WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.460 The scripture reading is from Revelations chapter 21 and 22. 00:00:12.320 --> 00:00:15.599 Starting in chapter 21 verse 1 we read, 00:00:16.339 --> 00:00:19.980 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 00:00:20.660 --> 00:00:27.539 For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 00:00:27.539 --> 00:00:39.859 And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:44.340 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 00:00:44.980 --> 00:00:50.060 Behold, the dwelling place of God is with men. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:55.320 He will dwell with them, and they will be his people. 00:00:55.320 --> 00:01:01.000 And God himself will be with them as their God. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:09.019 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. 00:01:10.120 --> 00:01:15.260 Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore. 00:01:15.900 --> 00:01:18.900 For the former things have passed away. 00:01:18.900 --> 00:01:23.400 And he who was seated on the throne said, 00:01:23.540 --> 00:01:28.320 Behold, I am making all things new. 00:01:28.319 --> 00:01:33.059 Then in chapter 22 verse 1 we read, 00:01:33.319 --> 00:01:38.839 Then the angels showed me the river of the water of life, 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:44.879 bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 00:01:45.579 --> 00:01:48.639 through the middle of the street of the city. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:56.540 Also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, 00:01:57.099 --> 00:01:59.159 yielding its fruit each month. 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:03.739 The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 00:02:05.180 --> 00:02:08.199 No longer will there be anything accursed, 00:02:09.020 --> 00:02:12.860 but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, 00:02:13.420 --> 00:02:16.500 and his servants will worship him. 00:02:16.500 --> 00:02:23.659 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads, 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:27.539 and night will be no more. 00:02:28.919 --> 00:02:32.300 They will need no light of lamp or sun, 00:02:32.759 --> 00:02:35.360 for the Lord God will be their light, 00:02:35.860 --> 00:02:39.120 and they will reign forever and ever. 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:42.080 And he said to me, 00:02:42.200 --> 00:02:44.900 These words are trustworthy and true. 00:02:45.900 --> 00:02:49.500 And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, 00:02:49.819 --> 00:02:52.980 has sent his angel to show his servants 00:02:52.980 --> 00:02:56.540 what must soon take place. 00:02:57.599 --> 00:03:01.080 And behold, I am coming soon. 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:03.540 This is the word of God. 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:07.139 Great. Thank you, Angeline. 00:03:07.859 --> 00:03:09.340 Well, once again, good morning. 00:03:09.519 --> 00:03:12.159 It's so great to be with you, 00:03:12.399 --> 00:03:16.159 and to celebrate Christmas together this morning. 00:03:16.319 --> 00:03:19.000 And especially welcome if it's your first time with us. 00:03:19.419 --> 00:03:21.139 If you're visiting us maybe from afar, 00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:22.519 or your first time in Watermark, 00:03:22.819 --> 00:03:24.019 a warm welcome to you. 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:27.859 And a doubly special warm welcome to the children. 00:03:27.860 --> 00:03:30.860 It was so great having you singing up there. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:32.100 Thank you for singing. 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:34.360 Children, that was really wonderful, 00:03:34.660 --> 00:03:37.380 and we're so glad that you're with us this morning. 00:03:38.340 --> 00:03:41.700 Now, for those that are maybe joining us for the first time, 00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:43.180 for the month of December, 00:03:43.380 --> 00:03:46.660 we as a church have been looking at these Christmas carols 00:03:46.660 --> 00:03:48.640 that we sing every year, 00:03:48.760 --> 00:03:51.860 and we hear playing of the speakers in the shopping centers, 00:03:52.200 --> 00:03:53.520 and on the streets. 00:03:53.960 --> 00:03:57.060 And we've been looking at these carols that we're so familiar with, 00:03:57.060 --> 00:03:59.240 but often we don't think a lot about. 00:03:59.420 --> 00:04:01.640 And we've been looking at the words to these carols, 00:04:02.039 --> 00:04:05.699 and the scriptures that have informed them and shaped them. 00:04:06.280 --> 00:04:07.840 And so a few weeks ago, we looked at, 00:04:07.939 --> 00:04:09.520 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:14.199 this amazing song that speaks about the brokenness of our world, 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:15.780 the problem of sin, 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:19.240 and the longing for all human hearts, 00:04:19.379 --> 00:04:23.699 for healing, for redemption, for a Savior. 00:04:24.340 --> 00:04:26.819 I love the words, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, 00:04:27.060 --> 00:04:29.519 and ransom captive Israel. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:31.319 Well, not just Israel, all of us. 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:34.220 Dispel the shadows of the night, 00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:36.939 and turn our darkness into light. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:40.579 Describes, I think, the longing of every human heart, right? 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:41.860 And we spoke about, 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:43.500 Hark, the herald angels sing. 00:04:44.100 --> 00:04:46.779 This announcement of good news, of great joy. 00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:47.920 We spoke about, 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:50.079 O Come, O Come, let us adore Him. 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:55.099 The call of men and women throughout the ages to make Christmas about Jesus, 00:04:55.300 --> 00:04:56.899 to fall on our knees, 00:04:57.039 --> 00:05:00.759 to join the wise men, the magi, and the shepherds, 00:05:00.819 --> 00:05:03.839 and to worship and adore Christ the King. 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:07.459 And today, as our final Sunday of Advent, 00:05:07.659 --> 00:05:09.560 and our final Sunday of 2022, 00:05:10.179 --> 00:05:12.060 we're going to be looking at one more carol, 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:14.939 this very famous carol, Joy to the World. 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:17.399 It's such a wonderfully joyful song. 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:20.079 It captures, in many ways, the spirit of Christmas, 00:05:20.559 --> 00:05:22.779 the joy, and the hope, and the celebration. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:24.879 Do any children know how the song goes? 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:29.779 Joy to the world, the Lord is come. 00:05:29.779 --> 00:05:31.819 Yes, the case here is blocking her ears. 00:05:32.119 --> 00:05:33.459 That's what happens when I try and sing. 00:05:33.979 --> 00:05:37.299 Joy to the world, the Savior reigns. 00:05:37.619 --> 00:05:39.639 Let men their songs employ. 00:05:40.059 --> 00:05:41.299 And then you get this refrain, 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:43.559 Let heaven and nature sing. 00:05:43.799 --> 00:05:45.119 Let heaven and nature sing. 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:47.279 Or repeat the sounding joy. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:49.419 Repeat the sounding joy. 00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:51.859 Such a song of celebration, 00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:53.659 and joy, 00:05:53.659 --> 00:05:56.759 and thanksgiving. 00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:59.819 And yet, once again, 00:06:00.019 --> 00:06:02.019 similar to our hymn last week, 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:04.339 sometimes, if we're honest, 00:06:05.159 --> 00:06:07.219 Christmas doesn't always feel that joyful, 00:06:07.939 --> 00:06:08.779 that celebratory. 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:10.300 Oscar referenced it earlier. 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:12.339 For some of us, Christmas is a difficult time. 00:06:12.920 --> 00:06:15.399 Remembering a loved one that has passed, 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:17.259 maybe far away from family. 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:19.399 Sometimes, if we're honest, 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:22.159 all the joy and the celebration of Christmas 00:06:22.159 --> 00:06:25.279 can feel like a little bit of Christian hyperbole, 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:28.439 a little bit of over-promise and under-deliver. 00:06:29.299 --> 00:06:30.379 We talk about, 00:06:30.979 --> 00:06:32.000 the Savior's come. 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:33.199 Joy to the world. 00:06:33.899 --> 00:06:36.439 But does Jesus' life and death and resurrection, 00:06:37.059 --> 00:06:39.539 does it really deliver on all the promises, 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:41.979 especially the promises of the angels? 00:06:42.219 --> 00:06:45.059 Good news of great joy for all people. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:47.279 Sometimes it can feel like, 00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:49.279 hey, maybe for everybody else, 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:51.179 but except me. 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:55.540 You know, every year we light the candles, right? 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:57.280 We light the candle of peace. 00:06:57.900 --> 00:06:59.579 Jesus has come to bring peace. 00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:01.600 And you think, peace? 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:03.019 Where is peace in our world? 00:07:04.060 --> 00:07:06.560 You've got one nation declaring war on another nation. 00:07:07.199 --> 00:07:10.259 You've got one tribe fighting against another tribe. 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:12.639 Governments fighting against their people. 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:15.360 Or even on a really micro level, 00:07:15.480 --> 00:07:16.379 within families, 00:07:16.840 --> 00:07:19.439 sometimes our world seems starved of peace. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:22.160 Where is the peace that Christ promised? 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:24.899 Or we light the candle of joy. 00:07:25.699 --> 00:07:26.639 And we think, joy? 