WEBVTT

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 the dark night suddenly lit up with dazzling light.

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 An angel appears announcing God's special delivery in Bethlehem.

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 A special delivery clearly marked God's King and Saviour, Christ the Lord.

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 The salvation package which God had promised many, many years earlier had finally arrived.

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 Now, big breaking news stories gets a lot of coverage on our social media, our devices.

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 Pop-ups tell you this is a big story.

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 All the things that go around it, this is a big story, big news feed.

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 But nothing compares to this breaking news.

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 One angel is joined by what I've called before perhaps the first flash mob ever in history.

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 The sky is filled with angels behind the first angel just singing the praises of God.

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 Why?

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 Because of God's special delivery to his world.

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 Now, there's something really shocking, actually scandalous about this announcement.

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 The announcement was made to a bunch of shepherds.

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 Not to high society people who had power and influence, as we might expect a big announcement to be.

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 Not to them.

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 But God chose a bunch of shepherds.

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 Who, in Jesus' day, were actually a despised group of people.

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 Probably young blokes.

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 Certainly, they were religious outcasts.

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 The religious outcasts, because of their work, they couldn't actually fulfill the ceremonial law required for them.

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 And so they were on the outside of recognized Jewish religion, on the outside of the temple.

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 And they were social outcasts.

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 Mostly, they were just uneducated, rough, redneck types.

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 And yet, it's to these people that God made his special announcement.

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 Why such an exciting announcement to an unlikely audience?

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 Well, I don't think it's just because another baby's been born.

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 Quite literally, around the world that night, there would have been thousands of babies born, quite possibly.

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 And Luke does emphasize that this was a real baby.

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 A real human baby, born after a real pregnancy, in a real place, in a real time.

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 But that's not his focus.

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 What makes this so interesting is the identity of the baby.

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 This is an extraordinary baby.

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 And we'll see more about that in a minute.

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 So we're going to pause now, and then Chris is going to read the passages with that little bit of introduction.

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 And then we're going to have another part of the kids talk.

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 And then we'll sign.

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 No, we're not.

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 Okay.

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 Is that right?

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 All right.

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 Okay.

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 Well, whatever.

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 Just get on to it then.

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 I was going to say nobody tells me anything, but that's not true.

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 They did tell me.

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 I just haven't got it right.

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 If you haven't already got your word open or device open, it's Luke chapter 2, starting at verse 1.

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 And we're going to read 20 verses, not chapters.

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 So Luke chapter 2.

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 In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

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 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

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 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

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 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,

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 because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

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 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

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 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger,

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 because there was no place for them in the inn.

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 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

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 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.

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 And they were filled with great fear.

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 And the angel said to them,

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 Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

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 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

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 And this will be a sign for you.

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 You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

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 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

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 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.

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 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

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 Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.

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 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger.

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 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told to them concerning this child.

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 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

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 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

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 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.

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 And it had been told to them.

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 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus.

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 The name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

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 So we've got a sky full of angels and a bunch of shepherds.

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 And they're all just bursting forth in song because of what they'd heard about this announcement of,

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 the most amazing announcement ever of the arrival of Jesus, God's special package.

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 The second point I want to make is that this package comes with the most amazing gift wrapping ever.

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 Clothed in flesh and humility.

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 So we see the gifts before us.

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 The final touch, and this is one I'm not interested in really,

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 but the final touch on any gift is the gift wrapping.

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 I can see it with my girls.

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 They really, really see a gift as being extra special

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 when it's obvious to them, however that comes to them,

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 it's obvious to them that the gift wrapping

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 has been chosen as carefully as the gift itself.

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 The whole package speaks, therefore,

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 of the care and the knowledge and the intimacy of the person who gave the gift.

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 But the brutal reality against that is that after Christmas,

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 we see wheelie bins just overflowing with Christmas wrapping.

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 Most kids and many adults like me just rip the stuff off

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 because we're only interested in what's inside.

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 You might see some girls, adult females,

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 they might linger over the wrapping

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 and just delicately unpick all the little bits of sticky tape.

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 Everybody else in the room, come on, get on with it.

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 But they're savoring.

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 They're unwrapping, they're savoring,

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 and they want to keep it.

