WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.220 As I said at the beginning of the service, 00:00:04.179 --> 00:00:07.500 not only are we glad to see all of you here 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:08.900 who are regularly a part of our church, 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:10.519 but I hope those of you who are visiting, 00:00:11.339 --> 00:00:14.400 those of you who are perhaps here from other churches 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:16.500 or here from the city, 00:00:16.620 --> 00:00:19.160 but maybe you're not regularly a part of any church 00:00:19.160 --> 00:00:20.240 or believing community, 00:00:20.379 --> 00:00:21.940 or perhaps you're here from out of town, 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:22.839 all of you who are visiting, 00:00:23.019 --> 00:00:26.019 I hope you know how glad we are that you're here. 00:00:26.019 --> 00:00:30.219 This is a service that we look forward to for many reasons, 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:34.799 but I'm so glad that we can be here to sing, 00:00:34.939 --> 00:00:36.600 to hear these readings, 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:39.439 to see the kids and their parents 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:42.640 sort of perform this pageant. 00:00:42.960 --> 00:00:44.060 It's a wonderful time. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:48.359 And all that being said, 00:00:48.420 --> 00:00:51.280 with all the beauty and all the reason for joy, 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:52.399 I don't know about you, 00:00:52.399 --> 00:00:56.119 but this has been a very challenging season for me. 00:00:58.140 --> 00:00:59.460 If I can be totally honest, 00:00:59.659 --> 00:01:01.939 it's been challenging for a lot of reasons, 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:04.379 but I've really had a sense of struggle 00:01:04.379 --> 00:01:06.700 and division and unrest 00:01:06.700 --> 00:01:08.700 kind of in my life and in the world 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:11.239 in a way that I haven't in years. 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:15.799 I've seen it in my own extended family, 00:01:16.140 --> 00:01:17.700 deep hurt 00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:22.859 that's not likely to be resolved anytime soon. 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:25.600 I've seen it in the news. 00:01:26.859 --> 00:01:28.640 You're hard-pressed to read the news 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:29.620 for any length of time 00:01:29.620 --> 00:01:30.659 without coming across 00:01:30.659 --> 00:01:34.379 violence and division and unrest. 00:01:34.599 --> 00:01:37.000 The terrorist attacks, 00:01:37.260 --> 00:01:39.900 the gun violence right here in the U.S. 00:01:40.400 --> 00:01:42.719 seems to be another incident 00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:45.300 or many such incidents on a daily basis. 00:01:45.299 --> 00:01:47.679 The ongoing refugee crisis. 00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:52.560 The racial tension that continues to divide 00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:53.560 not only our country, 00:01:53.700 --> 00:01:54.280 but our city, 00:01:54.679 --> 00:01:55.399 our neighborhoods. 00:01:57.459 --> 00:01:58.679 So my tendency, 00:01:59.479 --> 00:02:01.719 again, if I could be honest with you, 00:02:01.879 --> 00:02:03.000 this doesn't leave this room, 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:04.400 but if I could be honest with you, 00:02:05.019 --> 00:02:08.780 my tendency is to use the Christmas season, 00:02:09.139 --> 00:02:11.659 this kind of coming holiday season, 00:02:12.099 --> 00:02:13.419 as a chance to escape. 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:16.500 What I really want to do 00:02:16.500 --> 00:02:17.599 is to eat a lot. 00:02:18.659 --> 00:02:20.239 I want to drink even more. 00:02:21.679 --> 00:02:23.039 I want to spend a lot. 00:02:23.119 --> 00:02:24.199 I want to get a lot of stuff. 00:02:24.339 --> 00:02:26.560 And I essentially want to become numb 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:28.179 for a few days. 00:02:28.239 --> 00:02:28.979 And it's easy to think, 00:02:29.079 --> 00:02:30.959 well, with all that's going on in the world 00:02:30.959 --> 00:02:31.839 and all that's happening, 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:33.779 surely that would be good 00:02:33.779 --> 00:02:36.179 just to escape for a few days. 00:02:37.419 --> 00:02:39.199 To kind of escape the darkness 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:40.739 that seems to be in the world. 00:02:40.740 --> 00:02:44.960 The problem is, 00:02:45.740 --> 00:02:48.000 escape really solves nothing. 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:50.620 That first week of January 00:02:50.620 --> 00:02:52.840 comes very quickly. 00:02:54.620 --> 00:02:56.280 And you realize that you're just 00:02:56.280 --> 00:02:57.040 delaying the inevitable. 00:02:58.820 --> 00:02:59.860 The thing is, 00:02:59.939 --> 00:03:01.920 the darkness in this world is real. 00:03:03.200 --> 00:03:04.340 It's real. 00:03:04.340 --> 00:03:06.759 So we need something more 00:03:06.759 --> 00:03:09.659 than just a few days of escape. 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:13.580 Now I would encourage you to eat. 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:14.719 I would encourage you to drink. 00:03:14.939 --> 00:03:16.060 I would encourage you to celebrate. 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:19.000 But that's not going to solve 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:20.860 the problem of darkness. 00:03:22.140 --> 00:03:24.860 We need something more than escape. 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:26.180 We need hope. 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:28.659 We need real, 00:03:29.780 --> 00:03:30.819 lasting, 00:03:31.140 --> 00:03:31.900 substantial 00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:33.780 hope. 00:03:33.939 --> 00:03:35.340 Something to hold on to. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:37.920 And that's actually what Christmas 00:03:37.920 --> 00:03:38.760 is all about. 00:03:38.920 --> 00:03:39.540 Christmas is 00:03:39.540 --> 00:03:41.000 God's response 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:42.159 to the darkness 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:43.000 in the world. 00:03:43.980 --> 00:03:45.340 It's God's response 00:03:45.340 --> 00:03:46.040 to the darkness 00:03:46.040 --> 00:03:48.000 in our lives. 00:03:48.159 --> 00:03:49.520 And one of our lessons, 00:03:50.200 --> 00:03:51.680 the lesson that comes from 00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:53.040 Isaiah chapter 9, 00:03:53.980 --> 00:03:55.379 shows us why 00:03:55.379 --> 00:03:56.479 Isaiah was writing 00:03:56.479 --> 00:03:58.960 in the 8th century B.C. 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:01.519 But when Jesus was born, 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:03.259 all of the people 00:04:03.259 --> 00:04:03.960 who met him 00:04:03.960 --> 00:04:04.759 and got to know him 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:06.000 recognized that 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:08.759 Isaiah was talking about him. 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:09.359 And so, 00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:10.379 there's a verse 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:11.740 from Isaiah chapter 9 00:04:11.740 --> 00:04:14.000 that I want to focus on tonight. 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:16.379 Here's God's response 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:17.620 to the darkness. 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:20.560 For to us, 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:21.439 a child is born. 00:04:22.420 --> 00:04:23.159 To us, 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:23.920 a son is given. 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:25.640 The government 00:04:25.640 --> 00:04:26.400 shall be upon 00:04:26.400 --> 00:04:27.560 his shoulders. 00:04:28.780 --> 00:04:29.480 And his name 00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:30.060 shall be called 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:30.980 Wonderful Counselor, 00:04:31.080 --> 00:04:31.680 Mighty God, 00:04:32.259 --> 00:04:33.140 Everlasting Father, 00:04:33.740 --> 00:04:34.500 Prince of Peace. 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:37.640 This is a famous 00:04:37.640 --> 00:04:38.640 Christmas passage. 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:40.080 We read it every year. 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:41.600 And tonight, 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:42.520 we'll see that 00:04:42.520 --> 00:04:44.340 it actually shows us 00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:47.259 how the Christmas story 00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:49.740 offers us real hope. 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:50.400 And it does that 00:04:50.400 --> 00:04:51.019 by showing us 00:04:51.019 --> 00:04:51.620 three things 00:04:51.620 --> 00:04:52.379 about the birth 00:04:52.379 --> 00:04:53.840 of Jesus 00:04:53.840 --> 00:04:55.000 on that first Christmas. 00:04:55.160 --> 00:04:55.400 First, 00:04:55.480 --> 00:04:56.120 it shows us 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:58.180 that Jesus came 00:04:58.180 --> 00:04:58.780 as a child. 00:04:59.480 --> 00:04:59.840 Second, 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:00.480 it shows us 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:01.379 that Jesus came 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:02.660 as a gift. 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:04.000 And lastly, 00:05:04.079 --> 00:05:04.600 it shows us 00:05:04.600 --> 00:05:05.500 that Jesus came 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:07.040 to be king. 00:05:08.340 --> 00:05:09.079 We'll look at those 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:09.660 each briefly. 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:10.780 Before we do that, 00:05:10.840 --> 00:05:11.220 let's pray. 00:05:14.100 --> 00:05:14.460 Lord, 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:15.220 many of us have come 00:05:15.220 --> 00:05:16.280 from all variety 00:05:16.280 --> 00:05:16.980 of backgrounds. 00:05:16.980 --> 00:05:17.800 Some of us are here 00:05:17.800 --> 00:05:18.620 having followed you 00:05:18.620 --> 00:05:19.319 for many years. 00:05:19.460 --> 00:05:20.600 Some of us are here 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:22.020 questioning 00:05:22.020 --> 00:05:24.720 whether you're even real. 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:25.780 Some of us are here 00:05:25.780 --> 00:05:28.160 knowing that you're not, 00:05:28.640 --> 00:05:30.200 having decided that long ago. 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:31.480 And Lord, 00:05:31.540 --> 00:05:32.000 yet we know 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:33.080 that there is a promise 00:05:33.080 --> 00:05:34.200 that you make to us 00:05:34.200 --> 00:05:36.540 that somehow 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:38.400 through these written words, 00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:40.300 this veritable library 00:05:40.300 --> 00:05:41.660 that we call a Bible, 00:05:42.520 --> 00:05:44.540 that somehow you can use this 00:05:44.540 --> 00:05:47.220 to reveal to us 00:05:47.220 --> 00:05:48.180 your living word, 00:05:48.500 --> 00:05:49.460 your son, Jesus. 