WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.780 And please take your copy of God's Word and join me in Luke chapter 2. 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:13.120 ! Our text for today will be Luke chapter 2, verses 1-14. 00:00:13.119 --> 00:00:23.679 To wish somebody a Merry Christmas, which we've said already many times this season and certainly this morning, 00:00:24.539 --> 00:00:28.960 is to wish them a day full of cheer or good feelings. 00:00:29.719 --> 00:00:36.960 The sincerest version of this desire for a Merry Christmas is for someone to be happy, 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:44.320 but not simply based in their circumstances, the particular joys of this day, 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:48.200 but to be happy regardless of their circumstances. 00:00:49.100 --> 00:00:55.260 That their happiness would be based in an enduring reality. 00:00:56.260 --> 00:01:05.400 That reality, the thing that bases our merriest of Christmases, is that God has loved us in Jesus Christ. 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:11.820 My hope for our brief time together this morning as we take a look at this first bit of Luke chapter 2, 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:15.900 is that we will marvel at the arrival of God incarnate. 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:19.640 That our affections for Jesus Christ will be warmed this morning, 00:01:20.020 --> 00:01:24.080 and that those affections will flavor the rest of this day. 00:01:25.360 --> 00:01:30.520 Before I read these 14 verses, let me remind you, beloved, that this is God's Word to us. 00:01:31.360 --> 00:01:34.180 That it was written for His glory and our good. 00:01:34.180 --> 00:01:40.320 And so we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:01:41.520 --> 00:01:43.460 Luke chapter 2 and verse 1. 00:01:44.880 --> 00:01:50.840 In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 00:01:51.820 --> 00:01:55.600 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 00:01:55.599 --> 00:01:59.379 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:06.879 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:13.959 because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 00:02:13.960 --> 00:02:17.760 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 00:02:18.300 --> 00:02:24.860 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, 00:02:25.420 --> 00:02:28.100 because there was no place for them in the inn. 00:02:28.920 --> 00:02:33.760 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:41.439 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:50.180 And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 00:02:50.959 --> 00:02:55.959 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 00:02:56.579 --> 00:02:57.959 And this will be a sign for you. 00:02:57.959 --> 00:03:02.979 You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, and lying in a manger. 00:03:03.759 --> 00:03:09.899 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:16.679 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. 00:03:17.259 --> 00:03:18.500 Let's pray together. 00:03:19.859 --> 00:03:22.139 Father, we thank you for your word this morning. 00:03:22.599 --> 00:03:27.479 And we pray that you'll bless us as we've made effort to come together this day, 00:03:27.620 --> 00:03:29.319 and hear what it would say for us, 00:03:29.319 --> 00:03:34.039 that you will bring forth fruit from the preaching of your word. 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:35.759 And we pray this in Christ's name. 00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:37.019 Amen. 00:03:38.419 --> 00:03:42.939 So in the hope of marveling at Jesus' coming and warming our affections this morning, 00:03:43.539 --> 00:03:47.219 I just want to make two observations from this text. 00:03:47.459 --> 00:03:50.539 Much more could be said, but just two observations. 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:55.879 First, the humility of Jesus Christ's coming. 00:03:56.579 --> 00:04:01.019 And secondly, the glory of Jesus Christ's coming. 00:04:01.759 --> 00:04:05.819 So firstly, the humility of Jesus Christ's coming. 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:11.139 Jesus certainly had a humble beginning. 00:04:11.399 --> 00:04:14.399 You can read of this in the first seven verses. 00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:19.620 We see in these verses the circumstance of Joseph's and Mary's travels. 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:23.180 They were being sent to be counted. 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:31.280 And the nature of this particular account that was to happen was a poll tax. 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:36.699 Caesar wanted to know exactly how many people were under his reign 00:04:36.699 --> 00:04:41.259 that he might charge them for the privilege of being Roman citizens. 00:04:41.780 --> 00:04:47.439 They were to give one denarius per year per person. 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:53.199 So this very circumstance was a humble circumstance, right? 00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:55.120 It was a Roman headcount. 00:04:55.360 --> 00:05:00.860 It was a way of saying, you belong to someone else. 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:05.300 And it's for this reason that they had to pack up the family 00:05:05.300 --> 00:05:09.339 and take this journey to Bethlehem. 00:05:09.339 --> 00:05:16.579 Bethlehem, a seemingly insignificant town, a humble town. 00:05:16.579 --> 00:05:21.219 The prophet Micah records in Micah 5 and verse 2. 00:05:21.359 --> 00:05:28.199 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, 00:05:29.039 --> 00:05:33.639 from you shall come forth for me one who is able to be ruler in Israel, 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:39.459 whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:46.079 This little, humble, insignificant town is located just south of Jerusalem, 00:05:46.659 --> 00:05:50.659 85 to 90 miles from Nazareth. 00:05:51.379 --> 00:05:54.500 So even the very journey was an arduous one. 00:05:54.659 --> 00:05:58.199 It wasn't just a hop, skip, and a jump over to the next town. 00:05:58.439 --> 00:06:03.879 It was a travel that had to happen for them to arrive in this town. 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:09.939 Jesus had humble, societal standing, right? 