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:30.680 Many of us live with this dark cloud of joylessness 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:32.279 that permeates our lives. 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:35.980 Where is the joy that Jesus was supposed to bring? 00:07:37.259 --> 00:07:39.120 Or we light the candle of hope. 00:07:40.519 --> 00:07:41.519 And yet every year, 00:07:41.659 --> 00:07:43.439 December quickly rolls into January. 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:43.959 January. 00:07:44.719 --> 00:07:46.660 And we face another year of, 00:07:46.899 --> 00:07:50.000 maybe, hardship, difficulty, turmoil. 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:51.579 The optimism of Christmas 00:07:51.579 --> 00:07:53.279 dissipates about as quickly 00:07:53.279 --> 00:07:54.860 as the wrapping paper 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:56.980 on the gifts that we receive, right? 00:07:58.259 --> 00:08:00.100 For those of you that are children, 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:00.680 or youth, 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:01.040 or yet, 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:01.779 university, 00:08:02.459 --> 00:08:02.939 Christmas, 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:03.860 joy, 00:08:04.040 --> 00:08:04.579 celebration. 00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:07.120 I hope you were really spoiled today. 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:08.040 I hope your parents 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:09.740 spoiled you rotten. 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:11.399 But let's be honest, 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:13.060 school is coming again. 00:08:13.659 --> 00:08:14.899 January is coming again. 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:16.179 Classes are coming again. 00:08:16.679 --> 00:08:18.399 Exams are coming again. 00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:20.419 And so sometimes Christmas 00:08:20.419 --> 00:08:22.639 can feel big on sentimentality, 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:25.500 but a little short on concrete hope. 00:08:26.500 --> 00:08:27.219 In other words, 00:08:27.419 --> 00:08:28.339 how is Christmas 00:08:28.339 --> 00:08:29.519 with fluffy lambs 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:30.519 and fairy lights 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:31.919 and soft swaying music, 00:08:32.199 --> 00:08:33.899 and how is that going to help us 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:35.740 as we go into 2023 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:37.419 and face another year 00:08:37.419 --> 00:08:38.279 of challenges 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:39.000 and turmoil 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:39.740 and difficulty? 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:41.840 Friends, 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:42.620 for some people, 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:44.100 maybe if we're honest, 00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:45.600 the Christmas shopping 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:46.480 and the decorations 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:47.220 and the food 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:48.519 is a nice escape 00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:50.600 from the realities of life. 00:08:51.100 --> 00:08:52.360 But when Christmas is over, 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:54.259 life still happens, right? 00:08:56.060 --> 00:08:56.580 Well, today, 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:58.659 I want us to think about Christmas 00:08:58.659 --> 00:09:00.480 and to take a step back. 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:01.299 And today, 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:02.060 I want us to see 00:09:02.060 --> 00:09:02.759 that Christmas 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:04.320 is actually not just 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:05.860 a historical event 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:08.080 that happened 2,000 years ago. 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:09.900 the Christmas story 00:09:09.900 --> 00:09:12.020 is actually still being written. 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:14.300 And the final chapters 00:09:14.300 --> 00:09:15.900 in the story of Christmas 00:09:15.900 --> 00:09:18.460 have not yet been fully told yet. 00:09:19.020 --> 00:09:19.980 They're still coming. 00:09:20.560 --> 00:09:21.800 We're still in the midst 00:09:21.800 --> 00:09:22.500 of the story, 00:09:22.600 --> 00:09:23.860 and the story of good news 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:24.680 of great joy 00:09:24.680 --> 00:09:26.180 is still being written 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:27.080 and untold 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:28.280 before our eyes. 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:29.040 Today, 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:29.639 I want us to see 00:09:29.639 --> 00:09:30.379 that Christmas, 00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:32.680 that Christ coming 2,000 years ago, 00:09:33.040 --> 00:09:33.720 His life, 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:34.520 His death, 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:35.580 His resurrection, 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:37.060 was the beginning 00:09:37.060 --> 00:09:37.879 of good news, 00:09:37.920 --> 00:09:38.860 of great joy, 00:09:39.180 --> 00:09:40.780 but it's not all that there is. 00:09:41.280 --> 00:09:42.080 And there's more 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:42.879 to the story 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:43.660 and the announcement 00:09:43.660 --> 00:09:44.600 that the angels 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:46.040 proclaimed on that day. 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:47.220 In other words, 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:47.520 today, 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:48.520 I want us to see 00:09:48.520 --> 00:09:50.580 that Christmas calls us 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:52.180 to a living faith 00:09:52.180 --> 00:09:53.940 and a living hope 00:09:53.940 --> 00:09:55.060 in the midst 00:09:55.060 --> 00:09:55.820 of a broken 00:09:55.820 --> 00:09:56.759 and a difficult 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:59.080 and a tumultuous world 00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:01.160 because the Christmas story 00:10:01.160 --> 00:10:02.879 has not yet finished 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:03.660 being written. 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:04.939 Okay? 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:06.500 Christmas calls us 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:07.600 to a living hope 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:09.179 and a living faith 00:10:09.179 --> 00:10:09.899 in the midst 00:10:09.899 --> 00:10:10.579 of a broken 00:10:10.579 --> 00:10:11.699 and difficult world 00:10:11.699 --> 00:10:12.980 because the story 00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:13.459 of Christmas 00:10:13.459 --> 00:10:14.500 has not yet finished 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:15.059 being written. 00:10:17.579 --> 00:10:19.000 The reason is this. 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:20.459 At Christmas, 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:21.219 we celebrate 00:10:21.219 --> 00:10:22.719 Christ's first coming, 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:23.919 His advent. 00:10:24.579 --> 00:10:25.299 But Christmas 00:10:25.299 --> 00:10:26.879 also anticipates 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:27.779 and promises 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:30.199 Christ's second coming. 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:32.459 Look at the final verse 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:33.879 that Angie read to us today 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:35.780 in Revelation 22. 00:10:35.900 --> 00:10:36.220 Children, 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:37.920 I think you've got 00:10:37.920 --> 00:10:38.480 in your packs 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:39.300 something to write. 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:40.220 Look at how this, 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:41.139 you need to tell me, 00:10:41.180 --> 00:10:42.139 how does this verse end? 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:43.280 Jesus says this, 00:10:43.780 --> 00:10:44.259 Behold, 00:10:44.420 --> 00:10:45.120 I am, 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:47.580 what does it say? 00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:50.420 Coming soon. 00:10:51.280 --> 00:10:51.560 Do you know 00:10:51.560 --> 00:10:52.500 in the final chapter, 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:53.920 Jesus says that three times? 00:10:54.280 --> 00:10:54.840 Verse 7, 00:10:54.940 --> 00:10:55.360 Behold, 00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:56.240 I'm coming soon. 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:57.420 Verse 12, 00:10:57.620 --> 00:10:58.060 Behold, 00:10:58.180 --> 00:10:59.000 I'm coming soon. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:00.899 And the second last verse 00:11:00.899 --> 00:11:02.200 of the entire Bible, 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:03.419 chapter 22, 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:03.899 verse 20, 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:04.539 Jesus says, 00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:05.100 Surely, 00:11:05.700 --> 00:11:07.659 I am coming soon. 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:09.679 Christmas doesn't only 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:11.200 celebrate Christ's first coming, 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:12.320 it anticipates 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:13.139 and looks forward 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:14.080 to the day 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:15.299 when Christ will come again. 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:16.200 Friends, 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:17.120 the story of Christmas 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:18.320 is really the story 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:19.720 of how Jesus entered 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:21.419 into our broken world, 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:22.919 our painful world, 00:11:23.179 --> 00:11:25.000 to rescue and heal 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:26.240 and redeem humanity, 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:27.779 but to bring us 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:28.419 to a world 00:11:28.419 --> 00:11:30.019 of wonder and grace. 