00:05:49.660 --> 00:05:51.000 You can speak to us 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:52.140 through it. 00:05:52.200 --> 00:05:52.379 Lord, 00:05:52.460 --> 00:05:53.840 I desire to hear from you. 00:05:53.960 --> 00:05:54.960 We need to hear from you. 00:05:55.020 --> 00:05:55.580 And so we pray 00:05:55.580 --> 00:05:56.560 that you would speak to us 00:05:56.560 --> 00:05:58.520 for our good, 00:05:58.700 --> 00:05:59.920 but chiefly for your glory. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:00.500 And we pray this 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:02.259 in your son, 00:06:02.320 --> 00:06:02.660 our savior, 00:06:02.780 --> 00:06:03.480 Jesus' name. 00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:03.879 Amen. 00:06:06.020 --> 00:06:06.860 So the first thing 00:06:06.860 --> 00:06:07.480 that we see 00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:08.660 in Isaiah chapter 9, 00:06:08.700 --> 00:06:09.160 verse 6, 00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:09.600 is this, 00:06:09.660 --> 00:06:10.740 is that when Jesus came, 00:06:10.820 --> 00:06:11.720 he came as 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:13.820 a child. 00:06:13.940 --> 00:06:15.220 When God wanted to respond 00:06:15.220 --> 00:06:16.240 to the darkness of the world, 00:06:16.340 --> 00:06:16.840 he sent 00:06:16.840 --> 00:06:19.040 a child. 00:06:19.280 --> 00:06:20.320 And this is something 00:06:20.320 --> 00:06:21.580 that we're very familiar with, 00:06:21.660 --> 00:06:22.840 but I want to encourage you 00:06:22.840 --> 00:06:23.300 to remember 00:06:23.300 --> 00:06:24.100 this would have been 00:06:24.100 --> 00:06:24.660 shocking, 00:06:25.160 --> 00:06:25.760 unexpected, 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:26.680 frustrating, 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:28.700 confusing 00:06:28.700 --> 00:06:30.000 to the people 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:31.620 who first read it. 00:06:31.700 --> 00:06:32.560 We have to understand 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:33.660 that Isaiah's writing 00:06:33.660 --> 00:06:34.220 to people 00:06:34.220 --> 00:06:36.120 who live in a tiny nation, 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:38.340 a powerless nation, 00:06:38.840 --> 00:06:39.960 and they're surrounded 00:06:39.959 --> 00:06:41.060 on all sides 00:06:41.060 --> 00:06:42.219 by much larger, 00:06:42.359 --> 00:06:44.399 more powerful nations 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:46.359 who mean them harm. 00:06:46.859 --> 00:06:47.680 They're surrounded 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:48.959 by powerful enemies. 00:06:49.919 --> 00:06:51.180 And they're crying out 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:51.579 to God 00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:52.199 and they're longing 00:06:52.199 --> 00:06:54.459 for a warrior, 00:06:54.719 --> 00:06:55.799 a champion 00:06:55.799 --> 00:06:56.620 who will come 00:06:56.620 --> 00:06:57.139 and who will have 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:57.740 the power 00:06:57.740 --> 00:06:58.519 and the might 00:06:58.519 --> 00:07:00.439 to overthrow 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:01.199 their enemies. 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:04.699 And they're desperate. 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:07.240 And Isaiah says, 00:07:07.240 --> 00:07:08.620 here, finally, 00:07:08.780 --> 00:07:09.840 is God's answer 00:07:09.840 --> 00:07:10.620 to your prayer. 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:12.019 Here's God's solution 00:07:12.019 --> 00:07:12.879 to the darkness, 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:14.680 this looming threat 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:15.900 on the horizon. 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:17.079 Here's the answer. 00:07:18.460 --> 00:07:18.879 To us, 00:07:18.920 --> 00:07:19.860 a child is born. 00:07:20.900 --> 00:07:21.800 And you can imagine 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:22.579 the response. 00:07:22.840 --> 00:07:24.199 That's not what we were 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:26.480 really looking for. 00:07:26.900 --> 00:07:28.240 A child, 00:07:28.400 --> 00:07:29.060 surely you can do 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:29.660 more than that. 00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:30.199 You're the God 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:31.560 of the universe. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:32.740 Here's the thing, 00:07:32.840 --> 00:07:34.620 that they think 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:35.360 that the source 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:36.139 of the darkness 00:07:36.139 --> 00:07:37.060 in their lives 00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:39.000 is out there. 00:07:40.180 --> 00:07:41.360 They think the source 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:42.080 of the darkness, 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:44.160 the real threat, 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:45.100 the real problem, 00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:47.120 is across their border. 00:07:48.340 --> 00:07:49.639 They think that it's 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:51.160 over there. 00:07:52.280 --> 00:07:52.939 And if they could just 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:53.500 have a champion 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:54.080 strong enough 00:07:54.080 --> 00:07:54.920 to defeat their enemies, 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:55.699 then the darkness 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:56.639 will end 00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:57.560 and the good life 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:58.800 will ensue. 00:07:58.879 --> 00:07:59.420 This is really 00:07:59.420 --> 00:08:00.240 what we need, 00:08:00.580 --> 00:08:01.180 they said. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:02.460 And I believe that 00:08:02.460 --> 00:08:03.759 actually we're the same way. 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:05.399 If you're anything 00:08:05.399 --> 00:08:05.959 like me, 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:06.519 you tend, 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:07.319 your default, 00:08:07.579 --> 00:08:09.439 your default assumption 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:10.639 is that the darkness, 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:13.300 the darkness in this world 00:08:13.300 --> 00:08:14.319 is caused by 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:16.180 those people. 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:18.639 It's caused by 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:20.219 those circumstances. 00:08:20.759 --> 00:08:21.399 It's caused by 00:08:21.399 --> 00:08:22.620 those things out there. 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:24.259 It doesn't matter 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:25.060 who you are. 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:27.060 We all have someone 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:28.360 or something out there 00:08:28.360 --> 00:08:29.500 to which we can 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:30.279 point our finger. 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:31.319 It's the conservatives. 00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:33.259 It's the fundamentalists. 00:08:33.259 --> 00:08:34.039 They're the problem. 00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:36.039 It's the liberals, 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:36.939 the activists. 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:37.899 They're the problem. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:40.039 It's the media. 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:41.200 They twist everything. 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:42.500 They're the problem. 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:43.879 It's the politicians. 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:45.179 They never get anything done. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:46.059 They never follow through 00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:46.679 on their promises. 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:47.980 They're the problem. 00:08:49.319 --> 00:08:50.980 It's the one percenters 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:52.799 hoarding everything. 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:53.759 They're the problem. 00:08:55.460 --> 00:08:56.819 It's the 99% 00:08:56.819 --> 00:08:57.740 who don't appreciate 00:08:57.740 --> 00:08:58.819 all that the one percenters 00:08:58.819 --> 00:08:59.460 do for them. 00:08:59.580 --> 00:09:00.539 They're the problem. 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:01.579 Right? 00:09:02.819 --> 00:09:03.579 But we always have 00:09:03.579 --> 00:09:05.719 someone to blame. 00:09:06.319 --> 00:09:07.659 And in our own relationships 00:09:07.659 --> 00:09:08.659 it's the same way. 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:09.599 Why is there darkness? 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:10.459 Why is there darkness 00:09:10.459 --> 00:09:10.939 in my life? 00:09:11.079 --> 00:09:12.399 It's really my dad's fault. 00:09:12.500 --> 00:09:13.799 He was too emotionally distant. 00:09:14.579 --> 00:09:15.500 He wasn't there for me. 00:09:16.059 --> 00:09:17.399 It's my mom's fault 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:19.179 because she did this 00:09:19.179 --> 00:09:19.539 or that. 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:20.179 She was bitter. 00:09:21.179 --> 00:09:22.219 She wasn't there for me. 00:09:24.219 --> 00:09:25.159 It's his fault. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:26.199 It's her fault. 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:28.000 It's their selfishness. 00:09:28.280 --> 00:09:29.180 It's my family. 00:09:29.320 --> 00:09:30.640 It's their closed-mindedness. 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:32.240 That's the real problem. 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:33.000 That's what's wrong 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:33.580 with our family. 00:09:33.800 --> 00:09:34.580 That's why we don't have 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:35.780 peaceful Christmases together. 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:37.080 Why we always fight 00:09:37.080 --> 00:09:38.220 over Christmas dinner 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:39.040 is because they're 00:09:39.040 --> 00:09:39.720 so closed-minded. 