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.”
Saviors save people…and this Savior, was here because of our sin.
The bad news… “All people have sinned.” Every one of us, from Adam and Eve till now, we’ve missed the mark…fallen short.
The good news that brings joy to all people…Jesus has come to save us…He is the promised Messiah of God… “Who so loved the world He gave His one and only Son.” No one is too sinful…no one is too far away from God…no one too messed up…All people need Him…He came for all people.
It’s such good news, the angel gives the shepherds proof…if they needed more than an angel and a heavenly host :)
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
By the way…shepherds know about mangers too.
I love what an anonymous poet wrote:
SHOW BABY IN MANGER PICTURE
“A baby born in Bethlehem.
His hands dimpled and softly curled.
But held within their gentle grasp
The hope of all the world.”
And then suddenly…
II. THE ANGELS BREAK OUT IN WORSHIP
A great company of the heavenly host appear alongside the angel of introduction…and they begin to praise God…They break out in worship…Is it millions…thousands…hundreds of thousands? We don’t know… “It’s a great company”…A ton of angels!
But only an audience of a few shepherds. The angels song… “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rest.”
Enveloped in a light, it’s unapproachable. It is the visible presence of God’s glory…a light that caused Isaiah the prophet to realize that the darkness of his life, and the darkness of his people’s lives, was absolute uncleanness. It is this same light that shone around Jesus as He was transformed on the mountain and made Peter, James and John fall facedown on the ground, terrified as God speaks…“This is my beloved son, whom I love; with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” (Matthew 17:5)
It is in the presence of God and these angelic messengers, that the shepherds are terrified, stricken with awe, as they encounter the heavenly realm of God.
When you encounter the presence and glory of God in worship you should experience some fear…He is worthy…He is Almighty…He is light!!! and, “I am not!!!”
Light that bright leaves nothing hidden. It exposes absolutely everything.
Glory to God in the highest heaven should be our response…It’s what the angels sing.
It’s an announcement that Jesus will be “The Light of the World” as John would write in his gospel… “The glory of the one and only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
And it is Jesus who reveals the darkness of our lives…the depth of our sin…and our first reaction should be we are terrified…We are lost…It’s what made the people cry out on Pentecost, “What should we do” when the Holy Spirit cut into their hearts…Holy isn’t Jesus’ Spirit’s first name…It’s what He does…He reveals unholiness…He turns on the light in our hidden darkness.
But God’s response to our fear is still “Do not be afraid…I’ve brought good news…For every one of you…There is a Savior!!!”
Here’s how I’ll end today:
III. GOOD NEWS LIKE THIS REQUIRES A RESPONSE
God’s glory in Christ has been revealed from the highest heaven because His favor rests on “all” people.
The angels reveal this amazing truth and then break out in explosive heavenly host worship.
So, what do the shepherds do? Go back to their campfires? Bed down for the night…lead a discussion session about what all this means?
NOPE!
READ LUKE 2:15-20
Their response was 3 fold. Let’s GO! Let’s see…Let’s share it.
If your worship of God doesn’t lead you to GO and see what He’s told you about and then share it, it’s not worship my dear family.
“When they had seen Him they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
It’s not good news for all the people if people never hear it. And our world has made Christmas about iPhone 10’s, Xbox’s and office parties…they miss it.
In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their “flying machine” off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: “We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas.” Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, “How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas.” He totally missed the big news - - man had flown! - Daily Bread, December 23, 1991
The most important news about Christmas should never be missed.
“A Savior has been born, He is Christ the Lord.”
News like this is amazing and must be shared.
Let’s pray.
