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:05.280 And so what I would like to do 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:07.740 is I'm on, so we'll try it. 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:09.580 I'd like to ask all the kiddos 00:04:09.580 --> 00:04:10.900 to come up here, please. 00:04:14.300 --> 00:04:15.439 And just sit down right here. 00:04:20.939 --> 00:04:21.340 Wow. 00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:23.980 Test, test, test, test, test, test. 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:25.699 Okay. 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:27.139 How you guys doing? 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:31.639 Hey, okay, so this is going to be very special 00:04:31.639 --> 00:04:33.639 because we're not having kids class today. 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:36.819 So I need you guys to be really good 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:37.899 and help me on this, okay? 00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:40.219 Because I need a lot of help, okay? 00:04:41.659 --> 00:04:44.180 Okay, so this is what we're going to do. 00:04:44.360 --> 00:04:45.539 I have some questions, 00:04:46.219 --> 00:04:47.000 and if you answer, 00:04:47.099 --> 00:04:47.479 hey, Timothy, 00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:49.139 watch out for the candles right there, okay? 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:50.120 Okay. 00:04:51.740 --> 00:04:52.800 Okay, great. 00:04:53.019 --> 00:04:55.219 Okay, so I need some help. 00:04:55.220 --> 00:04:59.540 So somebody told me today was a special day. 00:04:59.660 --> 00:05:00.320 What is today? 00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:02.200 Christmas Day. 00:05:02.640 --> 00:05:03.600 Christmas Day. 00:05:04.580 --> 00:05:05.400 Jesus' birth. 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:06.280 Wow, you guys, 00:05:06.340 --> 00:05:08.120 you can come up and preach afterwards, right? 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:09.640 You can come up and preach. 00:05:09.820 --> 00:05:10.500 Good job. 00:05:10.960 --> 00:05:11.040 What? 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:13.160 Jesus Christ. 00:05:13.400 --> 00:05:14.460 Jesus Christ, right? 00:05:14.520 --> 00:05:16.500 Whenever in church you say Jesus Christ, 00:05:17.020 --> 00:05:18.460 and you'll never get in trouble there, right? 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:19.380 Okay. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:22.519 Okay, so I love Christmas Day 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:23.459 and Christmas holidays 00:05:23.459 --> 00:05:25.699 because there's a lot of symbols. 00:05:25.939 --> 00:05:26.839 You know what a symbol is? 00:05:27.019 --> 00:05:28.860 A lot of things that represent something 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:30.180 about Christmas. 00:05:30.719 --> 00:05:33.100 And so can you show me something around here 00:05:33.100 --> 00:05:34.379 that represents Christmas? 00:05:35.300 --> 00:05:35.480 Ben. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:37.519 Christmas tree. 00:05:38.019 --> 00:05:38.819 Those signs. 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:41.540 It's joy, peace, Christ, love, hope. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:42.740 That's what Jesus came to bring. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:43.500 Okay, Eva. 00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:44.519 Christmas tree. 00:05:44.719 --> 00:05:45.560 Christmas tree. 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:46.040 Excellent. 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:46.899 Tim. 00:05:47.699 --> 00:05:48.159 Candles. 00:05:48.159 --> 00:05:49.100 What do the candles represent? 00:05:49.100 --> 00:05:49.560 Do you know? 00:05:50.220 --> 00:05:50.580 Lights. 00:05:50.820 --> 00:05:51.680 Every Sunday. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:53.120 Every Sunday. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:53.820 Lights, yeah. 00:05:53.900 --> 00:05:54.480 You're really good. 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:55.860 Good, good, good, good, good, good. 00:05:56.220 --> 00:05:57.140 Andrew, what do you see? 00:05:57.160 --> 00:05:58.000 Do you see anything else? 00:06:01.760 --> 00:06:02.160 Presents. 00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:04.660 Okay, so, hey, you know, 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:06.900 you know what my favorite thing about Christmas is? 00:06:07.720 --> 00:06:10.500 No, my favorite thing about Christmas is food. 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:12.860 Have any of you had Christmas food yet? 00:06:14.420 --> 00:06:14.860 No? 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:16.340 Oh, wow. 00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:16.680 Look at me. 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:18.660 Okay, let me do something here. 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:19.580 Cookie. 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:22.439 I have something I need you to help me with, okay? 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:23.520 I have dinner party up. 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:24.240 Wait. 00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:26.420 Can anybody tell me what this is? 00:06:26.640 --> 00:06:26.960 Ten. 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:31.640 Okay, so this has a lot of symbols in it. 00:06:31.720 --> 00:06:33.220 Can anybody tell me one of the symbols? 00:06:33.620 --> 00:06:33.920 Elena. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:39.340 If you turn it upside down, it looks like a J for Jesus. 00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:40.319 Okay, who else? 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:40.660 Elena. 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:44.480 The red represents when Jesus died. 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:45.040 Excellent. 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:48.379 So the red represents Jesus when he died. 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:50.580 He got beat up on the cross in his blood. 00:06:50.920 --> 00:06:52.420 And his blood does what for us? 00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:53.240 Does anybody know that? 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:54.439 Clean our sins. 00:06:54.800 --> 00:06:56.160 Dude, you come up and preach. 00:06:56.300 --> 00:06:57.139 Clean our sins. 00:06:57.300 --> 00:06:58.000 Wash our sins. 00:06:58.340 --> 00:06:58.520 Great. 