WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.480 Having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 00:00:11.099 --> 00:00:16.440 So we're going to think together for a few minutes about this journey to Jesus. 00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:19.080 We're going to follow this journey of the wise men. 00:00:19.219 --> 00:00:22.600 I imagine for many of us it's very familiar. 00:00:23.480 --> 00:00:27.039 Perhaps you've been to a nativity play or you've participated. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:31.780 It's the kind of scene that we maybe still get on our Christmas cards. 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:41.299 So that if pressed, we are probably able to say, yes, we know they traveled somewhere from the east, most likely Persia, towards Jerusalem and then on to Bethlehem. 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:43.759 But do we know why they traveled? 00:00:44.420 --> 00:00:46.820 That's a far more interesting question to think about. 00:00:46.820 --> 00:00:48.820 This remarkable event. 00:00:48.820 --> 00:01:04.200 What is it that makes these men go on this journey of great distance, hundreds of miles in the days before easy public transport, with great cost and at great risk, uncertain of what they would find. 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:06.620 And yet they go. 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:15.160 And in their going, it becomes for them a journey to Jesus, a journey that's going to change their lives. 00:01:15.540 --> 00:01:17.580 So we're going to consider their story. 00:01:18.240 --> 00:01:25.420 We're going to get beyond the familiar to think about some really important but perhaps hidden truths that we find within. 00:01:26.439 --> 00:01:30.719 We're going to do that by thinking, first of all, about the star. 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:31.519 Okay. 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:35.840 Matthew chapter 2, verse 2, we have the Magi saying, 00:01:35.939 --> 00:01:37.959 Where is the one who's been born king of the Jews? 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:42.560 We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. 00:01:43.719 --> 00:01:59.259 Ever since 44 BC, when Julius Caesar died and at his funeral, a new star was seen in the sky, connecting kings with stars, was very much in fashion. 00:01:59.260 --> 00:02:05.680 Now, what star was it that the Magi followed this particular moment in time? 00:02:05.960 --> 00:02:06.840 We don't know. 00:02:07.820 --> 00:02:09.719 But there are some things that we do know. 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:13.759 When we read our Bibles, we know God is the one who made the stars. 00:02:14.020 --> 00:02:15.420 God names the stars. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:19.620 God sets the course for all the stars, including this one. 00:02:20.640 --> 00:02:28.259 Lots of people would have seen this star in the sky, but for the wise men, it's hugely significant because it is for them reverently. 00:02:29.259 --> 00:02:29.739 Revelation. 00:02:30.759 --> 00:02:31.739 God is speaking. 00:02:32.419 --> 00:02:36.840 God is saying something to them, and their life would never be the same. 00:02:37.479 --> 00:02:43.079 And this is remarkable because there are a few things, not many things that we know about these wise men, but we know for a fact. 00:02:43.739 --> 00:02:45.000 They were very wealthy. 00:02:46.539 --> 00:02:48.180 They could give gifts that included gold. 00:02:48.780 --> 00:02:50.500 They were highly educated. 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:52.399 They were wise men. 00:02:52.400 --> 00:03:09.599 They lived in a very different society, a very different religious system where they had many, many gods, and yet they are ready in a moment to leave it all behind, to follow this star, to follow God's revelation. 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:10.479 Why is that? 00:03:11.519 --> 00:03:14.479 It's God, as it were, He's lifted the roof off. 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:19.459 In this moment, He has broken into their world. 00:03:20.519 --> 00:03:28.180 God was going to break into the world in the sending of His Son, Jesus, but He's broken into their story, telling them there's something more, there's something greater. 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:33.260 And we find the Magi then following God's light where it leads. 00:03:34.200 --> 00:03:38.780 And, you know, this is revealing to us something that God loves to do. 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:45.080 God loves to make Himself known, just like light breaking through the darkness. 00:03:45.420 --> 00:03:51.280 He wants to reveal Himself to men and to women and boys and girls, and He does it in so many different ways. 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:55.439 For the wise men, it was through the shining star. 00:03:56.080 --> 00:03:59.280 For the shepherds, it was through the choir of angels. 00:04:01.099 --> 00:04:03.020 For me, it was much less spectacular. 00:04:03.740 --> 00:04:13.580 It was a Saturday afternoon in a very ordinary church event when I all of a sudden realized that Jesus had come to pay for my sin and to be my Savior. 00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:16.959 I've been reading a book with lots of different stories. 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:21.779 There's a chap by the name of Francis Collins involved in the Genome Project. 00:04:22.359 --> 00:04:25.039 He's the geneticist who first sequenced DNA. 00:04:25.839 --> 00:04:39.979 He tells his story of being a medical student, no interest in Christianity, but then he began to talk to patients, Christian patients suffering terribly, but with real hope. 00:04:40.779 --> 00:04:45.479 And that prompted him to think about the Christianity he'd rejected without ever opening a Bible. 00:04:45.480 --> 00:04:47.460 And he came to faith in Jesus. 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:59.340 For David Suchet, perhaps most famous for playing Poirot on the TV, he found himself 40 plus years ago in a New York hotel room taking a bath. 00:04:59.960 --> 00:05:06.960 And for the first time in his life, he was thinking about the afterlife, asking questions about resurrection that he'd never asked before. 00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:09.779 And that led him to pick up a New Testament. 00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:19.839 And in that New Testament to discover a worldview and a love that he'd been looking for most of his adult life without finding. 00:05:20.359 --> 00:05:21.859 But then he found Jesus. 00:05:23.579 --> 00:05:26.839 The light of Jesus is shone in lots of different ways. 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:30.179 Sometimes it's through personal conversations with Christians. 00:05:30.180 --> 00:05:34.300 Sometimes it's as we face difficult circumstances. 00:05:35.019 --> 00:05:38.160 Jesus has revealed himself even in dreams. 