WEBVTT 00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:05.329 Glad you're here this morning. 00:00:05.329 --> 00:00:09.321 We just continue to celebrate God's goodness and the opportunity we have 00:00:09.353 --> 00:00:10.289 to hang out together. 00:00:10.289 --> 00:00:12.269 And it's been a good week. 00:00:12.465 --> 00:00:19.169 We enjoyed the celebration of the things that God is doing over this past 00:00:19.217 --> 00:00:25.447 week. And I announced last week that we had our family gathering and. 00:00:25.561 --> 00:00:26.435 And all those things. 00:00:26.435 --> 00:00:29.325 So we're rolling very quickly toward 20, 00:00:29.436 --> 00:00:33.175 25. And I remember in the 80s, 00:00:33.835 --> 00:00:34.987 one of my thoughts was, 00:00:34.987 --> 00:00:37.627 is that we'd never get to this year. 00:00:37.715 --> 00:00:38.515 So welcome. 00:00:38.595 --> 00:00:39.735 Glad you're here. 00:00:40.275 --> 00:00:41.843 Glad we made it right. 00:00:41.843 --> 00:00:43.075 So anyway, 00:00:43.115 --> 00:00:45.835 a couple things just to make you kind of aware of. 00:00:45.835 --> 00:00:46.495 And indeed, 00:00:46.547 --> 00:00:48.883 the kids are going out on Sunday evenings this year. 00:00:48.883 --> 00:00:50.763 They used to do this on Wednesday evening, 00:00:50.763 --> 00:00:52.899 but they're going out caroling on Sunday evenings. 00:00:52.899 --> 00:00:55.043 And they've kind of targeted different areas. 00:00:54.747 --> 00:00:57.831 They're actually coming to my street tonight because we've got folks on 00:00:57.831 --> 00:01:01.423 our street that had once been able to attend the gathering, 00:01:01.423 --> 00:01:04.695 but now no longer able to attend because of health and stuff. 00:01:04.695 --> 00:01:08.495 And so I'm excited they're going to be on our street this evening sharing 00:01:08.495 --> 00:01:11.671 just the joy of Christmas because that's what today's message is really 00:01:11.671 --> 00:01:15.751 about. We've been walking our way through the Advent wreath and the 00:01:15.783 --> 00:01:19.695 Sundays leading up to the celebration of the birth of Christ, 00:01:19.855 --> 00:01:21.835 and really that's what Christmas is. 00:01:21.863 --> 00:01:26.745 So today's text is probably one of my favorites. 00:01:26.785 --> 00:01:27.233 I mean, 00:01:27.233 --> 00:01:29.665 I like the story of the shepherds, 00:01:29.785 --> 00:01:35.305 I like the message that we see in the shepherds accounting of Christmas. 00:01:35.465 --> 00:01:38.201 And yet I have this question that I want to read the text first, 00:01:38.201 --> 00:01:40.385 and then I'll ask all the questions I want to answer, 00:01:40.385 --> 00:01:41.433 because it's my turn. 00:01:41.433 --> 00:01:41.761 All right, 00:01:41.761 --> 00:01:42.545 here we go. 00:01:42.545 --> 00:01:44.025 Sorry. Luke 2 Luke, 00:01:44.065 --> 00:01:44.561 chapter 2, 00:01:44.593 --> 00:01:46.361 verses 8 through 20. 00:01:46.433 --> 00:01:48.083 This is how it reads. 00:01:48.815 --> 00:01:50.143 And in the same region, 00:01:50.143 --> 00:01:53.151 there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, 00:01:53.303 --> 00:01:55.711 keeping watch over their flock by night. 00:01:55.903 --> 00:01:58.743 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, 00:01:58.743 --> 00:02:01.063 and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 00:02:01.063 --> 00:02:04.359 and they were terribly frightened or sore afraid, 00:02:04.407 --> 00:02:05.595 whichever you like. 00:02:07.375 --> 00:02:08.775 And the angel said to them, 00:02:08.775 --> 00:02:09.927 don't be afraid, 00:02:10.111 --> 00:02:10.767 for behold, 00:02:10.767 --> 00:02:13.063 I bring you good news of great joy, 00:02:13.063 --> 00:02:15.605 which shall be for all the people. 