WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:09.359 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.500 Join us. 00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:16.620 Kids, you can come join me up here on the steps again this morning. 00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:20.719 We're doing this during this Christmas season. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:22.740 We get to talk every Sunday. 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:23.940 Isn't that so much fun? 00:00:24.679 --> 00:00:25.560 It's fun for me. 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:27.800 I don't know if it's… 00:00:27.800 --> 00:00:28.859 Yeah, thank you. 00:00:28.859 --> 00:00:34.679 While they're coming up here, I want to ask the adults a favor this morning. 00:00:35.380 --> 00:00:41.840 In light of the fact that we had this baptism and most of you stood up and took a vow about 00:00:41.840 --> 00:00:50.460 these little ones, I'd like to ask you as we talk up here if you would bow in prayer for 00:00:50.460 --> 00:00:50.799 them. 00:00:51.219 --> 00:00:54.299 If you'd like, you can kneel if you need carpet. 00:00:54.519 --> 00:00:55.560 There's some in the aisles. 00:00:55.560 --> 00:01:02.000 But if you would at least bow your heads and just be praying for these kids as I talk with 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:06.859 them and take the vow that you've just made seriously and be praying for God's work in 00:01:06.859 --> 00:01:07.799 their lives right now. 00:01:07.859 --> 00:01:08.820 Would you bow your heads? 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:13.420 Kids, I want you all to look out there for just a minute. 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:15.400 Can you see all those people sitting out there? 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:19.180 They're praying for you. 00:01:19.780 --> 00:01:21.940 You know how cool that is? 00:01:22.840 --> 00:01:27.880 That they love you that much, that they're talking to God about you and that they're asking God 00:01:27.880 --> 00:01:29.260 to bless you. 00:01:30.380 --> 00:01:35.020 I hope you're really thankful because they love you so much and we're so thankful that 00:01:35.020 --> 00:01:36.800 you're a part of this family. 00:01:36.799 --> 00:01:40.959 Now y'all look up here to me for a second while they're still praying. 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:43.780 I want to ask you about something this morning. 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:45.599 Do any of you like Christmas music? 00:01:46.519 --> 00:01:46.679 Anybody? 00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:47.640 Oh, some of you do. 00:01:47.679 --> 00:01:48.959 What's your favorite Christmas carol? 00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:50.759 Go ahead. 00:01:52.500 --> 00:01:53.900 Yeah, that's a good one. 00:01:53.939 --> 00:01:54.319 What else? 00:01:54.780 --> 00:01:55.159 What's yours? 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:59.379 My favorite one is Hark the Herald Angels. 00:01:59.539 --> 00:02:00.759 That's another good one. 00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:01.679 Just a couple more. 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:04.060 Christmas time. 00:02:04.060 --> 00:02:07.180 We Three Kings. 00:02:07.320 --> 00:02:08.420 Yeah, I like Joy to the World. 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:09.680 Anybody else like Joy to the World? 00:02:10.140 --> 00:02:10.979 You want to say one, Millie? 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:13.379 A Way in a Manger. 00:02:13.580 --> 00:02:14.539 A Way in a Manger. 00:02:14.659 --> 00:02:16.560 Can we sing that one in just a minute, Millie? 00:02:17.099 --> 00:02:18.039 Did we just sing that? 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:21.379 Maybe y'all can help me sing it again in just a second. 00:02:22.659 --> 00:02:24.980 You don't have to sing if you don't want to. 00:02:25.879 --> 00:02:27.039 Let me ask you something else. 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:30.120 Do you sing songs when you're celebrating someone's birthday? 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:32.819 When you go to a birthday party, do you ever sing anything? 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:34.799 Yeah, what song do you sing? 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:35.620 Happy Birthday. 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:37.620 Usually we sing Happy Birthday, right? 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:44.659 Can you imagine if a whole choir of people came from a long way away to your birthday party 00:02:44.659 --> 00:02:45.419 to sing to you? 00:02:45.459 --> 00:02:46.219 Would that be pretty cool? 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:48.439 If they came to sing Happy Birthday to you? 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:51.959 Would it mean that you were really important, you think? 00:02:52.799 --> 00:02:57.639 That you were so special that someone would travel all that way just to be with you and 00:02:57.639 --> 00:02:58.859 sing to you on your birthday? 00:02:58.860 --> 00:02:58.940 Okay. 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:02.060 Who comes to... 00:03:02.060 --> 00:03:03.400 Y'all are very special, okay? 00:03:04.020 --> 00:03:05.000 Don't get me wrong. 00:03:05.600 --> 00:03:08.280 But who came to sing for Jesus' birthday? 00:03:09.700 --> 00:03:10.580 Do you remember? 00:03:11.200 --> 00:03:13.480 Who came to sing at the first Christmas? 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:16.720 Angels did. 00:03:17.100 --> 00:03:20.700 A whole choir of angels came all the way from where? 00:03:21.300 --> 00:03:23.260 All the way from heaven. 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:24.560 You know why? 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:29.560 Because they were coming to remind us that Jesus is the most important person ever, the 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:32.199 most special person ever born. 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:36.919 That's why all those angels came from heaven to sing about his birth. 00:03:37.479 --> 00:03:41.199 So when you sing Christmas songs this year, y'all are going to sing a lot of them, right? 00:03:41.899 --> 00:03:48.280 I want you to remember that Jesus is the most special, most important person ever born, okay? 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:51.360 Can we sing together about his birth? 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:53.319 Can y'all sing loud so they can hear you? 00:03:53.379 --> 00:03:54.659 We're going to sing Away in a Manger. 00:03:54.780 --> 00:03:55.520 Do y'all know that one? 00:03:55.580 --> 00:03:56.360 We just sang it. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:58.240 We're just going to sing the first verse, okay? 00:03:58.340 --> 00:03:58.900 Can you help me? 00:04:00.199 --> 00:04:07.280 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:16.240 The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:24.459 The stars in the sky look down where he lay. 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:33.620 The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:36.160 Thanks for helping us sing about Jesus. