WEBVTT 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:07.740 Please have a seat and please grab one of the Bibles near you or your own and turn with me to Luke 2. 00:00:07.860 --> 00:00:12.580 We're continuing our little Christmas series called Christmas Hits. 00:00:12.919 --> 00:00:19.280 As we look at all these songs that appear in Luke chapter 1 and Luke chapter 2, we looked at Mary's song. 00:00:19.900 --> 00:00:26.620 We then looked at Zechariah's song. Today we're going to look at the angel song and then next week you're going to look at Simeon's song. 00:00:26.620 --> 00:00:31.859 But before we get into this, please watch this video. 00:00:33.579 --> 00:00:35.020 I think you get the idea. 00:00:36.859 --> 00:00:41.200 So we call today an angelic flashmob. 00:00:42.140 --> 00:00:51.359 Now a flashmob is a choreographed public gathering where people give an impromptu performance of a musical item. 00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:59.859 They do a dance or act something out for the purposes of entertainment, attention grabbing or satire. 00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:04.459 So that was just a normal food hall and people were just having a normal lunch. 00:01:04.900 --> 00:01:10.640 And suddenly these people disguised in the audience started singing the Hallelujah Chorus. 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:17.260 It is a case of the extraordinary breaking into the ordinary. 00:01:17.260 --> 00:01:22.219 I don't know, you're never in Princess Street Mall, are you? 00:01:22.780 --> 00:01:24.719 And you're just down there enjoying a KFC? 00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:29.500 And suddenly people start singing a choir. 00:01:30.939 --> 00:01:33.780 It's the remarkable breaking into the routine. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:40.820 The term flashmob was coined after Bill Wazzik, editor of Harper magazine, 00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:46.060 organised 130 people to gather on the ninth floor of Macy's department store 00:01:46.060 --> 00:01:50.060 to make a corporate decision on buying a rug together. 00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:53.960 Since then it's been used all over the world. 00:01:53.960 --> 00:02:02.659 The world's biggest flashmob involved 11,500 people doing a dance in Times Square. 00:02:03.780 --> 00:02:12.840 But I think this first century scene on this Bethlehem hillside with the shepherds 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:23.240 could have been a monumental angelic flashmob of epic proportions of cosmic significance. 00:02:24.060 --> 00:02:29.439 Not choreographed over the internet, not choreographed by text message, 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:33.539 but all choreographed and orchestrated by the God of the universe. 00:02:33.780 --> 00:02:40.159 To announce, commemorate and explain the giving of his son into the world. 00:02:40.840 --> 00:02:43.159 It is more than a publicity stunt. 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:48.740 It is the curtain of heaven being drawn back 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:52.379 and celestial worship being translated to earth 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:55.840 at the dawning of a bright new day in Bethlehem. 00:02:55.840 --> 00:03:05.800 It is the infinite breaking into the finite, the eternal into the temporal, the majestic into the mundane. 00:03:05.800 --> 00:03:12.900 For these shepherds, the appearance of one angel terrified them. 00:03:13.320 --> 00:03:17.439 As it says in verse 9, 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:24.220 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 00:03:24.540 --> 00:03:26.320 and they were terrified. 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:31.599 Absolutely spellbound by the appearance of one angel. 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:33.799 But that is just it getting started. 00:03:35.060 --> 00:03:36.979 Because in verse 13 it says, 00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:43.159 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel. 00:03:43.699 --> 00:03:46.859 Terrified at one, and now the sky is full. 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:51.780 360 degrees around with angels singing. 00:03:54.360 --> 00:03:57.540 Some of the faces on that video are a picture. 00:03:58.920 --> 00:04:03.440 The faces of these shepherds must have been 00:04:03.440 --> 00:04:07.700 so shocked, so terrified. 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:12.920 Legion upon legion of the heavenly host singing in unison. 00:04:12.919 --> 00:04:16.120 They must have almost died with fear. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:19.579 And this is the whole point. 00:04:21.099 --> 00:04:22.479 Why do they come? 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:27.240 Because I think this angelic doxology, this angelic praise, 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:31.599 brings God's explanation of his son's birth. 00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:33.379 This is more than just singing. 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:35.819 This is more than just a publicity stunt. 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:39.319 This is God telling us why Jesus has come. 00:04:39.319 --> 00:04:43.659 And he does it in this catchy one verse chorus. 00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:47.040 Glory to God in the highest heaven, 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:52.000 and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests. 00:04:52.659 --> 00:04:57.459 This angelic doxology brings God's explanation of his son's birth. 00:04:58.659 --> 00:05:02.759 There is more going on here than just a choir recital. 00:05:02.759 --> 00:05:07.399 There is more going on here than just a little bit of a warm-up entertainment 00:05:07.399 --> 00:05:12.539 before the shepherds go down to Bethlehem 00:05:12.539 --> 00:05:16.180 and see the baby Jesus in the shoddy stable. 00:05:17.459 --> 00:05:20.959 At the incarnation falls the acorn 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:24.939 that will grow into the oak of redemption seen at Calvary. 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:31.319 In the incarnation, the acorn falls 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:35.199 that will grow into the oak of redemption seen at Calvary. 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:40.019 I want to spend all our time in this one verse, Luke 2, verse 14, 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:41.399 the angel's song. 00:05:41.459 --> 00:05:42.740 And I think we see three things. 