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:31.659 And the brokenness 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:32.240 and the pain 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:32.940 and the tears 00:11:32.940 --> 00:11:33.639 of our world 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:35.139 have an expiry date 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:35.539 on them. 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:37.019 But there is a world 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:37.519 coming 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:39.159 that Jesus is coming 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:39.899 to initiate 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:40.600 or inaugurate 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:41.500 or bring about 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:42.799 a world in which 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:44.820 truth and joy 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:45.600 and peace 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:46.220 and the things 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:46.840 we celebrate 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:48.480 have no expiry date. 00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:50.539 How many of us 00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:52.060 have had Christmas parties 00:11:52.060 --> 00:11:53.139 in the last month, 00:11:53.180 --> 00:11:53.399 right? 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:54.759 How many of us 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:55.180 are tired 00:11:55.180 --> 00:11:56.100 of Christmas parties? 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:56.460 Okay? 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:57.620 We've all had 00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:58.419 office parties 00:11:58.419 --> 00:11:59.580 and CG parties 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:00.899 and neighborhood parties 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:02.580 and many Christmas parties. 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:03.840 And what do we all play 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:04.759 at Christmas parties? 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:06.960 Secret Santa. 00:12:07.180 --> 00:12:07.419 Okay? 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:08.139 And so everyone's 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.000 got to buy a gift 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:10.200 and you've got to 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:11.259 either put it in the middle 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:12.919 or maybe at your office 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:14.340 you take someone's name 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:15.000 out of the hat 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:15.720 and you've got to 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:16.639 buy a gift for somebody. 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:17.060 Okay? 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:18.519 And so what do we do? 00:12:18.580 --> 00:12:19.419 We all go online 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:20.860 and we order something 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:22.620 and then invariably 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.759 the post is full 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:24.580 and it's slow 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.580 and your gift 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:26.220 doesn't come 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:26.639 in time 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:27.580 for the Christmas party. 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:28.800 And so what do you do? 00:12:29.160 --> 00:12:30.480 You print a picture 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:31.300 of your gift, 00:12:31.400 --> 00:12:31.680 right? 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:32.820 And you give it 00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:34.780 here's your coffee mug 00:12:34.780 --> 00:12:35.820 it's on the way, 00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:36.240 right? 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:37.400 Or here's your book 00:12:37.400 --> 00:12:38.500 it's coming. 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:39.840 Friends, 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:41.920 every element 00:12:41.920 --> 00:12:43.560 of our Christmas celebration 00:12:43.560 --> 00:12:44.960 is like giving somebody 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:46.060 a printed picture 00:12:46.060 --> 00:12:46.960 of the internet 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:49.160 promising the real deal 00:12:49.160 --> 00:12:50.100 that's still to come. 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:52.159 The very best elements 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:52.759 of Christmas 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:53.700 are like a picture 00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:54.560 that's been printed 00:12:54.560 --> 00:12:56.940 anticipating the reality 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:58.040 that is still to come. 00:12:58.820 --> 00:12:59.620 And so this is what 00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:00.440 this Christmas carol 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:01.159 points us to. 00:13:01.300 --> 00:13:02.879 It calls us to a living faith 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:04.040 in a broken world 00:13:04.040 --> 00:13:05.700 because the final chapters 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:06.180 of Christmas 00:13:06.180 --> 00:13:07.240 have not yet been written. 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:08.899 And so let's look 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:09.480 at this passage 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.639 that Angie read to us 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:11.120 this morning 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:12.019 and let's see how 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:13.159 the Christmas story 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:13.759 wraps up. 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:16.080 Revelation 21 and 22 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:18.639 describes the final chapters 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.639 of the Christmas story. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:21.340 Because it describes 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:21.960 the world 00:13:21.960 --> 00:13:23.019 that Christ has prepared 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:23.560 for us. 00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:24.940 And one of the things 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:25.420 we see, 00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:26.139 we should have it 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:26.600 on the screen, 00:13:27.060 --> 00:13:27.600 one of the things 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:28.000 we find, 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:29.200 the world to come, 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:30.620 the world that Christ 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.680 is going to bring about 00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:33.060 is not a world 00:13:33.060 --> 00:13:34.240 of clouds 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:34.980 and angels 00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:35.800 playing harps 00:13:35.800 --> 00:13:36.540 on the clouds. 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.779 It's described 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:38.639 as a city. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:39.920 A city. 00:13:40.420 --> 00:13:41.100 And that means 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:42.620 it's a real physical world 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:44.480 with real physical bodies 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.639 for those that are redeemed. 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:46.879 It's a world 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:47.879 in which there's life 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:48.639 and activity 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:49.600 and productivity 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:51.340 and real relationships. 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:52.560 It's going to be 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:53.659 a real physical world 00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:54.740 that we get to enjoy 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.820 and celebrate. 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:57.860 It's a world 00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:58.200 in which, 00:13:58.300 --> 00:13:59.100 as our song said, 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:00.740 the Savior reigns 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:01.740 with Christ the King. 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.340 And He reigns 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:04.159 in truth 00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:05.540 and grace. 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:06.940 And that's 00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:07.680 an amazing thing. 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:08.980 Picture a world, 00:14:09.040 --> 00:14:09.700 imagine living 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:10.340 in a city 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.139 in which 00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:12.440 every relationship, 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.879 every conversation, 00:14:14.160 --> 00:14:14.940 every aspect 00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:15.580 of the world 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:16.880 is baptized 00:14:16.880 --> 00:14:18.220 or flooded 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.380 with truthfulness 00:14:19.380 --> 00:14:20.700 and gracefulness. 