00:05:38.780 --> 00:05:43.319 Because our Creator wants us to know that he is real. 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:47.340 And he wants us to know him personally. 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:53.339 And so the shining of this star isn't just a nice event in the Christmas story. 00:05:53.479 --> 00:05:56.079 It reminds us that we are made for more than this. 00:05:56.739 --> 00:05:58.839 We're made for more than the nine to five. 00:05:59.500 --> 00:06:02.959 We're made for more than eat, sleep, repeat. 00:06:03.579 --> 00:06:08.859 We're made for more than the crazy busyness that keeps us consumed with the here and now. 00:06:09.599 --> 00:06:10.779 In fact, the Bible will tell us. 00:06:11.099 --> 00:06:13.799 God has set eternity in our hearts. 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:23.540 And perhaps one of the reasons why we can find ourselves restless so often is because we're looking for satisfaction in things that are less than God. 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:27.300 But here's what made the Magi leave it all behind. 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:31.379 God spoke, revealed something of his truth. 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:32.600 They listened. 00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:37.720 And in that listening, there was the beginning of a journey of enjoying life with him. 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:40.139 So that's the star of the story. 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:43.280 Let's think now about the king. 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:48.399 Because the search takes them to Jerusalem, the center of power in Israel. 00:06:48.719 --> 00:06:52.199 And they ask that question, where is the one who's been born king of the Jews? 00:06:52.299 --> 00:06:54.979 Now, maybe we've heard this loads of times. 00:06:55.059 --> 00:06:57.099 And we think, well, of course, that's the question that gets asked. 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:58.459 But it's an amazing question. 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:02.239 Because at this point in time, Israel, of course, is a tiny nation. 00:07:03.119 --> 00:07:05.419 They're being ruled by a puppet king. 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:07.679 It's really Rome that's in charge. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:12.459 They are insignificant as a nation, both politically and economically. 00:07:12.840 --> 00:07:16.519 So why in the world do the Persians come looking for their king? 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:24.399 Well, Matthew has already told us, and they're going to learn, something of the remarkable identity of this king. 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:27.979 He is, after all, Emmanuel. 00:07:28.919 --> 00:07:30.639 None less than God with us. 00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:32.319 Fully God, fully man. 00:07:32.659 --> 00:07:36.379 The one who came to save us, to save us from our sins. 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:40.359 And as the question is asked, where's the one who's been born king of the Jews? 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:43.639 And as they open up their Old Testament, they're looking for the prophecy. 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:46.539 And that reveals this promised king would be a shepherd. 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:51.120 One who would guide his people back home to God. 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:53.979 Sounds like comfort, doesn't it? 00:07:54.779 --> 00:07:57.519 This king will be the God who is with us. 00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:59.899 The God who would save us. 00:08:00.219 --> 00:08:02.819 The God who would be a shepherd to guide us home. 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:12.519 And yet the truth is, the reality of Jesus as king is one that often challenges and offends. 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:19.060 Because kingship always implies there is only one who sits on the throne. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:23.419 There is only one who can claim all authority. 00:08:24.159 --> 00:08:27.819 Only one who can call the shots in our lives. 00:08:28.919 --> 00:08:33.759 And deep down and by instinct, most of the time, we want that to be us. 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:35.500 And not God. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:39.000 I think that explains King Herod's reaction. 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.240 We didn't read the whole story. 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:43.519 Herod, first of all, tries to dress up. 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:47.399 He's really keen to go and find the baby Jesus so he can worship. 00:08:47.560 --> 00:08:51.680 But actually his plan is to kill baby Jesus. 00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:58.919 Because he is a king who is determined to remain on his throne, whatever the cost. 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:05.159 Maybe that partly explains why Jesus can be opposed or rejected in our own lives. 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:07.139 Because we want to be in charge. 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:08.259 We want to call the shots. 00:09:08.319 --> 00:09:10.240 It seems very limiting to our freedom. 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:13.639 To have to owe our loyalty or obedience to another. 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:15.959 Maybe you've had that reaction. 00:09:16.079 --> 00:09:18.759 Maybe that's your reaction to Christianity and to Jesus today. 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:24.799 Well, let me encourage you this Christmas season to consider this king. 00:09:25.219 --> 00:09:26.719 The king who's revealed in the Bible. 00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:28.439 The one who turns everything upside down. 00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:31.380 He is a king who comes in weakness. 00:09:31.920 --> 00:09:34.180 He is born in a stable. 00:09:34.760 --> 00:09:36.800 To an unimportant family. 00:09:37.540 --> 00:09:41.020 And he spends his time, not with the rich and powerful, 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:44.780 but often with the hopeless, the outcast, the outsider. 00:09:44.779 --> 00:09:52.980 At the end of his life, Jesus doesn't ascend to a throne, but to a cross. 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:57.379 Jesus doesn't use his power for self-interest. 00:09:57.879 --> 00:10:01.919 Rather, in love, he lays down his life as a sacrifice. 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:04.939 This is what God with us does. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:08.360 He dies to forgive us and to save us from sin. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:13.839 He comes in weakness, extending grace to weak people. 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:16.759 And in this, it's very different. 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:20.399 It makes Christianity very different to every other religion or worldview 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:22.459 that's going around in our day or in any day. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:28.839 Religion will always say, use your power, use your effort to reach the standard, 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:32.199 to make the grade, to get up the ladder towards God. 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:36.159 But Christianity is more honest because Jesus says we need to admit our weakness. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:39.939 Admit that we can't be good enough for God by ourselves. 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:41.220 We can't love God perfectly. 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:42.459 We can't love others perfectly. 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:45.040 We simply can't make the grade. 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:50.480 And that sounds hopeless except for the fact that God has sent Jesus to come down, 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:56.019 to live, die, and rise for us, to bring us to God. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:11:01.440 Let me invite you to consider his remarkable life. 00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:04.960 At the back of our church, we have lots of gospels there. 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:11.420 Pick one up and read of his miracles, of his teaching, of his love and kindness, 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:14.860 of his deliberate sacrifice to rescue us. 00:11:14.940 --> 00:11:18.060 And you will discover he is no ordinary man. 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:20.480 He is no ordinary king. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:26.420 And because this is true, even if we struggle instinctively with authority, 00:11:27.019 --> 00:11:28.840 he is a king that we can trust. 00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:32.180 It is safe to give our loyalty to this king. 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:37.620 And we remember this season as well that while King Jesus came first in weakness, 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:39.500 we have the promise that he'll come back again. 00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:42.160 He'll return one day in glory. 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:46.040 And he will establish his perfect kingdom forever. 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:51.180 And to be part of that kingdom, we're invited to trust him, 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:55.360 to receive him as our Lord and our king, 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:58.080 to be part of that wonderful world that's coming. 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:02.519 And that takes us to the third thing to do with this story, 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:04.320 again, which is probably very familiar, 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:08.220 the gifts that the wise men bring. 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:13.300 Every nativity play must have the wise men. 00:12:13.680 --> 00:12:17.639 And if we're honest, at least some of us must be sitting on the edge of our seat, 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:19.700 secretly hoping for that comedy moment 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:22.519 where they bring gold and myrrh and Frankenstein. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:23.860 We've been there. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:24.940 We know what it's like. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:27.300 But again, if we were pressed, 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:29.500 even if we hadn't read that passage tonight, 00:12:29.560 --> 00:12:32.580 I imagine most of us could probably list 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:35.919 two or probably even three of those gifts. 00:12:36.060 --> 00:12:39.539 But do we know why the gifts were given? 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:42.340 Look at verse 2 again. 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:45.139 We saw his star when it rose, 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:48.000 and have come to worship him. 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:51.320 And then as the star leads them to Bethlehem, 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.480 on coming to the house, 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:54.840 they saw the child with his mother Mary, 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:58.320 and they bowed down and worshiped him. 00:12:59.700 --> 00:13:01.519 This is a remarkable moment. 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:06.600 They have the ability to see through and to see beyond. 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:11.480 They can see beyond the weakness of little baby Jesus, 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:14.080 not clothed in royal robes, 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:17.639 but still they see in him the promised king, 00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:20.440 the one who is fully God, fully human. 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:23.860 And so they worship Christ, the newborn king. 00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:29.920 They can see beyond the humble scene of the house in Bethlehem, 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:34.579 and they see here is God's long-promised king. 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:39.240 Here is the way for God and sinners to be reconciled 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:44.959 and at peace through the gift of Jesus come into the world. 00:13:45.939 --> 00:13:48.259 Their long search is over. 00:13:48.979 --> 00:13:52.839 They found the king, the one worthy of their worship. 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:59.160 And let me suggest this reality reminds us perhaps 00:13:59.160 --> 00:14:01.280 of a hidden truth that lies within, 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:04.720 that all of us, whether we are aware of it or not, 00:14:04.920 --> 00:14:07.200 we are hardwired for worship. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:10.320 The magi, even before they'd ever heard of the king, 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:12.500 they were probably worshiping the stars, 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:14.620 probably worshiping other gods. 