WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.740 Let's pray. 00:00:07.740 --> 00:00:09.759 Lord, as we come to your word now 00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:12.740 in this account of the birth of your son, 00:00:13.780 --> 00:00:17.320 Lord, will you take this familiar story 00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:21.740 and Lord, fill it again with new meaning. 00:00:22.740 --> 00:00:26.160 And Lord, may the wonderful news of it 00:00:26.160 --> 00:00:29.440 resound deeply in our hearts. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.820 As we see a story of your goodness and your love 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:36.539 for your world, for us. 00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:42.780 Lord, I would pray that you would encourage us tonight 00:00:42.780 --> 00:00:44.420 by your word in Jesus' name. 00:00:44.899 --> 00:00:45.219 Amen. 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:46.840 Amen. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:50.359 Well, it is great to see you all here tonight. 00:00:50.480 --> 00:00:53.120 I don't know about you, but I love the Christmas season. 00:00:53.579 --> 00:00:56.900 It's always encouraging to see people be a little bit cheerier 00:00:56.900 --> 00:00:58.179 walking down the streets. 00:00:58.179 --> 00:01:01.619 It's always beautiful to drive through the Broadway section 00:01:01.619 --> 00:01:03.979 and see all the Christmas lights that they have put up 00:01:03.979 --> 00:01:08.060 and to walk through the mall if you dare to get to a mall 00:01:08.060 --> 00:01:14.060 and to hear cheerful songs over the Muzak, 00:01:14.299 --> 00:01:16.579 whether it's Mariah Carey saying, 00:01:16.719 --> 00:01:18.620 all I want for Christmas is you, 00:01:18.620 --> 00:01:21.160 or Frank Sinatra singing, 00:01:21.340 --> 00:01:23.859 have yourself a merry little Christmas. 00:01:25.300 --> 00:01:29.040 It's a wonderful time of the year. 00:01:29.160 --> 00:01:31.120 And there is something even in our culture 00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:34.760 that makes it a slightly happier time for many of us. 00:01:35.380 --> 00:01:39.000 And I don't know about you, but I hope you enjoy it. 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:41.580 And you know, for those of us who are Christians, 00:01:41.800 --> 00:01:43.040 as we gather together, 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:47.280 the hymns we were just singing double down on the joy of this season. 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:50.719 They tell us that this season is joy to the world, 00:01:51.180 --> 00:01:53.700 peace on earth, goodwill towards men. 00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:58.160 And it is a message of great hope 00:01:58.160 --> 00:02:03.060 and of great optimism about the state of the world 00:02:03.060 --> 00:02:05.980 and about what life can be like here. 00:02:05.980 --> 00:02:09.719 And so it's true that in many ways, 00:02:09.840 --> 00:02:13.140 Christmas truly can be the most wonderful time of the year. 00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:16.960 But there is an empty underside. 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:20.159 Maybe you feel it tonight. 00:02:20.740 --> 00:02:23.120 For some of us, we may be carrying losses 00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:28.099 that make even the joys bittersweet, 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:31.199 even the happiness of gatherings hollow. 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:38.159 Even if you're not carrying a grief like that during this season, 00:02:38.399 --> 00:02:40.819 it's not hard to look into the darkness 00:02:40.819 --> 00:02:43.339 and to see how the stress of this season 00:02:43.339 --> 00:02:46.459 can cause you to be grumpier rather than more happy. 00:02:47.919 --> 00:02:53.039 That the happiness around you can exacerbate the darkness 00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:57.299 that you feel in your own soul as you battle depression. 00:02:57.300 --> 00:03:01.219 As you read the news and you think, 00:03:01.480 --> 00:03:04.719 peace on earth seems like further and further 00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:08.540 from our reality rather than closer and closer. 00:03:10.700 --> 00:03:13.219 The hymn writers, of course, knew this as well. 00:03:14.320 --> 00:03:16.120 When they sing about the coming of Jesus, 00:03:16.360 --> 00:03:20.300 they long for a day when the gloomy clouds of night 00:03:20.300 --> 00:03:21.320 will be dispersed 00:03:21.320 --> 00:03:24.620 and death's dark shadows will be put to flight. 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:30.460 So Christmas is an interesting season, isn't it? 00:03:30.480 --> 00:03:32.819 Because it's filled with joy and light and happiness 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:35.340 and yet has this dark underside, 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:39.620 this thing that we don't like to acknowledge 00:03:39.620 --> 00:03:43.000 and yet is so often a part of our own experience 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:44.159 and our own life. 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:46.939 What do we do with that? 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:49.280 Cognitive dissonance 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:52.900 between the message of the Muzak 00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:56.560 and sometimes the message of our hearts. 00:03:58.300 --> 00:04:01.659 I think we can sometimes turn to cynicism. 00:04:02.500 --> 00:04:02.740 Yeah? 00:04:03.080 --> 00:04:04.639 Bah humbug on you. 00:04:05.159 --> 00:04:05.860 Merry Christmas. 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:09.719 Maybe some of us, 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:12.479 with great hope, 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:15.099 just seek to block out all the darkness. 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:16.620 It's not really there. 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:19.420 We deny it and try to go on hoping, 00:04:19.860 --> 00:04:21.959 hoping that really it will be 00:04:21.959 --> 00:04:24.660 full of wonder and light and goodness 00:04:24.660 --> 00:04:27.379 without any other things. 00:04:28.540 --> 00:04:30.600 But I think that, in fact, 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:32.420 the narrative of Christmas 00:04:32.420 --> 00:04:35.939 can help us navigate this cognitive dissonance, 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:37.780 this darkness and light 00:04:37.780 --> 00:04:40.459 with a much greater depth. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:44.220 And so I want to spend just a few minutes tonight 00:04:44.220 --> 00:04:46.540 meditating on the story 00:04:46.540 --> 00:04:49.460 that Kyle read in Matthew, 00:04:49.700 --> 00:04:51.480 the account of the birth of Jesus. 