Christmas Eve Service, 7 PM Central Time, 2018
Springdale, Arkansas
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
Hymn #81 O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is
The First Gospel
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
KJV Isaiah 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. 9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
The Place of Jesus’ Birth
KJV Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Hymn# 102 O Come All Ye Faithful
KJV Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Virgin Birth
KJV Isaiah 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.
Incarnation
KJV Isaiah 9:6 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Hymn#109 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
KJV Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 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.
Sermon –
I was thinking about the human nature of Christ as the most significant aspect of Christmas. A baby's photos began appearing in my flip-phone: Alice Rose, born on Christmas Eve, 2018.
We cannot go back, erasing our thoughts of God before the Incarnation. But could anyone in ancient times imagine that God would reveal Himself as True God and True Man, Two Natures in One Person?
That is why this was carefully taught in the Old Testament and believed as much as anyone could. How do we believe something we have not seen and experienced? Doubtless a lot was filled in, but there were many markers so that when Jesus began His public ministry, the voice of one crying in the wilderness was recognized as the final sign.
They were not weighed down by rationalism, but many religions made their claims, leaving many dissatisfied because they were being treated to falsehoods, myths, and degradation in the name of religion. The modern followers of the occult are no different. Some come out of the darkness and blindness, but many do not.
Those people believed in the divine, as most people do today, but God becoming man? That was a complete change, so we can see Christianity as the only one where God became man, just as it is the only religion where God gives to man rather than man appeasing God.
The purpose is clear. The concept of God transcends anything we can think or imagine. But God in the flesh in the form, shape, and reality as a baby - that is a wonder we can grasp. We can explain that to children.
One of the worst members in another congregation never came to church, except for the Christmas pageant. He said, "Now don't get me wrong, pastor. You are an adult and you get paid to say those things. But hearing the Christmas story from a child - that goes right to me." He was always there, taking it in, not the best example in many ways, but he believed those words coming from children.
The world had thousands of years to believe the Old Testament, centuries to hear it in the Greek Septuagint, the world language. But they heard it best in from God Incarnate.
Most importantly, Jesus taught we must believe as a child. And that is where we can see the divide between false and sound doctrine. False doctrine requires a clever mind to fashion and put across to others. Denying infant faith or denying forgiveness through faith, that takes intellectual effort and big-boy words.
But Christianity is best expressed and transmitted with the vivid examples from Creation, parables from Jesus.
Jesus said, "You must believe as a child." This is a terrible sticking point for those who value their great intellectual standards. But what troubles them most is that - over time - the Word converts them if given a listen.
We do not belong to an institution but to God's own family. God becoming man means that He identifies even more with us that we can identify with Him.
2. He whom the sea
And wind obey
Doth come to serve the sinner in great
meekness.
Thou, God's own Son,
With us art one,
Dost join us and our children in our
weakness. P. Gerhardt, TLH 81.
7. Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
Soft and sweet, Doth entreat:
"Flee from woe and danger.
Brethren, from all ills that grieve you
You are feed; All you need
I will surely give you." P. Gerhardt TLH 77.
Those verses remind us that Gerhardt was a children's tutor for years and learn to frame his lessons in words that children can grasp and take to heart. If children can, so can adults.
So God became flesh that so the youngest children could grasp the Gospel message and believe it, having that foundation for their future.
Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luther:
8. The Evangelist shows how, when they arrived at Bethlehem, they were the most insignificant and despised, so that they had to make way for others until they were obliged to take refuge in a stable, to share with the cattle, lodging, table, bed chamber and bed, while many a wicked man sat at the head in the hotels and was honored as lord. No one noticed or was conscious of what God was doing in that stable. He lets the large houses and costly apartments remain empty, lets their inhabitants eat, drink and be merry; but this comfort and treasure are hidden from them. O what a dark night this was for Bethlehem, that was not conscious of that glorious light!
See how God shows that he utterly disregards what the world is, has or desires; and furthermore, that the world shows how little it knows or notices what God is, has and does.
9. See, this is the first picture with which Christ puts the world to shame and exposes all it does and knows. It shows that the world’s greatest wisdom is foolishness, her best actions are wrong and her greatest treasures are misfortunes. What had Bethlehem when it did not have Christ? What have they now who at that time had enough? What do Joseph and Mary lack now, although at that time they had no room to sleep comfortably?