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:41.980 It's my family 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:43.280 and how darn open-minded 00:09:43.280 --> 00:09:43.740 they are. 00:09:44.920 --> 00:09:45.700 Why don't they just 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:46.520 believe something? 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:48.860 Are they afraid 00:09:48.860 --> 00:09:49.280 of commitment? 00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:51.580 That's why we always fight 00:09:51.580 --> 00:09:52.600 around Christmas dinner. 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:54.220 It's the stubbornness. 00:09:54.320 --> 00:09:54.980 That's what it's 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:55.940 really all about. 00:09:55.940 --> 00:09:56.940 And it goes on 00:09:56.940 --> 00:09:58.320 and on and on and on. 00:09:58.480 --> 00:09:59.120 And all along, 00:09:59.200 --> 00:09:59.580 we think, 00:09:59.760 --> 00:10:00.340 if I could just 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:01.460 change that person, 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:02.740 if I could just 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:03.460 change that 00:10:03.460 --> 00:10:05.000 the way they think, 00:10:05.040 --> 00:10:05.520 if I could just 00:10:05.520 --> 00:10:06.380 say it right 00:10:06.380 --> 00:10:07.800 and have the breakthrough, 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:09.620 then the darkness 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.540 would be dispelled 00:10:10.540 --> 00:10:11.480 and the good life 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:13.720 would ensue. 00:10:14.280 --> 00:10:15.040 Peaceful Christmas 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:15.720 for everybody. 00:10:16.540 --> 00:10:17.320 But this is not 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:18.420 how God responds. 00:10:19.560 --> 00:10:20.740 God's way of responding 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:21.760 to a world in darkness 00:10:21.760 --> 00:10:23.420 is not to come in power. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:26.219 He doesn't look across 00:10:26.219 --> 00:10:26.979 the border and say, 00:10:27.099 --> 00:10:27.479 you're right, 00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:28.599 they really are a problem 00:10:28.599 --> 00:10:29.360 and bam, 00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:30.079 conquest. 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:33.279 He comes in weakness. 00:10:34.819 --> 00:10:35.679 Total weakness. 00:10:36.839 --> 00:10:37.939 He becomes soft. 00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:39.779 He becomes 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:41.319 completely vulnerable. 00:10:42.599 --> 00:10:43.759 He comes as an 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:44.779 utterly helpless 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:45.419 infant, 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:46.899 flailing, 00:10:46.899 --> 00:10:49.980 looking for his 00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:51.639 mother. 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:53.539 He's born into 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:54.740 a very poor family 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:55.439 in a very, 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:57.919 very small, 00:10:58.039 --> 00:10:58.699 out-of-the-way 00:10:58.699 --> 00:10:59.620 backwater town. 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:00.919 He remains poor 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:02.199 his entire life. 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:03.500 He's virtually homeless 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:04.699 his entire 00:11:04.699 --> 00:11:05.899 adult life. 00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:08.059 He eventually 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:09.120 allows himself 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:09.980 to be arrested. 00:11:10.459 --> 00:11:11.399 He allows himself 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:12.159 to be tortured 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:13.159 without speaking 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:13.779 a word 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:14.840 of protest 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:15.500 and ultimately 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.379 he allows himself 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:17.240 to be executed 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:18.820 like a common 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:19.200 criminal. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:19.860 And you realize 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:20.340 when you look 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:20.840 at the life 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:22.060 of this Jesus, 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:23.460 this solution, 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:24.759 as Isaiah would say, 00:11:25.660 --> 00:11:26.580 to the darkness, 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:30.340 it's painfully obvious 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:31.100 that he didn't come 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:32.100 to be a revolutionary. 00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:34.139 He didn't come 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:34.820 to be a champion. 00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:36.500 He didn't come 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.720 to be this great warrior. 00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:40.480 He didn't come 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:41.040 to conquer, 00:11:41.180 --> 00:11:41.639 in fact. 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:42.740 It's painfully obvious 00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:43.280 that he came 00:11:43.280 --> 00:11:44.139 to be killed. 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:47.560 And the reason 00:11:47.560 --> 00:11:48.040 is simple. 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:48.540 It's because 00:11:48.540 --> 00:11:49.160 the problem 00:11:49.160 --> 00:11:49.820 with the world, 00:11:49.920 --> 00:11:50.379 the darkness, 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:50.960 the problem 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:51.780 isn't just 00:11:51.780 --> 00:11:52.960 out there. 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:53.480 It's 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:55.379 in here. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.259 It's in here. 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:00.840 In here. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:03.879 The problem 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:04.620 isn't that 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.180 some people 00:12:05.180 --> 00:12:05.580 out there 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:06.660 practice injustice. 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:09.440 The problem 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:09.960 is that 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:11.660 I'm selfish. 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:15.280 At the end 00:12:15.280 --> 00:12:15.780 of the day, 00:12:16.280 --> 00:12:17.560 most of the time, 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.980 all the time 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:20.759 if no one's looking, 00:12:21.820 --> 00:12:22.879 I want to do 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:23.759 what benefits me 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:24.580 even if it's 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.240 at your expense. 00:12:27.560 --> 00:12:28.340 The problem 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:28.920 isn't that 00:12:28.920 --> 00:12:29.920 everyone out there, 00:12:30.060 --> 00:12:30.940 there are some 00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:31.660 people out there 00:12:31.660 --> 00:12:32.560 who are racist. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:36.340 The problem 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:36.740 is that 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:37.200 the seeds 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:37.800 of racism 00:12:37.800 --> 00:12:39.360 are right here. 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:42.300 that I feel 00:12:42.300 --> 00:12:42.560 as though 00:12:42.560 --> 00:12:43.680 I am hardwired 00:12:43.680 --> 00:12:45.720 to trust people 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:46.480 and like people 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:47.480 who look like me 00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:49.820 more than I trust 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:50.360 and like people 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:51.279 who don't look like me. 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:56.439 Our deepest 00:12:56.439 --> 00:12:56.919 problem 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:57.339 is that 00:12:57.339 --> 00:12:57.779 we are 00:12:57.779 --> 00:13:00.759 sinful, 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:01.519 what the Bible 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:03.399 calls sinful. 00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:03.980 Really, 00:13:04.079 --> 00:13:04.559 it just means 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:05.139 we're addicted 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:06.179 to our own glory. 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:09.139 Like people 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:09.939 badly in need 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:10.519 of rehab. 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:12.480 We're addicted 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:13.399 to our own glory 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:14.620 and that's destroyed 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.360 our relationship 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:15.799 with God. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:16.939 It's obliterated it 00:13:16.939 --> 00:13:18.139 and it also hurts 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:18.879 our relationships 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.659 with other people. 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.259 My addiction 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.220 to my own glory 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:23.320 hurts my relationships 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:24.259 with the people 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.040 I love most. 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:27.639 This is why 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.279 when the Times 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:29.100 asked the writer 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:30.019 G.K. Chesterton, 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:31.360 what do you think 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:32.240 is wrong with the world? 