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 But for both groups,

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 the main event is on the inside,

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 the gift itself.

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 As the angel announced

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 the arrival of God's special delivery,

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 he also put special attention on the gift wrapping.

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 We're told that this gift comes to us in human flesh.

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 The sign, as Chris read to us,

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 would be a baby in a manger.

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 But in this case,

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 the gift wrapping was incredibly important.

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 Indeed, the gift wrapping is inseparable from the gift

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 and would never be discarded.

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 So the message of Christmas

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 is not just that Jesus was born into the world,

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 but that in Jesus,

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 God was born into the world

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 as an extraordinary baby

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 who was fully and completely God,

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 fully and completely human.

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 And this event happened,

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 we're celebrating this morning,

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 a bit over 2,000 years ago.

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 And it's in the wrapping

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 that God,

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 we see God's thoughtfulness,

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 we see God's care and attention,

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 we see God's knowledge of us

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 and how much he values us.

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 God chose a delicate mesh

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 of human fiber,

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 fragile,

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 needy,

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 unremarkable,

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 unremarkable,

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 to make his gift

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 totally suited

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 to his people's needs.

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 Clothed in flesh

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 and humility,

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 God became

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 one of us.

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 That's the amazing part of Christmas,

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 that God became one of us.

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 He came to us

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 in our situation,

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 in our context.

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 How amazing is that?

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 The maker of the universe

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 becomes a small part of the universe.

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 A baby

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 lying in a cattle trough

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 in a dirty,

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 smelly,

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 nondescript

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 animal shelter.

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 And for all the grandeur

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 of Jesus' status

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 as the long-awaited Messiah,

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 and that's how he's described,

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 this baby is the Messiah,

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 God's King and Savior,

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 Lord.

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 For all the grandeur

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 of that,

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 for all the authority

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 that that baby had

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 vested in him

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 and in himself

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 to speak and act

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 in this world,

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 his story

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 begins with

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 a rather scandalous

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 display of humility.

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 It's shocking.

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 And yet we're told here

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 by the angel

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 that this would be

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 his signature tune.

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 This would be his mark.

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 This would be the measure

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 of his whole life,

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 and especially,

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 as we'll see later

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 in the story,

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 his death.

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 The mission of Jesus

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 was not just to come

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 into the world,

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 but the mission of Jesus

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 was to come into the world

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 to identify with us

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 and to serve us,

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 his people,

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 by doing for us

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 that which we cannot

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 do for ourselves,

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 establish peace with God.

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 My friends,

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 there's nothing sentimental

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 about that.

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 There's nothing silent

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 about that.

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 In fact,

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 as Jesus came into the world

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 in the most

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 inglorious

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 and humble manner,

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 God,

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 in a sense,

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 was screaming at his world

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 that this is my

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 thoughtful

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 saving commitment

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 to you,

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 my people,

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 who are so desperately

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 in need of my

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 thoughtful saving commitment.

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 We're going to pause again.

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 Just checking,

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 just checking.

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 All right,

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 so we've got the sky

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 full of angels,

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 a bunch of shepherds,

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 they're all just

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 overflowing with praise.

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 It's the most

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 amazing announcement,

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 the most special

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 gift wrapping,

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 and it's the most

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 amazing gift ever.

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 In Jesus,

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 at Christmas,

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 God gives us

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 himself.

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 When we get a gift,

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 it's always lovely,

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 or when we give a gift,

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 it's always lovely

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 to hear the response,

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 whoa,

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 that's the best

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 gift ever.

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 We actually struck

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 it rich with our

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 grandchildren this year.

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 I think we got

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 a complete agreement

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 that all our gifts

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 were actually cool,

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 which is very special

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 when you're our age.

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 But that's what you love

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 to hear,

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 isn't it?

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 People appreciate

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 that the gift

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 is just what they want.

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 This is exactly

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 what I need.

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 And when we hear

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 that response,

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 then we realize

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 that all the effort

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 we put into finding

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 that gift

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 has been worthwhile.

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 Well,

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 in the birth of Jesus,

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 we see how much effort

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 God has put into

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 getting us

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 just exactly

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 the gift we need.

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 He's described

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 as a Savior,

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 and that's good news.