00:05:44.100 --> 00:05:47.360 Jesus' birth brings glory to God in the highest. 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:53.220 Secondly, Jesus' birth brings peace on the earth. 00:05:54.639 --> 00:06:00.580 And thirdly, Jesus' birth displays the eternal love of God. 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:03.100 Or if it's easier to remember, 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:08.500 glory goes up, peace comes down, love goes out. 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:12.180 Glory up, peace down, love out. 00:06:14.900 --> 00:06:15.920 So let's see. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:20.199 Jesus' birth brings glory to God. 00:06:21.660 --> 00:06:24.540 Angels worship all the time. 00:06:25.660 --> 00:06:29.379 We see it throughout the Old Testament that angels worship God. 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:34.860 We read in Hebrews 1 that God commands his angels to worship the Lord Jesus. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:40.680 We read in Revelation 5 of many angels numbering thousands upon thousands 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:43.699 and tens of thousands by ten thousands, 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:46.720 all worshiping God forever. 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:51.699 Singing, praising, shouting, glorifying. 00:06:51.699 --> 00:06:56.920 And here in Luke 2, heavenly worship is translated to earth 00:06:56.920 --> 00:07:01.420 to accompany that God himself has entered history. 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:05.079 Here the angels break open the heavens 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:07.919 and the first words out of their mouths 00:07:07.919 --> 00:07:11.659 are glory to God in the highest heaven. 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:14.920 Now glory is a beautiful word. 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:17.720 It is a great word. 00:07:17.880 --> 00:07:23.280 It is a word to do with the weightiness and magnitude of something or someone. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:29.879 It is a word that describes the solidity, permanence, purity and scale of something. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:35.100 It is a word used about the reputation of someone for doing something great. 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:39.939 It involves splendor and majesty and goodness. 00:07:40.100 --> 00:07:44.519 It involves putting something on full display for everyone to see. 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:48.859 And here the angels say glory to God. 00:07:49.740 --> 00:07:51.779 They say God's glory has come. 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:54.099 Glory because of who he is. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:56.680 And glory because of what he has done in creation. 00:07:56.680 --> 00:08:00.419 And glory because of what he is now doing to redeem that creation. 00:08:00.420 --> 00:08:03.400 And reconcile it to himself through his son. 00:08:04.340 --> 00:08:14.080 It is absolute, perfect, justice, mercy, sovereignty, power, grace, love, mercy, majesty, wisdom, authority, creativity and awesomeness. 00:08:14.200 --> 00:08:17.860 All displayed a million percent all at the same time. 00:08:18.420 --> 00:08:20.680 It is God on full display. 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:27.960 And the shepherds witness it and the angels testify glory to God in the highest heaven. 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:31.859 And God displaces glory like this. 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:35.659 God displaces glory in what he's stooped to. 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:39.579 He displaces glory in what he's stooped to. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:43.360 The incarnation is beyond human comprehension. 00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:46.100 How creator becomes creature. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:50.159 How limitless deity is bound in a human body. 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:56.019 How the focus of heaven's worship is born in obscurity. 00:08:56.019 --> 00:09:01.740 The one through whom all things were made and for whom all things have been made. 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:05.319 Is now entrusted to the care of teenage parents. 00:09:06.139 --> 00:09:07.679 Makes no sense. 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:13.460 How God who is above and beyond everything becomes someone. 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:20.460 I love the way a Christian hip-hop artist called Shailen puts it. 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:23.759 I would attempt to do it in a hip-hop style but you would all leave. 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:25.580 He writes, 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:32.039 By faith we believe this amazing Jesus who made Uranus and Venus became a fetus. 00:09:32.539 --> 00:09:35.220 It's such a secret that few if anyone knew it. 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:38.159 Months later he's covered in amniotic fluid. 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:45.080 The subject of the gospel's praise of apostles armed with eye sockets, armpits and nostrils. 00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:47.159 Who is this Jesus? 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:49.600 God clothed in human weakness. 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:52.439 Super sweetness and peace for the true believers. 00:09:52.440 --> 00:09:55.660 See the one who never tires knocked out sleeping. 00:09:56.200 --> 00:09:58.900 See the source of eternal joy weeping. 00:09:59.380 --> 00:10:05.940 Which one can explain how the sun abundant with fame who made thunder and rain now has hunger pains? 00:10:06.400 --> 00:10:07.600 How does that work? 00:10:08.760 --> 00:10:11.780 How does that work that God enters his creation? 00:10:13.420 --> 00:10:17.440 There truly is nothing stranger than God in a manger. 00:10:17.560 --> 00:10:18.840 That just doesn't work. 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:24.360 And I think we've all become so familiar with it that we lose the scandal of it. 