00:06:58.519 --> 00:07:00.699 Okay, so we got the red and we got the J. 00:07:00.859 --> 00:07:01.279 What else? 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:05.339 White represents what? 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:11.479 White represents Jesus being holy and pure, right? 00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:16.120 And so the white represents he's perfect because white is perfect. 00:07:16.580 --> 00:07:18.340 Any other things about this you can tell me? 00:07:18.340 --> 00:07:18.540 Yes. 00:07:19.379 --> 00:07:20.220 Okay, writer. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:22.140 Shepherd's stick. 00:07:22.640 --> 00:07:23.160 Excellent. 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:25.439 Okay, you are on it, dude. 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:26.780 That's all I know, too. 00:07:27.080 --> 00:07:30.860 So the candy cane is a shepherd's stick. 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:32.220 And what does a shepherd do? 00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:34.200 He's a walking dog. 00:07:34.400 --> 00:07:36.120 Guide his sheep. 00:07:36.200 --> 00:07:37.819 He guides his sheep, right. 00:07:38.160 --> 00:07:40.560 And then he takes the shepherd's up. 00:07:41.540 --> 00:07:41.899 Yes. 00:07:42.139 --> 00:07:43.079 God is our shepherd. 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:43.399 Right. 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:46.959 Okay, so what I'm going to do is I, you don't like candy canes, though, do you? 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:48.439 Just Miland and I are going to eat all these. 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:48.920 Is that okay? 00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:50.620 What? 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:55.480 Okay, so you got to promise me something really special, guys. 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:55.879 Okay? 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:57.759 Holly, can you promise me? 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:59.379 Esri, can you promise me? 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:00.340 Okay. 00:08:00.579 --> 00:08:01.779 Hey, we're going to pray. 00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:04.000 And I want you to pray with me. 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:08.000 And then afterwards, I have candy canes for everybody in here. 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:12.860 But we can't do it all here because then we won't have any more church. 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:14.160 We'll just be eating all the time. 00:08:14.480 --> 00:08:18.420 So I'm going to give some candy canes to some friends, and they're going to help give them to you. 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:20.019 And then we're going to go sit down. 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:24.240 And then after church, you can eat your candy canes. 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:28.579 And if you're really good, I might have some extra candy canes you can come get from me. 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:29.019 Okay? 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:30.540 Is that a deal? 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:31.319 Javi? 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:32.299 Is that a deal? 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:33.480 Okay, Spider-Man. 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:34.480 Okay. 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:37.659 Okay, so let me pray for us, okay? 00:08:38.420 --> 00:08:39.580 And you can pray with me, okay? 00:08:39.940 --> 00:08:44.220 Dear God, thank you for the gift of Jesus. 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:49.860 Thank you for bringing us back to your family. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:52.860 Thank you for bringing us back to your family. 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:58.560 We pray for all our friends who don't know Jesus. 00:08:58.559 --> 00:09:05.359 Help them this season to meet Jesus. 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:08.279 We love you. 00:09:09.539 --> 00:09:11.539 Help us to obey our parents. 00:09:14.119 --> 00:09:14.739 Excellent. 00:09:16.039 --> 00:09:18.379 In Jesus' name we pray, amen. 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:20.939 Excellent. 00:09:21.079 --> 00:09:22.179 You guys are so good. 00:09:22.239 --> 00:09:22.879 Give yourself a hand. 00:09:22.939 --> 00:09:23.679 Can you clap for me? 00:09:24.179 --> 00:09:24.699 Okay. 00:09:24.699 --> 00:09:24.799 Okay. 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:24.819 Okay. 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:30.559 Go back to your seats with your parents. 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:31.019 I'm on. 00:09:31.819 --> 00:09:36.659 And so we're going to have Susie and some adults are going to help me give out some candies. 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:37.779 Okay. 00:09:40.719 --> 00:09:42.559 Can you help give out the candies for the kiddos? 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:43.000 Okay. 00:09:43.339 --> 00:09:44.279 Not the big ones. 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:44.579 Okay. 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:45.559 Everybody gets one. 00:09:47.659 --> 00:09:48.239 Yeah, buddy. 00:09:48.319 --> 00:09:48.599 Here you go. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:50.559 Here you go, Javi. 00:09:52.819 --> 00:09:53.619 Merry Christmas. 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:57.339 I didn't want to say that for a long time. 00:09:57.339 --> 00:09:57.399 Thank you. 00:09:58.559 --> 00:10:09.939 We have just a very short message for you today as we've been praying about this season. 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:12.479 You love kids, right? 00:10:12.599 --> 00:10:13.939 How can you be the kid's lesson? 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:17.839 Because the kid just got in there and just went, whoop, and he just, he knew he wanted 00:10:17.839 --> 00:10:19.279 the candy cane, so he got them. 00:10:20.339 --> 00:10:26.839 And I'm going to try something I've never done again, sit on a chair, and just welcome you 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:30.879 guys to our Watermark Christmas service. 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:37.139 This day always means a lot as we think about why we come to celebrate. 