WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:05.440 Folks, wonderful to see you here. My name is Graham. I've got the privilege of being the pastor of the church here. 00:00:05.520 --> 00:00:09.480 It's just wonderful to see you in this, just the most special of mornings. 00:00:10.040 --> 00:00:13.640 There is a game that we all like to play at Christmas time. 00:00:14.700 --> 00:00:20.359 And you'll know that you're playing the game if you find yourself saying things like this. 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:21.600 See if this hits home, okay? 00:00:21.859 --> 00:00:22.940 So, wow! 00:00:24.760 --> 00:00:27.359 Wow! A William Shakespeare tissue set! 00:00:27.359 --> 00:00:30.439 I've always wanted one of those. 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:35.560 A grow your own crest, llama? No way! 00:00:37.879 --> 00:00:42.420 Can't believe I'm opening this. My very own personalised Marmite jar. 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:48.359 You shouldn't have, Graham. No, seriously, you really, you really shouldn't have. 00:00:50.340 --> 00:00:53.379 I'm with a man about town in my new unmatching donut socks. 00:00:53.380 --> 00:00:57.800 And it was the only other night that I was lying awake in bed thinking to myself, 00:00:58.480 --> 00:01:03.760 there was only some way that I could agriculturally make my way through the days of next year. 00:01:03.900 --> 00:01:09.500 And now my prayers have been answered because I'm the owner of the classic Tractors 2020 calendar. 00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:13.859 So we find ourselves playing this game. 00:01:13.920 --> 00:01:15.060 You will know if you're playing the game. 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:16.500 And the game goes something like this. 00:01:16.579 --> 00:01:22.519 We offer Christmas niceties to the things that we look at and we think to ourselves, 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:24.260 that is really strange. 00:01:25.500 --> 00:01:26.900 That is really strange. 00:01:27.159 --> 00:01:29.799 And I don't see how that has any relevance to my life, 00:01:29.879 --> 00:01:33.219 but I'm going to play the game and I'm going to put on the Christmas niceties. 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:34.060 And here's the thing. 00:01:34.120 --> 00:01:38.120 You might be sitting here today and you're playing the game with the Bible story. 00:01:38.120 --> 00:01:38.680 Right? 00:01:39.980 --> 00:01:42.600 You're playing the game with the Bible story. 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:44.340 We can all play the Christmas niceties. 00:01:44.520 --> 00:01:45.920 We can all say that was wonderful. 00:01:46.060 --> 00:01:46.939 Love that story. 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:49.180 But deep down in our hearts, we're screaming to the world, 00:01:49.240 --> 00:01:53.880 I don't see the relevance of any of that to my everyday life. 00:01:56.060 --> 00:01:57.380 Maybe you're playing the game right now. 00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:58.480 That is a strange scene. 00:01:58.540 --> 00:02:01.580 And I want to take you back to those verses we read in Matthew chapter 2. 00:02:01.680 --> 00:02:05.000 If you remember the verses with the Magi and King Herod. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:11.099 And you think to yourself, that is one strange scene containing some strange people, 00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:13.979 giving some strange gifts. 00:02:14.580 --> 00:02:17.879 And to top it all off, it is in a strange place. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:23.840 I mean, Magi in Bethlehem, giving gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 00:02:23.979 --> 00:02:25.259 That is so strange. 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:26.120 Is it not? 00:02:26.979 --> 00:02:28.159 It is so strange. 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:33.280 But the thing I want us to see is if we look at the small picture, boy, that is strange. 00:02:34.300 --> 00:02:34.659 Right? 00:02:34.699 --> 00:02:35.840 We just focus on the small picture. 00:02:35.939 --> 00:02:36.599 Boy, that is strange. 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:43.259 But see, if we lift our eyes to see what God, our creator, is doing in this moment, 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:45.840 folks, it is magnificent. 00:02:46.519 --> 00:02:51.620 So I want to encourage you today not to play the Christmas game with an nativity story. 00:02:52.580 --> 00:02:53.819 Let's be really honest here. 00:02:54.599 --> 00:02:56.560 And let's get in to what Matthew is saying. 00:02:56.740 --> 00:02:57.300 Here is the scene. 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:00.400 It is a little while, maybe weeks or months after Jesus has been born. 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:08.319 Some Magi who are most likely pagan astrologers from the east have made the massive journey west. 00:03:08.700 --> 00:03:10.259 And it is a massive journey. 00:03:10.640 --> 00:03:11.719 Massive journey west. 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:14.060 They have landed in Jerusalem. 00:03:14.060 --> 00:03:22.580 They have probably made that journey most likely because they have heard the stories about how a star has appeared in the vicinity of Jerusalem. 00:03:22.819 --> 00:03:31.840 And they know from what they have studied that that star has something to do with the birth of a new king of the Jews. 00:03:31.980 --> 00:03:35.080 And so they get to Jerusalem and they have one simple question. 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:36.379 Right? 00:03:37.060 --> 00:03:40.199 Where is the king of the Jews? 00:03:40.379 --> 00:03:40.920 Where is he? 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:41.939 That is the question. 00:03:42.020 --> 00:03:42.460 Where is he? 00:03:42.460 --> 00:03:42.500 Where is he? 00:03:44.060 --> 00:03:46.879 Can you imagine the boy in the street corner of Jerusalem singing it? 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:49.000 Extra, extra, read all about it. 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:50.800 Strangers in town. 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:52.640 Strangers in town. 00:03:52.920 --> 00:03:54.939 And they are searching for a new king. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:03:55.920 New king. 00:03:56.180 --> 00:03:57.319 New king in town. 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:03.439 And we see two reactions to that news as it goes around Jerusalem. 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:05.560 Firstly we see the reaction of King Herod. 00:04:07.960 --> 00:04:10.879 He is a man with a track record of anger and envy. 00:04:11.020 --> 00:04:12.300 So he hears this news. 00:04:12.300 --> 00:04:13.640 And do you remember it from the reading? 00:04:13.640 --> 00:04:15.320 He was greatly disturbed. 00:04:15.320 --> 00:04:20.720 Which is Matthew's way of telling us that he is fuming with this news. 00:04:20.840 --> 00:04:26.400 Because we have to understand that as far as Herod is concerned, this is all out king on king. 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:27.600 Turf wars. 00:04:28.040 --> 00:04:29.080 On his patch. 00:04:29.460 --> 00:04:31.819 He does not want another king. 00:04:31.819 --> 00:04:33.620 And so what does he do? 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:34.159 Herod. 00:04:34.159 --> 00:04:41.500 He summons some Jewish religious experts to help him understand what is going on. 00:04:42.259 --> 00:04:43.339 So questions must have come. 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:47.159 Are these visitors from the east who've turned up here, are they right? 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:50.240 Have they got the wrong star? 00:04:50.360 --> 00:04:56.639 Have they typed in Bethlehem instead of Babylon into their satinav and they've turned up here by accident? 00:04:56.639 --> 00:04:59.740 Can you help me figure out what is going on here? 00:04:59.919 --> 00:05:07.800 And the religious leaders tell King Herod that these visitors from the east are buying on the money. 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:10.699 They've got it right. 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:18.519 And they've got it right because these religious leaders that Herod summons, they know their Bibles. 00:05:18.659 --> 00:05:24.899 And they know what God had said about how he would raise up a ruler for his people. 00:05:25.099 --> 00:05:33.419 A saviour, a king, a shepherd who would be born not just anywhere, but who would be born in David's city, Bethlehem. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:35.560 So here's what you need to see. 00:05:35.699 --> 00:05:38.259 This is not a riddle that needs to be solved. 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:40.339 This is not an exam they need to study for. 00:05:40.339 --> 00:05:44.959 This is not like the cryptic crossword in the metro that they find too hard to figure out. 00:05:45.299 --> 00:05:46.759 These guys have the answer. 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:52.979 And to top it all off, it is not as if it's far to get from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. 00:05:53.079 --> 00:05:55.659 That is less than six miles away. 00:05:55.739 --> 00:06:03.779 That is less than here to Edinburgh Airport to go and find out about the news that your people have been waiting for, for years. 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:06.479 And yet what do these guys do? 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:11.100 They get the knowledge. 00:06:11.100 --> 00:06:12.100 They know their stuff. 00:06:12.100 --> 00:06:12.379 They have the chance. 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:13.280 They have the chance. 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:14.500 And they do nothing with it. 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:16.140 Nothing with it. 00:06:17.720 --> 00:06:22.379 So here's two responses then to the news of God's king. 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:25.140 Here on the one hand is Herod. 00:06:25.220 --> 00:06:28.720 He responds to the news of Jesus with hostility. 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:30.800 He doesn't want him as king. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:36.100 And here are the religious leaders responding to Jesus with apathy. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:39.240 They couldn't care less about this king Jesus. 00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:49.800 And maybe you're sitting here today and actually one of those responses kind of sums up where you are in life at the minute when it comes to Jesus. 00:06:49.800 --> 00:06:53.220 Maybe you're a bit like King Herod. 00:06:53.280 --> 00:06:55.920 Maybe you're hostile to the news of this king. 00:06:56.139 --> 00:06:58.600 You see him as a threat to your life. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:00.960 Your heart is crying. 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:03.020 I do not want him as king of my life. 00:07:03.100 --> 00:07:05.180 I will take an arm lengths Jesus. 00:07:05.400 --> 00:07:07.759 I will take a cute and cuddly mascot Jesus. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:12.819 I will take a Jesus that sits in the dashboard of my car and gives me a high five, gives me a thumbs up. 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:15.780 But I won't take a king of my life Jesus. 00:07:15.779 --> 00:07:19.879 Friends, Jesus doesn't leave us that choice. 00:07:21.219 --> 00:07:22.239 This is all in. 00:07:23.179 --> 00:07:24.559 Are you going to submit to him as king? 00:07:26.179 --> 00:07:29.119 Or maybe actually you're like these religious leaders. 00:07:29.259 --> 00:07:31.539 Maybe you're here this morning and you're thinking, why should I care? 00:07:31.599 --> 00:07:32.859 Maybe you're apathetic. 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:34.719 Maybe you're like these religious leaders. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:36.559 You've grown up in church your whole life. 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:38.199 You can recite tons of verses. 00:07:38.419 --> 00:07:40.579 You know the lines to so many hymns. 00:07:40.659 --> 00:07:42.279 You know the words to so many prayers. 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:45.500 But you don't see the point of any of it. 00:07:45.779 --> 00:07:49.899 Let me encourage you if you're in either of those camps. 