00:14:21.420 --> 00:14:22.700 Where every conversation 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.400 you have, 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:24.540 you never have to 00:14:24.540 --> 00:14:25.320 second guess, 00:14:25.800 --> 00:14:27.100 never have to doubt, 00:14:27.640 --> 00:14:28.480 never have to wonder 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:29.960 what somebody's real motives are, 00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:30.860 real intentions 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:32.080 behind their words. 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:33.700 A world permeated 00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:34.600 by truthfulness, 00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:36.140 a world permeated 00:14:36.140 --> 00:14:37.120 by gracefulness 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.040 and kindness. 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:39.960 Jesus is bringing 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:41.360 a real physical world 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:42.820 in which the Savior reigns 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:43.360 but He reigns 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:44.360 in truth and grace. 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:45.800 A world in which 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:47.460 He not only reigns 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.200 righteously 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:49.500 but the effects 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.159 of His reign 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:50.919 are felt throughout 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:52.200 every corner of the world 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:53.639 where every aspect 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:54.580 is put right 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:55.659 according to the way 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.620 that God originally 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.340 designed it. 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:59.340 Here is going to be 00:14:59.340 --> 00:14:59.800 a world 00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:00.779 in which God 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:01.539 and humanity 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:03.300 are so combined, 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.279 are so united 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.539 that they're described 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:06.300 like a marriage, 00:15:06.420 --> 00:15:07.580 the two becoming one. 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.379 Where we see God 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:10.060 face to face, 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:10.920 we're no longer distant, 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:11.860 there's no barrier 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:12.979 between us. 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:14.039 I didn't actually 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:14.979 think about it earlier 00:15:14.979 --> 00:15:15.979 but in Angie's reading 00:15:15.979 --> 00:15:16.860 as she read it, 00:15:16.939 --> 00:15:17.839 I thought about it 00:15:17.839 --> 00:15:18.919 in chapter 22, 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:19.279 it says, 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:21.179 we will see His face. 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.879 We will see His face. 00:15:24.839 --> 00:15:25.219 I don't know 00:15:25.219 --> 00:15:25.879 if you've ever been 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:27.419 on a work trip 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:28.419 or you've been away 00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:29.159 and separated 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:30.079 from your family, 00:15:30.319 --> 00:15:31.159 your loved ones, 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:31.719 maybe your wife, 00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:32.179 your kids, 00:15:32.219 --> 00:15:32.979 or your parents 00:15:32.979 --> 00:15:35.879 and so you long for Him. 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:36.500 You want to be 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.779 with your family. 00:15:37.959 --> 00:15:39.059 Maybe you had to go 00:15:39.059 --> 00:15:39.679 on a work trip 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.240 and you're away 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.399 for your child's birthday 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:42.440 and you just think, 00:15:42.560 --> 00:15:43.379 oh, I wish I could 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.399 be with them today 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:45.899 and there's that longing 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:47.019 or maybe you live 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:47.480 in Hong Kong 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.060 and your family 00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:48.860 lives somewhere else 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.480 and you wish 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.399 at a time like Christmas 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:50.940 you could be 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:51.620 with your family. 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:54.000 There's a day coming 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.080 when that separation, 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.860 that feeling 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:57.480 of homesickness 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.879 will be utterly gone 00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.779 because we'll be truly 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.139 at home, 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:01.299 face to face with God. 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.419 I don't know 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:05.500 if you've ever 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.820 been on a way 00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:07.340 on holiday 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:07.800 and you try 00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:08.860 and phone your family. 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:09.960 These days 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:10.700 we FaceTime 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.680 or you WhatsApp call 00:16:11.680 --> 00:16:12.580 or you Zoom call 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:14.840 and it's nice 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:15.940 but it's not quite the same. 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:17.040 But sometimes 00:16:17.040 --> 00:16:17.980 you have those times 00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:19.139 when the connection 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.379 is really bad 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:22.240 and there's long silences 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:23.040 and then you both 00:16:23.040 --> 00:16:23.660 try and speak 00:16:23.660 --> 00:16:24.120 and you speak 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:24.960 over each other 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:26.060 and the conversation 00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:27.019 is just a nightmare. 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:27.399 Do you know 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.120 what I'm talking about? 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.879 I hate those calls. 00:16:30.040 --> 00:16:31.240 My family lives 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:31.740 in Africa 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.680 and the signal 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.720 is not always very good 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:34.700 and the electricity 00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:35.519 is always off 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:37.279 and the power is down 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.440 and we have those calls 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.600 and it's more frustrating 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.379 than rewarding. 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:41.840 And so sometimes 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.560 can I confess 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:44.060 sometimes I just take the phone 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:45.120 and I just kill it. 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:46.040 I just can't handle it. 00:16:46.040 --> 00:16:47.100 I'm so frustrated 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:48.440 by this call. 00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:49.680 It's such hard work. 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.660 If we're honest 00:16:51.660 --> 00:16:52.879 sometimes 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.879 even our relationship 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.420 with God 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:55.460 can be a bit like that. 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.800 It feels like 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:58.000 the connection is bad 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.720 and there's long silences 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:01.279 and then it feels like 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:02.660 you don't know 00:17:02.660 --> 00:17:03.340 what he's saying 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:04.180 and he certainly 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:04.860 doesn't sound like 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:05.340 he's hearing 00:17:05.340 --> 00:17:06.140 what you're saying 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:07.240 and it feels like 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:08.220 the connection is bad. 