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:27.000 God becomes man. 00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:35.720 There is no contrast in all of human history or throughout the entire cosmos that can scratch the surface of the glory of the incarnation. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:49.920 There is no gulf or chasm sufficiently wide that even multiplied by a billion that can do justice to the divide that Jesus crossed in departing heavenly glory for human flesh. 00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:55.740 The angels testify to this and cry glory to God in the highest. 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:57.899 But there is more. 00:10:57.899 --> 00:11:06.639 It is not just what he stooped to in becoming humanity, but where he stooped to in dwelling with humanity. 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:13.299 He displays his glory in what he stooped to, but he displayed his glory in where he stooped to. 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:18.479 The incarnation in and of itself is glorious enough. 00:11:19.479 --> 00:11:29.299 But even further, we see that God sends his son into a dark world in the lowliest circumstances to dwell amongst his enemies and those rebelling against him. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:34.479 And you need someone to babysit your children. 00:11:35.479 --> 00:11:42.279 So you go through a list of people, you interview candidates, and you find someone who is an upstanding citizen, who is responsible, 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:49.679 who understands safety and is able to get your children and tame them to go to bed at the right time, 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:53.279 so that when you come in after a nice night, you can go straight to bed. 00:11:53.279 --> 00:12:02.879 Well, just imagine this, that God, for his son, chooses the absolute worst applicant to look after that son. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:08.059 He sends Jesus into a world that is rebelling against God. 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:18.639 God sends his son to the people who persistently spit in his face. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:28.519 Like the spoiled child on Christmas Day who rips open all his presents without a single note of gratitude or the slightest thought of a thank you letter. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:36.600 Humanity gets given the greatest gift, as undeserving as it is. 00:12:37.299 --> 00:12:42.960 Humanity, who enjoys God's good gifts in reckless abandon without ever thanking God for his provision, 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:48.860 now is the recipient of the greatest gift as God comes to dwell with that same humanity. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:52.360 The incarnation is mercy personified. 00:12:53.040 --> 00:12:59.080 God sends his son to offer mercy, not so people could smile at the sweet baby on the front of the Christmas card 00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:02.460 or dust off the scary-looking baby for the nativity play. 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:10.660 No, God sends his son to show pure, unadulterated, divine mercy to his crooked, depraved, rebellious creatures. 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:13.620 Mercy drives the incarnation. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:18.779 God didn't need to do this, but he chose to do it. 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:22.259 Mercy drives the incarnation. 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:23.240 Wisdom is there. 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:25.019 Love is certainly there. 00:13:25.839 --> 00:13:27.639 And justice is put on full display. 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:31.120 But they're all driven by the mercy of God. 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:35.120 The overarching motivation for Jesus' birth. 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:42.440 God giving to man everything they don't deserve and nothing of what they do deserve. 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:48.779 It is this baby born that the riddle of salvation is finally unriddled. 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:51.919 How could a holy God accept sinful man? 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:55.279 This mystery into which angels long to look. 00:13:55.879 --> 00:14:00.500 And now that first Christmas the penny drops as the square is circled in Jesus. 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:06.059 And in response they cry, glory to God in the highest heaven. 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:08.960 We knew everything about you. 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:10.659 And we've seen you do this. 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:11.980 And all we can do is cry. 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:14.440 And say, God, you're wonderful. 00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:17.139 God, you're glorious. 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:24.419 God, you have sent Jesus as the seed of triumph over all of our sin. 00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:31.240 Our sins are like Himalayan mountains stacked up separating us from a holy God. 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:38.179 Yet they are all leveled by the depths of God's mercy held out to us in his son. 00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:41.459 I wonder, have you ever had a real Christmas? 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:47.979 Have you ever had a real Christmas where this truth grasped you so profoundly 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:53.340 that it led you to cry out with the angels, glory to God in the highest? 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:58.000 When we understand the immensity of what God has done, 00:14:58.060 --> 00:15:01.220 when we understand the mercy of what God has done, 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:06.340 when the magnitude of what we have been given and what it means for us 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:08.639 is so real in our lives, 00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:13.480 that we sing with the angels, glory to God in the highest. 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:20.360 The angels' doxology brings God's explanation of his son's birth. 