00:10:38.420 --> 00:10:40.000 My name is Tobin Miller. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:42.740 I'm a teaching pastor here at Watermark. 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:45.580 If you're here with us for the first time, we have several pastors that oversee different 00:10:45.580 --> 00:10:46.019 things. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:50.519 And so I would like to share with you just a Christmas reading for today. 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:57.720 The Christmas reading for today comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 through 00:10:57.720 --> 00:10:58.419 19. 00:10:58.419 --> 00:11:05.259 Now, in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the census should be taken of 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:06.459 all the inhabited earth. 00:11:07.039 --> 00:11:09.059 This is incredibly important. 00:11:10.319 --> 00:11:12.240 I'm just going to make two-second comment on this. 00:11:13.179 --> 00:11:18.559 Because Luke was a doctor, he was probably one of the greatest historians in the old age, 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:25.039 and if he wanted to write fiction, if he wanted to write something that was fantasy, even in 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:31.899 Greek, he would have said something like, once upon a time, or a long time ago, or in a hole 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:32.839 there lived a hobbit. 00:11:33.719 --> 00:11:34.699 But he doesn't. 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:40.459 He says very clearly, in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus. 00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:42.759 He plants Jesus' birth in a time. 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:48.600 And as a historian, what he's saying to us here right now, he's saying, check it out. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:51.340 Prove me wrong. 00:11:52.819 --> 00:11:55.000 Show me that I'm not writing fact. 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:57.659 You can go observe all these things. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.299 They're all there. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.200 The witnesses are there. 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:01.879 I've done it over and over and over. 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:04.600 And I want you to also. 00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:09.740 Now, in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census be taken of all the 00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:10.580 inhabited earth. 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:16.540 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:23.620 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David, 00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:30.139 which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the family of David in order to register along 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:33.360 with Mary, who was engaged to him and was with child. 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:37.900 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:41.360 She gave birth to her firstborn son. 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:49.459 She wrapped him in cloths, laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:55.139 In the same region, there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:55.659 by night. 00:12:56.819 --> 00:12:59.299 And the angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them. 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:03.399 And the glory of the Lord showed around them. 00:13:06.839 --> 00:13:09.019 And they were terribly frightened. 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:15.159 But the angel said to them, do not be afraid. 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:21.179 For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all the people. 00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:27.379 For today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:30.000 And this will be a sign for you. 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:32.720 You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:37.700 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts, praising God 00:13:37.700 --> 00:13:43.600 and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased. 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:48.600 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:53.960 let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:54.940 has made known to us. 00:13:54.940 --> 00:14:00.300 So they came in a hurry, and they found their way to Mary and Joseph and the baby as he lay in a manger. 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:06.400 And when they had seen this, they made known to everyone the statement which had been told to him 00:14:06.400 --> 00:14:07.240 about this child. 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:12.860 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told him by the shepherds. 00:14:13.900 --> 00:14:16.880 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 00:14:18.160 --> 00:14:21.960 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, 00:14:22.800 --> 00:14:24.080 which has been told them. 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:29.620 You know, every time I read this passage, I get overwhelmed. 00:14:30.900 --> 00:14:35.280 And I have read it hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of times. 00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:42.800 You see, the incredible thing about Christmas to me, the amazing thing about this season, 00:14:42.920 --> 00:14:50.960 is that all over the world, throughout history, in thousands of languages, men, women, and children 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:53.920 everywhere, celebrate the birth of a baby boy. 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:59.800 Some people celebrate privately, in their heart, by themselves. 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:03.500 Some people celebrate, like us today, very publicly. 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:09.419 And some still have to celebrate very secretly, in fear of their lives. 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:14.299 But in this time of the year, we are joining, think about this. 00:15:14.979 --> 00:15:20.360 We are joining with hundreds of millions of people all around the world. 