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:53.760 And as always is true, 00:04:53.860 --> 00:04:55.840 there's such a richness to these stories. 00:04:56.240 --> 00:04:57.480 I want to focus in, 00:04:57.600 --> 00:04:58.500 even particularly, 00:04:59.140 --> 00:05:01.160 on the name of Emmanuel 00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:03.560 and to think about what that means for us. 00:05:05.260 --> 00:05:07.720 As we think about this passage in Matthew, 00:05:07.880 --> 00:05:10.180 we need to start by being reminded 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:12.180 that Matthew begins his account 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:13.100 of the birth of Jesus, 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:13.959 not with this, 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:15.040 but right before, 00:05:15.160 --> 00:05:15.900 if you look back 00:05:15.900 --> 00:05:17.240 at the very beginning of the book, 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:18.800 it's a genealogy. 00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:20.699 It's a genealogy that, 00:05:21.139 --> 00:05:23.400 for any Jewish person, 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:25.139 for any one of God's people 00:05:25.139 --> 00:05:26.120 in the first century, 00:05:26.439 --> 00:05:27.639 they would have read this 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:32.300 as the history of their life and nation. 00:05:32.960 --> 00:05:35.259 It would be like reading about Washington 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:38.560 and Adams and Abraham Lincoln 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:42.300 and FDR and so forth up to this day. 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:45.980 And yet it had this spiritual undertone as well 00:05:45.980 --> 00:05:48.639 of this is the history of God's people. 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:50.339 And so the story is infused 00:05:50.339 --> 00:05:51.980 with all of God's promises, 00:05:52.480 --> 00:05:53.719 all of God's promises 00:05:53.719 --> 00:05:55.980 about how he will call a people to himself 00:05:55.980 --> 00:05:58.139 from every tribe and tongue and nation 00:05:58.139 --> 00:05:59.680 to lift it up, 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:02.000 to be God's people in this world. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:06.399 The promise is that they would be his people 00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:08.379 and he would be their God 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:09.800 and that he would be among them 00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:11.360 and be in their midst. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:14.699 And yet the people in the first century 00:06:14.699 --> 00:06:16.360 wondered where is the fulfillment 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:17.319 of these promises? 00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:20.800 Rome rules our country. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:24.339 The priesthood seems to be compromised. 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:29.319 And where is God with us right now? 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:33.779 And it's into that context 00:06:33.779 --> 00:06:39.360 that the story of the baby Jesus steps in. 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:41.920 We've just read about it. 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:43.139 We've just sung about it. 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:48.819 This baby who came claimed, 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:52.360 it was claimed that he was the fulfillment 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:55.120 of the prophecies way back in the prophet Isaiah 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:57.100 looking forward to a day 00:06:57.100 --> 00:06:59.160 when God would actually come 00:06:59.160 --> 00:07:01.840 and dwell with his people in a new way. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:05.360 That God would be with us. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:09.240 And to understand the meaning of this, 00:07:10.040 --> 00:07:12.080 I wanted to spend a few minutes 00:07:12.080 --> 00:07:15.680 painting for you the whole picture of the Bible 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:17.900 to see how wonderfully good 00:07:17.900 --> 00:07:20.740 this news is for us. 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:23.460 Because when you go back to the very beginning 00:07:23.460 --> 00:07:25.620 of the story in the Bible, 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:29.280 you see humanity, man and woman, 00:07:29.420 --> 00:07:32.819 living together in a place of perfect provision, 00:07:33.259 --> 00:07:35.019 in a place of perfect goodness. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:38.199 And the most wonderful thing about it all 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:41.040 is that they lived with God 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:42.819 and God lived with them. 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:45.620 He walked with them in the cool of the day 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:49.360 is the literary picture that is given to us 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:50.540 of the nearness 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:53.459 and of the unfettered and unhindered 00:07:53.459 --> 00:07:57.160 relationship with God in creation. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:00.920 And you know, 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:03.519 I think this is why we love Christmas a little bit. 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:05.920 Because Christmas reminds us 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:07.639 that this is the way it was supposed to be. 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:09.759 It was supposed to be all good 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:11.139 with no darkness at all. 00:08:11.139 --> 00:08:15.120 It was supposed to be joy and merriment 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:16.680 because we would be with God. 00:08:19.159 --> 00:08:20.459 But as we read on, 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:24.740 we see that this in fact is not how the story went. 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:28.759 Because humanity in its discontent with God 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:30.919 and its desire to be like God 00:08:30.919 --> 00:08:34.019 rebelled against God and rejected Him. 00:08:35.059 --> 00:08:36.340 And in that rejection, 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:39.539 which is the root of our sin, 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:43.120 our proud refusal of God with us, 00:08:43.439 --> 00:08:46.019 came deadly consequences. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:53.219 Death, strife, envy, conflicts, murder, war. 00:08:55.219 --> 00:08:57.620 And the greatest consequence of all 00:08:57.620 --> 00:08:59.339 was our separation from God. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:03.279 We were no longer able to be with God 00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:05.559 because we had rejected Him. 00:09:06.459 --> 00:09:07.879 We had refused Him. 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:10.980 And yet you see through the rest of the Old Testament, 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:13.159 the Bible tells us God did not give up. 00:09:13.480 --> 00:09:15.480 God did not give up on having a people 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:17.559 who would be His own. 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:19.120 And the whole Old Testament 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:21.899 can be pictured as God's loving pursuit 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:23.179 of His people 00:09:23.179 --> 00:09:26.720 and His calling of special people to be His. 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:28.879 And in fact, there are ways in which God showed, 00:09:29.639 --> 00:09:30.399 I will be with you, 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:31.860 I want to be with you 00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:33.580 throughout the whole narrative. 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:36.639 And yet always, 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.759 there was a mix. 00:09:39.180 --> 00:09:41.100 And what we experience today 00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:42.780 is what they experienced then. 00:09:43.020 --> 00:09:44.580 This mix of hopefulness 00:09:44.580 --> 00:09:47.000 that these promises may come true 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:48.420 and yet the reality 00:09:48.420 --> 00:09:50.420 that they are not fully true now. 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:55.300 So into this context, 00:09:55.680 --> 00:09:57.040 in the first century, 00:09:57.580 --> 00:09:59.100 when the people of God were saying, 00:09:59.220 --> 00:10:00.200 God, where are you? 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:01.800 Are you really with us? 00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:03.379 Are you really for us? 00:10:05.939 --> 00:10:07.579 A baby was born. 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:11.099 In a manger, he was laid 00:10:11.099 --> 00:10:14.399 to a carpenter and his wife 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:16.759 in an obscure town. 00:10:18.959 --> 00:10:20.099 And yet, 00:10:20.599 --> 00:10:22.939 everyone who saw this baby 00:10:22.939 --> 00:10:26.240 knew that it was something special. 00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:28.159 Mary and Joseph, 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:29.179 they knew. 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:32.500 Elizabeth and the baby in Elizabeth's womb 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:34.299 who became John the Baptist, 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:37.199 he knew before he was even out of the womb. 00:10:39.479 --> 00:10:42.120 Persian wise men from far away 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:43.459 knew. 00:10:45.339 --> 00:10:45.859 Shepherds, 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:49.359 watching their flocks by night 00:10:49.359 --> 00:10:50.219 on the hillsides, 00:10:51.099 --> 00:10:51.519 knew. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:54.500 They knew that this baby 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:56.500 was something special. 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:58.659 And that in him, 00:10:58.819 --> 00:11:00.639 God had come to earth. 00:11:01.579 --> 00:11:02.840 And God had come 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:05.759 not just to sympathize with us, 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:08.659 but he came to identify with us. 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:11.079 He came to enter into 00:11:11.079 --> 00:11:12.500 the darkness of the world 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:13.720 that we live in. 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:17.899 He came from more than that. 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:20.040 Not only did he enter in 00:11:20.040 --> 00:11:21.759 to identify with us in that way, 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:23.320 but he came to deliver us. 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:25.940 This is the most wonderful news. 00:11:26.580 --> 00:11:27.560 These are the two names 00:11:27.560 --> 00:11:29.080 that we see Matthew giving him. 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.820 Emmanuel, God with us, 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:32.080 and Jesus. 00:11:32.660 --> 00:11:34.240 For he will save his people 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:36.060 from their sins. 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:38.399 This baby grew up 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:39.919 and instead of rejecting God, 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:41.559 he lived in a perfect relationship 00:11:41.559 --> 00:11:42.159 with God. 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:44.639 Instead of seeking to rival God, 00:11:44.719 --> 00:11:45.839 he submitted himself 00:11:45.839 --> 00:11:47.959 as an obedient servant to God. 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:49.599 Instead of seeking life 00:11:49.599 --> 00:11:50.739 apart from God, 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:55.079 he offered himself up to death 00:11:55.079 --> 00:11:58.359 in order to give us life. 00:11:59.439 --> 00:12:00.679 And in doing so, 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:03.099 at his point of offering himself 00:12:03.099 --> 00:12:03.939 up to death, 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:06.500 he took the rejection 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:08.880 of the Father 00:12:08.880 --> 00:12:10.560 that we deserved 00:12:10.560 --> 00:12:13.580 and he bestowed upon us 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:14.700 the perfect favor 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:16.320 that he had with God. 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:19.080 He saved us from our sin 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:22.600 and God and sinners 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:24.080 are now reconciled 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:26.180 because of him 00:12:26.180 --> 00:12:27.380 to all who believe. 