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Introduction
This morning I want to preach the first of a 3 sermon series entitled “Three Words of Christmas!”
All of which we find in Luke’s account of Christ’s birth.
Each of these words holds great significance for us today, just as they did on that marvelous first Christmas when Christ was born.
So, let’s begin by seeing and understanding the importance of the first word.
Open your Bibles and turn to Luke 2. Let’s read the account of Christ’s birth, and I will draw your attention to our first word for consideration.
Most of us already know this story.
If your family is like mine, we usually read this story each Christmas.
May I say that this story is the real story of Christmas!
It is the reason we celebrate each year.
It is the story of God giving us the ultimate gift of His Son.
Unfortunately, sometimes, in our haste to get on with the festivities of Christmas, we tend to gloss over some of the great truths found in this beautiful revelation to the shepherds.
For example, I want to direct your attention to verse 9, which says
As I read and ponder this, I cannot help but try to place myself in the place of those shepherds that night.
I try to imagine what I must have been like for them.
They are in their usual spot.
It is night.
Perhaps they have a small fire nearby to help keep them warm.
They were probably sitting around talking about the day’s events or even speaking of family.
They minded their own business as they tended sheep that night.
As they were doing so, God showed up!
Note that Scripture says, “the angel of the Lord came upon them.”
In the original language, the angel of the Lord stood right by them.
And, then, note that “the glory of the Lord shone around about them.”
In other words, the whole place lit up with brilliant light surrounding the “angel of the Lord.”
I don’t think anyone of us can blame them for their reaction.
Scripture records that those shepherds were “sore afraid.”
A fear so “sore” they froze.
Think about it.
One minute they are minding their own business, and the next, God’s angel is standing there surrounded by a brilliant and blinding light.
You can’t tell me you wouldn’t be afraid at that moment.
Note one other thing here.
What was it that shone all around the shepherds?
It was the GLORY OF THE LORD!
The first word of this Christmas season that I want us to focus on is God’s GLORY!
Here is my first point!
When FACED with God’s Glory, Sinful Men Cower!
Let’s first identify “God’s Glory.”
For us to do that, we must first understand that “glory” is a word of honor.
Throughout Scripture, “glory” is the splendor that has always characterized God.
It is a word that is often characterized by or used in conjunction with brilliant light.
When God’s glory came upon those men, it did so in the form of a bright light that “shone round about them.”
Such demonstrations of God’s glory are nothing new.
There are several instances of God’s glory characterized by various light forms.
O.T. EXAMPLES - God revealed His glory to Israel as a young nation.
When Solomon dedicated the Temple, Scripture records the following.
Later, the prophet Isaiah had a vision of God’s glory recorded in Isaiah 6.
Ezekiel gave us this account of God’s glory.
Later, again, Ezekiel notes...
In each instance, the glory of God was an obvious manifestation of God’s presence, power, and authority.
And, in each instance, that visible manifestation was so overwhelming that it caused men to cower in fear as they understood the awesome holiness of God.
The nation of Israel begged Moses to represent them to God so they would have to face God’s glory.
At the temple’s dedication, the people reacted to God’s glory by throwing themselves prostrate in the street before God as they worshipped and praised Him.
Isaiah’s sinfulness overcame him as he cried, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.”
Ezekiel fell on his face before God’s glory.
And, when we come to this remarkable Christmas story, once again, we see men surrounded by the glory of God.
What is their reaction?
They were sore afraid.
Is it possible this Christmas season that we need a fresh visit of God’s glory once again?
There is no doubt that God’s glory reveals all that we indeed are.
It reveals our sinfulness, rebellion, and utterly vain attempts to be holy.
God’s glory reveals His true nature of complete holiness, righteousness, and judgment.
When face with God’s glory, man’s only reaction is fear, guilt, and shame.
Yet, God has always had a plan for man concerning His Glory.
When FACED with God’s Glory, Men Find Mercy!
Even in the Old Testament, God’s glory was also a source of mercy!
EXAMPLE: You may recall that when God led Israel out of Egypt, He did so using His glory.
Here we see the mercy of God found in God’s glory.
He led His people with His presence.
He used the cloud by day and the fire by night to guide them.
Remember the Red Sea experience.
Israel had fled.
Pharaoh once again hardened his heart and decided to pursue Israel.
Now, Isreal finds itself stranded between the massive Red Sea and Pharaoh's angry army.
You know the story.
God used Moses to stretch out his staff, causing the Red Sea to divide in half, allowing Israel to cross in safety.
However, there is one part of that story often overlooked.
Scripture records that on the night they crossed.
You see God’s glory, the pillar of cloud, become their protection that night.
God stood between Israel and their enemy, keeping them safe as they crossed.
What a wonderful picture of God’s mercy and God’s protection!
I give you these two points to bring you back to the night of Christ’s birth.
Men tremble when faced with God’s glory, but they also find mercy!
Now, go back with me to Luke’s account.
Look at verses 9-14.
May I submit to you this morning that the greatest manifestation of God’s Glory was born wrapped in swaddling clothes!
There is not doubt that Christ was God.
And, there is no doubt that He completely fulfilled every part of God the Father’s will for Him.
In John 17, Christ prayed
Christ by His words revealed God’s glory.
Christ by His actions revealed God’s glory.
And, then, with the ultimate act of sacrifice, Christ through His death revealed God’s grace and wonderful mercy.
Christ was born that Christmas morning full of God’s glory.
A glory that was evident to the shepherds that night.
And, yet, the whole reason for His birth was His death.
He was born so that He might die for all of man’s sin.
His death on the cross demonstrated to all the world the great love of God.
Christ went to the cross with joy.
He knew what was ahead of Him.
He knew the shame that would come as He was crucified and caused to hang between earth and heaven.
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