00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:43.460
 Verse 11,

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 the angel strings together

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 a series of titles

00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:47.399
 from the Old Testament

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 which described

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 this newborn

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 extraordinary baby.

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 He is Savior,

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 Christ the Lord.

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 This apparently

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 fragile,

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 helpless baby

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 is God the Father's

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 firstborn son.

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 He has the Father's

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 full authority.

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 He's the expression

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 of the Father's

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 glory and power.

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 He's the fulfillment

00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:13.139
 of all God's promises

00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:13.819
 to act

00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:14.980
 or save

00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:15.559
 or deliver

00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:15.960
 His people

00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:16.540
 from their sin.

00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:19.540
 This baby Jesus

00:14:19.540 --> 00:14:20.500
 would be the one

00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.540
 who would sort out

00:14:21.540 --> 00:14:22.300
 the mess

00:14:22.300 --> 00:14:25.320
 that we have caused

00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:26.060
 in God's world,

00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:26.580
 the mess

00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:28.320
 of our own hearts

00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:30.040
 and the mess

00:14:30.040 --> 00:14:30.759
 that overflows

00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.740
 from our own hearts.

00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:34.960
 God would sort

00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:35.879
 that out in Jesus,

00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.180
 rescue people

00:14:37.180 --> 00:14:37.840
 from the power

00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:38.200
 of sin

00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:39.340
 and renew us.

00:14:40.900 --> 00:14:41.340
 Why?

00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:42.160
 So that we might

00:14:42.160 --> 00:14:42.980
 have new desire

00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.600
 to love

00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.279
 and serve

00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:44.779
 and honour

00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.899
 the Lord.

00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.320
 In other words,

00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:50.379
 Jesus would do

00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:52.139
 what all the other

00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:53.320
 prophets before Him

00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.259
 had failed to do

00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:55.240
 and were unable to do

00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:58.720
 and what we're unable

00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.820
 to do for ourselves.

00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.759
 Why can we be sure

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.159
 of this?

00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.340
 Well, because

00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:06.980
 He is Lord God.

00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:09.160
 He has the power

00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:10.019
 and authority

00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:12.740
 He needs

00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.980
 to do the job

00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:14.879
 given to Him.

00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:17.419
 And all of that

00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:18.360
 is affirmed

00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:20.419
 in His mission

00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:21.740
 by display

00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:23.199
 of God's glory

00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:23.860
 at His birth.

00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:24.860
 This is something

00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.919
 the whole of heaven

00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:27.699
 is invested in.

00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:34.580
 In the most

00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:35.759
 important announcement

00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.460
 ever made

00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.120
 in our world,

00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:39.320
 both our need

00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:40.180
 is highlighted

00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:41.960
 and also

00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:42.660
 the solution

00:15:42.660 --> 00:15:43.660
 is spelled out.

00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.540
 We need

00:15:45.540 --> 00:15:46.900
 somebody like us

00:15:46.900 --> 00:15:48.580
 to sort out

00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:49.000
 the mess

00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.720
 we've caused.

00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.620
 And in Jesus,

00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:53.280
 we have somebody

00:15:53.280 --> 00:15:54.280
 who identifies

00:15:54.280 --> 00:15:54.820
 with us

00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:55.660
 but who is also

00:15:55.660 --> 00:15:57.000
 different from us.

00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:57.620
 He's not part

00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.179
 of the problem.

00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:59.080
 He's the solution.

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.720
 Jesus has come

00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.600
 to reclaim,

00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.820
 to rescue

00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.580
 and renew.

00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.519
 So when we think

00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:08.500
 of baby Jesus,

00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:10.820
 we've got to think

00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:12.799
 humility,

00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:13.860
 frailty,

00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.299
 but we've also

00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:15.720
 got to think

00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.940
 grandeur and power

00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:17.620
 and authority.

00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:21.659
 And little wonder

00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:22.019
 therefore

00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:23.600
 is described

00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:24.179
 in verse 10

00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:25.039
 as good news.

00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:26.919
 Little wonder

00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:27.519
 verse 13,

00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.339
 all of heaven

00:16:28.339 --> 00:16:29.240
 bursts into

00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:30.439
 song of praise.