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:19.820 Because worship isn't just bowing down to a statue. 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:23.840 Worship happens whenever we make something ultimate in our life. 00:14:24.900 --> 00:14:27.660 That thing that we look to for security and purpose 00:14:27.660 --> 00:14:30.520 and identity and joy, and that comes in many forms. 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.620 It could be work or wealth. 00:14:34.140 --> 00:14:36.440 It could be a relationship or beauty or power, 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:38.379 comfort or status. 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:41.940 And these magi, these wise men are reminding us 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:43.780 what every heart needs 00:14:43.780 --> 00:14:47.180 is to find the right object for our worship, 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:52.159 like the wise men to come to know Jesus as Lord. 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:55.519 So we come to journey's end, 00:14:56.839 --> 00:14:58.479 the wise men worshiping. 00:14:59.559 --> 00:15:01.339 Can you and I see beyond 00:15:01.339 --> 00:15:04.339 the familiar stories of Christmas 00:15:04.339 --> 00:15:06.899 that we hear read and sung about every year 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:10.159 to see the life-changing history, 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:11.559 changing reality? 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:15.399 God the Son has entered in 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:17.879 to be the king who would serve us 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:20.379 and the king who would save us. 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:22.299 That by trusting him, 00:15:22.459 --> 00:15:25.019 he would shepherd us home to life with God. 00:15:26.319 --> 00:15:30.219 Will you and I walk in the wise men's footsteps? 00:15:31.719 --> 00:15:33.459 Why not begin the search today? 00:15:34.459 --> 00:15:39.799 Find joy and worth and worship in Jesus today. 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:43.359 Now we're going to leave our thoughts there, 00:15:43.479 --> 00:15:44.399 and in just a moment, 00:15:44.859 --> 00:15:48.459 we're going to have a couple of songs to finish with. 00:15:48.979 --> 00:15:50.539 But before we do that, 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:51.399 some invitations. 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.500 A number of them. 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:55.659 First of all, as I mentioned, 00:15:55.979 --> 00:15:59.439 we have lots of Christmas-themed books up the back. 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:01.159 So we have Gospels, 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:03.419 the life of Jesus according to Luke and John 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.459 in magazine form. 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:07.259 Please take one of these for yourself 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.459 or for a friend or a neighbor. 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:11.540 We also have some books 00:16:11.540 --> 00:16:14.259 that help us to reflect on Christmas. 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:18.080 Some kind of devotional stuff here, 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:19.620 thinking about the theme of Jesus, 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:20.580 the light of the world. 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:22.440 If you have questions, 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:24.480 questions about the virgin birth, 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:26.120 can we trust the Gospels? 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.300 What they say about Jesus 00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:28.340 is a very helpful one. 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.300 Is Christmas unbelievable? 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.800 Let me invite you as well, 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:33.780 if you're free and if you're still in the city, 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:35.360 to come back on Christmas Eve. 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:39.500 We've got family services happening at 10.30 and 5.30, 00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:40.700 and everybody is welcome. 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:46.180 Let me also invite you to stick around for some refreshments. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:48.039 They'll all be served here. 00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:50.200 There's going to be some hot mulled wine 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:51.960 that will be coming from the kitchen, 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.039 be coming in trays. 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:58.680 There's also mince pies for every dietary requirement. 00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:01.299 You can decide what those are. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:03.019 I've forgotten momentarily, 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:05.139 but you'll be catered for. 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.779 And there's an opportunity, 00:17:06.919 --> 00:17:09.759 an invitation to give to Bethany Christian Trust. 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:11.799 We love to partner with Bethany at Christmas, 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.759 a really busy time for them 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:15.319 of caring for the homeless community. 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:17.279 You'll see right up the back, 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:19.399 there's a big metal plate. 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:20.379 You can put money in there. 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:23.259 We also have a contactless machine 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:26.059 if you would like to give to support Bethany's work. 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:28.119 Thanks again for coming. 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:30.059 Please do stick around afterwards. 00:17:30.679 --> 00:17:33.039 And let's stand again, raise our voices, 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.899 to finish with two more classic carols, 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:39.539 Joy to the World and O Come All Ye Faithful. 00:17:56.059 --> 00:18:02.799 Joy to the World, the Lord is come. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:07.200 Let earth receive her King. 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:13.379 Let every heart prepare Him room. 