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:25.039 However, it is not just response to glory going up, 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:27.159 it is also peace coming down. 00:15:27.800 --> 00:15:30.600 Because the angels will say, glory to God in the highest heaven, 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:32.300 and on earth, peace. 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:37.840 Peace is a rare commodity in 21st century Britain. 00:15:37.840 --> 00:16:07.820 Peace is a rare commodity in 21st century Britain. 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:12.600 It is the peace of being able to just bask in someone's presence. 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:17.519 It's restorative peace that brings us back within the circle of God's affection. 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:24.399 It is peace that restores us to a relationship with the God of the universe. 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:30.280 Because our sin is like ill-fated guerrilla warfare waged against the sovereign God. 00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:36.519 It is a usurping attempt to unclothe God of his deity and enthrone ourselves in his place. 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:39.339 But we go, God, I want to be in charge. 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:41.360 I want to be calling the shots. 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:43.059 I want to be the captain of the ship. 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:45.100 I want to drive. 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:49.279 It is our repeated, intentional self-exaltation. 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:56.100 It is our perpetual falling short of all that God created us to be and commanded us to do. 00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:59.939 And yet in this baby there is a chance of peace. 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:02.740 There is the hope of peace. 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:07.660 The birth of the son is God inviting us to lay down arms, 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:15.259 to wave the white flag and surrender our ill-fated course and be welcomed back to him. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:19.379 Know that Jesus is peace for the restless, 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:21.500 comfort for the troubled, 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.259 healing balm for the afflicted, 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.559 hope for the despondent, 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:27.099 treasure for the poor, 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:29.079 purpose for the listless, 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:33.140 security for the precarious and help for the struggling. 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:37.660 Jesus is the embodiment of all that Psalm 46 speaks of. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:40.039 God is our refuge and strength, 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:42.579 an ever-present help in times of trouble. 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:47.639 Therefore we will not fear that the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:51.879 though its waters roar and foam and mountains quake with their surgery. 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:53.659 Just imagine being there for that. 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.759 Mountains falling into the sea, 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:57.039 seas everywhere. 00:17:57.559 --> 00:18:00.399 You're in the middle of a global tsunami. 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:03.579 And yet we can say in Christ, 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:06.220 God is our refuge and strength. 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:07.599 That even for this, 00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:08.919 his peace is sufficient. 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:11.139 And because of him, 00:18:11.139 --> 00:18:12.099 we'll get through it. 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:17.639 Jesus is the one who descends into our deepest needs and fears 00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:22.220 and orders them like that tumultuous sea on Galilee saying, 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.179 peace be still. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:27.299 Jesus who descends into our deepest sin 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:30.740 and orders them like that adulterous woman, 00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:32.159 I don't condemn you either. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:34.159 Go and live your life of, 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:36.579 go and leave your life of sin. 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:43.539 Jesus who descends into our deepest hurts and orders them like the man born blind, 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:47.539 that these things have happened so that the works of God might be displayed. 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:55.099 Jesus who brings peace at every level for every circumstance in all situations. 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:56.099 Jesus who brings peace. 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:57.099 Jesus who brings peace. 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:58.099 Jesus who brings peace. 00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:59.099 Jesus who brings peace. 00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:14.859 Peace with God, peace within ourselves, peace with each other. 00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:19.000 He is to all the prince of peace, the fountain of peace, 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:22.339 and the one from whom peace overflows into eternity. 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:25.720 The world knows nothing of this peace. 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:30.440 But I pray this Christmas we would know all of this peace. 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:33.759 The joy of having peace with God for eternity. 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:39.259 Of knowing that our sin will not condemn us and death will not envelop us. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.579 But because of Christ, 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:45.600 we have eternal peace that means that we will live. 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:49.339 I wonder if you ever had a real Christmas. 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:52.359 Where you cried out with the angels, 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:54.059 glory to God in the highest heaven. 00:19:56.119 --> 00:20:00.139 And on earth you've received that peace that Jesus' incarnation brings. 00:20:01.419 --> 00:20:02.740 The angels' doxologies, 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:07.199 he brings God's explanation of his son's birth. 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:11.740 Glory goes up and peace comes down. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.759 But love goes out. 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:21.439 This verse has many different translations in the Bible. 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.039 Mine says, 00:20:23.139 --> 00:20:24.519 Glory to God in the highest heaven, 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:29.399 and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests. 00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:33.500 See how the angels bring their chorus home? 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:36.819 The resting of God's favour 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:40.519 on those who will see beyond the swaddling clothes 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:45.240 and the hay to gaze in faith upon the Son of God given for us. 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:51.139 Good will shown to those who will see this not as a mythical event 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:53.299 or convenient fairy tale, 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:59.559 but see it as God launching his rescue mission in time and space in his Son Jesus. 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:06.099 Jesus' birth is the display of God's eternal love. 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:12.799 All of Christmas revolves solely on God's sheer goodness. 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:18.339 It's instigated by the God determined to love unconditionally. 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:22.539 We don't get unconditional love. 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:26.599 I don't think you've bought many Christmas presents for your arch nemesis. 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:32.259 I don't think you've got your enemies coming round to share Christmas dinner. 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:37.879 We tend to like people who like us. 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:41.420 You know, you get the Christmas card through the post, 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:44.339 and you open it, and what's the first thing that comes? 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:47.180 Did I send a Christmas card to them? 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:51.079 Because we give to people who give to us. 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:54.299 We like people who like us, and they're like us. 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:59.299 However, Christmas is God displaying his unconditional love for his world. 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:02.680 All the conditions to make this happen are met by God. 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:05.379 God loving the unlovely and the unlovable, 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:09.480 and sending his Son to them as a display of his unfathomable love. 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:11.859 There is nothing like this love. 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:16.619 Love so one-sided, so attractive, so secure, so all-consuming. 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:22.359 The God who lavishly, abundantly, outrageously, exuberantly, and incomprehensively 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:25.199 pours out love on us in his Son. 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:27.619 That most famous of verses, 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:29.459 For God so loved the world, 00:22:29.919 --> 00:22:31.519 that he gave his only Son, 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:36.579 that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 00:22:36.719 --> 00:22:39.399 We are so familiar with this verse that we lose 00:22:39.399 --> 00:22:44.099 just how much love there is in that so-love of God. 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:47.799 And yet it's the very point of Christmas, 00:22:48.699 --> 00:22:52.240 that God gave his Son because he loved us so much. 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:56.359 The understatement of ever, no one loves this much. 00:22:57.679 --> 00:23:01.779 No one inclines his affection to a world that is so hostile towards him. 00:23:03.939 --> 00:23:08.539 No one does this like God 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:11.839 for people who have turned their back on him. 00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:16.399 God entrusts his Son to us, 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:18.559 knowing we are ratbags, 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.379 knowing we will not treat him well. 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:26.159 And in fact, he will end up being put to death 00:23:26.159 --> 00:23:29.339 in just over three decades from the birth of his Son. 00:23:30.459 --> 00:23:32.799 God knows the crude wooden trough 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:36.359 would be replaced for a cruel wooden cross. 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:39.619 God shows his love for us in this. 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:42.459 He sent his only Son into the world 00:23:42.459 --> 00:23:44.479 so that we might live through him. 00:23:45.159 --> 00:23:46.019 And this is love. 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:49.419 Not that we love God, but that he loved us 00:23:49.419 --> 00:23:52.319 and sent his Son to take the punishment 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.819 and bear the wrath we deserve 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:55.719 on account of our sin. 