00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:34.179
 And we see that

00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:35.179
 in this series

00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:35.959
 over three weeks.

00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.079
 Every time we have

00:16:37.079 --> 00:16:38.139
 people who get

00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:39.339
 anything of a glimpse

00:16:39.339 --> 00:16:40.740
 of who Jesus is

00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.379
 and what he's about,

00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:43.019
 then they erupt

00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.539
 in song,

00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:44.579
 a song of praise,

00:16:44.699 --> 00:16:45.620
 a song of thanksgiving.

00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:48.259
 And heaven too

00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:49.079
 erupts

00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:49.819
 because heaven

00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:50.539
 had waited

00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:52.659
 for this moment,

00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:54.019
 for this saving moment,

00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:55.079
 for centuries.

00:16:56.819 --> 00:16:58.460
 And the direct result

00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.059
 of Jesus

00:16:59.059 --> 00:17:00.620
 being born a saviour

00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.319
 is that peace

00:17:01.319 --> 00:17:02.100
 would be established.

00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.360
 That's what the angel says.

00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:04.240
 Now,

00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.139
 at that point,

00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.079
 this idea has been

00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:06.619
 distorted

00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:08.019
 and trivialised

00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.039
 and sentimentalised

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:11.139
 as peace and goodwill

00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:11.559
 to everybody.

00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.200
 That's what we hear

00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:13.619
 and it's cringeworthy,

00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:13.920
 isn't it?

00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:16.580
 It's a sentimental notion

00:17:16.580 --> 00:17:16.900
 that says,

00:17:17.060 --> 00:17:17.100
 well,

00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.000
 Christmas is all about

00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.080
 being nice to people

00:17:19.080 --> 00:17:19.740
 so you have to

00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.620
 make sure you don't

00:17:20.620 --> 00:17:21.620
 have a family argument

00:17:21.620 --> 00:17:22.880
 at least on Christmas Day

00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:23.640
 or, well,

00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:23.940
 actually,

00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.840
 at least just for the meal

00:17:24.840 --> 00:17:25.120
 anyway.

00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.900
 But that's not

00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.680
 what it means here.

00:17:31.060 --> 00:17:32.220
 It's much more powerful.

00:17:32.840 --> 00:17:33.680
 The peace that's referred

00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.240
 to here

00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.180
 is something that's

00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:35.640
 granted

00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:37.100
 by God

00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:38.600
 through Jesus.

00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.900
 The peace here

00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.519
 is something that

00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.560
 Jesus secures

00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:43.559
 and it's not necessarily

00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.879
 something that

00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:46.200
 everyone will experience.

00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:48.379
 It is peace

00:17:48.379 --> 00:17:49.480
 among those

00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:51.019
 who are granted

00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:51.539
 peace

00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.960
 by God's grace,

00:17:53.399 --> 00:17:54.480
 by God's favour,

00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.419
 by God's generosity.

00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.559
 And that's what makes

00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.899
 Jesus really unique

00:17:59.899 --> 00:18:00.480
 in the world.

00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.519
 Jesus was born

00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.139
 into a period

00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:05.019
 of unprecedented

00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:06.539
 peace and prosperity.

00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.279
 It was called

00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.279
 the Pax Romana.

00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:09.559
 Now,

00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:11.279
 this peace and prosperity

00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.480
 was a political

00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.319
 sort of military

00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:13.700
 peace

00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:15.399
 and it was enforced

00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:17.160
 by the ruthless

00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.059
 brutality

00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:19.119
 of the Roman

00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:20.440
 legions

00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:22.299
 under Caesar

00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:22.920
 Augustus.

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:25.700
 But interestingly,

00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:26.879
 even in those days,

00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.099
 a philosopher

00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:28.559
 of the day,

00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.220
 Epictetus,

00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.579
 pointed out how

00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:31.539
 limited Caesar's

00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.500
 peace really was

00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.299
 and he wrote,

00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:35.819
 while the emperor

00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.700
 may give peace

00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.420
 from war

00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.119
 on land

00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:38.779
 and sea,

00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.579
 he is unable

00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:42.319
 to give peace

00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.159
 from passion,

00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.319
 grief,

00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:44.959
 and envy.

