The Joy Of Christmas

THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:8-20

I. WHAT THEY SAW

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

A. THAT MOMENT WAS UNFORGETTABLE.

1. While watching their sheep…

2. They witnessed something spectacular.

A. An angel appeared.

B. An army of angels.

B. THEIR MESSAGE WAS UNMISTAKABLE.

1. It was a song of praise.

2. It was a song of peace.

II. WHAT THEY SAID

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

A. WITHOUT DOUBT.

“See this thing which is come to pass.”

B. WITHOUT DISSENT

“Let us go”

C. WITHOUT DELAY

“Let us now go”

III. WHAT THEY SHARED

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

A. THE THINGS THEY HAD ENCOUNTER.

1. They saw Joseph and Mary.

A. They found them to be honest.

B. They found them to be humble.

2. They saw Jesus in the manger.

A. He was God’s Son

B. He was God sent.

B. THE THINGS THEY HAD EXPERIENCED.

1. Joy was felt.

2. Joy was full