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:32.920 Would you write 00:13:32.920 --> 00:13:33.860 and tell us 00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:34.639 and write in our paper 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.540 what do you think 00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:36.660 is wrong with the world? 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:38.040 Chesterton replied 00:13:38.040 --> 00:13:39.240 with two words. 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.620 I am. 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:44.759 So we don't need 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:45.420 a conqueror, 00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:46.279 we need a savior. 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:48.700 Someone to deal 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:49.600 with the darkness 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.840 not out there 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:51.780 but in here. 00:13:53.280 --> 00:13:53.940 And I want you 00:13:53.940 --> 00:13:54.440 to imagine 00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:55.040 those of you 00:13:55.040 --> 00:13:56.200 who are here tonight, 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:56.680 some of you 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:57.060 are here 00:13:57.060 --> 00:13:57.960 and maybe 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:58.759 you believe this. 00:13:58.800 --> 00:13:59.259 You believe this 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:00.000 about yourself 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.160 and about God 00:14:01.160 --> 00:14:01.759 but some of you 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.280 maybe you're 00:14:02.280 --> 00:14:03.660 not so sure 00:14:03.660 --> 00:14:04.379 and I want to just 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:05.420 encourage you 00:14:05.420 --> 00:14:06.320 whether you believe 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:06.920 this or not 00:14:06.920 --> 00:14:07.980 to imagine 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.620 the difference 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.399 this would make 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:11.200 if you did believe it. 00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:11.960 What would your life 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:12.460 look like 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:13.580 if this is something 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:14.980 that you believed? 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:16.120 I'm talking to you 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:17.440 skeptic, 00:14:17.800 --> 00:14:18.159 seeker, 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:18.860 non-Christian, 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:19.480 other faith. 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.180 I'm also talking 00:14:20.180 --> 00:14:20.600 to you, 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:21.039 Christian, 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:21.580 who've really 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:22.500 forgotten this. 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:25.379 If we continue 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:26.080 to think that the 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:27.259 problem is out there 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:28.560 then we're always 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:28.960 going to have 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:29.800 someone to blame. 00:14:29.920 --> 00:14:30.500 We will never 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:31.620 run out of scapegoats. 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:32.659 We will always 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:33.080 have somewhere 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:33.940 to point the finger. 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:36.759 But when you believe 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.360 that the darkness 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:38.180 is in here, 00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:40.300 when you believe 00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:41.519 that this is the source 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.299 of the darkness 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.000 in the world 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:45.019 and that we all 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:45.799 need a savior, 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:48.620 it's profoundly 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:49.240 humbling. 00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:51.659 It's profoundly 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:52.159 humbling. 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:53.559 And what that means 00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:54.779 is that whatever 00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:57.079 relationship there 00:14:57.079 --> 00:14:57.879 is in which you 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.360 struggle, 00:14:58.579 --> 00:14:59.600 whatever the 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:01.059 circumstances may be, 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.220 you know that 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:03.740 you're at least 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:04.579 partially to blame. 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:07.559 Imagine if 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:09.740 you thought 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:10.299 of a 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:11.899 troubled, 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:13.079 tense relationship, 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:13.859 maybe one, 00:15:13.979 --> 00:15:14.439 somebody that 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:14.779 you're going to 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:16.419 face over the 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:17.099 Christmas holiday 00:15:17.099 --> 00:15:17.859 at some point 00:15:17.859 --> 00:15:18.459 and you don't know 00:15:18.459 --> 00:15:19.039 how it's going to 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:19.359 go. 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:20.639 Somebody with whom 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.339 you cannot seem 00:15:21.339 --> 00:15:21.979 to make any 00:15:21.979 --> 00:15:23.459 progress at all. 00:15:23.579 --> 00:15:24.240 Imagine if the 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:25.019 next time you saw 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:25.779 them you said 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:27.659 simply that, 00:15:28.339 --> 00:15:28.779 you know I've 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.259 been thinking, 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.019 I've been reflecting 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:30.979 and whatever else 00:15:30.979 --> 00:15:31.599 has come between 00:15:31.599 --> 00:15:31.899 us, 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:33.079 I know that 00:15:33.079 --> 00:15:36.139 I'm partly to 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:36.379 blame. 00:15:38.099 --> 00:15:38.879 Will you forgive 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.120 me? 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:41.439 Those of us, 00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:41.819 by the way, 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:42.179 who are 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:43.299 Christians should 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:44.579 always be the 00:15:44.579 --> 00:15:46.219 first to admit 00:15:46.219 --> 00:15:46.699 our sin. 00:15:47.859 --> 00:15:48.879 We should always 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:49.559 be the first to 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:49.839 admit, 00:15:50.599 --> 00:15:51.659 I'm at least part 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:52.139 to blame for 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.419 this. 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:54.439 So this is the 00:15:54.439 --> 00:15:54.859 first thing, 00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:56.679 God comes as a 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:58.299 child not because 00:15:58.299 --> 00:15:58.979 he knows that we 00:15:58.979 --> 00:15:59.559 don't need a 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:00.059 conqueror, 00:16:00.099 --> 00:16:01.479 we need a 00:16:01.479 --> 00:16:02.240 savior and so 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.099 he comes in 00:16:03.099 --> 00:16:05.240 weakness to give 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.459 his life to 00:16:06.459 --> 00:16:07.299 reconcile us to 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:07.539 God. 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.240 This is the first 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:08.919 thing we see in 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:09.240 Isaiah, 00:16:09.319 --> 00:16:10.039 the first reason 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:10.620 that Christmas 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:12.279 offers us true 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:13.699 hope for dealing 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:14.240 with the darkness 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:14.939 of this world. 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:15.819 The second thing 00:16:15.819 --> 00:16:16.639 we see is this, 00:16:16.939 --> 00:16:17.759 that when Jesus 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.099 came, 00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:18.979 he came as a 00:16:18.979 --> 00:16:19.319 gift. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.740 He came as a 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:21.979 gift. 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:22.459 You know, 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.159 this stood out to 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:23.719 me this week. 00:16:25.979 --> 00:16:26.819 I was reading 00:16:26.819 --> 00:16:27.199 and I just, 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:28.059 I never really 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:29.259 recognized that it 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.439 says for to us a 00:16:30.439 --> 00:16:31.120 child is born, 00:16:31.219 --> 00:16:32.279 to us a son is 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.019 given. 