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:41.100 Some of you are going with Miss Beth to kids' worship, and the rest of you can go back to 00:04:41.100 --> 00:04:42.280 your families now, okay? 00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:48.220 God, we're thankful for the privilege of praying for these kids. 00:04:48.460 --> 00:04:54.280 We're grateful for the beauty of Christmas and the wonder of that in their eyes, and pray 00:04:54.280 --> 00:04:58.500 that we would share their joy even as we sing of you this year. 00:04:59.200 --> 00:05:06.040 So would you work in our hearts now as we open your word as you do in theirs, in Jesus' name. 00:05:06.160 --> 00:05:06.800 Amen. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:06.939 Amen. 00:05:11.939 --> 00:05:14.460 We started this Advent season. 00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:17.639 By the way, thank you for praying for them. 00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:21.379 We started talking about what Christmas looks like. 00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:25.720 We talked about Christmas lights pointing us to the light of the world. 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:33.300 Last week, we talked a little bit about what Christmas tastes like, this free-filling feast 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:35.660 that we celebrate at Christmas. 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:42.580 Today, I want us to consider what Christmas sounds like, the songs of the season. 00:05:42.880 --> 00:05:47.260 For many of us, I think they have become an essential part of our celebrations. 00:05:47.259 --> 00:05:50.839 Maybe it's because they're piping through the stores as you're shopping. 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:56.000 Maybe it's carolers who come to your door and you get really excited. 00:05:56.120 --> 00:05:57.939 Maybe you like being one of the carolers. 00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:04.459 Many of us loved Hark the Herald Southwood Sings last Sunday night, and we got to be part 00:06:04.459 --> 00:06:04.899 of singing. 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:06.060 Yes, it was very exciting. 00:06:06.060 --> 00:06:09.639 Lots of singing, much music. 00:06:09.899 --> 00:06:17.139 Just as we got started, the band started playing like the beginning of Carol of the Bells, just 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:18.199 like Mannheim steamroll. 00:06:18.300 --> 00:06:19.079 Dum-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum. 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:22.920 My heart was beating like the drum with Christmas excitement. 00:06:23.019 --> 00:06:24.399 It just sounds like Christmas, right? 00:06:26.019 --> 00:06:27.680 There's great tunes. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:35.579 And some of the best lyrics in all of hymnody we sing this time of year. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:40.780 You can tell your grace group your favorite one when you get a chance. 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:46.680 But singing at Christmas is not some modern cultural development like to get you to spend 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:48.379 more money or something like that. 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:55.800 Singing goes all the way back to the first Christmas when the story of Jesus' birth is 00:06:55.800 --> 00:07:01.300 marked by Mary's song, Zachariah's song. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:03.400 We'll note those in Luke 1 later. 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:10.400 But I especially want us this morning to notice the angels' song in Luke 2. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:17.580 Right after the angels tell the shepherds there is good news of great joy for all the people, 00:07:17.580 --> 00:07:21.280 a Savior is born to you, what happens? 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:24.439 Could it get any more exciting than that? 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:32.560 Verse 13, and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:42.180 and saying, glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. 00:07:42.420 --> 00:07:47.899 All of the sudden, Gloria filling the skies. 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:49.980 I'm not sure if it was the same tune. 00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:51.840 I'm not sure it was in Latin. 00:07:51.939 --> 00:07:56.319 That seems a little unlikely since the shepherds probably didn't take Latin. 00:07:57.280 --> 00:08:03.360 But it was like hitting the chorus that we started this service with of angels we have heard on high. 00:08:03.520 --> 00:08:07.900 Or if you've been in a big room full of people singing Handel's Messiah, 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:14.879 and all of a sudden you get to the point where it crescendos and the hallelujah starts exploding all over the room. 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:20.259 You get this feeling of suddenly just an explosion of song, of joy. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:26.540 And maybe you've got this nice sweet picture of shepherds on a hillside and a couple of angels in the sky. 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:35.000 I want to try to expand our vision of how amazing that unimaginable choral performance was. 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:38.759 See, the Bible talks about angels quite a bit, doesn't it? 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:45.399 Angels are God's messengers, except in so many of the instances where angels show up, how many of them are there? 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.500 Almost always one. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:52.960 Angels are sent one at a time with a particular message. 00:08:53.679 --> 00:09:00.039 There are very, very few places where you get a host of angels mentioned in God's Word. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:01.840 I just want to tell you all of them. 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:03.340 There are only four. 00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:06.620 So that you can think, why is it that this happens? 00:09:06.620 --> 00:09:10.019 The first time is at creation, when we're told in Job, 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:15.399 the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:21.200 That's the angel choir of heaven singing at the beauty of God's good creation, 00:09:21.560 --> 00:09:24.159 spoken into existence by the Word of His power. 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:30.899 Then there are multiple passages mentioning angels as a group 00:09:30.899 --> 00:09:35.919 when God reveals His law to Moses on Mount Sinai. 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:40.939 It's another marvel of God's self-revelation to us. 00:09:41.479 --> 00:09:45.959 The third is this one at Christmas, when God is revealed, how? 00:09:46.219 --> 00:09:47.860 In the person of His Son. 00:09:49.959 --> 00:09:52.439 And finally, the one you probably can guess, 00:09:53.219 --> 00:09:57.779 there are references to thousands and thousands of angels 00:09:57.779 --> 00:10:02.939 celebrating the glory of Christ's return at the end of the age. 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:04.579 Those four times, that's it. 