00:18:46.459 --> 00:18:46.699
 Yeah,

00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.539
 he could enforce

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.379
 a form of peace

00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.439
 from the outside in,

00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.339
 but that did nothing

00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.439
 to quell the hearts

00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.379
 that wants to erupt

00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.339
 from the inside out

00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:56.099
 and ultimately

00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:57.319
 cause the violence

00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:59.439
 and terrors

00:18:59.439 --> 00:19:00.119
 of our world.

00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:02.339
 He cannot give

00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.039
 peace of heart

00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:04.239
 for which

00:19:04.239 --> 00:19:05.679
 mankind yearns,

00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.860
 more even

00:19:06.860 --> 00:19:07.580
 than for outward

00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:07.980
 peace.

00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:11.200
 King Jesus

00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:12.580
 comes into

00:19:12.580 --> 00:19:13.180
 our world

00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:15.259
 to establish

00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:17.360
 spiritual peace,

00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:18.340
 peace between

00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:19.460
 God and man,

00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.299
 which means

00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.500
 freedom

00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:23.299
 from the fear

00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:23.820
 of rejection

00:19:23.820 --> 00:19:24.400
 by God,

00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:25.299
 confidence

00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:25.880
 that we have

00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:26.779
 a secure home

00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.180
 in heaven

00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:28.360
 waiting for us

00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:28.860
 at death.

00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.880
 And in contrast

00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.820
 to Caesar's peace,

00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:34.880
 this will not

00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.580
 be achieved

00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:36.900
 by violence

00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:37.820
 and ruthless

00:19:37.820 --> 00:19:38.460
 suppression

00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:40.080
 of those

00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:40.400
 who are their

00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:40.740
 enemies.

00:19:42.580 --> 00:19:43.420
 It will be

00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:44.140
 achieved by

00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:45.880
 Jesus becoming,

00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:47.220
 King Jesus

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.820
 becoming the

00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:48.600
 Prince of Peace.

00:19:50.040 --> 00:19:50.460
 It will be

00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.000
 achieved as

00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:52.460
 God's own

00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.500
 Son absorbs

00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.500
 the wrath

00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.720
 that comes

00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.400
 from the Father

00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:57.160
 for our sin.

00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:02.180
 It comes

00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:02.940
 as Jesus

00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.740
 dies

00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:05.480
 the death

00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:05.880
 that we

00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.480
 deserve to

00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:06.740
 die

00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:09.720
 to secure

00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.259
 peace and

00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.000
 life for us,

00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.000
 his people,

00:20:12.580 --> 00:20:13.460
 with the

00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:13.820
 Father.

00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.600
 Imagine that.

00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.140
 We celebrate

00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:17.600
 Christmas

00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:19.200
 as the very

00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.360
 basis of

00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:22.180
 fear-free

00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:22.960
 living.

00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:25.200
 Behind every

00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:25.519
 fear,

00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:26.100
 ultimately,

00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:27.279
 I believe,

00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:28.160
 and psychologists

00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:28.740
 would believe,

00:20:29.340 --> 00:20:30.080
 is the fear

00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:30.779
 of being rejected

00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.399
 by God.

00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:33.960
 We see it

00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:34.599
 stepped right

00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:34.839
 up.

00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:35.699
 We fear

00:20:35.699 --> 00:20:36.339
 being rejected

00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:37.139
 by those

00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:37.740
 closest to us.

00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.079
 We fear

00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.619
 being rejected

00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:39.240
 by family.

00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:39.639
 We fear

00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.199
 being rejected

00:20:40.199 --> 00:20:40.839
 by community.

00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:41.679
 And so it

00:20:41.679 --> 00:20:42.220
 goes right up

00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.539
 the line.

00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.059
 And ultimately,

00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:43.939
 there's a deep-seated

00:20:43.939 --> 00:20:44.939
 fear that many

00:20:44.939 --> 00:20:45.579
 of us don't even

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.339
 articulate,

00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:47.720
 fear of when

00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.299
 we die,

00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.199
 being rejected

00:20:50.199 --> 00:20:50.740
 by God.

