WHEN HEAVEN CAME DOWN
LUKE 2: 1-14
My brothers and sisters the Christmas season is upon us and it is the time when for many their thoughts will turn toward:
• Mistletoe and candy canes
• Shopping malls and sales
• Santa Claus sliding down the chimney
While I acknowledge these are all images of the season, they are not all I think about.
When I think about Christmas, I think about Heaven coming down to earth.
• Luke says, “AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS…”
• John says, “THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US…”
• Isaiah says, “UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN…”
Christmas is:
• Heaven’s invasion of earth.
• Eternity stepping into time.
• Divinity wrapped in humanity.
• Glory clothed in humility.
Church, let me paint the picture.
• Humanity was in trouble.
• Sin had broken fellowship with God.
• Darkness covered the earth.
• Hope was hanging by a thread.
Because for four hundred years, there had been silence between Malachi and Matthew—no prophets or prophecy, no word, and no revelation. Heaven had not spoken.
But then on a starry night in Bethlehem, Heaven broke the silence.
Heaven tore open the curtain of time.
Heaven stepped down into history.
• “When man couldn’t get to God, God came down to man.”
• “When earth couldn’t climb up to Heaven, Heaven stooped down to earth.”
That’s the real Christmas story: WHEN HEAVEN CAME DOWN!
My brothers and my sisters, won’t you imagine with me a mighty king sitting high in his palace.
He’s surrounded by gold, servants are at his beck and call, he is clothed in robes of royalty.
He doesn’t have to lift a finger—everything is done for him.
But one day, that king hears that his people are suffering. They’re hungry, they’re hurting, and they’re hopeless.
And instead of sending a messenger, instead of writing a letter, instead of issuing a decree from afar—this king takes off his royal robe, lays aside his crown, and walks down into the village.
He eats their food, he sleeps in their houses, he feels their pain, and he shares their struggle.
Church, that’s what Jesus did at Christmas!
• He left His shiny courts of glory
• He laid aside His crown
• He wrapped Himself not in silk but in swaddling clothes
• And He came down to walk among us.
• “The King of kings became the child of a peasant family.”
• “The Lord of lords was laid in a manger.”
• “The Prince of Heaven became the baby of Bethlehem.”
And here’s the shout:
• He didn’t just come down to visit
• He came down to stay
• He came down to save
• He came down to lift us up!
Now, I know somebody here is wondering, “Pastor, why does it matter that HEAVEN CAME DOWN?”
• It matters because if Heaven had not come down, we would still be lost.
• If Heaven had not come down, we would still be bound.
• If Heaven had not come down, we would still be hopeless.
• But thanks be to God—HEAVEN CAME DOWN!
So today, I want to walk us through what it means that Heaven came down.
• We’ll see it in history—because God stepped into real time.
• We’ll see it in humanity—because the Word became flesh.
• We’ll see it in hope—because Isaiah said His name shall be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
• And we’ll see it in the heralds—because angels, shepherds, and wise men couldn’t keep quiet and keep it to themselves .
By the time we’re done, I pray you’ll leave here not just saying “Merry Christmas,” but declaring with joy: “Christmas is WHEN HEAVEN CAME DOWN!”
POINT 1: HEAVEN CAME DOWN IN HISTORY
TEXT: LUKE 2:1–14
My brothers and sisters, Luke sets the scene for us.
He doesn’t begin with fairy tales or fables—he begins with history. “AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS, THAT THERE WENT OUT A DECREE FROM CAESAR AUGUSTUS, THAT ALL THE WORLD SHOULD BE TAXED.”
Now don’t miss this:
• Caesar thought he was running the world, but God was running redemption.
• Caesar thought he was in charge, but Heaven was in control.
• While Rome was flexing its muscles, Heaven was fulfilling its mission.
Luke wants us to know that Jesus didn’t come into a myth, He came into a moment.
He didn’t step into imagination, He stepped into incarnation.
He came into real time, real space, real history.
• Bethlehem was a real town.