00:02:15.905 --> 00:02:17.465 For today in the city of David, 00:02:17.465 --> 00:02:22.505 there has been born for you a savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:02:22.665 --> 00:02:25.305 And this will be a sign for you. 00:02:26.025 --> 00:02:30.889 You will find a baby wrapped in cloths or swaddling clothes, 00:02:30.937 --> 00:02:32.045 whichever you like, 00:02:32.345 --> 00:02:33.685 lying in a manger. 00:02:34.545 --> 00:02:39.727 Suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, 00:02:39.881 --> 00:02:41.243 praising God and saying, 00:02:41.339 --> 00:02:45.139 glory to God in the highest and on earth Peace among men with whom he's 00:02:45.139 --> 00:02:49.619 pleased. And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into 00:02:49.619 --> 00:02:52.589 heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, 00:02:52.619 --> 00:02:57.195 let us go straight to Bethlehem then and see this thing that has happened 00:02:57.195 --> 00:02:59.643 which the Lord has made known to us. 00:02:59.643 --> 00:03:02.763 And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph and the 00:03:02.763 --> 00:03:05.073 baby as he lay in the manger. 00:03:06.045 --> 00:03:07.093 When they had seen this, 00:03:07.093 --> 00:03:11.383 they made known the statement which had been told them about this child. 00:03:11.645 --> 00:03:15.229 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the 00:03:15.229 --> 00:03:17.869 shepherds. But Mary treasured up all these things, 00:03:17.909 --> 00:03:19.453 pondering them in her heart. 00:03:19.453 --> 00:03:20.589 The shepherds went back, 00:03:20.589 --> 00:03:24.357 glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, 00:03:24.357 --> 00:03:27.789 just as had been told them. 00:03:27.957 --> 00:03:28.653 All righty, 00:03:28.749 --> 00:03:29.589 let's pray together. 00:03:29.589 --> 00:03:30.249 All right. 00:03:30.309 --> 00:03:30.813 Our Father, 00:03:30.813 --> 00:03:32.005 we just bow before you, 00:03:32.005 --> 00:03:35.025 giving thanks and praise again that you've loved us. 00:03:35.465 --> 00:03:38.377 God, it's this season of the year that we really get to celebrate your 00:03:38.377 --> 00:03:39.057 love for us. 00:03:39.057 --> 00:03:41.577 And not that we don't celebrate all the time, 00:03:41.577 --> 00:03:45.593 but it just becomes very real for us when we focus our hearts and our 00:03:45.593 --> 00:03:48.805 mind and our attention on the birth of Christ. 00:03:49.505 --> 00:03:53.177 God, that you had a plan and a purpose and God, 00:03:53.201 --> 00:03:54.849 you worked out that plan. 00:03:54.849 --> 00:03:58.857 And we've been looking at it as we consider the message of the prophets, 00:03:58.857 --> 00:04:07.061 as we consider the prophetic location and how you directed everybody's 00:04:07.093 --> 00:04:10.453 attention to this place, 00:04:10.549 --> 00:04:11.693 to this manger, 00:04:11.789 --> 00:04:12.989 to this child, 00:04:13.077 --> 00:04:14.105 to Jesus, 00:04:14.685 --> 00:04:15.413 our Savior, 00:04:15.469 --> 00:04:16.861 our Lord God, 00:04:16.893 --> 00:04:21.661 we thank you that today we get to see the result, 00:04:21.773 --> 00:04:26.625 at least in these moments that Jesus brings. 