00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.460
 The evidence

00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.039
 of that is we

00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.879
 spend so much

00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:53.599
 time trying to

00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:54.639
 assure ourselves

00:20:54.639 --> 00:20:55.819
 that when we do

00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.139
 die,

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:56.699
 everything will

00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:57.299
 be fine.

00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.120
 Rest in

00:20:59.120 --> 00:20:59.580
 peace.

00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:09.200
 Jesus'

00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:10.019
 kingdom is not

00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.880
 about political

00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.539
 or military

00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:11.980
 power.

00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.120
 His greatness

00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:13.880
 is that he

00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.900
 identifies with

00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.680
 those who have

00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.779
 nothing going

00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.220
 for them.

00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.340
 And does for

00:21:19.340 --> 00:21:20.080
 them what they

00:21:20.080 --> 00:21:20.720
 could never do

00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.380
 for themselves.

00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:21.840
 That is,

00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:22.819
 he gives

00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.740
 restless,

00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.600
 fearful,

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:28.279
 wandering

00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:29.000
 hearts,

00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.440
 the peace

00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.519
 they desperately

00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.059
 crave.

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.160
 Little wonder

00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:37.920
 the angel says

00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:38.740
 I bring you

00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.519
 good news

00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.980
 of great joy

00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:43.080
 made available

00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:44.900
 to all people

00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:47.039
 and to you.

00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:53.180
 At present

00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:54.460
 opening time,

00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:56.039
 every child

00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:57.220
 and most

00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.799
 adults,

00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:58.599
 you can see

00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:58.839
 it this

00:21:58.839 --> 00:21:59.159
 morning,

00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:00.680
 they just

00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.240
 want the

00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.099
 best present

00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:02.799
 to be theirs.

00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:04.399
 You can see

00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:04.799
 it around the

00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.259
 family tree.

00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.240
 They're trying

00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:07.159
 very much to

00:22:07.159 --> 00:22:07.440
 be in the

00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:07.819
 moment with

00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.099
 their own

00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.359
 present,

00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:08.700
 but you can

00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.220
 see the eyes

00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:09.940
 going sideways

00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.879
 and you can

00:22:10.879 --> 00:22:11.200
 see them

00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.740
 evaluating,

00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:12.519
 is my present

00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:12.940
 as good as

00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.480
 my brother's

00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:13.779
 present?

00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.039
 They just

00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.440
 want their

00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.000
 present to be

00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.680
 the best.

00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:20.639
 Well,

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.019
 God's

00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.359
 announcement

00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:21.940
 is clear.

00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:23.920
 God's gift

00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.799
 of himself

00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:27.039
 is as a

00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.700
 saviour for

00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:27.980
 you.

00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:29.759
 This

00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:31.500
 saviour is

00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:33.460
 hand-built,

00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:33.960
 as it were,

00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.400
 by the

00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:34.680
 Lord,

00:22:35.580 --> 00:22:36.279
 purpose-built,

00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.620
 individually

00:22:38.620 --> 00:22:39.620
 and specially

00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:40.140
 wrapped,

00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:46.140
 and it's for

00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.420
 you.

00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:49.380
 Hand-delivered

00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:50.600
 for you.

00:22:53.300 --> 00:22:54.020
 For you,

00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:54.400
 if you're

00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:54.860
 willing to

00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:55.220
 put your

00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:55.740
 hand out

00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.380
 and take

00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:57.020
 the gift

00:22:57.020 --> 00:22:58.580
 which God

00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:59.140
 offers you

00:22:59.140 --> 00:22:59.480
 with all

00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.020
 the promise

00:23:00.020 --> 00:23:00.620
 of delight

00:23:00.620 --> 00:23:01.420
 and peace

00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.560
 and satisfaction

00:23:02.560 --> 00:23:03.200
 and hope

00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:03.660
 that comes

00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:04.140
 with that

00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:04.420
 gift.

00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:05.780
 So,

00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.160
 I just

00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:06.780
 finish with

00:23:06.780 --> 00:23:07.600
 this challenge

00:23:07.600 --> 00:23:09.220
 on this

00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.500
 Christmas

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:09.840
 morning.

00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.720
 It's really

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.220
 over to

00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.480
 you.