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:09.140 Friends, 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.200 there's coming a day 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.980 Jesus says 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.860 in the new world 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:12.819 we will see him 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.740 face to face. 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.460 We will be with God 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.579 and he will be with us 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:17.880 in the same room. 00:17:18.340 --> 00:17:19.380 No more lost connection. 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.360 No more brokenness. 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:22.440 We will be with him. 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.840 Look at what else it says. 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.299 It says in verse 4 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:27.539 it says 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.480 he will wipe away 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.799 every tear from our eyes. 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.380 Death will be no more. 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.840 There will be no more mourning. 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.799 No more crying. 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:35.259 No more pain anymore 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:36.679 for the former things 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:37.599 have passed away. 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.000 Friends, 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:40.220 when Christ comes again 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.439 and brings about 00:17:41.439 --> 00:17:41.879 the world 00:17:41.879 --> 00:17:42.939 that is to be forever 00:17:42.939 --> 00:17:45.079 heaven is going to be 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:45.439 a place 00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:45.899 where there will be 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:46.799 no more sadness, 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:48.659 no more despair, 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:50.419 no more agony, 00:17:51.179 --> 00:17:52.359 no more anxiety 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.500 inducing thoughts, 00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:55.539 no more panic attacks, 00:17:56.159 --> 00:17:56.839 no more brokenness 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:59.079 where all of those things 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:00.199 are going to dissipate 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.019 and become 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.620 non-existent entirely. 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.580 I don't know if you've ever 00:18:04.580 --> 00:18:05.559 woken up in the middle 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.019 of the night 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.200 from a bad nightmare 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:09.120 and you sit upright in bed 00:18:09.120 --> 00:18:10.700 and your heart is beating 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:12.720 and suddenly you realize 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:14.340 it was just a dream 00:18:14.340 --> 00:18:16.240 and it kind of, 00:18:17.080 --> 00:18:18.240 your heart calms down, 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.660 you realize it's not true. 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:22.019 There is coming a world 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:23.120 that Jesus is going to 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:24.080 come back and bring 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.899 and everything that is sad 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:27.079 and everything that is broken 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:28.259 and everything that causes 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.500 despair and hardship 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:31.059 and panic attacks 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.859 is going to become untrue. 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.019 It's going to be like 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:34.839 a distant memory 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:35.939 from a distant world. 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.899 Christmas promises 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:39.480 that Christ is coming again 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.899 and all those things 00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:41.619 will be put away. 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.519 And conversely, 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:44.899 Jesus tells us 00:18:44.899 --> 00:18:46.480 that the very best things 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:46.839 in life, 00:18:46.939 --> 00:18:48.839 the most heart-wrenching stories 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:50.359 of compassion and kindness 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:52.299 and justice and mercy 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:54.099 are a small glimpse, 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.379 like an internet picture 00:18:55.379 --> 00:18:57.299 of the world that is to come. 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.700 Look what else he says here. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:18:59.940 He says, 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:01.200 Behold, I am making 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:02.740 all things new. 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:04.740 I'm making all things new. 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:06.139 I don't know if you've ever 00:19:06.139 --> 00:19:07.740 seen the movie Toy Story. 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.680 Anyone like the movie 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:09.339 Toy Story? 00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:10.899 Children, do you like Toy Story? 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:13.119 No, you don't like Toy Story. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.399 Okay. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:15.440 I know why you don't like it 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.119 and I'm the same. 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:18.119 I liked Toy Story 00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:19.539 up until the part 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.940 where you meet the kid next door. 00:19:21.419 --> 00:19:21.720 Do you remember 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.680 do you remember Sid? 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:25.059 The neighbor to Andy 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.460 and Woody 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.579 and Buzz Lightyear. 00:19:27.100 --> 00:19:27.259 Right. 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:28.120 What does Sid do? 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.539 He takes toys 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.740 and he pulls them apart 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.700 and he destroys them 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.980 and then he puts them 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:34.059 back together again 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:35.420 but they're a mixed match 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:36.319 of toys. 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:36.579 Right. 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:37.100 And they're kind of 00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:38.480 this broken thing. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.200 They kind of work 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.279 but they don't really work. 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:40.579 Okay. 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.680 This is Sid's toys. 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:45.839 Sometimes life 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.900 in this broken world 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:48.059 can feel a bit like that. 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:48.960 It can feel like 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:50.160 life is broken 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:50.900 and someone's trying 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:52.000 to put it together again 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.420 but it doesn't quite work. 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:55.220 Sometimes relationships 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.200 can feel like that. 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.460 Right. 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:57.779 They kind of work 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.960 but they don't really work 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.920 like they're meant to work. 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.019 Friends, 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:01.440 soon, 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:02.120 very soon, 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.540 Jesus is coming again 00:20:03.540 --> 00:20:04.640 and Jesus says, 00:20:04.800 --> 00:20:05.400 I'm going to make 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.700 all things new. 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.060 He's not going to just 00:20:08.060 --> 00:20:09.240 kind of put us back together 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.440 and sort of fix us 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.500 and duct tape us together. 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:12.820 I had a friend once 00:20:12.820 --> 00:20:13.200 who said, 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:14.660 if something's broken, 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:15.440 duct tape it 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:18.259 and if that doesn't work, 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:18.960 you haven't put 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.080 enough duct tape on it. 00:20:20.380 --> 00:20:20.400 Okay. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.000 So if you've got 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.720 a broken boat, 00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:24.120 just duct tape it together 00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:25.259 and keep on going. 