The Angel's Song Series

THE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS - The Angel’s Song

December 11, 2022

Luke 2:1-20

Introduction:

Kari and I were watching a Christian concert the other day with Casting Crowns and she said...“Wow, look at the crowd…and it’s a packed auditorium. And I thought…“Mmmmm…what’s the largest crowd that’s ever attended a concert?”

Let me give you a few…in 2006 1.5 million people came out to hear the Rolling Stones in Rio…In 1991 1.6 million showed up in Moscow to hear AC/DC.

But the largest attended concert in history…are you ready for this…it’s gonna blow your mind…somewhere between 3.5 million and 4.2 million people showed up on a beach in Copacabana Rio de Janeiro in 1994 to hear….Rod Stewart…ROD STEWART!!!

(Here’s some pictures of the crowd)

7-8 people on stage…Rod singing “Maggie May” and 16 mega screens and 4 million people listening…by the way…it was a free concert.

But what if you had 4 million on stage and only 7 or 8 in the audience? Would you consider that a success? What kind of reaction would the 7 or 8 have to millions singing to them?

Well, it’s happened…Listen:

LUKE 2:8-14

A handful of shepherds…we don’t know how many for sure, are doing their job…they are living out in the fields…they are watching their flocks…and it’s nighttime…probably some campfires burning…probably some talking…about family about sheep…it’s nighttime so they have ears out for predators.

And then an angel appears…the Shekinah glory makes their campfires disappear in it’s power and splendor. They’re terrified…We would be too!!! Faces covered on the ground…blinded by the light that has pierced the darkness of night…trembling…and the angel speaks.

“Do not be afraid”…and he shares an introduction the world has waited for all of history to hear…

I. TODAY A SAVIOR IS BORN

I’ve heard some pretty good introductions in my life…I’ve had some pretty good introductions in my life, but my favorite one is this one:

‘If you open your heart and listen, you will hear a convincing and convicting message today, for these are two of his best know characteristics. There are literally thousands of souls in the kingdom of God today due to our speaker’s convicting yet quiet approach. Indeed, I personally would never have found Christ…I am sure of this…if it had not been for our speaker.

‘If you listen with open ears I promise you that our speaker will change your life today. He will! He is well known for his abilities to apply the Word of God to daily life, even though much of his work is not attributed to him. He prefers to work behind the scenes, and thus does not always get the credit he deserves. One of his best abilities is applying the Bible to daily life. You will be amazed!

‘His influence is far broader than speaking, for his has inspired much of our best Christian music, and is in frequent contact with some of the most dedicated and godly Christian musicians. As far as books go, his thoughts permeate all of the best and most spiritual books on today's market. He demands no credit for this, but it is just one more reason to listen to him carefully today.

‘His ministry is now at work in every continent on earth, and he personally speaks and understands more languages than you can imagine. But, what I most appreciate about our speaker, is you can count on him to constantly and continually exalt Christ every time he speaks.

‘So, ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, it is my pleasure to introduce you to today's speaker…our speaker today is.... the Holy Spirit.

Let’s listen carefully to our primary speaker as Rick Burdette comes to speak at the same time…this is my favorite!!!

The Angel’s introduction is “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, He is the Messiah, the Lord.”

That introduction would get your attention wouldn’t it?

[It’s like the angel is telling the shepherds: “You know the person you’ve been taught about your whole life? The one God has promised would come? The One who would sit on David’s throne and bring forgiveness and peace? You know the One your mom and dad read to you about…HE’S HERE!!! HE WAS BORN TODAY IN BETHLEHEM…THE MESSIAH IS HERE! HOW GOOD IS THAT NEWS?!!! FOR EVERYONE!]

Why make this announcement to shepherds? Why make this introduction in the middle of the night to a handful of people who are separated from other people, and spend much of their lives caring for, protecting and providing for…sheep?

My answer would be…because of where most of those sheep were destined to go! Many, if not most of those sheep would be sacrificed on an altar and their blood poured out as a sin offering…so would Jesus’. He would not only be the chief shepherd who cares for His flock…but He would become one of His flock and be “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”