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:34.740 And what this 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.559 really means is the 00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:36.480 coming of Jesus is 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:38.039 God's gift to the 00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:38.279 world. 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:38.799 It's like the 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:39.679 ultimate Christmas 00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:41.779 present is Jesus. 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:43.259 So let me ask you, 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:45.179 what makes a gift a 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:45.480 gift? 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:47.379 You know, 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:47.860 like when you're at 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.839 the grocery store and 00:16:48.839 --> 00:16:50.059 the cashier hands you 00:16:50.059 --> 00:16:50.899 your groceries and the 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:51.639 receipt, is that a 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:51.860 gift? 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:54.019 No, 00:16:54.079 --> 00:16:55.039 because you paid for 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.439 it, right? 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.519 Probably paid a little 00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:57.299 too much for it. 00:16:59.439 --> 00:17:00.379 You earned it, 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:00.719 right? 00:17:01.199 --> 00:17:02.259 Your paycheck, 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.059 your salary, 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.039 is that a gift? 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.200 You know, 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.159 does your employer say, 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:07.000 hey, just from the 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.759 bottom of my heart, 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.779 because I'm such a 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.440 generous person, 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.000 here you go. 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:11.779 No, 00:17:12.120 --> 00:17:12.720 you earned it, 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.380 you worked for it, 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:14.060 probably way too 00:17:14.060 --> 00:17:14.380 hard. 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:16.800 Knowing many of you, 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:18.540 when you win an 00:17:18.540 --> 00:17:18.920 award, 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.019 is that out of the 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.960 goodness of the 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.820 judge's hearts? 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:23.180 No, 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:25.340 you outperformed other 00:17:25.340 --> 00:17:26.620 people and so you've 00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:28.519 earned that award. 00:17:28.620 --> 00:17:29.540 These are not gifts. 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:30.300 By definition, 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:32.160 a gift is something 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:33.400 that somebody gives you 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:34.580 free of charge, 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.419 something that you 00:17:35.419 --> 00:17:37.220 perhaps didn't earn, 00:17:37.939 --> 00:17:38.859 maybe something that 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:39.679 you don't deserve, 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.460 maybe something that 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.519 you can never repay. 00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:44.119 It doesn't, 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:44.619 in other words, 00:17:44.699 --> 00:17:46.019 reflect your goodness, 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.699 it reflects the 00:17:47.699 --> 00:17:48.740 goodness of the 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.059 giver. 00:17:51.639 --> 00:17:52.819 I'm giving this to you 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.759 purely as an act of 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:55.439 grace and love. 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.720 No repayment 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.199 necessary. 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:02.359 So when the Bible 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:02.720 says, 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.900 for to us a son 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.579 is given. 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.420 This is the reality 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.579 that sets Christianity 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:11.519 apart from the other 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.440 religions of the world. 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.319 This is the thing that 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.319 makes the Christian 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:16.039 gospel unique. 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:19.380 There was an interview 00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:20.079 with Bono, 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.839 the lead singer 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:22.319 of a band called 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:22.620 U2. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.360 Some of you may have 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:23.839 heard of them. 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:25.279 They were before most 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:25.880 of your time. 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:27.740 But this band, 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.059 U2, 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.100 there was an interview 00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:29.720 back in 2005 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:31.839 between Bono 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:33.160 and a French music 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:33.839 journalist. 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:36.299 And the two men, 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.720 the topic of religion 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.700 comes up in various 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.400 religions and then 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:40.120 the topic shifts 00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:40.839 to Christianity. 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:42.460 And Bono begins to 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.600 talk about what makes 00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:44.559 Christianity different. 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.299 And he says this, 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:45.740 he says, 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:46.880 you see, 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.799 at the center of all 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.960 religions is the idea 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:50.559 of karma. 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:52.700 He says, 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.059 you know, 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.440 what you put out 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:55.339 comes back to you. 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.720 An eye for an eye, 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.579 a tooth for a tooth, 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.899 or in physics. 00:18:59.379 --> 00:19:00.319 In physical laws, 00:19:00.439 --> 00:19:01.500 every action is met 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:02.099 by an equal 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:04.099 or opposite reaction. 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:05.639 He says, 00:19:05.699 --> 00:19:06.359 it's clear to me 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:06.960 that karma 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:08.220 is at the very center, 00:19:08.379 --> 00:19:09.119 at the very heart 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:09.779 of the universe. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.139 I'm absolutely sure 00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:11.439 of it. 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.039 Karma is at the heart 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:15.980 of every faith. 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.419 And he says, 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:18.919 and yet, 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.399 along comes this idea 00:19:20.399 --> 00:19:21.299 called grace 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:23.699 to upend all that 00:19:23.699 --> 00:19:24.779 as you reap 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:26.079 so you will sow stuff. 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:29.419 grace defies reason 00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:30.799 and logic. 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:33.220 Love interrupts, 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:33.879 if you like, 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:34.980 the consequences 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.839 of your actions. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.139 And then he says this, 00:19:38.659 --> 00:19:38.980 he says, 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:40.079 I'd be in big trouble 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:41.059 if karma was going 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:42.259 to finally be my judge. 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:43.899 He says, 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:44.679 I'm holding out 00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:45.319 for grace. 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:47.579 I'm holding out 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.839 that Jesus took my sins 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.659 on the cross. 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.199 And here's the main thing. 