Christmas 2002

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

The Birth of Peace and Mercy

Luke 2:1-20

December 8, 2002

    ¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³And everyone went to his own town to register.
   ⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

   ⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

     ¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
    ¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

     ¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

1. Christmas is a time to glory in, not ignore, the birth of Jesus

                 Hark! The herald angels sing,

                    “Glory to the newborn King:

Luke 2:8-15

⁸And there were shepherds

⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
    ¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

2.  You can only find peace and mercy in Jesus.

          Peace on earth and mercy mild,

          God and sinners reconciled!”

Luke 2:14

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Isaiah 9:6

“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Romans 9:16

“It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.”

Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

3.  God wants us to respond to His gift of salvation

          Joyful, all ye nations rise,

          Join the triumph of the skies;

          With the angelic Host proclaim,

          “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

John 1:12

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”