• Augustus was a real emperor.
• Shepherds were real men watching real sheep in real fields.
• Real places, real time, real lives.
Church, this is the shout: God works in history. He works in the details. He works in the ordinary.
Let me give you a picture, imagine a playwright writing a grand drama.
The stage is set, the lights are dimmed, the actors are waiting in the wings.
And then, at just the right moment, the playwright steps out of the audience, walks onto the stage, and becomes part of the play.
That’s what God did at Christmas!
• He wrote the story,
• He directed the scene,
• and then He stepped into the drama Himself.
• He didn’t just watch history—He entered history.
• “The Author became the Actor.”
• “The Director became the Deliverer.”
• “The Playwright became the Savior.”
And here’s what it means for us: If God can step into history back then, He can step into your history right now.
• He can step into your family drama.
• He can step into your financial struggle.
• He can step into your darkest of midnights.
Transition
So, the first thing we see is that Heaven came down in history—God stepped into time.
But not only did He step into history, He stepped into humanity. And that’s where John picks up the story:
POINT 2: HEAVEN CAME DOWN IN HUMANITY
TEXT: JOHN 1:14
John declares, “AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH, AND DWELT AMONG US, AND WE BEHELD HIS GLORY, THE GLORY AS OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH.”
Beloved, this is the heart of Christmas.
• Heaven didn’t just send a message—it sent a Man.
• Heaven didn’t just send a word—it sent THE WORD.
• Heaven didn’t just send a prophet—it sent the Son.
Think about it:
• The Infinite became an infant.
• The Creator became a creature.
• The Ancient of Days became a newborn baby.
Church, that’s the story of the incarnation:
• Divinity wrapped in humanity.
• Glory clothed in humility.
• Majesty wrapped in mortality.
• He who was rich became poor.
• He who was eternal stepped into time.
• He who was omnipotent became dependent.
And He did it for us.
Imagine a doctor in a pristine hospital, wearing a white coat, surrounded by sterile instruments, untouched by sickness.
But then that doctor hears about a community ravaged by disease.
Instead of staying in the hospital, instead of sending medicine through the mail, that doctor takes off the white coat, leaves the sterile room, and walks into the sick ward.
He breathes the same air, touches the same wounds, feels the same pain.
THAT’S WHAT JESUS DID!
• He didn’t stay in Heaven’s hospital—He came down into earth’s sick ward.
• He didn’t stay in glory—He came down into our gory.
• He didn’t stay in majesty—He came down into our misery.
• “He became what we are, so we could become what He is.”
• “He took on our flesh, so we could take on His Spirit.”
• “He walked in our shoes, so we could walk in His victory.”
And here’s the good news: because He came down in humanity, He knows what it means to be human.
• He knows hunger, because He fasted.
• He knows thirst, because He cried out, “I THIRST.”
• He knows rejection, because He was despised and rejected of men.
• He knows grief, because He wept at Lazarus’ tomb.
• He knows pain, because He was wounded for our transgressions.
So, when you cry, He understands.
When you struggle, He sympathizes.
When you hurt, He feels it.
WHEN HEAVEN CAME DOWN!
So, we’ve seen Heaven came down in history—God stepped into time.
And now we’ve seen Heaven came down in humanity—the Word became flesh.
BUT THERE’S MORE.
Isaiah tells us that Heaven came down in hope. And that’s where we’re going next:
POINT 3: HEAVEN CAME DOWN IN HOPE
TEXT: ISAIAH 9:6–7
Isaiah declares, “FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN: AND THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER: AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE.”
Beloved, this is not just poetry—it’s prophecy. This is not just a promise—it’s provision.
Isaiah was speaking to a people in darkness, a people under oppression, a people who had almost lost hope.
And into that darkness, Isaiah says: “UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN… UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN.”
Notice the hope wrapped up in His names:
• Wonderful Counselor – When you don’t know which way to turn, He guides you.
• Mighty God – When you’re weak and weary, He strengthens you.