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:26.799 Sometimes life can feel 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.460 a bit like that, 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.460 like it's been duct taped 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.059 together. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.799 Jesus is coming 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:33.640 to make all things new. 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:36.000 To put away the brokenness 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.840 and the duct tape 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:38.100 of our lives. 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:39.660 Jesus is coming 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.980 not just to kind of fix us 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.019 and sort of put us together. 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:43.180 He's come to make 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:43.860 all things new. 00:20:44.719 --> 00:20:46.119 And what does that mean? 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.419 Well, look at what 00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:48.119 our song said. 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.079 At the end of the 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.819 Christmas story, 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:50.219 it says, 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.079 there will be a place 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:52.219 where there's no more sin 00:20:52.219 --> 00:20:54.119 or sorrow to be found. 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.399 Sin and sorrow 00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:58.519 are the two twin evils 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.139 of our world. 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.979 Two sources of pain 00:21:00.979 --> 00:21:02.319 because of our sinful hearts 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.039 and the brokenness 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:03.459 of the world 00:21:03.459 --> 00:21:04.139 in which we live. 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.879 No more sin 00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:07.119 or sorrow will be found, 00:21:07.219 --> 00:21:08.559 nor thorns infest 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:09.199 the ground. 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:11.459 Genesis 3 talks about 00:21:11.459 --> 00:21:13.079 one of the consequences 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:13.819 of sin coming 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.220 to the world. 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.139 There's this multitude 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:16.099 of sorrows. 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:18.159 It's like the soil 00:21:18.159 --> 00:21:18.899 of our lives 00:21:18.899 --> 00:21:19.500 are infested 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.259 by thorns 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:21.079 and thistles. 00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:22.700 And so our relationships 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.879 and our work 00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:25.159 and even our hobbies 00:21:25.159 --> 00:21:26.579 and our families, 00:21:27.159 --> 00:21:28.139 it feels like 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:28.700 even amongst 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:30.339 the best things in life, 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.519 thorns seem to somehow 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.679 grow in the midst of it. 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.000 And yet, 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.859 even back then 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:35.720 in Genesis 3, 00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:36.939 God promised 00:21:36.939 --> 00:21:37.740 that there would be 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.259 one, 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.899 a man who would come, 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:40.839 born of a woman, 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:43.299 who would take upon 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:44.259 himself the thorns 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.000 and the brokenness 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:45.379 of our world, 00:21:45.439 --> 00:21:46.720 who in a very literal sense 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.980 would wear a crown 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.539 of thorns, 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:49.980 one who would 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:51.339 take upon himself 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:51.939 the thorns 00:21:51.939 --> 00:21:52.720 and the curse 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.559 of the world 00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:55.720 so that those 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.500 who trust in him, 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.459 those who receive him 00:21:57.459 --> 00:21:58.139 as their king, 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.659 would receive favor 00:21:59.659 --> 00:22:00.740 rather than affliction 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:02.279 and grace and kindness 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.980 rather than turmoil. 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.019 Friends, 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:06.019 this is what Christmas 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.480 is about. 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.160 Jesus, 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:07.980 the Redeemer, 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.640 has come 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:10.180 to take upon himself 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:10.759 the curse 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.539 and the brokenness 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.099 and the thorns 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.839 of our world 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:15.360 to come and bring us 00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:16.160 and deliver us 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:17.480 from as far as 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.240 curse is found, 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:19.440 he will bring his blessings. 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:21.900 And that's an amazing line. 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.299 It says, 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.120 Revelation, 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.960 Angie Redditor, 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.279 says, 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.799 no longer will anything 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.579 be accursed. 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:27.319 Well, 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.240 in the words of our songs, 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:30.220 he will make his blessings 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:32.099 flow far as the curse 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:32.660 is found. 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:34.140 Think about that. 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.600 As far as the curse 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:35.940 is found. 00:22:36.040 --> 00:22:36.700 You know what that means? 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:39.080 It means in every sphere 00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:39.660 of life, 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:41.259 in the farthest corners 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.080 of our world, 00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:43.460 where brokenness 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:44.560 and pain exist, 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.800 in that day, 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:47.019 Jesus will bring healing 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.640 and redemption 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:48.480 and resolution. 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.000 Friends, 00:22:50.080 --> 00:22:51.019 in our lives, 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.860 where our identity 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:55.600 feels broken 00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.840 and our self-worth 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:58.100 feels broken, 00:22:58.800 --> 00:23:00.019 where we feel shame, 00:23:00.600 --> 00:23:01.700 where we feel guilt, 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:03.420 we are relationship 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.200 with ourself 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.039 and our relationships 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.799 with others, 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.039 our relationship 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.759 with God, 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:09.380 even our relationship 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.220 with creation, 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.400 even the environment 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.019 itself, 00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:13.440 are all tainted 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.039 and affected 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.840 by the curse. 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.740 And every aspect, 00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:17.660 every sphere 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.279 of life, 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.480 where brokenness 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.120 has entered in, 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.140 Christ is going to bring 00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:21.580 his healing, 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.460 redeeming grace. 