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:30.220 And so the word 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:31.400 that Emmanuel, 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:32.620 God with us, 00:12:32.660 --> 00:12:33.780 is here tonight 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:35.419 is good news. 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:36.860 It's good news 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:37.740 because it means 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:39.199 the darkness will not win. 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:41.559 God has not abandoned us, 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:43.139 but he has come for us. 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:45.299 It means that your sin 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:47.480 and your distance from God 00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:49.059 and your rejection of him 00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:51.240 need not be the last word 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.279 in your life, 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:53.720 but that in fact 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:55.079 he has come for you 00:12:55.079 --> 00:12:56.480 and calls you 00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:58.720 to embrace him 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:00.360 and to respond 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:02.200 and to turn to him 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:04.759 and to receive him. 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:08.399 Where meek souls 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:10.660 will receive him still, 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:12.040 the dear Lord 00:13:12.040 --> 00:13:13.920 will enter in. 00:13:15.420 --> 00:13:16.180 God has come 00:13:16.180 --> 00:13:17.379 to rescue us 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:19.279 and to bring to us 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:19.840 the goodness 00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:22.160 that we so long for 00:13:22.160 --> 00:13:24.940 and so hunger for 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:27.560 and so love 00:13:27.560 --> 00:13:28.680 when we taste 00:13:28.680 --> 00:13:30.620 this goodness, 00:13:31.400 --> 00:13:32.380 the joy 00:13:32.380 --> 00:13:33.840 of every longing heart, 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:35.380 the dear desire 00:13:35.380 --> 00:13:36.580 of every nation. 00:13:38.800 --> 00:13:40.140 This is Jesus. 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:43.160 And all the trappings 00:13:43.160 --> 00:13:43.760 of Christmas, 00:13:44.260 --> 00:13:45.100 all the presents 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.180 and all the lights 00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:47.340 and all the feasts 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:49.320 and all the family gatherings, 00:13:49.320 --> 00:13:54.160 their richness ultimately 00:13:54.160 --> 00:13:56.480 is because they point us 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:58.860 to this ultimate goodness 00:13:58.860 --> 00:14:00.860 that God is with us. 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.840 The Bible story looks ahead. 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:12.020 It says we're not there yet. 00:14:13.160 --> 00:14:13.980 Though God has come 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:14.840 to be with us, 00:14:14.900 --> 00:14:15.640 though he has lived 00:14:15.640 --> 00:14:17.080 and died and rose again, 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:21.040 he is not yet finished 00:14:21.040 --> 00:14:22.600 with this world. 00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:25.620 And so we live 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:27.240 in this tension still 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.940 and yet we look ahead 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:29.920 with hope. 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.500 In the book of Revelation 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.320 at the end, 00:14:33.920 --> 00:14:34.879 it says this, 00:14:35.540 --> 00:14:36.660 I heard a loud voice 00:14:36.660 --> 00:14:37.580 from the throne saying, 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.120 Behold, 00:14:38.280 --> 00:14:39.639 the dwelling place of God 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:40.379 is with man. 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:45.840 He will dwell with them. 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:48.379 And they will be his people 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:50.180 and he will be there. 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:51.680 He and God himself 00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:53.259 will be with them 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:54.420 as their God. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:56.120 And he will wipe away 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:57.900 every tear from their eye. 00:14:58.580 --> 00:15:00.780 And death shall be no more. 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:03.320 Neither shall there be mourning 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:04.360 nor crying 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:06.440 nor pain anymore. 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.980 For the former things 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.460 have passed away 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:10.780 and he who is seated 00:15:10.780 --> 00:15:11.920 on the throne say, 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.040 Behold, 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:15.640 I am making all things new. 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:17.879 And friends, 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:19.120 this is what Christmas, 00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:22.419 God with us, 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:23.799 points us to. 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:26.759 That that day is coming 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:28.379 because he has come. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:31.439 It is not a wishful hope. 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:34.120 It is a certain future reality 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:34.919 for us. 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:39.879 That just as God has come to us 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:40.779 in the fallenness 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:42.840 to redeem us out of this world, 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:44.620 yet in fact what he will do 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.759 is he will come again 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:47.639 to renew this world. 