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:15.159 He didn't come in a significant way to a significant family. 00:06:16.159 --> 00:06:20.240 Joseph and Mary, seemingly insignificant parents. 00:06:21.339 --> 00:06:25.860 Joseph was a carpenter in the tiny town of Nazareth. 00:06:26.339 --> 00:06:32.399 We find this out in the biblical narrative when Jesus is rejected in his hometown in Matthew chapter 13. 00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:39.120 And in that text, those there go, isn't this Jesus Joseph's son? 00:06:39.659 --> 00:06:44.539 He doesn't seem to be prominent for the furniture that he made in that town. 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:48.239 Joseph was not a wealthy carpenter. 00:06:49.299 --> 00:06:51.959 Later in Luke chapter 2, Jesus is presented at the temple, 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:55.759 and a sacrifice is made for Mary's purification. 00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:59.299 If you look at verse 24, we can read, 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:04.720 And to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, 00:07:05.280 --> 00:07:09.560 a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:13.879 And this is from Leviticus chapter 12 and verse 8, 00:07:13.960 --> 00:07:21.379 in which God allows for this lesser sacrifice if a lamb could not be afforded. 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:29.079 So Joseph wasn't even able to afford the customary sacrifice that would have been made for Mary's purification, 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:36.279 but had to buy the lesser sacrifice of a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:40.800 Jesus had a humble ministry. 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:43.019 He had humble admirers. 00:07:43.459 --> 00:07:48.240 The very first admirers we see here are the shepherds of verse 8. 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:52.040 And the shepherds were night shift employees, right? 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:54.579 They were the lowliest of employees. 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:57.819 They went out and they slept amongst the sheep, 00:07:58.220 --> 00:08:04.240 out in the danger in order to protect this commodity that some wealthy man owned. 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:07.220 Jesus had humble followers, 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:09.460 largely made up of fishermen, 00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:11.060 at least seven of them, 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:13.240 a tax collector we know, 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:14.120 Matthew, 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:17.120 hated by those Jewish people. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:21.439 And his ministry had a humble goal. 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:24.699 We read in Mark chapter 10 and verse 45. 00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:26.139 Jesus says there, 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:28.620 the son of man came not to be served, 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:34.080 but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:40.720 And we know that Jesus' ministry had a humble end. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:45.740 Christmas should aim our hearts and minds at Good Friday, 00:08:46.040 --> 00:08:52.240 where this humble servant met the ultimate humiliation in suffering God's wrath for our sin, 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:56.340 the perfect dying for the imperfect. 00:08:56.340 --> 00:08:58.460 You see, 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:02.620 God's economy works in seemingly peculiar ways. 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:10.780 God seems to accomplish everything in his kingdom in an upside down fashion when considering it from the world's standards. 00:09:11.780 --> 00:09:17.180 But we do well to note that God's ways are always right side up. 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:20.219 Augustine once said, 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:28.339 man's maker was made man that he ruler of the stars might nurse at his mother's breast, 00:09:28.339 --> 00:09:31.319 that the bread might hunger, 00:09:31.739 --> 00:09:33.799 the fountain thirst, 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:36.359 the light sleep, 00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:39.439 the way be tired on its journey, 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:42.820 that truth might be accused of false witnesses, 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:45.820 the teacher be beaten with whips, 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:49.380 the foundation be suspended on wood, 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:52.900 the strength might grow weak, 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:55.220 that the healer might be wounded, 00:09:55.900 --> 00:09:58.240 that life might die. 00:09:59.260 --> 00:10:05.240 The humility of Jesus Christ coming ought to produce in us great humility. 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:08.340 In Philippians chapter 2, 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:09.620 verse 5 and following, 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:13.120 Paul exhorts us to humility in this way. 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:16.120 Have this mind among yourselves, 00:10:16.680 --> 00:10:18.659 which is yours in Christ Jesus, 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:21.139 who though he was in the form of God, 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:25.620 did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 00:10:26.180 --> 00:10:28.139 but emptied himself. 00:10:28.940 --> 00:10:29.960 And here, 00:10:30.419 --> 00:10:32.980 Paul tells us how it is that he emptied himself. 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:36.060 He didn't empty himself by putting off his deity, 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:37.500 but rather, 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:38.120 he says, 00:10:38.180 --> 00:10:40.759 by taking the form of a servant, 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:43.700 being born in the likeness of men. 