All of the world events had to come together for this to happen, for the taxing to draw Joseph and Mary back to Bethlehem, the city of David.
God Incarnate was born in history, in a particular time, with signs and events that marked His birth, though it was not in the way one would expect for a great monarch.
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
All the conditions had to be followed from the Old Testament. The people expected the Son of David, but the great Promises were revealed to ordinary shepherds, not to the rulers and religious leaders.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
In Luke's Gospel, we have two verses to describe the birth of the Messiah. But the rationalists have used one and even two thick volumes to deny His Virgin Birth, His divinity, miracles, and of course - His teaching. That remains true today - volumes to attack the truth, which is revealed in a few, easy to read verses.
God entrusted the disciple Jesus loved - John - to transmit the most important material about Christ. So the modernists pounced on the Fourth Gospel to say it was clearly unreliable, because it quotes Jesus saying everyone should trust in Him for forgiveness and salvation. John's Gospel had to be late, centuries later, another message altogether than the message of Jesus. And yet, the Fourth Gospel is clearly early (manuscript evidence) and reliable in geography (more evidence) and in its language (even more evidence).
Luke was proven correct in a trivial detail used to mock the precision of Luke. So Luke was correct the critics were wrong. Nevermind - unbelievers remain unbelievers. Evidence does not convert. The Gospel converts. They could have the captain's log of Noah's Ark, notarized, and they would remain unconvinced of the Flood.
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.
God's unusual method of working among us is shown in the revelation of His Son - as a baby - first to the ordinary working people of the time, the shepherds. I have asked children, "Why a baby?" They all agree - "No one is afraid of a baby." A newborn is helpless in the normal sense of the word, but is already full of intelligence and gathering information constantly. We had to tell young parents that babies respond and learn when talked to. It is far beyond that. I test my theories at Walmart. Babies are always scanning for new information and friendly faces. It only takes a few smiles and looks for a baby to think, "A friend!" And it works in all ethnic groups. One family's baby responded to my faces by smiling and showing her parents I was doing that, like she was telling on me.
Newborns are adorable, as my Army Ranger neighbor said. He talked on and on about small children. So the Savior came to us in that form. When His public ministry began, He attracted people of all kinds by His gracious and welcoming attitude. Who is to say that even those seldom seen members, who have so many grudges against the institution, might be drawn by the same graciousness?
So the Savior is revealed to ordinary people and hidden from the great, mighty, and wise who feel no need for divine wisdom and forgiveness of sin.
Luther:
36. Therefore the Gospel properly apprehended, is a supernatural sermon and light which makes known Christ only. This is pointed out first of all by the fact that it was not a man that made it known to others, but that an angel came down from heaven and made known to the shepherds the birth of Jesus, while no human being knew any thing about it.
37. In the second place it is pointed out by the fact that Christ was born at midnight, by which he indicates that all the world is in darkness as to its future and that Christ can not be known by mere reason, but that knowledge concerning him must be revealed from heaven.
38. In the third place, it is shown by the light that shined around the shepherds, which teaches that here there must be an entirely different light than that of human reason. Moreover, when St. Luke says, Gloria Dei, the glory of God, shone around them, he calls that light a brightness, or the glory of God. Why does he say that? In order to call attention to the mystery and reveal the character of the Gospel. For while the Gospel is a heavenly light that teaches nothing more than Christ, in whom God’s grace is given to us and all human merit is entirely cast aside, it exalts only the glory of God, so that henceforth no one may be able to boast of his own power; but must give God the glory, that it is of his love and goodness alone that we are saved through Christ.
See, the divine honor, the divine glory, is the light in the Gospel, which shines around us from heaven through the apostles and their followers who preach the Gospel. The angel here was in the place of all the preachers of the Gospel, and the shepherds in the place of all the hearers, as we shall see. For this reason the Gospel can tolerate no other teaching besides its own; for the teaching of men is earthly light and human glory; it exalt the honor and praise of men, and makes souls to glory in their own works; while the Gospel glories in Christ, in God’s grace and goodness, and teaches us to boast of and confide in Christ.
Hymn # 646 Silent Night
Heavenly Host
Luke 2:13 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. 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. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
The Prayers and Benediction
Hymns # 87 Joy to the World
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| Norma A. Boeckler |