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.899 And all the things 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:50.920 that we long for 00:15:50.920 --> 00:15:51.639 and all the things 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.580 that we hope for 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:54.019 and all the things 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.940 that Christmas celebrates 00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:57.720 are but an echo 00:15:57.720 --> 00:16:00.139 of what we will taste 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:00.840 that day 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:03.180 when the dwelling place 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:04.639 of God will be with man 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:07.379 and woman 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.500 and child 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:10.820 for eternity. 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:13.680 and so 00:16:13.680 --> 00:16:15.660 sing your, 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:16.940 have yourself a merry 00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:17.860 little Christmas. 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:23.060 Enjoy your who hash 00:16:23.060 --> 00:16:24.420 and who beast 00:16:24.420 --> 00:16:25.760 and roast beast. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:32.580 Gather around the tree 00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:34.020 and think of the presents 00:16:34.020 --> 00:16:36.920 given and received. 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:40.639 but remember 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:41.799 that all of this 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:44.019 is meant to remind us 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:45.899 of God 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:47.339 who came to be with us 00:16:47.339 --> 00:16:48.979 so that we could be 00:16:48.979 --> 00:16:49.599 with him. 00:16:50.219 --> 00:16:51.019 Let's pray. 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.639 Lord, we thank you 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:58.939 for your word. 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:00.379 We thank you for 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:02.259 Jesus who has come, 00:17:02.699 --> 00:17:03.159 Emmanuel, 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:05.319 who has come with us, 00:17:05.639 --> 00:17:06.480 come to us, 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:08.960 to ransom us 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.779 and redeem us 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.759 and rescue us. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.720 Lord, thank you 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:14.180 for the good news 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:14.700 of this. 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:16.680 Lord, we do pray 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:17.740 that as we celebrate 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:19.059 this Christmas season, 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:20.640 Lord, 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:22.900 that the joy 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.940 and the wonder 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.900 and the awe 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:26.620 of it 00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:28.019 would be ours 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:29.339 in all richness. 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:33.559 Lord, thank you 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.500 for this celebration. 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.980 we pray 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.299 in Jesus' name. 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:38.079 Amen. 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:41.579 Well, friends, 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:42.819 if you've been here 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.799 for the last couple 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.160 of years, 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:46.460 we don't typically 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.039 do this, 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:47.900 but we're going to try 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:48.839 lighting some candles 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.279 tonight. 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:50.299 So, 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.220 as we continue 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.240 to celebrate 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:54.579 the worship 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:56.700 of Christ, 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:57.980 maybe the ushers 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.599 can come up 00:17:58.599 --> 00:17:59.599 at this point, 00:17:59.599 --> 00:18:01.279 we're going to do 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:01.659 a little bit 00:18:01.659 --> 00:18:02.419 of candle lighting. 00:18:02.959 --> 00:18:03.480 And the reason 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.379 is because 00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:05.699 Scripture talks 00:18:05.699 --> 00:18:06.859 about Jesus coming 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.539 as a light 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:09.079 coming into the darkness 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:11.219 of this world. 00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:13.659 And as He did so, 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:15.339 He brought 00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:16.459 all that we've just 00:18:16.459 --> 00:18:17.279 been talking about 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.199 for a few minutes. 00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:19.740 So, 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:21.899 this is what we're 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:22.359 going to do. 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.299 I'm going to 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:25.059 read the Scriptures. 00:18:25.719 --> 00:18:26.559 I'm going to light 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.139 the candle. 