It came upon midnight clear (2025)

Advent

Joy Candle

stickney family

Advent: love Candle

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:36-40

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1st Corinthians 13:13

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1st Corinthians 14:3-7

1 Corinthians 14:3–7 ESV

On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophes

Call To Worship

Psalm 135 ESV

1 Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord, 2 who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God! 3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant! 4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession. 5 For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. 6 Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. 7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. 8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and of beast; 9 who in your midst, O Egypt, sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants; 10 who struck down many nations and killed mighty kings, 11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan, 12 and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel. 13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages. 14 For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants. 15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 16 They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; 17 they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them. 19 O house of Israel, bless the Lord! O house of Aaron, bless the Lord! 20 O house of Levi, bless the Lord! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord! 21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the Lord!

Introduction

Christmas evokes such memories, I can remember midnight services, falling snow, cold breath, being carried to the car in my dad's arms. I can remember the Pajamas, the cookies, the eggnog. I can remember the quiet of the First Christmas Eve with my wife and how little we had. I can remember clearly my daughter’s never forget first Christmas and how she was so small and how the tree gleamed in her little eyes. I’llWe all have these stories, maybe you’re the Christmas Eve James said I love Jesus new into yours, maybe this is late into your story. It's like our lives are moments between Christmases.

And truly that is the story of our age. We are born between the two Christmas the one that was all those years ago and the one to come. We are surrounded by Christ. God shows up in our lives, he makes his way in and gives us such great hope and love.

Background

Edmund Hamilton Sears was born in Berkshire [County], Massachusetts, in 1810; graduated at Union College, Schenectady, in 1834, and at the Theological School of Harvard University, in 1837. He became pastor of the Unitarian Society in Wayland, Mass., in 1838; removed to Lancaster in 1840; but on account of ill health was obliged to retire from the active duties of the ministry in 1847; since then, residing in Wayland, he devoted himself to literature. He has published several works.

--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A., 1872

Break Down of Song that We Will be looking At

1 It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven's all-gracious King." The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.

2 Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heavenly music floats o'er all the weary world; above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing, and ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.

3 And ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing!

4 For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet seen of old, when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.

Text

Luke 2:1–21 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Christmas Past 1

Jesus the Hope of Israel

Our last sermon series was through the book of Ruth.

Rut htakes place during the time of the Judges in which, people sin, they reject God, they are opressed because of their sin either by outsiders or themselves, and then God sends a judge to redeem them.

This history is the history of God’s people waiting for the birth of the messiah.

He was the hope of them from the very beginning.

Jesus himself tells us that he is the point of the Old Testament.

Luke 24:44 ESV

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

The Birth of Jesus is predicted from the beginning.

At the beginning the devil tempted Adam and eve and they bought into his lie. They exchanged the beautiful presence of God their father, in the perfect home, having life forever, for a devil, death, and hardship.

God didn't abandon Adam and Eve, his children he promised them that he would destroy that serpent.

Genesis 3:15 (ESV)

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

The world was in need of a saviour, and was waiting. God wasn't done he had purposed before the foundation of the world to save a people to himself. God the father, God the son, and God the spirit covenanted together to redeem a people.

So God put together a plan of redemption arranging the whole of the universe and everyone and everything in it to bring a people to himself.

Moses who wrote those words of Genesis would write in

Deuteronomy 18:15 (ESV)

A New Prophet like Moses

15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—

And

Deuteronomy 18:17–18 (ESV)

17 And the LORD said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.

Moses the most important Prophet of the Old Testament said a prophet like him is coming. God was doing something, something big.

In the process God was telling Israel that a King would rise from the line of Judah, and to David that his line would be established forever.

Genesis 49:10 (ESV)

10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,

until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

Psalm 89:3–4 (ESV)

3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: 4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’ ” Selah

Seemingly two stories but little did the ancients know that these stories were one. That the promised Prophet and Promised king

The Israel was wating for a king The prophet Isaiah says this:

Isaiah 40:30–31 ESV

30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Application:

Israel was tired, the opression of sin, and the forgien nations around them was killing them. they could not save themselves.

Today you maybe looking back on the last few months, years, decades of your life andit feel exhausting. Maybe you feel like your whole life has been running. This is the day of Rest, this is the day of renewall. Do you want that?

Do you want the strength to carry on?

Then put your trust in the Lord, yes my wery Christian trust in him.

Christmas can be many things. Some of you know all to well what a blue Christmas is. So trust in Jesus.

I was listening to a man on the monorail this last week say “you need to balance the good of Disney with the bad of Las Vegas.” The reality is that no amount of balance can strengthen your life. That’s not to add that life is not about balance it’s about becoming more life Jesus or as they used to say building virtue.

If you are tired don’t seek balance in your life, seek Jesus, in him you will find your life.

He says his burden is light. How many burderns do you carry this morning?

Let me put in another way. Sin makes you less of who you’re supposed to be.

When you seek Christ you become more of who you are. Grace doesn’t destroy it perfects.

Israel was waiting for so long, had they remained obedient, our Bible would be a little bit smaller!

While you’re waiting, rest in the Lord and you will find peace.

Peace that surpasses all understanding

God was spinning a thread to connect us back to him.

Then 400 years of silence between the Last prophet, and these angels.

It came across a midnight clear. You maybe like the sheperds in the field, maybe you feel that you've been sitting waiting for God. I want to tell you that the Angels, a host of them came and told those who were worth nothing that the Messiah has been born.

This Glorious Event happened in the Past

Christmas Present

In today's life the 3rd stanza makes so much sense

And ye, beneath life's crushing load,

whose forms are bending low,

who toil along the climbing way

with painful steps and slow,

look now! for glad and golden hours

come swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road,

and hear the angels sing!

I wonder if the writer read pilgrams Progess.

IS this not today? Are you slowing down to hear the story of Grace today?

We are dealing with the hardships of life and yet the angels have told us that God has come to answer or hurts, to provide a way. Sin had entered the world and had made things so hard and broken. Yet out of a midnight clear Jesus came. The very gift of Christmas is God gave himself for us. HE gave himself so that the toil could be overcome.

The gift of today Christmas this year, which we want to extend to you is the gospel of Christ.

God's gift of himself, he goodness

Give the gospel

Christmas Future

One Day Jesus will return.

Revelation 22:7 (ESV)

7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Revelation 22:12–17 (ESV)

12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Revelation 22:20–21 (ESV)

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Five times the scripture testifies to us in the end that Jesus is coming soon. This the second Christmas, the greater one to come! It will be the day that the world is made new and Jesus will be in our presences forever.

(quick breakdown this text)

The Spirit of God and the church testify this as true.

The Spirit is the Holy Spirit. When you hear this Christian it should cause a stir and excitement, that is the Spirit reminding you of this truth. Our king shall reign in our presence.

The church, the bride of Christ also testifies this to the world. If you're a guest with us tonight we come to tell you that Jesus will return, you will be able to see him. He will judge the living and the dead, he will make all things new, sin and death will be destroyed

The Glorious return, the Kings Return.

For lo! the days are hastening on,

by prophet seen of old,

when with the ever-circling years

shall come the time foretold

when peace shall over all the earth

its ancient splendors fling,

and the whole world send back the song

which now the angels sing.

Christ is redeeming the whole world to himself, it will be filled with his goodness and righteousness and his kingdom will know no end. The splendors of God shall be known amongst every man, women, and child just as the ancients foretold. One day we and the saints across time will sing back to our God about the good things he has done!

Benediction

300 Quotations and Prayers for Christmas Galatians 4:4–7