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:47.120 He emptied himself by adding to his being. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:49.240 And being found in human form, 00:10:49.300 --> 00:10:52.120 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, 00:10:52.560 --> 00:10:54.580 even death on a cross. 00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:55.980 Therefore, 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:59.980 God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:01.620 so that the name of Jesus, 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:04.500 every knee should bow in heaven on earth and under the earth, 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:07.560 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:10.659 to the glory of God the Father. 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:14.399 Humility that leads to glory. 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:18.740 Praise be to God that the story doesn't end with Good Friday, 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:22.820 and that our hearts and minds should then be drawn to Easter. 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:25.159 Humility that leads, 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:26.320 that yields to glory, 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:29.539 a glory that has come and is yet to be fully realized, 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:34.899 which brings us to our next and final observation this morning. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.319 So secondly, 00:11:37.219 --> 00:11:40.019 the glory of Jesus Christ's coming. 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:42.759 So we see in the beginning of this text, 00:11:43.199 --> 00:11:44.099 such humility, 00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:44.500 right? 00:11:44.579 --> 00:11:46.199 In the way that Jesus comes, 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:49.279 in who he comes to, 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:53.379 but we also see a great measure of glory. 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:57.879 This word glory means praise or honor. 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:01.279 So when I say the glory of Jesus Christ's coming, 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:06.039 I mean the praiseworthiness of his coming. 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:08.620 On the evening of the birth of our Lord, 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:11.179 an announcement is made by an angel, 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:13.179 and then by angels. 00:12:13.979 --> 00:12:17.199 We see this in verses 9 through 14. 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:22.719 An ever-expanding cacophony of praise for our God. 00:12:22.779 --> 00:12:26.939 And they model for us how we ought to also praise our God, 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:29.739 to glory in his coming. 00:12:31.339 --> 00:12:33.959 Angels most simply and rightly understood 00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:37.479 are messengers of God. 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:40.159 There's a lot of other erroneous things out there, 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:42.159 some true things out there about angels, 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.920 but we ought to see at their core, 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:48.159 they come to speak on behalf of our God. 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:50.279 John Piper once wrote, 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:53.340 angels were created for Christ's everlasting glory 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:56.820 and for our everlasting joy. 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:59.560 So we see verse 9, 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:02.240 an angel of the Lord appeared to them, 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:05.180 these humble shepherds out in this field, 00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:10.139 and the glory of the Lord shone around them. 00:13:11.219 --> 00:13:14.159 Note that accompanying this proclamation of glory, 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:17.059 there's also a tangible glory. 00:13:17.199 --> 00:13:19.719 There's a visible glory. 00:13:20.719 --> 00:13:23.539 In Revelation chapter 21 and verse 23, 00:13:23.839 --> 00:13:27.239 John writes of his vision of the new Jerusalem. 00:13:28.079 --> 00:13:28.979 And he says this, 00:13:29.479 --> 00:13:33.659 and the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, 00:13:33.659 --> 00:13:36.819 for the glory of God gives it light, 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:40.100 and its light is the lamb. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:44.339 Christ is the radiance of the new earth, 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.279 John tells us. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:48.279 And this is what the shepherds in that field 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:50.759 on that night experienced. 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:52.419 What a moment to behold. 00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:56.019 And just as the shepherds physically saw 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:57.539 the glory of God, 00:13:57.539 --> 00:14:01.599 so have we. 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:04.219 And I've got to meditate on this. 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:07.620 They visibly saw the glory of God. 00:14:07.699 --> 00:14:08.379 It shone. 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:10.199 It was radiant before them. 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:13.659 And so have we. 00:14:14.459 --> 00:14:18.120 Because Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 6, 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:20.840 for God who said, 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:23.940 let light shine out of darkness, 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:27.060 has shown in our hearts 00:14:27.060 --> 00:14:30.419 to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:33.120 in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:36.700 So because we can take up and read, 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:39.480 and by the illuminative power of the Spirit, 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:41.659 we can know Christ, 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:45.700 we also get to behold his glory. 