Christmas Eve

Introduction

Good evening! Welcome to CHCC. We are so glad you can join us this evening as we celebrate Christmas—the birth of Jesus. I just have a short message for you this evening before we get to hear from the children who have worked hard these past few months for tonight’s service.

For the past two weeks we have looked at the Christmas story through the lens of the Old Testament. We first spent time in the prophets as we walked through the prophetic words of the coming Messiah.

Through the prophets we are able to answer questions like where would the Messiah be born? How would He be born? The prophets even give us information about the star, mourning in Israel (over the children who died in Bethlehem at the hand of Herod), about the Messiah “coming out of Egypt.”

All of the prophecies come together to give us a very clear image of this Messiah. And what comes into focus is the face of Jesus. With over 300 fulfilled prophecies, it is no coincidence; it isn’t by accident or mistake. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God, Savior of the world.

Last week we then stepped into the book of Psalms—mainly focusing on what is known as the Christmas Psalms—Psalms 96-98. We walked through the words of the famous Christmas carol, Joy to the World; we looked at the theology behind the words and what they mean for us.

Isaac Watts, the writer of the famed carol, begins—”Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” He pulls this from Psalm 98. And in this Psalm, the author calls for us to “sing to the Lord a new song.” Why? Because he has “worked salvation.” For who? For us all! We sing, we proclaim joy because of the work of the Savior for us.

And as the Psalm continues it calls for us to “make a joyful noise to the Lord…break forth into joyous song and sing praises.” The entire call is for joyful celebration. And what we come to see is that this is the proper response to the Christmas story; The Lord has come to save us and so we are joyful.

And this joy is—according to the Psalms—to be shown through singing. However, we also discussed the reality of suffering in this life. And at times that suffering may cause our singing to be silenced (for a time). Sometimes in our suffering, there is no song to be sung.

Other times, we may find ourselves in the midst of suffering and our singing remains; in fact it may carry us through the sorrow. And ultimately, for the believer—for those who hold on to the hope of eternity—our singing will follow the suffering. For the Bible tells us that there will be a time when the Lord will wipe every tear from our eyes, death shall be no more, neither will there be mourning or crying or pain, for those former things will pass away (Rev. 21:4).

And so these evening we will look at the reason for our joy. It will be a rather traditional Christmas Eve message as we will read from Luke 2 as it tells of the birth of Jesus. There are just a couple of words that I want to highlight from it for us to meditate on and then we will get to children’s portion of the service.

If you have your Bibles with you this evening, please open with me to Luke 2.

PRAY

Luke 2:1–20 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 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, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 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.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

GOOD NEWS FOR YOU

The first word that stands out is the word “you.” In verse 10 as the angels share the message of the Messiah’s birth to the shepherds; it is a message for each of us.

Luke 2:10 ESV

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.

What we must understand is that while Jesus’ birth is globally celebrated, it is also intimately personal. I think it can be easy to look at this passage from an outsider’s perspective; it’s a moment etched in history, transcribed for us from an event that took place over two millennia ago. “What does it have to do with me?” may be the sentiment. But I can answer that question. It has everything to do with you.

The whole purpose of Jesus’ arrival—the Creator entering into His creation—is to save you. That much is made clear in verse 11.

Luke 2:11 ESV

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Saving from what? Ourselves, in a sense. But ultimately, our sin. Paul tells us in Romans 3:23

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

and Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23a ESV

For the wages of sin is death…

And not just a physical death, but an eternal separation from God. Now fortunately for you and for me that verse doesn’t end there. Paul continues by sharing with us the hope that came down from heaven that humble night in Bethlehem.

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but (perhaps the most beautiful coordinating conjunction in the English language) the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is why Jesus’ birth is good news of great joy for you and me. Because it brings us hope! The second portion of this that stands out is also found in verse 10.

Luke 2:10 ESV

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.

So I just mentioned that the Christmas passage is personal and intimate for you. And it is also good news for EVERY SINGLE PERSON.

What remarkable news! This means that this good news of hope and salvation is for you, no matter your past. No matter what you’ve done, no matter the sin. Because this was the whole purpose of His coming, to save us from that sin.

Your past does not have to inhibit you from receiving a future! Jesus paid it all for you and for me. There is hope and salvation in His name. And that hope is for everyone.

John 3:16 ESV

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

There’s no conditions other than faith! There’s no hoops to jump through, no cumulating points on good behavior. Salvation is not by works, but by faith.

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

The greatest gift we could ever receive; completely undeserved and completely unearned. But it is there for everyone because God loves you and me that deeply.

That is why we have joy! That is why we have hope! And That is why we celebrate Christmas!

PRAY