00:04:26.935 --> 00:04:32.159 So God help us to recognize what you desire for us and in us. 00:04:32.207 --> 00:04:33.775 And we pray it in Jesus name, 00:04:33.775 --> 00:04:36.871 Amen. I don't know how many of you are like me. 00:04:36.871 --> 00:04:37.671 If you're old, 00:04:37.671 --> 00:04:40.715 then probably you are like me in a way. 00:04:41.495 --> 00:04:43.895 But when I read the first part of this passage, 00:04:43.895 --> 00:04:45.235 verses 8 through 14, 00:04:46.615 --> 00:04:48.715 I only hear Linus voice. 00:04:49.815 --> 00:04:51.311 Anybody with me there? 00:04:51.503 --> 00:04:52.435 You know, 00:04:52.845 --> 00:04:53.421 I mean, 00:04:53.421 --> 00:04:55.505 the whole Charlie Brown Christmas thing. 00:04:56.285 --> 00:04:59.917 And David was sharing with me this morning that when they were getting 00:04:59.917 --> 00:05:04.893 ready to sign the contracts to do the Charlie Brown cartoon Christmas 00:05:04.949 --> 00:05:05.901 special, that Charles M. 00:05:05.901 --> 00:05:11.625 Schultz said that he would not sign over the rights to the work unless 00:05:12.005 --> 00:05:15.945 the Luke passage was included in the story. 00:05:16.525 --> 00:05:17.625 How about that? 00:05:18.415 --> 00:05:20.015 But seriously, 00:05:20.175 --> 00:05:21.239 I start reading this, 00:05:21.239 --> 00:05:23.135 and all I hear is Linus. 00:05:23.135 --> 00:05:27.343 And in my mind I see this little boy with his blanket in a spotlight on a 00:05:27.343 --> 00:05:28.315 stage, right? 00:05:29.215 --> 00:05:31.655 So I love this story. 00:05:31.775 --> 00:05:36.071 Maybe there's some nostalgia to it with regard to Linus and Charlie 00:05:36.103 --> 00:05:38.195 Brown. But when we read this, 00:05:38.535 --> 00:05:44.115 there's some really large implication to what God is accomplishing 00:05:44.505 --> 00:05:49.681 through this particular episode in the announcement of the birth of 00:05:49.713 --> 00:05:50.043 Christ. 00:05:50.041 --> 00:05:52.353 And so I want us to kind of make our way through it. 00:05:52.353 --> 00:05:57.593 I went to Columbia Bible College in the 80s and Columbia Bible College's 00:05:57.649 --> 00:06:01.965 sort of motto was to know him and make him known, 00:06:02.945 --> 00:06:04.689 okay? To know him, 00:06:04.737 --> 00:06:07.633 to know Christ and to make Christ known. 00:06:07.689 --> 00:06:14.015 The idea that part of the core of who we are is to know Christ our Lord, 00:06:14.135 --> 00:06:21.055 and then to let the world know Christ through our testimony that we're 00:06:21.095 --> 00:06:22.895 supposed to be the ones to make him known. 00:06:22.895 --> 00:06:26.399 Now God has done everything that God set out to do, 00:06:26.399 --> 00:06:27.175 intended to do. 00:06:27.103 --> 00:06:27.375 I mean, 00:06:27.375 --> 00:06:30.103 God wrote the birth of Christ in the stars, 00:06:30.103 --> 00:06:32.903 and we're going to look at that through the wise men next week, 00:06:32.903 --> 00:06:36.655 okay? But God announced it all the way back in the garden. 00:06:36.655 --> 00:06:37.663 And I keep sharing this, 00:06:37.663 --> 00:06:39.063 that in the cursed sun, 00:06:39.063 --> 00:06:44.181 what we see is that God told them that there would be a time and there 00:06:44.181 --> 00:06:44.877 would be a one, 00:06:44.877 --> 00:06:48.821 there would be a seed of woman that would defeat and conquer and crush 00:06:48.821 --> 00:06:50.141 the head of Satan. 00:06:50.293 --> 00:06:51.949 So God foreshadowed, 00:06:51.997 --> 00:06:59.885 foretold, gave us the sort of plan of redemption all the way back at the 00:06:59.925 --> 00:07:05.341 fall, and then started to communicate that not just through prophetic 00:07:05.413 --> 00:07:09.773 speaking, but you start to see God move in the lives of individuals, 00:07:09.829 --> 00:07:15.471 right? You see God saving a family from the flood. 