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:50.759 Now, this should fill our hearts with praise, 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.700 but also with awe. 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:54.620 And you notice the shepherds, 00:14:54.800 --> 00:14:57.700 they were filled with great fear. 00:14:59.540 --> 00:15:00.280 Rightly so. 00:15:00.800 --> 00:15:03.800 To have such a being present himself to them 00:15:03.800 --> 00:15:06.560 and such a radiant glory exposed, 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:08.700 they were afraid. 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:11.980 But in the wonderful kindness of God, 00:15:12.040 --> 00:15:13.300 the angel says to them, 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:14.540 fear not. 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:16.399 For behold, 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:20.740 I bring you good news of great joy 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:24.099 that will be for all the people. 00:15:24.939 --> 00:15:28.120 Gospel news is what he's declaring to them. 00:15:28.339 --> 00:15:30.019 It's a victory declaration. 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:31.179 He says, don't be afraid. 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:34.019 I come to you declaring victory. 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:34.500 Right? 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:36.120 This God who said, 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.819 let light shine out of darkness, 00:15:37.819 --> 00:15:40.199 is now shining in to the world. 00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:45.240 And he is declaring that sin and death will have its defeat. 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:47.980 This is for our God's people. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.440 Great joy. 00:15:49.920 --> 00:15:50.920 And it is for, 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:51.920 note he says, 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:54.320 all the people. 00:15:54.900 --> 00:15:56.300 And I love that right here, 00:15:56.379 --> 00:16:00.780 the angel makes a declaration of God's global purpose. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.120 Right? 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:04.779 That his glory would spread across the earth 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:07.000 and the saving work of Christ. 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:07.440 Right? 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:13.440 This Christmas text is also a mission text. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.060 He goes on, 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:18.700 for unto you is born this day in the city of David, 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:22.899 a savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:28.179 So we see here in the text that this is the aim of Christmas. 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:32.439 Jesus came to die and to be resurrected. 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:34.699 I said this last night, 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:37.220 but we do well as we think about the baby, 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:38.139 the humble baby, 00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:40.000 wrapped in swaddling cloths, 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:41.019 lied in a manger, 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:44.039 to not let our thoughts stop there. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:44.419 Right? 00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:45.419 They must go on. 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:49.019 They must go higher than that. 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:51.819 Christmas points us to Easter. 00:16:51.820 --> 00:16:54.860 And we don't celebrate Christmas well 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:56.960 without a mind toward Easter. 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.760 In fact, 00:16:59.260 --> 00:17:01.480 each day of the Christian life 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:03.920 ought to be a celebration of both. 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.759 And as we gather corporately, 00:17:05.820 --> 00:17:06.539 each Lord's day, 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:08.620 we do the same. 00:17:09.120 --> 00:17:10.660 Our lives are meant to be a celebration 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:13.580 of the incarnation of God, 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:14.500 his life, 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:14.960 death, 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.000 resurrection. 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:16.600 Right? 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:21.140 His now reign and his soon coming. 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.039 Right? 00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:22.679 So, 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:25.480 unto you is born this day in the city of David. 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:25.980 Right? 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.639 Let me insert. 00:17:26.639 --> 00:17:31.000 A baby who is Christ the Lord, 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:31.619 the Christ, 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.220 the Messiah, 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:33.960 the promised one who will come, 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.179 conquer, 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.460 take his people, 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.379 and reign forever. 