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:54.579 He says, 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.199 he's holding out 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.160 for this because, 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:56.539 he says, 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.220 because I know 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:57.940 who I am 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:59.180 and I hope 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.080 I don't have to depend 00:20:00.080 --> 00:20:01.420 on my own religiosity. 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.900 And that's really 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:04.660 the difference. 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.840 Here's the thing 00:20:06.840 --> 00:20:07.600 we need to be clear on. 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.640 Christians are not 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.759 the morally upright. 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.400 They're not 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:12.539 the morally superior people. 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.539 In fact, 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:14.720 it's often the opposite. 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.080 Christians are not 00:20:16.080 --> 00:20:18.140 the religiously inclined people. 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:18.960 They're not often 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.880 the good people. 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.600 I know many, 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:21.799 many, 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:22.340 many people 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:23.279 who are not Christians 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.980 who are far better people. 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.660 And the reason is simple. 00:20:29.399 --> 00:20:30.240 Christians are people 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.819 who say, 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.519 I know who I am. 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.059 I know the truth 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:34.940 when I look at the mirror 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:36.279 and I hope to God 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.500 that this all isn't 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:39.539 hinging on my religiosity. 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.220 I hope to God 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:42.099 that this doesn't all 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:43.399 hinge on my goodness. 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.399 Because if it does, 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.299 I have absolutely no hope. 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.480 That's what a Christian 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:52.099 sees when she looks 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:52.579 in the mirror. 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.000 When he looks 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.460 in the mirror. 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.940 I'd be in big trouble 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:58.360 if karma was my judge. 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.880 So Christians are people 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:02.599 who recognize 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:04.360 that their only real hope 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:05.740 is God's free gift 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:07.019 of salvation in Jesus. 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.140 Something that they 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.819 didn't earn, 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:09.680 don't deserve, 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.819 and could never repay. 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.440 And again, 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.279 I just want to say this. 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.079 Whether or not 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.900 you believe this, 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.360 whether or not 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:16.599 you subscribe to this, 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:20.119 imagine your life 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:20.779 if you did. 00:21:20.899 --> 00:21:21.899 Just imagine 00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.779 the shift 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.719 that that would make 00:21:23.719 --> 00:21:25.219 in here. 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.899 Because when you know, 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:31.379 when you know 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:32.619 that you deserve nothing, 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:33.819 and yet God 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.439 has given you 00:21:34.439 --> 00:21:35.480 everything, 00:21:36.699 --> 00:21:38.379 when you know that 00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:39.399 in your heart of hearts, 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.799 it means that 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:43.399 your entire response 00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:44.039 to life 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:46.179 is one of gratitude. 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:48.959 it means you recognize 00:21:48.959 --> 00:21:50.740 that gifts 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.599 aren't only 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:53.480 at Christmas 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.419 and on birthdays. 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.779 You will begin 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.319 to see 00:21:57.319 --> 00:22:00.119 every moment 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:00.879 of your life 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:02.359 as a gift. 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.919 All of the good stuff 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:05.619 in your life 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.839 as a gift. 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:09.159 Many of the bad things 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:09.779 in your life 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:12.159 as a gift. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.839 Every day 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.480 a gift, 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.519 every breath 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:18.019 a gift. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:21.339 Imagine how transformative 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.220 that would be 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.500 if gratitude 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.819 was the foundation 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:26.599 of your response 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:28.539 to your daily life. 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.980 So on Christmas, 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:33.160 God responds 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:33.720 to the darkness 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:35.400 in this sort of crazy, 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.559 counterintuitive way. 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.700 He sends Jesus 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.839 who comes as a child 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:40.039 because we need a Savior. 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.599 So he comes 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.200 in weakness. 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:44.140 Jesus who comes 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:44.799 as a gift 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:46.200 purely as an act 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:46.900 of God's love 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.279 and grace. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.600 Not because we deserve it. 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.860 Not for just certain people 00:22:49.860 --> 00:22:50.600 but for everybody. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.039 And then the last thing 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.539 we see 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:55.319 is that he came 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:55.840 to be king. 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:58.180 Though Jesus 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:59.620 chose to come 00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:00.400 as a child 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.259 and chose to come 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:01.860 in weakness, 00:23:02.860 --> 00:23:05.140 the remaining portion 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:05.779 of this verse 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.299 shows us 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.319 his true identity. 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.600 Don't be fooled. 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:09.980 It's as though 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.619 Isaiah is saying 00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:11.339 don't be fooled 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:11.919 by the weakness. 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:14.139 This is who he came 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:14.879 to become 00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:16.619 in this world. 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:18.019 And Isaiah gives us 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:19.399 four titles for Jesus. 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.039 And when you see 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.099 multiple titles, 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.740 when you see this 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:25.199 before a king's name, 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:25.519 you know, 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.639 all of the titles, 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.539 it's a way of saying 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.859 you can't understand 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:29.559 this king 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.679 unless you understand 00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:31.980 all of these titles. 