00:07:15.583 --> 00:07:20.311 And the picture that we see from Hebrews as the baptism of Noah and his 00:07:20.311 --> 00:07:21.995 family through the flood. 00:07:22.335 --> 00:07:25.635 And then you see Abraham is this sort of lonely, 00:07:25.679 --> 00:07:27.407 kind. I always impression. 00:07:27.511 --> 00:07:31.095 Get this impression of Abraham being kind of wandering in the wilderness 00:07:31.095 --> 00:07:31.755 of Ur. 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:32.647 And God goes, 00:07:32.647 --> 00:07:33.359 excuse me, 00:07:33.407 --> 00:07:35.583 I need to talk to you a minute. 00:07:35.239 --> 00:07:43.069 This idea that God has chosen a person and called him out for a covenant 00:07:43.157 --> 00:07:44.789 relationship with him, 00:07:44.957 --> 00:07:45.701 you see, 00:07:45.813 --> 00:07:48.745 and gives him instruction and direction. 00:07:49.165 --> 00:07:54.461 And God just starts working this plan together for what we celebrate at 00:07:54.493 --> 00:07:57.069 Christmastime is the birth of the Messiah, 00:07:57.197 --> 00:07:57.965 the Christ, 00:07:58.085 --> 00:07:59.333 the Anointed One, 00:07:59.429 --> 00:08:00.421 our Savior, 00:08:00.493 --> 00:08:01.085 our Lord, 00:08:01.085 --> 00:08:02.735 and all of those things. 00:08:03.205 --> 00:08:03.945 And then. 00:08:04.085 --> 00:08:05.665 And then this episode, 00:08:05.785 --> 00:08:11.585 this sort of glimpse in these verses of chapter two of Luke is very 00:08:11.665 --> 00:08:13.217 specific in my mind. 00:08:13.361 --> 00:08:13.689 I mean, 00:08:13.689 --> 00:08:15.245 Luke's a researcher, 00:08:15.585 --> 00:08:17.105 Luke's a scholar, 00:08:17.265 --> 00:08:19.033 he's an educated man. 00:08:19.209 --> 00:08:24.257 And not being a contemporary at the time of Christ's birth, 00:08:24.321 --> 00:08:25.641 he did the research. 00:08:25.809 --> 00:08:27.633 So I've heard people say, 00:08:27.649 --> 00:08:29.629 well, how did Luke know that? 00:08:30.035 --> 00:08:31.035 Well, in my mind, 00:08:31.035 --> 00:08:31.695 it's obvious. 00:08:31.739 --> 00:08:34.055 Luke had a conversation with Mary. 00:08:34.875 --> 00:08:35.699 You see, 00:08:35.827 --> 00:08:42.011 Luke did some research to discover the story so that he could write it 00:08:42.043 --> 00:08:48.067 down and that God by his spirit could Preserve the story for us so that 00:08:48.091 --> 00:08:49.059 we can read it today. 00:08:48.931 --> 00:08:49.291 And it says, 00:08:49.291 --> 00:08:50.803 and in the same region, 00:08:50.803 --> 00:08:51.907 there were some shepherds. 00:08:51.907 --> 00:08:53.963 Remember last week when we talked about Bethlehem? 00:08:53.963 --> 00:08:56.947 Bethlehem is a little town of about a thousand people a couple square 00:08:56.947 --> 00:09:00.841 miles. All around it are olive groves and vineyards and. 00:09:01.003 --> 00:09:04.963 And grain and sheep and goats and all this kind of stuff. 00:09:04.853 --> 00:09:07.005 So you got some shepherds out in the field, 00:09:07.005 --> 00:09:08.597 and they're watching over their flock. 00:09:08.597 --> 00:09:10.029 There's no street lights, 00:09:10.077 --> 00:09:10.765 you know, 00:09:10.925 --> 00:09:12.173 none of that stuff. 00:09:12.173 --> 00:09:14.277 There's shepherds and there's sheep, 00:09:14.381 --> 00:09:16.691 and sheep are doing what sheep do, 00:09:16.765 --> 00:09:18.381 and shepherds are doing what shepherds do. 00:09:18.381 --> 00:09:20.373 And they might have a little campfire right there, 00:09:20.373 --> 00:09:22.353 but then all of a sudden, 00:09:23.765 --> 00:09:26.669 boom. You know, 00:09:26.717 --> 00:09:27.279 I. 00:09:27.437 --> 00:09:33.255 Every time an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, 00:09:34.275 --> 00:09:35.739 and in my mind, 00:09:35.787 --> 00:09:36.987 it's all instantaneous. 