00:07:51.399 --> 00:07:53.879 Then come and see what Matthew is trying to tell you. 00:07:53.979 --> 00:07:55.699 He helps you see the Magi. 00:07:56.859 --> 00:07:58.500 And how they have responded. 00:07:58.779 --> 00:08:01.000 They respond to Jesus. 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:05.659 Because do you see how these outsiders from the east. 00:08:05.779 --> 00:08:08.199 These guys who shouldn't have had a clue about this. 00:08:08.739 --> 00:08:11.819 They come in and Herod sends them to find out. 00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:12.979 They go to Bethlehem. 00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:14.439 What do they see when they get there? 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:18.600 They see the child Jesus and his mother Mary. 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:21.459 And notice their reaction. 00:08:22.980 --> 00:08:23.920 You've got hostility. 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:26.000 You've got apathy. 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:28.860 But these guys show us humility. 00:08:30.019 --> 00:08:30.500 Don't they? 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:31.480 They give gifts. 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:33.259 They bow. 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:35.460 And they worship. 00:08:35.460 --> 00:08:36.800 And here's our strange scene. 00:08:38.040 --> 00:08:40.340 Here is our strange scene. 00:08:40.400 --> 00:08:43.960 Full of strange people giving strange gifts in a strange place. 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:47.480 But here's why this is such great news for every single one of us here today. 00:08:47.540 --> 00:08:48.300 For two reasons. 00:08:48.420 --> 00:08:49.220 Here's the first one. 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:50.920 Because of who these guys are. 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:53.660 Who these guys are. 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:55.459 You see God had promised his people. 00:08:55.459 --> 00:09:00.439 This incomparably good and loving and gracious God. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:04.059 Had promised his people that he would come to rescue them. 00:09:05.339 --> 00:09:09.039 That when he would send his light into our world of darkness. 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:10.279 When he would come. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:13.459 That this wouldn't just be good news for Israel. 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:16.719 This would be good news for the peoples of the world. 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:20.899 This would be good news for every single human being in the nations. 00:09:21.660 --> 00:09:25.840 And these people would be drawn to God's light. 00:09:26.560 --> 00:09:29.700 And they would find life in the light. 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:31.720 And of course what does Jesus call himself? 00:09:31.899 --> 00:09:33.960 The light of the world. 00:09:35.540 --> 00:09:36.340 And I love this. 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:38.820 The fact that God had even said to the prophet Isaiah. 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:40.000 Talking about that day. 00:09:41.320 --> 00:09:43.800 That a multitude of camels shall cover you. 00:09:44.160 --> 00:09:44.300 Right? 00:09:44.299 --> 00:09:47.219 People coming from unknown lands. 00:09:48.099 --> 00:09:49.659 The young camels of Midian and Ephah. 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:51.059 All those from Sheba shall come. 00:09:51.139 --> 00:09:52.259 They shall bring what? 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:53.379 Gold. 00:09:54.319 --> 00:09:55.839 And frankincense. 00:09:56.599 --> 00:09:58.359 And they shall bring good news. 00:09:58.740 --> 00:10:01.159 The praises of the Lord. 00:10:01.219 --> 00:10:05.439 So there is something magnificent going on in this strange and random scene. 00:10:07.199 --> 00:10:12.099 And so as these pagan astrologer, magician types from the east come to Bethlehem. 00:10:12.100 --> 00:10:18.320 And who unlike Herod and unlike the religious people of the day, they respond rightly to who King Jesus is. 00:10:18.680 --> 00:10:23.620 Do you see how these guys fall at his feet and declare him God? 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:30.580 And here is God lovingly declaring to a world in darkness. 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:39.600 That heaven's doors are now lovingly and wonderfully flung wide open for anybody and everybody to come to the light and have life. 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:43.659 As they respond like the Magi did to the coming of Jesus. 00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:50.299 It's good news because of who they are and it's cracking news because of who he is. 00:10:52.579 --> 00:10:54.879 Because what kind of ruler would God kings be? 00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:55.480 See the term. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:56.399 What's he going to do? 00:10:56.459 --> 00:10:57.079 He will be a ruler. 00:10:57.199 --> 00:10:57.959 What's the description? 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:58.659 What will he do? 00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:01.199 He will shepherd his people. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:04.079 Shepherd his people. 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:06.020 So here's what that means. 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:11.920 That means that lost sheep will look to the shepherd to lovingly lead them. 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:17.860 That means that broken sheep will look to the shepherd to love them. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:22.820 That means that hurt sheep will look to this shepherd to care for them. 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:26.520 That scared sheep will look to the shepherd to protect them. 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:31.940 And ultimately bad sheep will look to the shepherds to save them. 00:11:31.940 --> 00:11:35.980 because the nursery rhyme was right. 