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:09.620 But here, on this first Christmas night, there is a multitude, 00:10:10.060 --> 00:10:13.680 a whole army filling the sky, lighting the night, 00:10:14.020 --> 00:10:20.420 singing the wonder of the incarnation to those unsuspecting, overwhelmed shepherds. 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:21.780 What does that mean? 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:26.100 The armies of heaven singing in chorus tells us something, doesn't it? 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:32.000 It tells us something divinely wonderful, something cosmically important, 00:10:32.420 --> 00:10:37.180 something absolutely God-revealing is happening. 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:41.480 And God doesn't want us to miss it. 00:10:41.540 --> 00:10:43.100 That's why all the angels, right? 00:10:43.800 --> 00:10:44.940 Any of us. 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:49.379 He doesn't want a one of us to miss that God is revealing Himself, 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:51.820 so He pulls out all the stops. 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:55.000 And what are they singing about? 00:10:55.600 --> 00:11:01.879 All the singing is focused on Him, on His glory. 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:06.500 We see that not only in the fact that so many of them are singing, and that's unusual, 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:09.840 but also in the words that they sing. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:10.840 Glory! 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:13.679 That's where it all starts. 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:19.320 See, what's happening, you've got to realize on that hillside, that first Christmas night, 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:24.600 it's much more than spreading Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear. 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:25.120 Okay? 00:11:25.179 --> 00:11:26.700 That's not all that's happening. 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:32.180 This concert, to which the shepherds get a front row seat, 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:38.540 it's as though God is pulling back the curtain on the very throne room of heaven, 00:11:39.140 --> 00:11:40.320 just a little bit. 00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:46.940 He's showing people on earth what happens there in the throne room of God every day, 00:11:47.140 --> 00:11:50.580 all the time, thousands of thousands. 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:55.140 Kids, that's like a hundred million million gabillion, like it's a lot. 00:11:55.140 --> 00:11:56.540 That's not a real number. 00:11:57.020 --> 00:11:57.920 But it's a lot. 00:11:58.660 --> 00:12:02.900 They're all around the throne singing glory to God. 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:04.460 Can you picture that? 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:06.220 What do they mean? 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:12.740 Glory means that God is weighty, that He matters most, that He's worthy, 00:12:13.060 --> 00:12:15.080 that He's deserving of worship. 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:18.340 Even in the highest heavens, there's none other like Him. 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:24.180 And here this worship is happening at the birth of a baby. 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:30.319 So the author of Hebrews explains that Jesus is even greater than the angels. 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:32.239 They're singing about Him. 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:34.819 He writes this in Hebrews 1. 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:38.539 When He brings the firstborn into the world, that's Jesus, 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:39.759 God says, 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:43.139 let all God's angels worship Him. 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:45.379 How many angels were worshiping that night? 00:12:45.459 --> 00:12:46.199 I don't know. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.419 But all of them. 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:50.759 All God's angels worshiping Him. 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:53.879 The divine Messiah is finally here. 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:57.099 Glory, glory, glory. 00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:58.819 That's what they're saying. 00:12:58.820 --> 00:12:58.860 Glory. 00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:06.360 To sing of God's glory means to tell of His incomparable greatness, how wonderful He is, 00:13:06.560 --> 00:13:09.280 His perfect character, His utter purity. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:12.300 He's the most beautiful. 00:13:13.020 --> 00:13:15.060 Like we might call the sun. 00:13:15.140 --> 00:13:20.180 If you see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, you might say it's glorious. 00:13:20.540 --> 00:13:23.760 I mean, it's breathtaking just to look at, to behold. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:26.860 And that's part of glory. 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:38.019 But it's also so weighty, so powerful that it can be beautiful and dangerous, right? 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:45.879 You can't just stare into the sun without being overwhelmed to the point of pain and injury, right? 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:46.980 Don't try that. 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:51.059 If you get too close to the sun, you'll burn. 00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:58.199 Part of its glory is that you have to account for it all the time, whatever you're doing. 00:13:58.559 --> 00:14:04.519 It would be like if this morning there was a huge elephant in the center aisle of the sanctuary 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:07.679 walking up and down during the whole service. 00:14:07.839 --> 00:14:09.419 Some of you would think that was beautiful. 00:14:09.599 --> 00:14:11.079 Others probably not so much. 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:14.259 But regardless, none of you would be able to ignore it. 00:14:14.339 --> 00:14:15.299 Can you imagine that? 00:14:16.219 --> 00:14:19.719 You wouldn't be able to see the screen sometimes depending on where it was. 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:24.480 You wouldn't be able to walk out to escape from this crazy circus that's going on in here. 00:14:26.160 --> 00:14:29.920 You wouldn't be able to do anything without reference to it, right? 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:32.680 It would attract our attention. 00:14:33.420 --> 00:14:34.220 It matters. 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:36.040 It's glorious. 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:41.100 In this case, it's not an elephant they're singing about. 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:45.840 God matters above all else. 00:14:46.040 --> 00:14:50.700 He's beautiful unlike any other and he can't be ignored. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:54.019 His presence changes everything. 00:14:55.659 --> 00:15:05.000 Christmas, the birth of this child king savior of the world, points people immediately to the praise of God's glory. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:08.279 It's not just the angels from heaven singing this. 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:15.539 Mary begins her song that she sings while pregnant with the promised Savior in chapter 1. 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:22.480 My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. 00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:26.259 My soul magnifies the Lord. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:30.200 To magnify something, of course, is to make it bigger, right? 00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:34.259 But kids, have you ever used a magnifying glass to look at something before? 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:36.620 Like a bug under a magnifying glass? 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:41.340 When you look at that through a magnifying glass, does it actually make the bug bigger? 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:43.020 Does the bug get bigger? 00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:45.700 The bug stays just the same, doesn't it? 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:49.340 But the bug is bigger in your eyes. 00:15:49.520 --> 00:15:53.620 The way you see it in your perception, it looks bigger. 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:55.660 That's what's happening here. 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:58.000 It's what the word magnify means. 00:15:58.339 --> 00:16:08.559 Mary's not actually making God greater, but she's reveling in God's greatness and she is seeing him as bigger in her own eyes. 00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:10.559 See, he's glorious. 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:13.419 He matters in her life. 00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:16.719 He's what truly gives her joy deep in her soul. 00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:17.860 That's what she says, right? 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:20.879 And the whole song is he, he, he. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.759 She keeps talking about what God is doing. 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:28.319 Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, begins his song the same way. 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:33.240 He's being filled with the Holy Spirit, so his heart is directed correctly. 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:40.139 And that is that Zechariah, as cool as you are and as neat a role as you get to play, this is not about you. 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:47.559 Even though your son is sent by God, where does the glory go? 00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:52.399 Verse 68, blessed be the Lord God of Israel. 00:16:52.759 --> 00:17:02.559 See, everyone whose hearts are understanding Christmas rightly realizes that the praise, the honor, the glory goes to God. 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:07.539 That's the first thing that these Christmas carols show us. 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:21.420 But all three of them, the angels and Mary and Zechariah, highlight an aspect of God that is so much at the heart of who he is that it is inextricably linked with his glory. 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:27.039 Over and over and over through the scriptures it is, and especially here at Christmas. 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.779 It's his grace. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:39.960 Now you may not see that word there immediately, but it is the second half of the anthem that the angels fill the skies with. 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:48.639 After they sing glory to God, on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:57.520 To see the grace of this, you have to stop and consider the relationship between God and mankind. 00:17:58.420 --> 00:18:08.860 Though created to live in peaceful relationship, when this announcement comes, now for generations, God has been at war, if you will, with man. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:13.579 Now they have turned in rebellion against his kingship. 00:18:13.979 --> 00:18:18.759 So don't misunderstand what he's saying here as some sweet Christmas message. 00:18:18.979 --> 00:18:23.799 Sometimes we hear these famous words, and you perhaps have even heard someone explain them, 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:28.979 that God is announcing peace to those who have earned my good will. 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:33.159 Peace to the ones of you who have done enough to please me. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.659 That's not what the words mean. 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:38.340 This is an announcement. 00:18:38.620 --> 00:18:48.880 Not that God has found some men on earth who are of good will, who deserve for God to be pleased with them, and so to make peace with them. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.920 That's not it. 00:18:50.340 --> 00:19:01.560 Rather, this is an announcement that God has declared peace towards men who are currently hostile and warring against him. 00:19:01.560 --> 00:19:04.320 And he says, peace to you. 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:12.300 The armies of heaven are sent to declare an undeserved peace. 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:21.279 As if it were one warring nation, the one with the upper hand in the conflict, all of a sudden declares a ceasefire. 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:31.340 And instead of more war and death and devastation, a new union of nations with life and flourishing for all, all of a sudden develops. 00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:32.460 Can you imagine? 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:36.819 My enemies will be my friends, God says. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:40.180 Those far from me will be brought near. 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:43.519 The outcast sons will be welcomed home. 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:43.759 Right? 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:45.039 Remember last week? 00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:47.319 It's a free feast. 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:48.319 Grace. 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:52.920 Because God is coming to pay the tab in full. 00:19:53.600 --> 00:19:54.759 To cover it all. 00:19:55.100 --> 00:19:57.680 That's what the heavenly choir is sent to sing about. 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.380 Don't miss this. 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:01.120 Listen to the grace of what's happening at Christmas. 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:08.619 The angels are rejoicing in a message that a savior has been born. 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:14.839 Because the sin-sick world they're announcing it to needs divine healing. 