00:09:37.051 --> 00:09:39.883 And the glory of the Lord shone around them. 00:09:39.883 --> 00:09:42.523 This is out in the fields at night, 00:09:43.315 --> 00:09:46.775 and now it's daytime, 00:09:47.515 --> 00:09:50.135 right? The glory of the Lord shines. 00:09:50.475 --> 00:09:52.731 And poor shepherds, 00:09:52.803 --> 00:09:53.631 man, you know, 00:09:53.631 --> 00:09:54.875 they're simple guys. 00:09:55.495 --> 00:09:55.911 You know, 00:09:55.911 --> 00:09:58.287 I remember one year we had a gentleman. 00:09:58.287 --> 00:10:02.895 Randy did the story of Christmas from the shepherd's perspective, 00:10:02.935 --> 00:10:04.367 and he dressed up like a shepherd, 00:10:04.367 --> 00:10:09.767 and he did the whole portrayal of the angels coming in, 00:10:09.791 --> 00:10:11.435 telling. It was cool. 00:10:12.175 --> 00:10:16.635 But the shepherds are not these complex characters. 00:10:17.415 --> 00:10:18.095 I mean, 00:10:18.215 --> 00:10:19.335 these are the guys that, 00:10:19.335 --> 00:10:21.713 yeah, they're not involved in the. 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:24.333 In the government. 00:10:24.469 --> 00:10:29.465 They're not involved in the politics or the Roman Empire stuff. 00:10:30.325 --> 00:10:31.745 They know sheep. 00:10:33.245 --> 00:10:35.185 They hang out with sheep. 00:10:35.525 --> 00:10:37.029 I've even told you, 00:10:37.157 --> 00:10:39.905 most likely they smell like sheep. 00:10:41.805 --> 00:10:43.757 They're not welcome at all. 00:10:43.781 --> 00:10:45.425 The best Christmas parties, 00:10:46.045 --> 00:10:48.585 right? They're not included, 00:10:48.925 --> 00:10:49.453 you know, 00:10:49.453 --> 00:10:52.423 in the social events of the towns and cities. 00:10:53.085 --> 00:10:54.825 They hang out with sheep. 00:10:56.205 --> 00:10:57.745 But on this night, 00:10:58.565 --> 00:11:03.665 God met with these guys out in their field. 00:11:04.885 --> 00:11:07.837 See, the glory of the Lord shone around them. 00:11:07.837 --> 00:11:08.665 Of course, 00:11:09.005 --> 00:11:11.465 they were terribly frightened, 00:11:13.125 --> 00:11:14.317 but the angel said, 00:11:14.317 --> 00:11:15.865 don't. Don't be afraid, 00:11:17.445 --> 00:11:23.665 for I'm here to tell you the most important thing. 00:11:25.565 --> 00:11:26.385 I mean. 00:11:27.045 --> 00:11:27.645 And I mean, 00:11:27.645 --> 00:11:28.005 go ahead, 00:11:28.005 --> 00:11:28.995 read into it. 00:11:28.869 --> 00:11:34.865 God sent me to give you a message. 00:11:36.045 --> 00:11:38.025 That's what we hear in this. 00:11:38.525 --> 00:11:41.989 God sent me to give you a message. 00:11:42.037 --> 00:11:42.621 And so the. 00:11:42.621 --> 00:11:45.077 So the shepherds are trembling and fear. 00:11:45.141 --> 00:11:46.581 And he says, 00:11:46.613 --> 00:11:50.305 I bring you good news of great joy, 00:11:51.565 --> 00:11:54.465 which shall be for all the people. 00:11:55.125 --> 00:11:57.357 That the good news is for everybody, 00:11:57.357 --> 00:11:59.185 y'all. Okay? 00:12:00.165 --> 00:12:05.425 The great joy that comes with the good news is for everybody. 00:12:06.565 --> 00:12:09.865 That's why when I read that particular verse right there, 00:12:10.195 --> 00:12:11.931 for somebody to come up and tell me, 00:12:11.931 --> 00:12:16.051 well, God didn't mean for the good news to be for every person. 