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:16.700 And heaven and nature sing. 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:18.700 Let heaven and nature sing. 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.700 Let heaven and nature sing. 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:23.700 Let heaven and nature sing. 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:25.880 Let heaven and nature sing. 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:32.480 No more let sins and sorrows grow, 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:36.980 nor thorns infest the ground. 00:18:37.340 --> 00:18:42.900 He comes to make His blessings flow. 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:45.900 For as the curse is found, 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:48.820 far as the curse is found, 00:18:48.820 --> 00:18:55.480 far as, far as the curse is found. 00:18:56.620 --> 00:19:01.940 Joy to the earth, the Savior reads, 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:05.900 let all their songs employ. 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:08.900 For fields and floods, 00:19:09.800 --> 00:19:12.360 rocks, hills and blood, 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:14.359 repeat the sounding joy. 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.359 Repeat the sounding joy. 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:17.359 Repeat the sounding joy. 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:19.359 Repeat the sounding joy. 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:24.359 Repeat the sounding joy. 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:31.359 He rules the world with truth and grace, 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:35.359 and makes the nations prove 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:41.359 the glories of His righteousness, 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:44.359 and wonders of His love, 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:47.359 and wonders of His love, 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:56.359 and wonders, wonders of His love. 00:19:56.359 --> 00:20:08.359 O come, O ye faithful, 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:11.359 joyful and triumphant, 00:20:11.359 --> 00:20:20.359 O come, O ye faithful, 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:25.359 joyful and triumphant, 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:32.359 O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem, 00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:34.359 Bethlehem. 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:41.359 Come and behold Him, 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:46.359 Lord, the King of angels, 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:47.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:49.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:51.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:54.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:56.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:58.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:07.359 Christ the Lord. 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:13.359 Sing, choirs of angels, 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:18.359 sing in exultation, 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:28.359 sing, all ye citizens of heaven above. 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.359 glory to God, 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:33.359 glory to God, 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:38.359 all glory in the highest, 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:43.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:48.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:53.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:58.359 Christ the Lord. 00:21:58.359 --> 00:22:04.359 Child for us sinners, 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:09.359 poor and in the manger, 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:19.359 we would embrace Thee with love and awe. 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:24.359 Who would not love Thee, 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:29.359 loving us so dearly, 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:34.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:39.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:44.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:49.359 For Him, Christ the Lord. 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:55.359 Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, 00:22:55.359 --> 00:23:00.359 born with happy morning, 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:11.359 Jesus, to Thee be all glory give. 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:16.359 Word of the Father, 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:21.359 Now in flesh appearing, 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:26.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:31.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:36.359 O come, let us adore Him, 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:44.359 Christ the Lord. 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:47.359 Let me pray as we finish. 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:49.359 Lord, we thank You for this wonderful news 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:52.359 that to us a child is born, 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:54.359 to us a son is given, 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:57.359 that the government will be on His shoulders, 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:59.359 and He, the Lord Jesus, 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:01.359 will be called Wonderful Counselor, 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:03.359 Mighty God, 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:05.359 Everlasting Father, 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:07.359 Prince of Peace. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:10.359 And may we all know Your peace, 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:12.359 Your mercy, 00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:15.359 that hope that comes from You in this season. 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:17.359 We ask in Jesus' name. 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.359 Amen. 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:20.359 Well, thank you again, 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.359 please have a seat. 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:22.359 Thank you again for coming. 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:23.359 Do stick around. 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:25.359 Please help yourself to some books, 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:29.359 and help yourself to some food and drink also.