00:20:15.899 --> 00:20:18.419 Humanity has been separated from God. 00:20:18.679 --> 00:20:21.239 Waiting for a way back to him. 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:24.279 And God has said, not in building a tall tower. 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:25.000 They tried that. 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:29.059 Not in perfect law keeping. 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.700 God has said, no. 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:35.720 Not in your pretending nothing's wrong and we're just okay no matter what. 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.559 Now they tried that. 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.799 God has said, that's not it. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:42.039 No, you won't find your way back to me. 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:46.420 God says, but I'm coming to you. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.399 In fact, here I am. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.819 Emmanuel. 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.619 Messiah. 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:55.039 Savior on earth. 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:57.019 Bringing peace. 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.659 That's grace. 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:04.680 That's the glorious reality that when we all fall short of the glory of God, 00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:10.980 God reaches down to us rather than having us reach up to him. 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:15.640 Once again, it fills every verse of Mary's song. 00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:17.140 Why does she magnify God? 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:20.320 What makes him so great and worth singing about? 00:21:20.580 --> 00:21:22.720 Well, she sings of his mercy. 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:27.759 Of his faithful love to the faithless. 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:32.640 That's what Mary talks about in that very first verse of her song. 00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:38.000 Then she goes on to say, he exalts the humble. 00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:41.220 He fills the hungry. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.680 See how he's lifting up those who are low? 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:50.099 All his help to his people because of his mercy. 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:58.959 I love the way that commentator James Edwards describes this reality in Mary's Magnificat, 00:21:59.059 --> 00:22:00.219 the name for this song. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:00.899 He says, 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:04.299 It is a hymn not of the proud, but of the powerless. 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:08.859 Not of just desserts, but of unexpected grace. 00:22:09.179 --> 00:22:12.480 Not of a world fully controlled and determined by human powers, 00:22:12.679 --> 00:22:15.259 but overturned by divine comedy. 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.379 And he goes on, 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:19.440 God does not turn away from want and oppression, 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:23.360 but toward both in compassion and rescuing intervention. 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:28.360 In most religions, a meeting with God requires the low to ascend high, 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:30.500 sinners to become saints. 00:22:30.840 --> 00:22:34.740 The Magnificat reverses all protocol and expectations. 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:38.740 God who is high becomes low. 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:44.560 Zechariah gives glory to God for the same thing. 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:49.099 He has visited his people to redeem them from their slavery to sin. 00:22:49.159 --> 00:22:50.579 That's why Zechariah sings. 00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:52.000 Verse 72, 00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:57.579 Because of that mercy he promised he will do all these things for his people. 00:22:57.839 --> 00:23:00.980 And all of it because of his tender mercy. 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.579 Verse 78, 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:07.519 That faithful covenant keeping love against that same word. 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.960 Don't you love that phrase? 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:10.960 God's tender mercy. 00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:13.200 You know that's what he's like. 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:15.059 Towards you. 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:17.340 He's a God who brings salvation. 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:20.819 Who offers forgiveness of sins. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:24.340 Because he is full of tender mercy. 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:31.240 Gently and compassionately stooping down to rescue a weak and needy people. 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.580 That's grace. 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:36.660 Look at how it plays out when the Messiah comes in verse 78. 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:37.660 He dawns. 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:41.860 Now in verse 79 he comes as a light shining into our darkness. 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:46.460 As a voice of hope singing into the silence of our despair. 00:23:46.860 --> 00:23:51.660 The fulfillment of all the promises of our merciful faithful God. 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:55.279 So connect these dots. 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.540 This is why they're singing. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:24:02.120 We sing his glory because of his grace. 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:12.040 Glory to God in the highest heavens because on earth he has declared peace where there was war with him. 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.420 Sending the peace child. 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.740 The prince of peace. 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:23.799 All the way from the highest heights of glory, power, and privilege to the lowest depths of a dirty manger in a tiny town. 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:30.579 So that mankind would know without a doubt God is one of us. 00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:35.819 God has come for us to be with us. 00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:39.000 God is healing us. 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:43.839 The God of glory is the God of grace. 00:24:44.139 --> 00:24:45.079 And that's why we sing. 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.240 So what? 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:53.460 Should I just sing more? 00:24:53.919 --> 00:24:54.740 Is that what you want me to do? 