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:32.519 They're all meant 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.480 to be taken together. 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:35.319 Four kingly titles. 00:23:36.919 --> 00:23:37.980 He says this king, 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.579 King Jesus, 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:40.360 is a wonderful counselor. 00:23:40.620 --> 00:23:41.559 That actually means 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.220 supernatural. 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.299 The word wonderful 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:44.220 means supernatural. 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:45.680 In other words, 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.660 he's a supernatural 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.900 source of wisdom. 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.519 He's the one, 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:51.620 the only one 00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:52.200 qualified 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:53.420 to tell us 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:53.980 what it means 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.640 to be human 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:56.559 and what will make us 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.740 flourish as human beings. 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.579 He's the only one. 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:01.620 He's a mighty God. 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.779 Jesus isn't just 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.480 a man of God. 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.400 He is God 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:05.000 in the flesh. 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.220 There's a clear claim 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:08.600 this is no merely 00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:09.420 human king. 00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:11.640 Thirdly, 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.799 everlasting father. 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.600 It's saying here 00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:14.220 that Jesus, 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.100 as a king, 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.079 loves his people 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:17.360 like his own children. 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.799 And then lastly, 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.759 that he's the prince 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.440 of peace. 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:24.100 That Jesus is the king, 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:24.880 the only king 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:25.720 who willingly, 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:27.180 willingly endured 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.920 the violence, 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:30.200 the violence of the cross 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:30.980 in order to bring 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:32.019 an end to all violence. 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.480 He's the prince of peace, 00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:35.539 the source of peace. 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:35.619 peace. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.899 The last point 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.339 I want to make 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:40.779 is this. 00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:41.599 Do you realize 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.420 how different 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:43.559 this is 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:45.279 from what most 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.059 of us believe? 00:24:47.399 --> 00:24:47.879 Christians, 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:48.940 non-Christians, 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:49.480 Buddhists, 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.180 Muslims, 00:24:50.659 --> 00:24:51.319 do you realize 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:51.799 how different 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.200 this is 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.740 than what most 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.319 of us believe? 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.440 There was a sociologist 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.539 named Christian Smith 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:58.159 who did an enormous 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:58.960 amount of research. 00:24:59.119 --> 00:24:59.940 He interviewed Buddhists 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.339 and Muslims 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:00.879 and Christians 00:25:00.879 --> 00:25:01.759 and atheists 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.440 and agnostics 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.899 and across the board, 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:05.100 and he wanted 00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:05.720 to get a sense 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.280 of what do people 00:25:06.280 --> 00:25:06.980 really believe 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.560 on the ground 00:25:07.560 --> 00:25:08.280 functionally 00:25:08.280 --> 00:25:09.200 in their daily life? 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:09.880 And he said, 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.120 you know, 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:10.820 we have all these 00:25:10.820 --> 00:25:11.220 differences, 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.320 but functionally, 00:25:13.340 --> 00:25:14.580 most people fall 00:25:14.580 --> 00:25:15.800 into the same category. 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.060 He says, 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:18.140 most people believe 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:19.780 what he terms 00:25:19.780 --> 00:25:22.080 moral therapeutic deism. 00:25:23.800 --> 00:25:25.440 Moral therapeutic deism. 00:25:26.300 --> 00:25:26.740 Moral, 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:29.380 it's really just about 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:30.259 being a good person, 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.340 good people go to heaven, 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.220 that's really what 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.200 most religions teach. 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.640 Therapeutic, 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:36.819 the point of life 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.799 is really to be happy 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.299 and to feel good 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.839 about ourselves, 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.539 so do what makes 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.100 you feel good. 00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:42.180 Deism. 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:45.400 God really isn't involved 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.839 in our day-to-day life, 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.380 but he's there 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:47.880 if we need him. 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.559 Moral therapeutic deism. 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:50.860 He says, 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.019 most people functionally, 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:53.140 this is what we believe 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:54.000 in this country. 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:54.519 He says, 00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:55.299 this is the religion 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:55.900 of America. 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.880 Moral therapeutic deism. 00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.339 If you think about it, 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:01.100 this is absolutely, 00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:01.859 really kind of reaches 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:02.879 its zenith 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:04.240 in the story 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.000 of Santa Claus. 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.240 Santa Claus 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.539 is the archetypal 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.839 moral therapeutic 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:12.279 icon, 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:13.179 right? 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:14.819 Santa Claus, 00:26:14.939 --> 00:26:16.679 he doesn't bother us much, 00:26:16.699 --> 00:26:17.339 he just comes by 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:17.939 once a year, 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.240 right? 00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:20.319 Santa Claus, 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.879 whose whole job description 00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:23.259 is giving us stuff 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:24.179 that will make us happy, 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.119 right? 00:26:25.679 --> 00:26:26.179 And Santa, 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:26.959 whose entire 00:26:26.959 --> 00:26:28.519 moral ethical framework 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.839 is summed up in, 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:30.919 be good for goodness sake. 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.720 This is moral therapeutic 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.819 deism on steroids. 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.879 And what we need to see 00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:38.199 is that the Christmas story 00:26:38.199 --> 00:26:39.980 is the utter antithesis 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.579 of this. 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.799 It's the complete 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:44.459 opposite of this. 00:26:44.679 --> 00:26:45.559 It's not about 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.480 just being good 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.519 for goodness sake. 