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:23.920 He will bring 00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:24.600 his blessings 00:23:24.600 --> 00:23:26.220 far as the curse 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:26.880 is found. 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.519 There is not a square 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.660 inch of the entire 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:30.740 cosmos that has been 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.680 affected by sin, 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:33.039 that Christ won't bring 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.019 his healing and redeeming 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.400 grace. 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:36.940 Even creation itself, 00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:38.140 the trees and the mountains, 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:39.500 the forests and the environment 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.319 will experience 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:42.160 and prove his redeeming grace. 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.640 In the song, 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.480 Joy to the World, 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.099 that we're going to sing 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.720 in a few minutes, 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.120 it says, 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:47.220 fields and floods, 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:47.680 rocks, 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.599 hills and plains 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:49.680 will repeat 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.620 the sounding joy. 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:51.900 And Angie, 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.519 you read about it 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:53.700 in Revelation 22, 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:55.180 it describes the trees 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:55.880 and the rivers 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.640 and their leaves 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.380 and the healings 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:58.039 that they bring. 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.339 and describes 00:23:59.339 --> 00:24:00.359 a place how 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.920 12 months of the year 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:03.799 the trees produce fruit. 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.519 I don't think 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.079 that's literal. 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:05.940 I think what it means 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.680 is heaven's going 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.220 to be a place 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:08.159 where there's no winter, 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.740 no barrenness, 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:10.819 no death, 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.940 no frost, 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:12.799 never winter, 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:14.359 summer all the time around. 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:16.079 It describes a place 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:17.319 where there's never night, 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.960 there's never any shadow 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.599 of darkness 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.279 in that place 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.099 because light 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.879 will permeate 00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:22.740 every aspect 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.539 of creation. 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.680 Scotty Smith 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:26.279 says this, 00:24:26.840 --> 00:24:27.460 the valley 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.360 of the shadow 00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:28.960 of death 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.140 will soon become 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:30.779 the playground 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:32.100 of eternal life 00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:32.860 and joy. 00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:34.600 And so friends, 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.539 Christmas tells us 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:36.580 that Jesus came 00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:37.480 born as a baby 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.019 in a manger, 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.420 but that manger 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:40.259 was dismantled 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:40.900 and converted 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.720 into a cross 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.500 upon which he would 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.120 die and hang 00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:43.620 for the sins 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.140 of the world. 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.700 But even that cross 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:46.240 is not the end 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.759 of the story 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.640 because that cross 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:48.160 is one day 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:48.600 going to become 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.100 a throne 00:24:49.100 --> 00:24:50.519 from which the Savior 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.680 will rule and reign 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:53.039 in truth and grace 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:55.279 over all of the new world. 00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:56.900 Friends, 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.960 Christmas calls us 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:59.500 to live with living faith 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.799 and living hope 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:02.200 even in the midst 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.940 of a broken 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:04.320 and fractured world 00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:05.900 because the Christmas story 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:06.700 is not yet finished 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.240 being written. 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.920 Jesus came 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:10.500 but he's coming again 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.700 and he's going to make 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.539 all things new 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.460 and he's going to put right 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.140 all that is wrong 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.539 with the world. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.560 Jesus is coming again 00:25:16.560 --> 00:25:18.480 and so joy to the world, 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:20.080 the Lord has come 00:25:20.080 --> 00:25:21.340 but oh boy, 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:22.340 he's coming again. 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.940 He's coming again. 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.059 Now, 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:26.480 what does that mean? 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.420 How should we respond? 00:25:29.320 --> 00:25:29.480 Well, 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.400 let me give us two things 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.039 very quickly. 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.380 Firstly, 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.360 our song that we're going 00:25:33.360 --> 00:25:33.680 to sing, 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.320 Joy to the World, 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:34.900 tells us. 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.259 It says, 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:36.220 Let every heart 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.420 prepare him room. 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:39.400 Let earth receive her king. 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.840 I don't know if any of you 00:25:40.840 --> 00:25:42.120 have been receiving guests 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.840 this Christmas. 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.660 Maybe you've had family 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:44.640 coming from afar 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.420 and so what do you do? 00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:47.120 You prepare their room, 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:47.420 right? 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.779 You make the bed, 00:25:49.139 --> 00:25:50.240 you write a little card 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:50.779 on the bed, 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:51.539 you put chocolates 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.180 on the bed 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.960 and you clear out the junk 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.799 out of the cupboards 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:56.460 and you make their room ready 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.599 and prepare them room 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.680 for your guests to come, 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.079 right? 