Christ Has Come!

As we gather this Christmas Eve, we come to this very special place and time. We gather here tonight to remember that some 2,000 years ago when a certain young lady would give birth to the Son of God. This wonderful scene would take place in the only place worthy of it: Bethlehem, the City of David.

This is important because centuries before this moment, God had made a promise to this David that Bethlehem was named after.

2 Samuel 7:16 CSB

16 Your house and kingdom will endure before me forever, and your throne will be established forever.’ ”

About 1,000 years after that promise was made, God would make good on His word. This child that was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger would hold the throne over God’s people forevermore. He would not sit on a throne here on earth, but He would lead God’s people. He would conquer sin by giving His life upon an old, rugged cross. He would conquer death by rising from the grave.

This baby who laid in a manger was not seen by many as the king He was. To most, He was simply another boy born to a poor family who had no better place than a borrowed farmhouse to welcome their child into the world. But to som2 e others, He was so much more.

Luke 2:1–20 CSB

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

We see that to Joseph and Mary, this baby boy was the fulfillment of God’s promises. God had watched over this family for this moment and would continue to do so in great ways. As they held this dear child, they were reminded that the God that said He would take care of them is trustworthy.

The shepherds in the fields that night were told by God’s heavenly messengers that this child was the long-awaited Messiah. Because of their job, they did not have much opportunity to enter the Temple for worship. We see that God came to them right where they were — a picture of God’s plan: to come to where sinners were to rescue them and bring them where they should be.

These shepherds had the opportunity to see and experience the Messiah firsthand. The amazing part of the Christmas story is that each of us have that same opportunity. We can come to this same Jesus and find what we are looking for.

As we celebrate this event tonight, may we come to Jesus and experience the hope, comfort, joy, and peace that only He can bring.