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:56.480 You just want me to sing more Christmas carols? 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:59.000 You want me to go caroling tomorrow night? 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:00.399 That's great. 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:03.899 If the Christmas story moves your heart that way and you want to sing. 00:25:04.679 --> 00:25:13.000 But I want, as we wrap up this morning, to apply these songs by following the lead of the shepherds here in Luke 2. 00:25:13.419 --> 00:25:19.659 They do three basic things I think are important for us to consider when we hear songs like this. 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.599 First, they come in wonder. 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:27.980 Can you put yourself in their sandals for just a second? 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:32.420 They probably weren't expecting a big night. 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.240 This was normal. 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:36.259 They're out there with the sheep. 00:25:36.860 --> 00:25:41.180 They had to have been stunned to immobility, right? 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:44.000 Like, I don't even know how to handle this. 00:25:44.080 --> 00:25:45.000 What's next? 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:50.140 But immediately, they say, let's go and see this baby. 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:51.860 This Messiah. 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.299 This Savior. 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:59.420 God sent the angels so that these shepherds would not miss Jesus. 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:01.340 Otherwise, can you imagine? 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:08.680 They'd have had no idea out there on the hillside that such glory and grace was happening right back in their town. 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.420 They'd have missed it. 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:17.180 And God is saying, shepherds, this is life-changing. 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.800 Don't miss it. 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:26.980 I don't know about you, but it is still really easy for me to miss Jesus on Christmas. 00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:29.140 Still today. 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:33.519 And you've got a whole Christmas season to think about. 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:36.920 But honestly, sometimes that just adds more distractions. 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:39.339 Anybody felt that way recently? 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:43.500 You looking at the next 10 days like you'll be focused on Jesus? 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:45.960 Or you think you're going to be battling distractions? 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:51.639 Plus, life is hard any time of year. 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:56.539 We don't walk around expecting life-changing news every day. 00:26:56.619 --> 00:26:58.180 It's just the next day. 00:26:58.180 --> 00:27:03.480 I don't know why you came here today. 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:11.160 But God may have sent you a crazy preacher instead of thousands and thousands of angels to say, 00:27:11.820 --> 00:27:12.539 come to Jesus. 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:14.560 Don't miss Jesus. 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:16.360 He's life-changing. 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:19.880 He certainly has sent you His Word. 00:27:20.340 --> 00:27:21.740 He sent it to you today to say, 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:25.180 come wonder at the miracle of the incarnation. 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:27.279 I was born. 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:33.279 Don't let Christmas sneak by you again without wondering at who I am. 00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:39.279 The wonder of the glorious one also being the gracious one so that you, 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:41.740 no matter how stinky a shepherd you are, 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.359 no matter how little you expected, 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:46.740 anything to change your life today can be near me 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:51.180 and welcomed by me and restored by me forever. 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.359 How wonderful that is. 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:55.539 You can come and wonder at that. 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:59.079 As you hear the songs of Christmas in a new way, 00:27:59.119 --> 00:28:01.299 you can come and see Jesus. 00:28:03.899 --> 00:28:05.440 And as you see Jesus, 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:07.139 as you come to Him, 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:11.500 and maybe for you it's really just to check things out a little bit more. 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:17.339 Maybe you'll hear this morning that you could come to ask a pastor some questions 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:19.619 that you've wondered about a long time. 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.700 I'd love that. 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:27.160 Maybe you're thinking, you know, I could ask a friend to just listen to my story 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:31.500 and share some of my concerns and struggles. 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.240 We'd love that. 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:36.279 Pick a friend here if you don't have one. 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:44.700 But as you do that, as you explore the one whose name names Christmas, 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:47.240 seems like a reasonable thing to do this year, 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:51.779 I encourage you to stay and worship. 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:54.720 We know the shepherds did 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:57.559 because they found the child 00:28:57.559 --> 00:29:01.899 and they remembered the saying that they'd heard about Him. 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:03.799 What had they heard about Him? 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:04.960 Savior. 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.240 Messiah. 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.240 King. 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.259 God. 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.940 Become man. 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:13.200 That's what they're remembering. 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:16.639 They returned glorifying and praising God. 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:20.980 Can you even imagine processing all of that in just a few hours? 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.960 The Messiah. 