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:59.359 Christmas is an invitation to come 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:01.740 and swim eternally in the infinity 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:03.379 of the ocean of God's love. 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:07.420 This love that was made so explicit at the cross 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:11.100 that got the ball rolling in the manger. 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:16.460 The baby in the manger is nothing but love covered in flesh. 00:24:17.540 --> 00:24:19.560 Nothing but the acorn of incarnation 00:24:19.560 --> 00:24:22.560 that grew into the oak of redeeming love 00:24:22.560 --> 00:24:24.660 at Calvary. 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:28.259 This one who came to tabernacle with us 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:32.000 so desires to tabernacle in us through faith. 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:34.540 The angel's doxology, you see, 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:38.920 brings God's explanation of his Son's birth. 00:24:39.800 --> 00:24:42.120 A glorious event of unrivaled mercy 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:44.340 as God gives his Son to you. 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:47.440 A peace-granting act to bring you 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:49.580 eternal peace with God. 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:52.960 And an extravagant eternal display 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:55.500 of God's eternal love to you 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:58.179 carried out in history through his Son. 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:02.220 Have you ever been thrilled by the Christmas message? 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:05.279 In a way that was deep and profound? 00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:08.599 In a way that made you respond? 00:25:08.679 --> 00:25:10.399 There was no other response you could do 00:25:10.399 --> 00:25:12.480 but sing glory to God in the highest heaven. 00:25:13.699 --> 00:25:15.539 And on me, peace, 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:18.799 as a recipient of God's eternal love in Christ. 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:21.960 I pray this would be true for us. 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.799 I pray this would be 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.879 what makes our Christmas so special 00:25:26.879 --> 00:25:28.779 and so memorable. 00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:32.019 You see, there was a boy called Pete 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.980 and he was young. 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.859 And he read a sign 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:38.819 on the wall of his convenience store 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:40.159 that said the circus is coming. 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:43.699 But Pete doesn't come from a wealthy family. 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:46.419 And the tickets were five pounds. 00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:51.060 And he went home to his dad 00:25:51.060 --> 00:25:51.480 and he said, 00:25:51.560 --> 00:25:53.480 Dad, the circus is coming in eight days. 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:55.420 Dad, if I wash the car 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.240 and clean my room 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.140 and do the washing up 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:58.160 after every meal 00:25:58.160 --> 00:26:00.320 and help mum with the vacuuming 00:26:00.320 --> 00:26:01.420 and do a bit of gardening 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.140 and weeding 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:03.100 and mow the lawn 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:05.000 and if I do all my homework 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.360 and get good grades in my test, 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.400 could I have five pounds 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:08.279 to go to the circus? 00:26:10.120 --> 00:26:10.980 And his dad said, 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:12.300 Pete, if you do all that, 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:14.599 I'll give you five pounds. 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:17.480 Pete, so excited by the circus, 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:19.240 does everything and more 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:20.359 that he promised to do. 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:22.599 And on the Friday night 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:23.899 of curtain up at the circus, 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:26.139 his dad gives him five pounds. 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:29.879 Pete stands there in the queue 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:32.440 and the circus procession 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.599 rolls into the tent 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:35.480 and Pete is beside himself. 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.919 He is so excited. 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.819 The elephants come through 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:41.619 and the tigers are wheeled in 00:26:41.619 --> 00:26:43.019 in their cage 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:44.720 and the ringmaster's there 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.779 smacking his whip 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.879 and the clowns are funny 00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:49.519 and the jugglers juggle. 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.399 Pete is beside himself. 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.319 He is so happy. 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:56.919 He thinks, 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:58.500 this is everything that I want. 