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:28.740 And through a span of history that is 2,000 years long, in countless countries, in multitudes of languages, 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:38.440 to do one thing, to celebrate the birth of a little Jewish baby boy. 00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:44.640 That we believe grew up to be the Savior of the world. 00:15:45.760 --> 00:15:48.600 A Savior who promised to not... 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:50.440 A Savior who never promised... 00:15:50.440 --> 00:15:52.680 I've got to get this wording right, because I've been praying about this. 00:15:53.520 --> 00:15:57.180 A Savior who never promised to keep us from our sin. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:16:01.179 But a Savior who promised to save us from... 00:16:02.579 --> 00:16:04.939 And forgive us our sin. 00:16:06.739 --> 00:16:09.599 A Savior who came to show us that God has given us a way. 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:12.459 He has built a firm foundation on which we could stand. 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:14.919 A foundation which we would never have to doubt. 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:19.179 And so we stand on this foundation today... 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:22.379 And we look back 2,000 years. 00:16:23.099 --> 00:16:25.240 This foundation is Jesus Christ. 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:30.240 So that now, as we stand on this foundation and we talk to God... 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:34.980 We can address Him as Father. 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:38.279 As Heavenly Father. 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:41.159 In spite of our past. 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:43.799 In spite of our failures. 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.519 In spite of our weaknesses. 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:48.200 In spite of our sins. 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:52.539 We can come before the Creator of the world today. 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:55.159 Because of that little baby. 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:58.620 And we can call Him Father. 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:05.539 This is a season that we're reminded that God has drawn near to us. 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:11.240 Every other faith, every other religion in the world... 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:12.240 Says... 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.880 This is how you get to God. 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:20.160 And I give you 1, 2, 3, 4 things that you must do or perform. 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:24.100 But in Christmas, God is saying, I am God. 00:17:26.320 --> 00:17:27.800 And I've come to you. 00:17:29.540 --> 00:17:33.080 This is the season that we are reminded that God has drawn near to us. 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.920 God has drawn near to us. 00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:38.120 Those of us who have drawn away from Him. 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:42.739 Those of us who have been drawn away by our sins. 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.179 Our selfishness. 00:17:45.659 --> 00:17:47.219 Our self-reliance. 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:49.099 Our self-sufficiency. 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:54.759 God has come to you. 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:59.920 I don't know if you've ever thought about that. 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:05.859 This isn't the season when we can no longer negotiate our sin to God. 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:10.339 Because the time for negotiating our sin to God is done with. 00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:14.219 It was finished in a manger. 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:18.659 That will one day be turned into a cross. 00:18:20.659 --> 00:18:27.219 And at this cross, your sin and my sin is forgiven. 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:35.299 Your sin and my sin is forgiven. 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:39.259 The story in the song we read says, 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:41.519 For unto us has been born a son. 00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:45.140 For unto you. 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:48.960 For unto Tobin. 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:51.019 For unto Pat. 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:53.380 Unto Susie. 00:18:55.120 --> 00:18:56.120 Unto Tom. 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.000 Unto Jim. 00:18:59.100 --> 00:19:00.079 Unto Mike. 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:02.799 Unto you. 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.460 Has born a Savior. 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:08.140 Who is Christ the Lord. 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:11.539 We're told that He's a Savior that brings peace. 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:15.559 It's the kind of peace that allows us to go to bed at night. 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:19.759 And realize that even as we look out in the world around us. 00:19:20.620 --> 00:19:22.900 And things are crazy and not peaceful. 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:27.140 It's the kind of peace that we realize as we go to bed. 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:32.820 Tonight that maybe even things aren't right with the people right next to us. 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:40.200 But it's the peace that reminds us that everything is okay between us and God. 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:43.100 When Christ says, 00:19:43.100 --> 00:19:44.600 I come to bring peace. 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:52.220 What He's talking about is a relationship between the creator of the universe and you. 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:54.900 And as we look out in the world today. 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:56.360 And you just have to read the newspapers. 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:59.019 You see that there's not a lot of peace. 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:02.019 There is chaos in everything around us. 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:05.140 But the peace that is of Christmas. 