00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:14.720
 God is

00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.240
 offering you

00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:15.800
 this morning

00:23:15.800 --> 00:23:16.660
 in Jesus

00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:18.720
 a wonderful

00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.260
 present.

00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:21.400
 himself,

00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:23.540
 wrapped

00:23:23.540 --> 00:23:24.600
 perfectly

00:23:24.600 --> 00:23:25.420
 as you

00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.420
 need it,

00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:27.680
 need him

00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:27.980
 to be

00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.280
 wrapped.

00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:29.940
 It

00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.740
 demonstrates

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.620
 completely

00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:32.100
 God's

00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:32.600
 love for

00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:34.040
 you and

00:23:34.040 --> 00:23:34.200
 his

00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:34.760
 commitment

00:23:34.760 --> 00:23:36.760
 to giving

00:23:36.760 --> 00:23:37.120
 you the

00:23:37.120 --> 00:23:37.720
 peace that

00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.240
 you crave

00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.520
 in your

00:23:38.520 --> 00:23:38.980
 heart but

00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.360
 haven't been

00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:39.660
 able to

00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.260
 find in

00:23:40.260 --> 00:23:40.640
 anything

00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.340
 else outside

00:23:41.340 --> 00:23:41.800
 of Jesus.

00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:45.260
 Jesus

00:23:45.260 --> 00:23:45.840
 is the

00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:46.240
 gift

00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.420
 you've

00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:47.920
 always

00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.380
 needed

00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.480
 but

00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:49.760
 here's

00:23:49.760 --> 00:23:49.880
 the

00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:50.100
 rub.

00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.360
 He's

00:23:50.360 --> 00:23:50.480
 the

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:50.700
 gift

00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:50.880
 you

00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.100
 may

00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:51.340
 not

00:23:51.340 --> 00:23:51.680
 always

00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:51.860
 have

00:23:51.860 --> 00:23:52.320
 longed

00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:52.680
 for.

00:23:57.060 --> 00:23:57.740
 But on

00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:57.940
 this

00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.380
 Christmas

00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:58.780
 morning

00:23:58.780 --> 00:23:59.460
 he's

00:23:59.460 --> 00:23:59.600
 the

00:23:59.600 --> 00:23:59.900
 gift

00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.260
 that's

00:24:00.260 --> 00:24:00.640
 before

00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:00.940
 you

00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.280
 one

00:24:01.280 --> 00:24:01.520
 more

00:24:01.520 --> 00:24:01.920
 time.

00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:04.580
 will

00:24:04.580 --> 00:24:06.740
 you

00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.460
 turn your

00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:07.779
 nose

00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.500
 up at

00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:08.660
 him

00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:08.920
 for

00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.200
 another

00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:09.580
 year

00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:11.840
 and

00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:12.080
 just

00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:12.600
 let

00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:12.860
 this

00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.140
 day

00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:13.400
 be

00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:14.259
 sentimentality

00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.660
 and a

00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:14.820
 big

00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:15.120
 feat

00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:17.920
 convinced

00:24:18.800 --> 00:24:19.180
 that you

00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:19.420
 might

00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.080
 still find

00:24:20.080 --> 00:24:20.600
 peace

00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:22.519
 in your

00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:22.779
 heart

00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.480
 in some

00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:23.720
 other

00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.380
 place

00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:24.779
 in our

00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.100
 world

00:24:25.100 --> 00:24:25.440
 or in

00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:25.580
 your

00:24:25.580 --> 00:24:25.980
 life

00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:27.400
 in some

00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:27.620
 other

00:24:27.620 --> 00:24:28.180
 relationship

00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:32.339
 or will

00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:32.759
 you take

00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.299
 God's

00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:33.579
 gift

00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.700
 enthusiastically?

00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:34.860
 Amen.

00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:34.920
 Amen.

00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:34.980
 Amen.

00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.079
 Amen.

00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.160
 Amen.

00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.200
 Amen.

00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:35.279
 Amen.

00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.319
 Amen.

00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:35.360
 Amen.

00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:35.380
 Amen.

00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:35.920
 Amen.

00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.200
 Amen.

00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:36.259
 Amen.

00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:36.319
 Amen.

00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.380
 Amen.

00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:36.860
 Amen.