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:39.160 Mary did have a little lamb 00:11:39.160 --> 00:11:44.420 and his fleece was white as snow. 00:11:46.520 --> 00:11:48.440 The child Jesus would grow up 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:50.560 and declare of himself, 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:53.120 arms open to a world, 00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:57.420 that I am the good shepherd. 00:11:57.420 --> 00:11:58.720 How are you the good shepherd? 00:11:58.820 --> 00:11:59.720 I am the good shepherd 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:02.519 because I've come to lay down my life 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:04.899 for my sheep 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:09.940 and give them life and life abundant. 00:12:10.100 --> 00:12:13.259 And he would do that as he went to the cross. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:16.560 And I love it because the only other time, 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:19.980 what do these magi ask when they get to Jerusalem? 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:22.840 Where is the king of the Jews? 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:25.420 The only other time that phrase is used 00:12:25.420 --> 00:12:27.200 in Matthew's gospel, king of the Jews, 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:29.920 is when Jesus is sitting there, 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:31.860 so he's standing on the cross, 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:32.759 being crucified, 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:34.520 and the inscription above him says, 00:12:34.640 --> 00:12:36.280 here is the king of the Jews. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.759 It's the only other time it's mentioned. 00:12:39.040 --> 00:12:40.480 Jesus goes there, 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:43.700 God's perfect, obedient son, 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:46.200 taking the place of rebellious people 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:47.580 like you and like me 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:50.220 who have rejected our creator. 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:53.519 The Bible's word for that is sin. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:56.740 Sorry God, I'm in charge, 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:57.740 no to your rules, 00:12:57.820 --> 00:12:59.920 I don't want you in my life, 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:01.279 and as a result are deserving 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.840 of God's eternal judgment. 00:13:03.920 --> 00:13:06.340 The thing is that Jesus goes to the cross 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:08.500 to take the place 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:11.960 for all those who would look to him in faith. 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:16.879 Jesus takes their punishment on himself 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:19.559 so that all those who would look to him 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:21.379 and live would be forgiven, 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:23.720 would be adopted into the family 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:26.480 of this magnificently good God. 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.899 And you see how we've got two kings 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:30.759 on the scene here. 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:32.840 Here is Herod, 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:35.220 a jealous king, 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:36.100 an angry king, 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:37.019 an envious king 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:38.539 who's used to lifting up his hands 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.200 to fight. 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:42.039 And yet here is another king 00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:44.659 born in the humblest of places, 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:46.459 in the humblest of circumstances, 00:13:46.679 --> 00:13:47.879 and here he is described 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:49.600 as a loving shepherd 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:52.379 who will lay down his life 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:54.059 to save others. 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:57.399 And this king who stands now victorious, 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:58.939 having conquered death, 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:01.559 who stands as God's glorious king 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:02.980 and one day will return. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.659 And you see how Matthew in this scene 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:07.759 is imploring the people of his generation, 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:08.839 and he's imploring the people 00:14:08.839 --> 00:14:10.319 of every generation since 00:14:10.319 --> 00:14:12.779 to respond to the good news 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:13.600 of this Jesus, 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:16.959 just like the Magi did. 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:19.419 And I love it because this scene 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:21.159 that starts with the Magi saying 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:22.799 that we have come to worship him 00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:26.039 ends with them worshipping him. 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:28.399 Book ended it with worship. 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:31.480 So here is Matthew saying, 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:32.759 come to the king of light 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:34.839 and have life in his name. 00:14:34.959 --> 00:14:35.740 Friends, there's a game 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:37.179 that we all play at Christmas time 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:39.899 with the strange things that we see. 