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:28.980 Tyler and Melissa 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.820 are going to come 00:18:29.820 --> 00:18:30.759 up the rose 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.500 and they're going 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.460 to pass the light 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:34.300 out from here 00:18:34.300 --> 00:18:35.259 to all of you. 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:36.060 Okay? 00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:36.860 So, 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.940 here are a few tips 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.880 so we don't light 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:39.900 each other on fire. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:43.520 So, 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:44.200 if your candle 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:44.820 is lit, 00:18:45.040 --> 00:18:45.740 it should always 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.500 stay upright. 00:18:46.840 --> 00:18:47.540 If your candle 00:18:47.540 --> 00:18:48.480 is unlit, 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.900 you take your 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.840 unlit candle 00:18:50.840 --> 00:18:52.040 and you light it 00:18:52.040 --> 00:18:53.300 from the lit candle. 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.520 Once it is lit, 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.900 you hold it upright 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:57.500 be careful 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.240 of clothing 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:59.180 and hair 00:18:59.180 --> 00:19:00.140 in front of you. 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.840 And as we do this, 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.560 we will be able 00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:04.420 to enjoy 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:06.300 the symbolism 00:19:06.300 --> 00:19:08.880 of what John 1 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.460 tells us 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:10.120 about the coming 00:19:10.120 --> 00:19:10.640 of Jesus. 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:11.840 So, 00:19:12.080 --> 00:19:12.960 is that clear 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.400 how we're going 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:13.960 to do this? 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:14.920 All right. 00:19:15.320 --> 00:19:15.580 Well, 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.200 let me read. 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.880 Our last reading 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:18.600 for the evening 00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:19.519 is from the Gospel 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.080 of John, 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:21.560 chapter 1. 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:22.960 In the beginning 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.120 was the Word, 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:25.459 and the Word 00:19:25.459 --> 00:19:26.819 was with God 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:28.139 and the Word 00:19:28.139 --> 00:19:28.979 was God. 00:19:29.679 --> 00:19:31.000 He was in the beginning 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.739 with God. 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:33.439 All things were made 00:19:33.439 --> 00:19:34.099 through Him 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:35.139 and without Him 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:36.159 was not anything 00:19:36.159 --> 00:19:37.519 made that was made. 00:19:38.399 --> 00:19:39.039 In Him 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:39.779 was life 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:41.119 and the life 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:41.799 was the light 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.439 of men. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.000 The light shines 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.719 in the darkness 00:19:44.719 --> 00:19:45.959 and the darkness 00:19:45.959 --> 00:19:47.919 has not overcome it. 00:19:49.219 --> 00:19:49.979 There was a man 00:19:49.979 --> 00:19:50.879 sent from God 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:51.919 whose name was John. 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:53.059 He came as a witness 00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:54.019 to bear witness 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.879 about the light 00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:59.319 that all might believe 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:00.679 through Him. 00:20:01.399 --> 00:20:02.460 He was not the light 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.819 but came to bear witness 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.779 about the light. 00:20:05.179 --> 00:20:06.259 The true light 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:08.279 which enlightens everyone 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.700 was coming into the world. 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.839 He was in the world 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:13.099 and the world 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:14.059 was made through Him 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.779 yet the world 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.720 did not know Him. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.339 He came to His own 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.240 and His own people 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.519 did not receive Him 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:21.919 but to all who did. 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:23.440 but to all 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.560 who did receive Him 00:20:24.560 --> 00:20:25.880 who believed 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:26.779 in His name 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:28.160 He gave the right 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:28.820 to become 00:20:28.820 --> 00:20:29.900 children of God 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:31.500 who were born 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.580 not of blood 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:33.980 nor of the will 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.720 of the flesh 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:36.220 nor of the will 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.900 of man 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:38.480 but of God. 