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:24.900 The Savior of the world. 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:26.960 Right here in Bethlehem. 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:29.480 While our sheep are still out there on the hill. 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:34.740 I'm still processing it going on 42 years now. 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:42.019 That the glory and grace of God would come together in a baby in a manger. 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:47.039 Honestly, in some seasons of my life, I didn't try to understand. 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.319 Man. 00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:51.960 I've had other seasons of my life where I just took that for granted. 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:54.480 It was what everybody told me happened. 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:56.220 And so, okay. 00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:58.619 Didn't impact me. 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:05.139 And other seasons, I've wondered if it was actually too good to be true. 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:09.779 Like, it was a nice, you know, Christmas idea and feeling. 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:11.059 And I love Christmas. 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:14.700 And don't we all love Christmas and just feel nice? 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:21.799 But actually, Luke is telling us from eyewitnesses. 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.420 I don't know. 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:25.380 Maybe even some of these shepherds themselves. 00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:32.160 That when the glory of God shines in the grace of God. 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.960 That he's come to me. 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:35.160 When that hits you. 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:37.039 When I realize that he has come to me. 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:40.740 Someone who some days thinks I'm too good to need it. 00:30:41.580 --> 00:30:42.799 That's the truth about my heart. 00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.500 It's that dark. 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:47.480 And there are other days where, honestly, I get so discouraged. 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:50.240 I feel like I'm too bad to receive it. 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:53.160 That he couldn't possibly come to me. 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:59.980 And when it comes home that, in spite of me, Jesus has come to me full of glory and grace. 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:02.240 I'm overwhelmed with joy. 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:02.519 Right? 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.220 That's what happens. 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.640 With gratitude. 00:31:05.160 --> 00:31:06.039 With worship. 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:07.279 That's what will come out. 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:13.279 I want to encourage you to stay with Jesus this year. 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:17.720 Until the wonder at what's happening moves your heart to worship. 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.319 To song, even. 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.899 It's great if you sing. 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:22.920 It usually does when our hearts fill. 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:25.799 Come, let us adore him. 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:29.519 Haste, haste to bring him laud. 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:31.059 Come and worship. 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:31.940 Come and worship. 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:35.460 Worship Christ, the newborn King. 00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:43.240 Singing expresses the overflow of our hearts about things that are glorious. 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:45.259 That are worthy. 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.680 That matter. 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:53.940 But when I say worship, I don't just want you to think in this room, this activity on 00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:56.240 a Sunday morning that we all do together. 00:31:56.380 --> 00:32:00.340 I want you to think worship means in everything. 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:06.940 Y'all, if Jesus is worthy at all, then he is always worthy. 00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:09.779 You remember the glory of the elephant? 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.380 Right down there. 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.640 Or the sun? 00:32:13.580 --> 00:32:15.519 You won't see it today, but maybe sometime soon. 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:19.759 But it matters in everything. 00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:23.200 It can't be ignored safely. 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:24.879 That's Jesus. 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:34.200 What vision of Jesus do you need to see to realize how glorious he is in every moment of 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.400 every day with you? 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:37.299 Where do you need to see Jesus? 00:32:37.879 --> 00:32:43.559 The shepherds saw a baby in a manger, and that may be where your heart needs to stay. 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:45.679 You're seeing Jesus in the manger. 00:32:45.679 --> 00:32:54.079 But we now know on this side of his living that he healed the sick, and he cast demons 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:55.319 out of the oppressed. 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:58.679 You may need to see him washing. 00:32:58.679 --> 00:33:07.759 You may see him washing the feet of those who have failed him, but whom he loved deeply. 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:19.200 You may linger at the feet of Jesus just contemplating and seeing him where he sends the accusers of the sinful woman away. 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:23.180 And then he sends her on her way with what? 00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:25.799 No condemnation. 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:28.559 Free to sin. 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.680 No more. 00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:38.259 I think many of us would be helped by spending some time gazing on Jesus on the cross. 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:42.799 Blood dripping from the crown of thorns. 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:47.880 Agony wrenching his face as he bears your sin. 00:33:47.880 --> 00:34:02.900 Or you may see him as he is now, risen and reigning with hair white as snow, with eyes a flame of fire, feet that are bronze. 