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.099 This is everything 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:01.700 that I hoped the circus would be 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:03.759 and he runs up to the ringmaster 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:05.159 and he gives him his five pounds 00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:05.460 and said, 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.779 that's the best five pounds 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.519 I've ever spent. 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.859 What Pete didn't realize 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.839 was that the actual show 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:12.839 was inside the tent. 00:27:14.179 --> 00:27:15.480 That he didn't look further. 00:27:16.679 --> 00:27:17.500 He didn't look beyond 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.819 the pomp and circumstance 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.619 and procession 00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:21.139 and see what it was really all about. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.519 The circus people 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.939 doing the circus performance. 00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:28.559 I guess we can be like that 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.500 at Christmas, can't we? 00:27:30.639 --> 00:27:31.799 We can spend so much time, 00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:32.220 can't we, 00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:33.839 and invest all of our time 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:34.379 and our money 00:27:34.379 --> 00:27:35.619 in the pomp and circumstance. 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:38.240 In the trappings 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.519 and the gifts. 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:42.220 We can stay outside 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:44.519 and look at all 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.380 that Christmas means 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:46.099 to the world. 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:48.019 But I pray this Christmas 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:49.000 we would go in 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:50.660 and we would see 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.980 what it's really all about. 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:55.480 And it would kindle our hearts. 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:58.420 And we would sing glory to God 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.359 in the highest heaven. 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.400 And on earth, 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.380 peace to those 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:04.660 on whom his favour rests. 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.019 Let's pray. 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.079 Amen. 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.099 Amen. 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:16.259 Father God, 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.920 you are so good to us. 00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:20.539 Father, we want to declare 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.339 you are glorious. 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:24.440 That Jesus is peace. 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.359 And Father, 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.059 we are loved 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.420 more than we could ever imagine. 00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.019 So Father, 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:31.980 we don't want this Christmas 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.000 to be a glib 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:35.019 remembrance 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:37.019 of things that we've 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:38.440 known for years 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:39.539 but have long since 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:41.420 forgotten how glorious 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.339 they really are. 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.139 So Father, 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.279 may the song of our hearts 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.220 this Christmas be 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:47.759 glory to God 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.700 in the highest heaven. 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.379 Peace on earth 00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:53.339 to those on whom 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.359 your favour rests. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:54.700 Father, 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.619 may we rest 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:57.879 in your favour. 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.639 May we bask 00:28:58.639 --> 00:28:59.319 in your love. 00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:01.319 and Father, 00:29:01.399 --> 00:29:02.240 may it ooze 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.039 out of us 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.619 and overflow 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:04.299 from us 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:04.980 into the lives 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.500 of those 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:07.519 that we get 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.639 to share life with 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.720 in the coming days. 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.000 Father, 00:29:11.099 --> 00:29:11.659 do great things 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.139 we pray 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:13.480 in Jesus' 00:29:13.639 --> 00:29:14.939 glorious name, 00:29:15.419 --> 00:29:16.579 in his saving name, 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:18.480 in his miraculous name. 00:29:19.139 --> 00:29:19.359 Amen. 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:19.460 Amen. 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.460 Amen.