00:12:15.395 --> 00:12:16.615 Excuse me, 00:12:18.235 --> 00:12:22.525 I think he does mean for the good news to be for everybody. 00:12:23.435 --> 00:12:26.779 Okay, for today in the city of David, 00:12:26.827 --> 00:12:31.315 there has been born for you a savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:12:31.355 --> 00:12:32.931 And this will be a sign for you. 00:12:32.931 --> 00:12:33.203 All right, 00:12:33.203 --> 00:12:34.203 so what do we have? 00:12:34.203 --> 00:12:35.853 We have this idea that. 00:12:35.667 --> 00:12:39.155 That God is making Christ known, 00:12:40.055 --> 00:12:44.595 right? He's announcing the birth of Jesus. 00:12:45.175 --> 00:12:48.315 Yeshua, God is salvation. 00:12:49.575 --> 00:12:55.191 God is announcing the birth of the Savior, 00:12:55.263 --> 00:12:56.143 our salvation. 00:12:56.239 --> 00:12:57.007 Okay. 00:12:57.191 --> 00:12:57.583 All right, 00:12:57.583 --> 00:13:00.623 so it's good news for everyone. 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:02.901 And. And as we walk this out, 00:13:02.901 --> 00:13:08.837 we're starting to see that the shepherds understand what God's done for 00:13:08.861 --> 00:13:11.141 them. Here's the challenge for you today. 00:13:11.141 --> 00:13:12.429 I want to go ahead and give it to you. 00:13:12.285 --> 00:13:13.973 This is the first time for the morning. 00:13:13.973 --> 00:13:16.165 I get to do this four times this morning. 00:13:16.165 --> 00:13:17.229 But here's the challenge. 00:13:17.229 --> 00:13:25.465 Do you understand the responsibility of God making Christ known to you? 00:13:28.095 --> 00:13:30.635 You understand the responsibility of that? 00:13:31.175 --> 00:13:35.115 Is it just because God wanted you to have fire insurance? 00:13:37.215 --> 00:13:38.155 You see, 00:13:38.615 --> 00:13:45.155 God has entrusted to us the good news of great joy. 00:13:46.415 --> 00:13:47.875 It's like a report. 00:13:48.255 --> 00:13:49.335 I've told y'all before. 00:13:49.335 --> 00:13:50.423 I don't like watching news. 00:13:50.423 --> 00:13:57.537 I read headlines just because I like to keep up with some kind of aspect 00:13:57.601 --> 00:13:58.921 of what's going on. 00:13:58.841 --> 00:14:01.305 But I don't watch a lot of news. 00:14:01.305 --> 00:14:03.417 I don't read a lot of the. 00:14:03.417 --> 00:14:05.201 I might read the first couple of lines and go, 00:14:05.201 --> 00:14:06.201 eh, you know, 00:14:06.233 --> 00:14:07.481 that kind of thing. 00:14:07.481 --> 00:14:12.561 But think about the report that the angels were entrusted with to the 00:14:12.593 --> 00:14:13.905 shepherds. Can you imagine? 00:14:13.665 --> 00:14:14.937 The selfish angel, 00:14:15.081 --> 00:14:15.529 Forgive me, 00:14:15.529 --> 00:14:16.433 I'm going to go there. 00:14:16.433 --> 00:14:17.265 But here you go. 00:14:17.265 --> 00:14:18.845 The selfish angel goes, 00:14:19.515 --> 00:14:24.215 God, why do I have to go tell the shepherds they smell bad, 00:14:25.235 --> 00:14:26.851 right? God, 00:14:26.923 --> 00:14:29.563 can't you let me go to the palace? 00:14:30.475 --> 00:14:34.075 God, can't you let me go to the door? 00:14:34.235 --> 00:14:36.545 That big pretty house on the corner, 00:14:37.355 --> 00:14:39.995 right? Y'all know where I'm going with this. 00:14:41.195 --> 00:14:46.513 See, God sent the angels because angels are messengers. 00:14:46.569 --> 00:14:47.697 That's what it means. 