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:07.620 His face shining like the sun at full strength. 00:34:07.780 --> 00:34:09.480 It's radiating glory. 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:14.780 And then he's holding seven stars in his hand. 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:23.039 The powerful hand, a glorious hand that in his grace then he lays his hand on you and says, fear not. 00:34:23.820 --> 00:34:26.240 I'm the first and the last. 00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:28.619 I've got this right now. 00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:29.760 Right where you are. 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:31.260 I know where it's going. 00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:33.079 I've even died. 00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:36.320 And now I live forevermore. 00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:40.120 Take some time today. 00:34:40.220 --> 00:34:43.760 Stay with a vision of Jesus and worship him. 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:47.200 He matters right where you are. 00:34:47.820 --> 00:34:49.820 At work, at home, in relationships. 00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:52.140 On Sunday morning, on Tuesday afternoon. 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:55.600 He'll matter December 25th, but he'll matter February 3rd. 00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:56.680 Stay with him. 00:34:59.019 --> 00:35:05.500 I'm afraid when people hear me say Christmas should make us sing that they think I mean joy to the world. 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:07.179 And I do. 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:25.320 But don't miss that Jesus also meets us, not only in our joy, but in our darkest, lowest moments of pain, of longing, of aching, when we can only cry out, oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel. 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:30.240 You don't have to get to joy to the world to worship Jesus. 00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:31.039 Okay? 00:35:31.380 --> 00:35:38.300 Where you may be right now and where your heart is, it may be that the only song you can sing sounds like a funeral dirge. 00:35:38.420 --> 00:35:40.260 You're just aching. 00:35:40.260 --> 00:35:46.940 You're longing and you're singing a song that says the only one who can rescue you is Jesus. 00:35:47.580 --> 00:35:48.940 But it's going to take you to him too. 00:35:49.340 --> 00:35:57.680 Come, Jesus, to ransom captives and to bring joy and make your blessing flow far as the curse is found. 00:35:57.679 --> 00:36:02.119 You can sing any of those songs as you worship him. 00:36:03.919 --> 00:36:07.019 Finally, third thing I'd like to encourage you towards. 00:36:07.359 --> 00:36:14.039 If Christmas should point us to sing of God's glory and grace, others should hear our songs. 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:15.339 That will happen. 00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:16.719 Don't just come and wonder. 00:36:17.139 --> 00:36:18.619 Don't just stay and worship. 00:36:18.839 --> 00:36:22.259 While you're doing both, right in the midst of them, go and witness. 00:36:22.260 --> 00:36:29.640 Verse 17, when they saw it, the shepherds made known the saying that had been told them. 00:36:30.100 --> 00:36:32.120 And apparently not just to one person. 00:36:32.840 --> 00:36:36.360 All who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 00:36:36.560 --> 00:36:37.460 Can you imagine? 00:36:37.720 --> 00:36:38.840 They were talking a lot. 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:47.740 And they were saying things like, friends, the God you think hates you is for you. 00:36:48.140 --> 00:36:49.180 He's not against you. 00:36:49.180 --> 00:36:50.340 You think he's fighting you. 00:36:50.380 --> 00:36:52.060 He's come to declare peace. 00:36:52.260 --> 00:36:55.280 Friends, you don't have to be afraid of God anymore. 00:36:55.640 --> 00:36:57.480 You don't even have to find him. 00:36:57.700 --> 00:36:58.440 He's come to you. 00:36:58.500 --> 00:36:59.040 He's here. 00:36:59.260 --> 00:37:00.460 He's full of grace. 00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:08.200 Imagine people hearing that incredible news from unreliable shepherds. 00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:13.420 You know, they weren't trusted for anything in those days. 00:37:14.380 --> 00:37:19.680 I hope you hear that and realize you don't have to worry about your credentials for pointing people to Jesus. 00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:19.879 Jesus. 00:37:20.679 --> 00:37:22.719 You can just do that. 00:37:23.059 --> 00:37:26.000 You sing whether you can carry a tune or not. 00:37:26.579 --> 00:37:26.859 Right? 00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:28.819 That's not the point. 00:37:29.199 --> 00:37:31.659 You say, I know it sounds too good to be true. 00:37:31.799 --> 00:37:33.960 But I've got to tell you what the angels said. 00:37:34.059 --> 00:37:37.219 Even though you're not considered an expert on angels. 00:37:37.219 --> 00:37:42.959 You say, I've got to tell you what God's message of hope to us is. 00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:44.959 Even though I'm no biblical scholar. 00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:46.959 I just want to share with you what I know. 00:37:47.159 --> 00:37:50.939 What I know is that he is full of glory and grace. 00:37:51.019 --> 00:37:51.719 I know that much. 00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:53.539 Nothing matters more than him. 00:37:53.659 --> 00:37:55.519 And no one will love you better than him. 00:37:56.199 --> 00:37:57.519 That's all I know to tell you. 00:37:57.519 --> 00:38:02.619 God will take care of the dazzling glory. 00:38:03.179 --> 00:38:06.559 God will take care of the amazing grace. 00:38:06.719 --> 00:38:09.860 You just tell people the hope you've been told. 00:38:10.860 --> 00:38:15.380 The hope that all of heaven finds worth singing about. 00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:20.579 The hope that plucked you off a hillside where no one wanted you. 00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:27.319 And took you to a manger so that you could know you're welcomed into God's family. 00:38:28.199 --> 00:38:29.779 Let's pray and ask for his help. 00:38:32.539 --> 00:38:37.920 Father, what a great news that is for us. 00:38:38.619 --> 00:38:42.960 What tidings of comfort and joy that we have a Savior. 00:38:43.739 --> 00:38:45.299 Would it make our hearts sing? 00:38:46.019 --> 00:38:50.119 Would celebrating Jesus move us to worship and to witness? 00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:56.000 Thank you for meeting us in our weakness and our struggle and our sin. 00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:58.019 And coming with the solution that we need. 00:38:58.380 --> 00:38:59.179 And that is you. 00:38:59.179 --> 00:39:02.380 And so keep us bowed before you. 00:39:02.460 --> 00:39:06.259 Walking with you today and throughout this season. 00:39:06.380 --> 00:39:07.079 In Jesus' name. 00:39:07.819 --> 00:39:08.119 Amen. 00:39:09.799 --> 00:39:13.460 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org. 00:39:20.579 --> 00:39:42.259 Thank you.