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.359 Friends, 00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:01.139 what does it look like 00:26:01.139 --> 00:26:02.740 for us to prepare him room 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.379 in our hearts, 00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:05.279 to clear out the junk 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.680 and to welcome 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.920 heaven and earth's true king? 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.440 What does it look like 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.559 to fall on our knees 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:10.899 and say, 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.319 Christ, 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:12.220 come and have your way 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.819 in my life? 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:13.879 Friends, 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.519 this Christmas, 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.500 Christ is coming. 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:17.059 Let every heart 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:18.019 prepare him room. 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.220 Let every heart 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.919 receive heaven and earth's 00:26:20.919 --> 00:26:21.359 true king. 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:23.139 But here's the second thing. 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.500 At the end of Revelation 22 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.279 it says this, 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.639 the spirit and the bride 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:26.919 say, 00:26:27.179 --> 00:26:27.559 come 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:29.559 and let the one 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.720 who hears come. 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.759 Let the one 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.799 who is thirsty come. 00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:33.980 Let he who desires 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.839 take of the water 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.859 of life without price. 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:38.299 Jesus issues us 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.980 an invitation. 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:39.559 He says, 00:26:39.679 --> 00:26:40.379 I am coming 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:41.619 but why don't you 00:26:41.619 --> 00:26:42.240 come first? 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:43.779 Come and receive 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.799 the gift of life 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.419 that I give. 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:47.160 At the end of 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:48.440 Matthew chapter 2 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:49.240 you know the story 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:50.080 of the wise men? 00:26:50.560 --> 00:26:51.539 There's an amazing line 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.259 where it says, 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:53.840 and they went home 00:26:53.840 --> 00:26:54.759 a different way. 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:56.019 Remember they went 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.940 and they found Jesus 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.840 and they anticipated 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:58.940 going back to Jerusalem 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.700 and telling Herod 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.720 about the newborn king 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:02.500 but they were told 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.000 in a dream 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.279 that Herod was a charlatan 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.340 and so they went home 00:27:05.340 --> 00:27:06.100 a different way. 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:07.500 Friends, 00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:08.740 maybe you came to church 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.860 with one attitude today. 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.640 Maybe Jesus wants you 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:12.259 to go home 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.140 a different way. 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:14.360 To go home 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:15.160 a different person. 00:27:16.060 --> 00:27:16.620 To go home 00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:17.380 with new hope, 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.660 with new joy 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:19.279 in your heart 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.960 because you've received 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.460 heaven and earth 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:21.980 true king. 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:23.220 Friends, 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.980 Christ has come 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.539 and He's coming again. 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:27.180 Let's open our hearts 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.840 and receive Him. 00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:29.180 Let's come and drink 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:29.779 of His grace. 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.140 Let's come and worship 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:32.180 Him together. 00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.380 Friends, 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.160 Christmas calls us 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:35.019 to a living faith 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.140 in the midst of a broken 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:37.120 and fractured world 00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:38.320 because Christmas 00:27:38.320 --> 00:27:39.200 hasn't yet finished 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.700 being written. 00:27:40.060 --> 00:27:41.019 It anticipates 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:42.539 Christ coming again. 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.400 So let's open up 00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:43.840 our lives 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:44.740 and open up our hearts 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.480 and receive Him. 00:27:45.939 --> 00:27:46.759 Let's live with hope 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.639 and faith this year. 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:48.720 Joy and love 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.519 knowing that Christ 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.000 has come 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.559 and He's coming again soon. 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.819 Let's pray together. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.579 Father God, 00:27:54.639 --> 00:27:55.419 thank you for 00:27:55.419 --> 00:27:57.099 every one of us 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.480 here today. 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:58.259 For the children, 00:27:58.919 --> 00:27:59.720 for the elderly, 00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:01.220 for those that are 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:02.439 just beginning their lives 00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:03.019 and those that are 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.740 in the second half 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.139 of their lives. 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:05.240 For those that are seekers 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.599 and those that are worshippers. 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.399 God, 00:28:07.439 --> 00:28:08.179 for those that have come 00:28:08.179 --> 00:28:08.799 from afar 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.639 and those that call 00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.379 Hong Kong home. 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.000 God, 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.500 we thank you 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.480 for every gift 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.839 of grace this morning. 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.139 Lord, 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.379 we thank you for Christmas 00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:16.799 and I pray that 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:18.019 as we make our way 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.859 into 2023, 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:19.419 God, 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.200 we will live with 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:21.119 living faith 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:22.019 and living hope 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:23.079 because you, 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:23.579 Christ, 00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:24.500 on the throne, 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.659 you rule and you reign 00:28:25.659 --> 00:28:26.960 and you come again 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:28.019 to make all things new. 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:28.879 Jesus, 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.680 thank you 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.659 for the promise 00:28:30.659 --> 00:28:31.200 of Christmas, 00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:31.919 the hope, 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.419 the joy, 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:33.139 the celebration 00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:33.720 of Christmas. 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.159 We praise you 00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:36.039 and we love you. 00:28:36.659 --> 00:28:36.940 Amen. 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:37.899 Amen. 00:28:37.899 --> 00:28:38.039 Amen. 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.799 Amen.