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:08.100 Is the peace that Christ has brought. 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.240 Between you and God. 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:13.500 This peace isn't because of anything you've done. 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:18.339 This peace isn't because of anything you haven't done. 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:23.079 But the peace that Christ brings us today on our behalf. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:28.500 Is solely because of what God has done for you. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:35.940 Christianity and Christmas is not about do this, do that, and then you get right with God. 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:41.299 But Christianity and Christmas is about Christ coming. 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:45.779 To make everything right for God to you. 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:48.500 And your choice is to accept it. 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:51.359 For unto us is born a Savior. 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:54.660 He is Christ the Lord. 00:20:57.200 --> 00:21:00.220 I know that there are many different groups of people in here today. 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:07.660 There are some people who, this is the first time you've ever heard this message. 00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:13.400 There are some people like my good friend back in the States. 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:19.040 We have been talking about this message for years and years and years. 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:22.360 And every time I talk to him about Christ. 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:24.460 And every time I talk to him about Christmas. 00:21:25.100 --> 00:21:26.820 His response is always the same. 00:21:27.780 --> 00:21:31.700 If I believe, I'll have to change my life. 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.500 I don't want to investigate. 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:40.700 He reminds me of another friend I have in the States. 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:43.539 Who probably has cancer. 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:47.860 But he doesn't want to go to the doctor to get it checked out. 00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:52.200 And we tell him all the time, you need to go to the doctor to get it checked out. 00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:56.799 But he says to me, if I go, the doctor is going to find cancer. 00:21:58.460 --> 00:22:00.019 And things are not going to be good. 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:03.960 And both of these friends of mine, 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:09.120 they both have something that will ultimately kill them. 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:16.180 But they don't want to find out the cure. 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:21.580 And my prayer for you tonight, today, this Christmas, 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:23.980 if you're one of those people who you're finding this for the first time, 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.539 or you've been running away for a long time, 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.980 you don't want to change your life, 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.240 you don't want to do do's or don'ts, 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:30.060 you're afraid of what God's going to tell you, 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:32.940 my prayer and hope for you is that you would think about 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:37.920 the message that a Savior has been born to you. 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:43.480 And investigate what Luke shares with us today. 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:49.420 There's others of us who've been on this journey a long time in our faith. 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:53.500 And sometimes we come to Christmas ceremonies like this and services, 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:56.000 and we just kind of sit back and, okay, I've heard this. 00:22:56.079 --> 00:23:00.220 This is my 180th time I've heard a Christmas sermon and message. 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:05.799 And my prayer for you and for myself 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:10.839 is that today as we come before Christmas, 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:14.759 today as we come before Christ, 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:18.879 that we realize that we have a Savior 00:23:18.879 --> 00:23:21.319 who was born in the world 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:23.940 to make all things right. 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:28.740 And that is as deep as it gets in the Christian faith. 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.940 Sometimes as Christians, we want to study, 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:33.259 we want to study, we want to study, 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:34.279 we want to know all these books, 00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:35.180 we want to know all these truths, 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:37.180 and we think that if we do all these things, 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.279 we'll get closer to God. 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:42.440 But the truth of this passage, 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:44.700 the truth of the message of the Bible is 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:51.900 the gospel that Jesus came to make a way for you 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:54.420 is as deep as it gets. 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:57.580 And our job as Christians is every day 00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:59.480 is to apply that to our life 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:01.640 and ask ourselves, 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:04.640 what does it mean when I walk into my workplace 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:06.640 and things are not good 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:08.380 and I need a Savior? 