00:14:47.697 --> 00:14:52.565 God sent the angels to make the report to the shepherds, 00:14:52.985 --> 00:14:58.045 one of the lowest levels of the society at the time. 00:14:58.545 --> 00:15:00.855 And the angel shows up and I, 00:15:01.065 --> 00:15:03.329 in my mind and understand, 00:15:03.497 --> 00:15:04.765 I'm visually, 00:15:05.465 --> 00:15:05.985 you know, 00:15:05.985 --> 00:15:06.537 kind of. 00:15:06.537 --> 00:15:07.033 I'm thinking, 00:15:07.033 --> 00:15:08.921 the angel sitting there poking at the fire, 00:15:08.921 --> 00:15:11.241 got a little campfire there because it's out in the. 00:15:11.241 --> 00:15:13.895 Out in the fields and they're poking at the fire and all of a sudden, 00:15:13.895 --> 00:15:19.315 pow. The glory of the Lord and an angel standing before them, 00:15:19.735 --> 00:15:21.055 right? And I'm going, 00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:21.795 pow. 00:15:23.615 --> 00:15:24.395 I mean, 00:15:24.775 --> 00:15:26.135 that would be my Response, 00:15:26.135 --> 00:15:27.063 I don't know about you. 00:15:27.063 --> 00:15:27.735 I mean, 00:15:27.895 --> 00:15:28.567 you know. 00:15:28.671 --> 00:15:30.095 And then the angel goes, 00:15:30.095 --> 00:15:30.479 whoa, whoa, 00:15:30.479 --> 00:15:30.719 whoa, whoa, 00:15:30.719 --> 00:15:31.223 whoa. Wait a minute. 00:15:31.223 --> 00:15:32.213 Don't be afraid. 00:15:33.175 --> 00:15:37.035 Wait till you hear what I get to tell you about. 00:15:37.855 --> 00:15:39.903 Isn't that the coolest thing? 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:42.887 Wow. And then he says, 00:15:43.031 --> 00:15:50.751 guys, now why would the angels tell the shepherds how to find Jesus 00:15:50.903 --> 00:15:56.115 unless the intent was for the shepherds to go find Jesus? 00:15:57.215 --> 00:15:58.447 Isn't that cool? 00:15:58.591 --> 00:16:01.615 And this will be a sign for you when you realize, 00:16:01.615 --> 00:16:03.495 get up off the ground and realize, 00:16:03.495 --> 00:16:05.783 you got to go find this kid. 00:16:05.783 --> 00:16:08.175 Right? Sign for you. 00:16:08.215 --> 00:16:11.791 You'll find the baby wrapped in these cloths, 00:16:11.823 --> 00:16:13.399 this tightly wrapped, 00:16:13.447 --> 00:16:17.475 swaddled thing lying in a hay trough. 00:16:20.695 --> 00:16:22.487 Suddenly, there. 00:16:22.631 --> 00:16:24.423 The whole choir showed up at that point, 00:16:24.423 --> 00:16:27.175 y'all. Suddenly there appeared with the angel, 00:16:27.215 --> 00:16:28.679 a multitude of the heavenly host, 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:29.999 praising God and saying, 00:16:30.007 --> 00:16:33.445 glory to God in the highest and on earth, 00:16:33.525 --> 00:16:36.053 peace among men with whom he is pleased. 00:16:36.053 --> 00:16:38.229 Now, I know this is not the King James translation, 00:16:38.229 --> 00:16:39.877 but when you get into translating, 00:16:39.877 --> 00:16:43.065 remember, God's very specific about these things. 00:16:43.685 --> 00:16:44.245 You see, 00:16:44.245 --> 00:16:49.465 God is announcing his gift to all mankind. 00:16:50.565 --> 00:16:52.215 But here's what we know. 00:16:52.765 --> 00:16:55.075 Not everyone's going to receive the gift. 00:16:56.175 --> 00:16:59.145 Not everyone's going to receive it and take it, 00:16:59.575 --> 00:17:03.155 okay? But those who do, 00:17:04.415 --> 00:17:05.595 please God. 00:17:06.495 --> 00:17:07.435 See that? 00:17:08.015 --> 00:17:08.671 And it says, 00:17:08.671 --> 00:17:11.623 and it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, 00:17:11.623 --> 00:17:14.119 that the shepherds began saying to one another, 00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:19.351 let us go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened 00:17:19.383 --> 00:17:21.439 which the Lord has made known to us. 00:17:21.439 --> 00:17:24.075 See, the angels did their job. 00:17:24.935 --> 00:17:28.235 The angels did what God had instructed them to do. 00:17:28.311 --> 00:17:30.983 The angels came and shared their report. 