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:42.120 We love to play the game. 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:42.860 We love to say, 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:44.860 a baseball hat complete with chalkboard. 00:14:44.959 --> 00:14:47.000 What more could a guy want? 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:50.220 A sausage dog pen. 00:14:50.319 --> 00:14:52.879 Hey, I've always wanted one of them. 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:54.319 But let me urge you 00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:56.199 to come and see 00:14:56.199 --> 00:14:57.579 what God is doing in this moment. 00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:58.860 Let me urge you 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:00.579 to stop playing the Christmas game 00:15:00.579 --> 00:15:01.679 and to come 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:03.579 and to do what these Magi did 00:15:03.579 --> 00:15:05.620 and fall at the feet of Jesus 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.699 and worship him. 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:10.100 Come and see that there is none like Jesus 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.660 and come and see 00:15:11.660 --> 00:15:13.000 the extravagant love 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:14.860 God has for a broken world 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:16.920 in giving us his son 00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:18.600 and fall at his feet 00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:19.320 and declare, 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:22.560 hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace. 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:26.120 Hail the Son of Righteousness. 00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:28.960 Light and life to all 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.100 he brings. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:33.000 Risen with healing in his wings. 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:35.340 Mild he lays his glory by. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:38.460 Born that man no more may die. 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:40.980 Born to raise the sons of earth. 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:43.360 Born to give them second birth. 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:45.620 Hark the herald angels sing. 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:47.860 Glory to the newborn king. 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:50.340 Let me just lead us in a prayer 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:52.259 and then we'll stand to finish 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:54.280 with our closing song. 00:15:55.780 --> 00:15:56.500 Dear God, 00:15:56.580 --> 00:15:58.300 thank you for this time of year 00:15:58.300 --> 00:15:59.800 when we get to stop 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:02.799 in the busyness of life 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:03.839 and remember 00:16:03.839 --> 00:16:08.159 that you so loved the world 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:10.459 that you gave 00:16:10.459 --> 00:16:12.759 your one and only son 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:14.819 that whoever would believe in him 00:16:14.819 --> 00:16:16.819 would not perish 00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:18.939 but have eternal life. 00:16:19.839 --> 00:16:21.620 And help us to respond 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.939 to this Jesus 00:16:22.939 --> 00:16:24.379 today 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:26.659 and every day of our lives 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:28.639 just like these magi did 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:30.299 who fell at his feet 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:32.360 and worshipped him. 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:33.879 Thank you 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:35.539 that as we look at the child 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.179 in the manger 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:37.100 what we see 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:39.079 is your love for us. 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.860 And we pray these things 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:42.399 in Jesus' precious name. 00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:43.219 Amen. 00:16:43.219 --> 00:16:43.360 Amen. 00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:44.779 Amen. 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:44.899 Amen. 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.459 Amen. 00:16:45.459 --> 00:16:45.839 Amen. 00:16:45.839 --> 00:16:46.399 Amen. 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:46.899 Amen. 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.379 Amen. 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:47.399 Amen. 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:48.439 Amen. 00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:48.919 Amen. 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:48.959 Amen. 00:16:48.959 --> 00:16:49.360 Amen. 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:49.480 Amen. 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:49.939 Amen. 00:16:49.939 --> 00:16:50.279 Amen. 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:50.879 Amen. 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.980 Amen. 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:52.519 Amen. 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:52.959 Amen. 00:16:52.959 --> 00:16:53.000 Amen. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:53.059 Amen. 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:53.100 Amen. 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:53.159 Amen. 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:53.379 Amen.