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:41.720 Jesus sums this sentiment perfectly 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:43.119 in Luke chapter 19, 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.899 verse 10, 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.519 where he says, 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:48.160 for the Son of Man came to seek 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:51.059 and to save the lost. 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.420 Right? 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:53.879 The Son of Man came, 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:55.160 Christmas, 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:58.319 to seek and save the lost. 00:17:58.879 --> 00:18:01.639 Easter and beyond. 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:04.759 After this astounding announcement, 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:08.000 the angel then gets really practical 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.980 and says, 00:18:09.080 --> 00:18:10.340 this will be a sign for you. 00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:12.820 You'll find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 00:18:12.820 --> 00:18:13.680 and lying in a manger. 00:18:13.780 --> 00:18:14.940 He gives them specific directions 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:16.940 on how to go and praise, 00:18:17.040 --> 00:18:20.580 like how to give glory to this baby. 00:18:21.580 --> 00:18:23.860 Then a great heavenly host 00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:28.360 joins in this solitary angel's purpose. 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:30.299 So we see it broaden. 00:18:31.139 --> 00:18:32.619 Suddenly there was with the angel 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:35.419 a multitude of the heavenly host 00:18:35.419 --> 00:18:37.459 praising God and saying, 00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:39.979 glory to God in the highest 00:18:39.979 --> 00:18:42.759 and on earth peace among those 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:45.139 with whom he is pleased. 00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:49.240 We see that the angels glorify God 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:51.899 because of the peace that Christ brings 00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:54.439 and Christ seeks to glorify God 00:18:54.439 --> 00:18:57.299 in the salvation of his people. 00:18:58.359 --> 00:19:00.059 At his trial before Pilate, 00:19:00.139 --> 00:19:03.219 recorded in John chapter 18 and verse 37, 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.639 we read, 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:06.240 Pilate saying to him, 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:08.419 so you are a king? 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.679 And Jesus answers, 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:13.159 you say that I am a king. 00:19:13.959 --> 00:19:15.679 For this purpose I was born 00:19:15.679 --> 00:19:18.299 and for this purpose I have come into the world 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:21.119 to bear witness to the truth. 00:19:22.139 --> 00:19:24.019 Everyone who is of the truth 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:26.919 listens to my voice. 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:31.640 John in chapter 8 and verse 47 00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:34.259 records Jesus' words, 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.680 whoever is of God 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:38.180 hears the words of God. 00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:40.759 The reason why you do not hear them 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:44.580 is that you are not of God. 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:46.700 And so, beloved, 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:48.160 if we are God's people, 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:51.420 as we open God's word this morning 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:53.259 and read from it 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:55.600 about the purpose of Christmas, 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:57.560 that we would learn 00:19:57.560 --> 00:19:59.720 the humility of Jesus Christ's coming 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:03.120 and the glory of Jesus Christ's coming, 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:05.539 we will hear this 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:07.380 and our hearts will be moved 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:10.039 in affection toward him. 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:12.299 And if we don't, 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:14.039 if our hearts are hardened 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:15.059 against him, 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.940 then I would plead with you 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:18.399 that today would be the day 00:20:18.399 --> 00:20:19.700 of your repentance, 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:21.460 that you would throw yourself 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:24.279 on the mercy of this Christ 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:26.519 that we celebrate today. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:29.440 I hope that this morning's 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:30.639 brief look at this text 00:20:30.639 --> 00:20:31.579 has aided you 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.500 in marveling 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.240 at the arrival 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.500 of God incarnate 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:36.240 and that your affections 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:37.019 for Jesus Christ 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:38.319 have been warmed this morning 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:40.200 and that those affections 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:40.940 will flavor 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.759 the rest 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:43.180 of your day. 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:44.599 Let's pray together 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.579 to that end.