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.720 Christmas tells us 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.759 we're so broken 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:52.119 that it took nothing less 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.679 than the death 00:26:52.679 --> 00:26:53.619 of God's son 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.740 to give us hope. 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:57.019 Christmas tells us 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.839 that it's not just 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:59.000 about feeling good 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:00.259 and doing what feels right. 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.919 That God has given us 00:27:01.919 --> 00:27:03.339 himself as a free gift 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.159 and we're actually 00:27:04.159 --> 00:27:05.559 called to love other people 00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:06.179 with that same 00:27:06.179 --> 00:27:07.159 sacrificial love. 00:27:08.699 --> 00:27:09.879 Often you have to choose 00:27:09.879 --> 00:27:10.980 between your own happiness 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.359 and loving others 00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:12.819 that way. 00:27:13.679 --> 00:27:14.319 And then lastly, 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.319 God is not some 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:16.139 distant being 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:17.220 who only checks in 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.779 now and then. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:19.099 He's actually come here 00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:19.779 in the flesh 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:21.059 to be our king. 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:25.419 There's a scene 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:28.940 in Tolkien's 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:30.139 Lord of the Rings series 00:27:30.139 --> 00:27:32.000 in the last book 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.879 of that trilogy, 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:34.299 The Return of the King, 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:35.720 where Aragorn, 00:27:35.919 --> 00:27:37.299 who's the rightful king, 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.779 he's been laboring 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:40.059 in total obscurity, 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:41.099 in total poverty, 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.599 he's been fighting battles 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:43.740 on behalf of his people, 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:45.220 he's been risking his life, 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:46.659 and finally at the end 00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:48.139 he's preparing to enter 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:49.640 the great city 00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:50.860 for the first time 00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:51.940 as their king. 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:55.080 And the steward 00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:57.000 cries out 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.360 his royal pedigree 00:27:58.360 --> 00:27:59.820 as he prepares to enter. 00:28:00.280 --> 00:28:00.700 He says, 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.020 Here is Aragorn, 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:03.000 son of Arathorn, 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.300 chieftain of the Dunedain 00:28:04.300 --> 00:28:04.820 of Arnor, 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.800 captain of the host 00:28:05.800 --> 00:28:06.340 of the west, 00:28:06.780 --> 00:28:07.720 bearer of the star 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.259 of the north, 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.380 wielder of the sword 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:10.040 reforged, 00:28:10.560 --> 00:28:11.620 victorious in battle, 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:13.020 whose hands bring healing, 00:28:13.580 --> 00:28:14.360 the elf stone, 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.380 Elessar of the line 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.140 of Valendil, 00:28:16.280 --> 00:28:17.180 Isildur's son, 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:18.740 Elendil's son of Numenor. 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:20.480 All these titles 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.799 and then the question comes, 00:28:23.320 --> 00:28:24.779 Shall he be king 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:27.400 and enter this city 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:29.120 and dwell here? 00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:33.180 Christmas is the story 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:34.160 of another king 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:36.460 who dwelled mostly 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.320 in obscurity, 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.900 was poor his entire life, 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:42.600 was fighting unseen battles 00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:43.940 on behalf of his people, 00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:45.960 and he ultimately gave his life 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:47.279 for those he came 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:48.360 to serve. 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:52.000 And so Christmas 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.340 confronts us 00:28:53.340 --> 00:28:56.960 as we tell the Christmas story, 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.420 we are like the stewards 00:28:58.420 --> 00:29:00.640 crying out into the world, 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.880 Here is Jesus, 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:03.120 the son of man, 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.360 son of God, 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.259 the Christ, 00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:06.539 the second Adam, 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:08.440 the bright morning star, 00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:09.100 the Alpha, 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.140 the Omega, 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:11.360 the incarnate word 00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:12.779 whose hands bring healing, 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:14.960 the wonderful counselor, 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.379 mighty God, 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:19.319 everlasting father, 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.599 prince of peace. 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:26.439 shall he be king 00:29:26.439 --> 00:29:29.279 and enter our lives 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:31.779 and dwell there? 00:29:33.139 --> 00:29:34.480 This is the question 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.839 each of us must answer 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:37.919 for ourselves 00:29:37.919 --> 00:29:38.719 because friends, 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:40.359 the darkness in this world 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.159 is real 00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:43.259 and we need something 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:44.299 more than escape, 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:45.799 we need something 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.859 more than Santa, 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:49.259 we need hope, 00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:50.879 real, 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:51.479 lasting, 00:29:51.719 --> 00:29:52.740 substantial hope. 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.500 And so hear, 00:29:54.139 --> 00:29:55.039 hear the hope 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.679 of Christmas. 00:29:56.679 --> 00:29:57.259 For to us 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.399 a child is born, 00:29:58.859 --> 00:30:00.219 to us a son is given, 00:30:00.699 --> 00:30:01.339 and the government 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:02.979 shall be upon his shoulders, 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.099 and his name 00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:04.740 shall be called 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.879 Wonderful Counselor, 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:06.979 Mighty God, 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.339 Everlasting Father, 00:30:09.219 --> 00:30:09.979 Prince of Peace. 00:30:13.639 --> 00:30:14.479 Let's pray. 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:20.839 Our Father, 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.640 for many of us 00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:22.640 these are familiar 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.980 ideas, 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:24.819 for some of us 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.519 they may not be. 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:28.500 I pray that you 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.360 would illuminate, 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:30.460 kindle, 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.920 and ignite 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:34.559 our hearts 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.579 to see the beauty 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:36.279 of this 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.360 as though 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:38.299 for the first time 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:39.680 that it would pierce us, 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.980 that we would see 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.920 the reality 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.900 of our need 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:45.140 the reality 00:30:45.140 --> 00:30:46.160 of our spiritual 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:46.820 poverty 00:30:46.820 --> 00:30:49.100 and the grace 00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:49.920 and the truth 00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.420 and the love 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.220 of your son Jesus. 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.080 I pray this 00:30:53.080 --> 00:30:53.740 in your son's 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.420 holy name. 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:55.340 Amen.