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:12.759 What does it mean that Christ came for me 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.279 and my house is out of control? 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:16.079 And how do I act because of that? 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:20.839 What does it mean as I go on this journey 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:22.899 and things don't turn out the way 00:24:22.899 --> 00:24:23.960 that I hope they would, 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:28.160 that for unto me this day 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:30.980 in the city of Bethlehem 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:33.559 was born a Savior 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:36.500 who's made all things right. 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:39.899 And our choice today is 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:41.480 will we accept that? 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:44.400 will we live in that truth? 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.940 Let's pray. 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:47.660 Heavenly Father, 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.259 we thank you for this season. 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:51.160 We thank you for this moment to reflect. 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:53.039 We thank you for this celebration. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:56.019 Thank you for those of us here 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:58.980 who consider ourselves good people. 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:02.960 thank you for those of us here 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:04.740 who consider ourselves 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:07.180 not so good people. 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:11.039 Thank you for those of us here 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:13.819 who are not sure 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:16.980 there's not much good in us at all. 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:20.400 Lord, this passage and this message 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:21.799 shares with us today 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:24.640 that we all come with the same need. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:27.840 we all need a Savior. 00:25:28.560 --> 00:25:30.520 We all desperately need forgiveness. 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:33.000 We all desperately need 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.920 massive amounts of mercy, 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.080 grace, 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.480 compassion. 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.180 So this Christmas season 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:40.940 right here, 00:25:41.060 --> 00:25:41.700 right now, 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:43.040 in Hong Kong, 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:44.560 2012, 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:47.540 we all join hands 00:25:47.540 --> 00:25:48.620 around a manger 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:51.719 that will one day 00:25:51.719 --> 00:25:53.019 become a cross 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:55.619 that will one day 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.739 represent forgiveness 00:25:56.739 --> 00:25:58.599 and salvation 00:25:58.599 --> 00:26:00.739 from our sin 00:26:00.739 --> 00:26:03.219 for all who accept 00:26:03.219 --> 00:26:04.219 this free gift 00:26:04.219 --> 00:26:05.339 that you give us today. 00:26:06.719 --> 00:26:07.719 Father, we pray 00:26:07.719 --> 00:26:08.539 that the reality 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.699 of this kind of grace, 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.879 we pray that the reality 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:12.000 of this kind of mercy 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.819 would not just be something 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.519 that we simply accept 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.479 for ourselves 00:26:16.479 --> 00:26:17.579 and it ends there. 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:19.379 but we pray 00:26:19.379 --> 00:26:20.039 that it would be something 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.679 that we would take out 00:26:21.679 --> 00:26:22.859 from here today, 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.500 that we would live out 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.319 our lives 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.139 with this hope, 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:28.679 with this renewed faith, 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.419 with this renewed focus 00:26:30.419 --> 00:26:31.019 on your Son, 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:31.960 Jesus Christ, 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:34.139 and that we would share it 00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:35.079 with all those 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:36.759 around us. 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.159 Thank you for Jesus. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:43.419 Thank you for Christmas. 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:46.519 Thank you for a place 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.539 to stop and reflect 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.200 and worship 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:49.200 and to celebrate. 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:52.560 Father, we love you 00:26:52.560 --> 00:26:55.440 and we pray all these things 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.220 in your Son, 00:26:56.300 --> 00:26:56.900 Jesus Christ, 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.539 holy name. 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:58.980 Amen. 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:03.259 I got a request, 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.559 so what would you like 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:05.240 to say, everybody? 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.279 Can you say something? 