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.900 And the Word 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.900 became flesh 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:42.220 and dwelt among us 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.600 and we have seen 00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:44.360 His glory 00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.740 glory as of 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:46.640 the only Son 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.440 from the Father 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:49.279 full of grace 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.900 and truth. 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:53.820 we light this candle 00:20:53.820 --> 00:20:55.780 to remember 00:20:55.780 --> 00:20:56.660 as a symbol 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.700 of Jesus 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:59.519 the light of the world. 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:11.139 I'll do this with you. 00:21:11.139 --> 00:21:15.900 Silent night 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:20.200 Holy night 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:24.819 All is calm 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:29.159 All is bright 00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:32.200 Round yon 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.839 Virgin 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:37.399 Mother and child 00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:42.200 Holy infant 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:46.159 So tender and mild 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:52.040 sleep in heavenly peace 00:21:52.040 --> 00:21:55.960 Sleep in heavenly peace 00:21:55.960 --> 00:22:02.040 Sleep in heavenly peace 00:22:02.040 --> 00:22:08.120 Silent night 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:12.000 Holy night 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:16.000 Shepherds quake 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.319 Shepherds quake 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:20.000 At the sun 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:24.000 Glories stream 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:28.000 From heaven afar 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:33.880 Heavenly hosts 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:37.880 Heavenly hosts 00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:38.880 Alleluia 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:40.880 Christ the Savior 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.880 Christ the Savior 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:43.880 Is born 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:45.880 Christ the Savior 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:47.880 Is born 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:49.880 Christ the Savior 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:51.880 Is born 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:57.760 Silent night 00:22:57.760 --> 00:22:58.760 Silent night 00:22:58.760 --> 00:23:02.760 Holy night 00:23:02.760 --> 00:23:06.760 Wondrous star 00:23:06.760 --> 00:23:10.760 Let my light 00:23:10.760 --> 00:23:15.760 With the angels 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:19.640 Let us sing 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:21.640 Let us sing 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.640 Let us sing 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.640 Alleluia 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:27.640 To our King 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:30.640 Christ the Savior 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.640 Christ the Savior 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:33.640 Is born 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:35.640 Christ the Savior 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.640 Is born 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:39.640 Christ the Savior 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:41.640 Is born 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:53.600 Silent night 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:57.520 Holy night 00:23:57.520 --> 00:24:02.520 Son of God 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:07.520 Love's pure light 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:12.680 Radiant beams 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:17.779 From thy holy face 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:22.220 With the dawn 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:27.740 Of redeeming grace 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:32.759 Jesus Lord 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:36.400 At thy birth 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:43.660 Jesus Lord 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:46.660 At thy birth 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:54.720 Well friends 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.860 thank you for joining us 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.460 this evening 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:59.000 please join us 00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.680 tomorrow morning 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.320 if you'd like 00:25:00.320 --> 00:25:01.000 10 o'clock 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.259 for our Christmas 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.280 morning service 00:25:03.280 --> 00:25:05.940 and now 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:08.259 may the joy 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:09.059 of Emmanuel 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.220 God with us 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.180 bring light 00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:11.640 and life 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.320 to you 00:25:12.320 --> 00:25:13.660 as you celebrate 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:15.320 with remembrance 00:25:15.320 --> 00:25:16.039 his birth 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.240 this night 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.940 go in peace 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:22.059 church 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:26.380 hoer 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:28.140 had 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:34.259 King 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.360 the 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:37.480 love 00:25:37.480 --> 00:26:07.460 Thank you.