• Everlasting Father – When you feel abandoned, He embraces you.
• Prince of Peace – When your world is in chaos, He calms you.
Church, that’s hope!... That’s assurance!... That’s Heaven coming down to meet us where we are.
Imagine a family living in a house with no electricity.
The nights are long, the darkness is heavy, and fear creeps in with every shadow.
But then one day, the power company flips the switch, and suddenly the lights come on.
The darkness flees, the fear is gone, and hope rises with the light.
That’s what Jesus did at Christmas!
• He flipped the switch in a dark world.
• He turned on the light in a hopeless situation.
• He brought hope where there was despair
• Joy where there was sorrow and
• Peace where there was chaos.
• “He is the Light that shines in darkness.”
• “He is the Hope that breaks despair.”
• “He is the Peace that calms the storm.”
And here’s the good news: the same hope that came down in Bethlehem is available right now.
• When you’re confused, He’s your Counselor.
• When you’re weak, He’s your God
• When you’re lonely, He’s your Father.
• When you’re troubled, He’s your Peace.
WHEN HEAVEN CAME DOWN!
So, we’ve seen Heaven came down in history—God stepped into time.
We’ve seen Heaven came down in humanity—the Word became flesh.
And now we’ve seen Heaven came down in hope—His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
But there’s one more thing:
Heaven came down in heralds.
• Angels announced it
• Shepherds spread it
• Wise men sought it
• And that’s the last stop on our spiritual road trip.
POINT 4: HEAVEN CAME DOWN IN HERALDS
TEXT: LUKE 2:13–17
Luke tells us, “AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS WITH THE ANGEL A MULTITUDE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST PRAISING GOD, AND SAYING, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN.”
My brothers and my sisters:
• When Heaven came down, Heaven didn’t whisper—it shouted.
• Heaven didn’t hide—it revealed.
• Heaven didn’t keep quiet—it sent heralds.
The angels were the first heralds.
They lit up the night sky with glory and sang a song that had never been sung before: “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN.”
Now don’t miss this:
• The angels could have announced judgment, because sin was rampant.
• They could have announced war, because Rome was ruling with an iron fist.
• They could have announced condemnation, because all had sinned.
But instead, they announced joy, peace, and salvation.
Why?
Because Christmas was not the day God came to destroy—it was the day God came to deliver.
WHEN HEAVEN CAME DOWN!
The shepherds were the next heralds.
They were ordinary men, considered lowly and unclean, yet God chose them to be the first evangelists.
Isn’t that just like God?
• He bypassed the palace and went to the pasture.
• He skipped the scholars and went to the shepherds.
• He ignored the elite and went to the everyday.
And when they saw the child, they couldn’t keep it to themselves—they ran to tell everybody what they had seen and heard.
WHEN HEAVEN CAME DOWN!
The wise men were heralds too.
They traveled from afar, following the star, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
They remind us that when Heaven comes down, it draws people from every nation, every background, every walk of life.
• The rich and the poor
• The high and the low
• The near and the far
• All are invited to bow before the King.
And when they bowed, their worship became their witness.
Their gifts became their gospel.
Their journey became their testimony.
WHEN HEAVEN CAME DOWN!
Imagine a family waiting for a baby to be born. The moment the baby arrives, the father runs out of the delivery room, shouting, “It’s a boy! It’s a girl!”
He calls the grandparents, he texts the friends, he posts it online.
He can’t keep it to himself—he’s got to share the good news.
That’s what happened at Christmas!
• Angels had to sing it
• Shepherds had to spread it
• Wise men had to seek it
• And now we’ve got to share it.
• “If angels could shout, surely we can praise.”
• “If shepherds could run, surely we can testify.”
• “If wise men could bow, surely we can worship.”
And here’s the good news: the heralds didn’t stop in Bethlehem.
The heralds didn’t stop with the angels, the shepherds, or the wise men.
The heralds continue today—because you and I are called to be heralds too.
GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY GHOST
We’ve got to keep telling the story that the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men told.