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.740 Say it now. 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.079 Say it right now. 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.279 Merry Christmas. 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:12.019 Merry Christmas. 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:12.920 Yeah. 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.940 Did you open up 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.920 any presents yet today? 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:17.039 What did you get? 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.380 Yeah, she's looking 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.480 for her two front teeth. 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.519 That's what she's looking for. 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:26.240 Hey, if this is your first time here, 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:29.160 we meet here every Sunday at 1030. 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.500 We have a children's ministry, 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:32.759 an amazing staff 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.920 that oversees that 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:35.420 and university ministries 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.839 and everything else going on. 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.879 For us, typically, 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.079 the next step is we ask people 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:39.559 to get involved 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.480 in a community group 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.559 where we gather 00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:43.240 as smaller groups of people 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.139 just to get to know each other 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:45.359 and we talk a lot 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:46.619 about going on a journey together 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:47.779 as we walk with God. 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.599 Right after this, 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:52.379 we have one of my favorite photographers 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:53.700 Ian is going to be here 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:55.760 and he's going to take some pictures. 00:27:56.260 --> 00:27:57.460 He's an amazing photographer 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.620 and we thought this would be 00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.160 a great time 00:27:59.160 --> 00:27:59.740 if you want to get 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.460 a family picture. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.540 That's why I'm wearing the suit. 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.720 Everybody's giving me grief 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.440 but that's, 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.360 I'm wearing the suit 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:06.620 for the family picture, okay? 00:28:07.080 --> 00:28:08.640 So he'll be up here. 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:10.140 Ian will take your pictures 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.680 and on July 7th, 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:14.000 he's going to post them online 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:15.500 January 7th. 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.780 That'd be a long, yeah. 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.160 Some of us, 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.600 he really has to make look good 00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:21.920 so it's going to take him a while. 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:23.279 So January 7th, 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.840 so we'll have the link for that 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:26.240 so please don't leave here 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:27.019 without the opportunity 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:28.480 to get a family picture. 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:31.220 There's food and drinks in the back 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.539 so we'd love for you just to hang out. 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.539 If you're new here, 00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:34.380 I'd like to get a chance 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:35.279 to get to know you 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:37.480 and let me pray for us. 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:40.820 Father, we just thank you for this day. 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:42.920 We thank you as we sing of joy, 00:28:43.600 --> 00:28:46.160 hope, love and peace. 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:48.300 We know that you have come 00:28:48.300 --> 00:28:50.240 to put those back in our life 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:52.039 and I think if we're honest, 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:52.940 most of us, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.220 and even as we look at the news 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:55.099 and around the world, 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:57.480 most of the people we run into 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:59.180 are not experiencing those things. 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:01.559 But in this Christmas season, 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:03.759 we celebrate your gift 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:05.620 of your son, Jesus, 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.380 who died, 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.980 who came and died 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:10.960 to bring us those things, 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.940 to bring us back to you. 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:14.740 So we love you 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:16.059 and we thank you for this day. 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:17.419 We pray all these things 00:29:17.419 --> 00:29:19.039 in your son, Jesus' name.