O Holy Night

CONNECTION

· People anticipating Christmas

All over the world little children and big children are anticipating what is to come.

Most are anticipating gifts and present. Some are anticipating getting together with family and friends.

Some are anticipating eating good food and others are anticipating just being off of work.

Luke 2 (ESV)

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. …

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 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

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 cloth 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!

YOU SEE THESE WERE NO ORDINARY SHEPHERDS AND THIS WAS NO ORDINARY SIGN.

The HILLS AROUND BETHLEHEM were home to the THOUSANDS OF LAMBS USED IN RITUAL WORSHIP IN THE TEMPLE.

EVERY DAY, TWO LAMBS WERE REQUIRED FOR A DAILY SACRIFICE IN THE TEMPLE, MEANING THAT 730 LAMBS WERE NEEDED EACH YEAR…

Plus the thousands more needed for (Passover) –

· WHICH WAS TO BE a MALE LAMB WITHOUT SPOT OR BLEMISH.

THESES WERE PRIESTLY SHEPHERDS…

· THIS WAS CONSIDERED A ROYAL TASK.

· THEIR JOB WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT NONE OF THE ANIMALS WERE hurt, damaged or blemished.

Therefore: these perfect lambs were wrapped in "swaddling cloths" =

This was not a regular "birthing" cloth)

It was a special gauze-like cloth = used to insure protection from injury of the these sacrificial lambs

This is why it was sign = it was used to wrap Jesus The Messiah.

Had this been regular birthing cloth for babies – it would not have been a sign!

Tomorrow we celebrate God coming in Human flesh to save us from our sinful nature.

Jesus was God’s Gift to you and I

The text says after the Angel made the announcement to the shepherds

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, goodwill toward men!”

Jesus came to remove the wall of sin that separated us from a Holy God by taking our place for the punishment of our sin and rebellion to Gods Holiness.

The miracle of peace in the midst of chaos and storms is your Christmas miracle.

The angel said “Peace ON earth” and good will TOWARD MEN.

WHERE IS THIS PEACE ON EARTH?

The Bible teaches us that peace comes, not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God!

THE WORLD DEFINES PEACE AS THE ABSENCE OF WAR, ABSENCE OF CONFLICT OR TURMOIL –

· IN the kingdom PEACE is the presence of someone

THERE IS NO PEACE WITHOUT THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

· This comes from the manifest presence of Jesus

· This is why Jesus alone could say, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." (John 14:27.)

And that’s why Paul say to the Philippians in Chapter 4:6-7

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

· “guard” – military word

WHAT DOES THE PEACE OF GOD GUARD OUR HEART AND MINDS FROM? WHAT IS ATTACKING US TODAY?

· COVID (deaths of friends/family)

· Fear

· SCHOOLS CLOSURES

· Lack of wages

· hunger/food lines

· stress

· marriages in trouble

HOW DO WE GET THIS PEACE? Lets look at the text.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Only when this kind of peace dwells within us, can there be hope for peace among us

Look at the early church,

Acts 9:31 says, "So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and, going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase."

This is downright amazing. This could only happen only as a result of the amazing grace of God.

Think of it.

The leaders of the church were being imprisoned. The people were being threatened. Stephen's martyrdom was still a fresh memory (7:54-60). Paul had barely escaped with his life from the hostile Jews (9:28-30).

Yet the church throughout Palestine "enjoyed peace" and "continued to increase."

Not matter how often they were ordered to "speak no more in the name of Jesus" (5:40) they fearlessly stayed the course.

Regardless of threats, warnings, floggings, and other methods of persecution, THE BELIEVERS ENJOYED PEACE.

· When his peace is within us and among us we can spread it to those around us.

In the midst of crazy shutdowns and political upheaval we need the peace that passes ALL understanding.

On the first Christmas, God sent peace on earth and good will toward mankind through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. Now he sends His peace on earth through His people who are in Christ.

I want to encourage you to Invite HIM to HIS BIRTHDAY PARTY tomorrow when you celebrate Christmas.

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT WHO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE THAT COUNTS.

Remember peace comes, not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God!

May his peace and goodwill rest within us, among us and overflow from us.

Isaiah 9:6-7

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end,

Let His peace fill your soul today. Shut out for a moment all of the noises, all of the demands, the pressures, And listen for a moment only to Him.

As I close I want to echo the sentiment boldly declared by the angels on the night of Christ’s birth “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!