• We are called to announce that Jesus saves.
• We are called to spread the news that Jesus heals.
• We are called to testify that Jesus delivers.
• GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN, OVER THE HILLS AND EVERYWHERE
• GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS BORN
WHEN HEAVEN CAME DOWN!
TRANSITION TO CLOSE
So, we’ve seen Heaven come down in history…when God stepped into time.
We’ve seen Heaven come down in humanity…when the Word became flesh.
We’ve seen Heaven come down in hope—His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
And now we’ve seen Heaven come down in heralds— with the angels, shepherds, and wise men all declaring the Good News.
But before we leave, there’s one more thing we need to do:
WE NEED TO CELEBRATE.
Because Christmas is not just about Bethlehem—it’s about your heart.
And the close of this message is the shout:
HEAVEN CAME DOWN SO YOU COULD BE LIFTED UP!
CONCLUSION
Brothers and Sisters, Christmas is not just about Bethlehem—it’s about your heart. Christmas is not just about shepherds in the field—it’s about saints in the sanctuary.
Christmas is not just about angels in the sky—it’s about believers on the earth.
Christmas is the day:
• HEAVEN CAME DOWN so you could be lifted up.
• HEAVEN CAME DOWN so sin could be forgiven.
• HEAVEN CAME DOWN so death could be defeated.
• HEAVEN CAME DOWN so you could go up!
• “BORN IN BETHLEHEM…”
• “RAISED IN NAZARETH…”
• “BAPTIZED IN JORDAN…”
• “TEMPTED IN THE WILDERNESS…”
• “PREACHED IN GALILEE…”
• “CRUCIFIED ON CALVARY…”
• “BURIED IN A BORROWED TOMB…”
• “BUT EARLY SUNDAY MORNING—HEAVEN CAME DOWN AGAIN WHEN HE GOT UP WITH ALL POWER IN HIS HANDS!”
• AND BECAUSE HE GOT UP, WE CAN GET UP.
• BECAUSE HE CAME DOWN, WE CAN GO UP.
• BECAUSE HE HUMBLED HIMSELF, WE CAN BE EXALTED.
• BECAUSE HE WAS BORN, WE CAN BE BORN AGAIN.
So, when you say, “Merry Christmas,” don’t just think about trees and tinsel.
When you think about Christmas don’t just think about the presents and dinner.
• THINK about Heaven coming down.
• THINK about glory wrapped in swaddling clothes.
• THINK about majesty lying in a manger.
• THINK about salvation stepping into history.
Lift your voice with the angels: “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!”
Run with the shepherds: “LET US GO AND SEE THIS THING!”
Bow with the wise men: “WE HAVE COME TO WORSHIP HIM!”33
And don’t stop there—because the story didn’t end in Bethlehem.
THE BABY grew up into a child, and THE CHILD became a man.
THE LAMB became the LION.
THE SAVIOR became the KING.
• He healed the sick.
• He raised the dead.
• He opened blinded eyes.
• He unstopped deaf ears.
• He fed the hungry.
• He calmed the storm.
And then He went to Calvary.
He died for our sins.
He was buried in the grave.
BUT EARLY SUNDAY MORNING
HEAVEN CAME DOWN again when He rose with all power in His hands!
AND HE’S COMING BACK AGAIN
NOT THIS TIME FOR CHRISTMAS, BUT HE’S COMING FOR HIS CHURCH PURE AND IN VICTORY.
FOR THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN WITH A SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL, AND WITH THE TRUMP OF GOD: AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST
THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR: AND SO, SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD.
Christmas was Heaven coming down the first time.
The Second Coming will be Heaven coming down the final time.
And when He comes again, He won’t come as a baby in a manger—He’ll come as a King in His glory!
So now we can declare:
• “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”
• “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men!”
• “Glory to God in the highest!”
Christmas is when Heaven came down—and glory filled our souls! And one day soon, Heaven will come down again—and we shall be caught up to meet Him in the air!
