O Holy Night

O Holy Night

CCCAG Christmas Eve 2023

-Scripture: John 1:5, Luke 2:8, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:11, John 8:12, John 3:16

Introduction:

Have people say their Favorite Christmas Carols

I love them all, but if I had to pick one that will always make my heart sing, it’s O Holy Night. To me, that encapsulates the entire night- the meaning, the worship, and the human response to the incredible birth of Jesus-

our Lord, God, Savior and King.

Let’s further explore this thought by looking at the opening line to his famous hymn

“O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining…”

As we gather on the morning before this sacred night, let us reflect upon the profound message embedded within this timeless carol, a message that echoes through the ages and resonates deep within our souls.

Let’s first consider the world that Jesus was born into.

1. Darkness and Despair

The bible gives us a glimpse into the world and the time that Jesus was born.

In the Gospel of John 1:5, we read, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5).

The world into which Christ was born was one of profound darkness.

In many ways, it was marked by Despair, oppression, and hopelessness overshadowed the hearts of many. Israel had been conquered yet again by another nation. Over the last few centuries, their role as the world superpower had come crashing down.

First the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom Israel, then the Babylonians conquered Assyria and then the southern kingdom of Judah.

Then the Persian Empire sprain up and conquered the Babylonians, again taking control of the territory of what was once Israel.

Then Alexander the Great led his armies through that area, claiming it for Greece. Then about 60 years before the birth of Jesus, Rome came along and conquered the entire western world, creating an empire that lasted for a 1000 years which included the area formally known as Israel.

The people were living in the darkness of the oppression they faced under all of these pagan empires.

Some of this might Sound familiar?

We are starting to experience that in our world today- where evil is rampant and seemingly all pervasive.

Yet, on this Holiest of Nights, we have the same hope that they did- that a light will shine in the darkness, and drive it back to the hell it came from.

We have this hope because we know God keeps HIS promises-

We are reminded of this during this time of the year as we celebrate the coming of our Savior.

That’s why this night, this holy night was a: ________________________________________

2. A Night Like No Other,

(Luke 2:8)"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.".

I love that God chose the shepherds to be the first ones to hear of the birth of HIS son.

Shepherds were the lowest class of people during the time in history. No one wanted to live near a shepherd, they were from the seedy area of town.

They were the poorest of the poor,

the smelliest of the smelly,

and just uncouth, unmannered, and the kind of people that the “Good” people avoided at all costs.

The fact that the first ones to hear of Jesus’ birth was these people shows us that there is no favoritism in God’s house.

The fact that God chose the shepherds to be the first to hear of HIS sons both shows us the fullness of the Gospel message that no matter who you are, what race you are, which gender you were born with, or if you were rich or poor, slave or free, the same Gospel message and offer of salvation is just as open to you as it is anyone else.

On this Holy Night, God proclaimed that all people are precious in HIS sight, and this message of salvation was for all people regardless of what society may think of them.

Remember that before you judge someone as not worthy of your time, your love, your compassion, or your mercy.

I think the greatest surprise many will face when they pass heaven’s gates is who will be there, and who won’t.

After all-

On this Holy Night, God did not go to the religious elite to announce his birth

He didn’t inform Caesar in Rome, or Herod the Great in Judah.

He didn’t go to the local synagogue leaders, and didn’t even tell the church board.

A modern way of saying it would be to say that God went to the hood and told the people on the wrong side of the tracks the amazing news that Christ the Savior had been born.

This Holy night also shows us a-________________________________________

3. The Divine Intervention