00:17:31.159 --> 00:17:31.819 All right, 00:17:31.935 --> 00:17:32.755 you know, 00:17:33.415 --> 00:17:35.247 you almost see the news clicker going, 00:17:35.247 --> 00:17:35.831 all right, 00:17:35.831 --> 00:17:37.415 here's the latest news, 00:17:37.495 --> 00:17:38.195 guys. 00:17:39.255 --> 00:17:40.795 Christ is born. 00:17:41.415 --> 00:17:42.415 And the angels were like, 00:17:42.415 --> 00:17:42.767 all right, 00:17:42.767 --> 00:17:44.727 fine, no dilly dally now. 00:17:44.911 --> 00:17:47.195 Let's off to Bethlehem right now. 00:17:48.385 --> 00:17:49.129 You know, 00:17:49.257 --> 00:17:52.369 then there are those of us who have a little OCD after our names ago. 00:17:52.369 --> 00:17:54.205 But what about the sheep? 00:17:55.305 --> 00:17:56.205 Guess what? 00:17:56.545 --> 00:17:57.485 Guess what? 00:17:58.625 --> 00:18:00.257 With this news, 00:18:00.401 --> 00:18:02.965 the sheep are not the priority, 00:18:03.665 --> 00:18:04.605 okay? 00:18:06.905 --> 00:18:07.725 I mean, 00:18:08.265 --> 00:18:11.121 probably the sheep don't belong to the shepherds anyway, 00:18:11.121 --> 00:18:13.205 okay? They're just tenders. 00:18:13.875 --> 00:18:16.575 They're just out there taken care of. 00:18:17.715 --> 00:18:22.227 But the message that was delivered to the shepherds was of supreme 00:18:22.291 --> 00:18:28.251 importance. Let's go right now to Bethlehem and see this thing which the 00:18:28.283 --> 00:18:30.827 Lord has made known to us. 00:18:30.971 --> 00:18:33.115 Now, I want you to see that in there, 00:18:33.115 --> 00:18:34.891 that little prepositional thing there. 00:18:35.043 --> 00:18:42.183 That God had an intent and a purpose and prioritized us to get this 00:18:42.239 --> 00:18:44.395 message, right. 00:18:45.895 --> 00:18:46.887 Those shepherds, 00:18:46.991 --> 00:18:48.903 the stinky lowly, 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.903 low class, 00:18:49.999 --> 00:18:51.279 not invited to the party. 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:55.275 Shepherds got an invitation from God to come to the party, 00:18:56.215 --> 00:18:57.711 Okay? I mean, 00:18:57.743 --> 00:18:59.835 that's a big deal right there. 00:19:01.015 --> 00:19:02.665 And they came in haste. 00:19:03.975 --> 00:19:05.015 Can't you just see, 00:19:05.015 --> 00:19:05.279 you know, 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:07.589 a group of shepherds running through Bethlehem. 00:19:09.085 --> 00:19:09.565 I mean, 00:19:09.565 --> 00:19:10.349 picture it. 00:19:10.477 --> 00:19:11.429 I want to. 00:19:11.429 --> 00:19:12.621 It's got to be real. 00:19:12.405 --> 00:19:15.509 It's not just the story that we see in the Charlie Brown Christmas thing, 00:19:15.509 --> 00:19:17.301 okay? This is real. 00:19:17.413 --> 00:19:19.573 Shepherds are running into town. 00:19:19.629 --> 00:19:21.597 They found their way to Mary and Joseph. 00:19:21.597 --> 00:19:23.247 Remember, there's not that many. 00:19:23.013 --> 00:19:26.581 They're not like multiple hotels in town. 00:19:26.653 --> 00:19:28.797 They're these caravan stopovers. 00:19:28.901 --> 00:19:32.501 And they find their way to Mary and Joseph and the baby as he lay in the 00:19:32.501 --> 00:19:34.945 manger. And when they had seen this, 00:19:35.265 --> 00:19:36.605 what did they do? 00:19:37.145 --> 00:19:37.729 All right, 00:19:37.729 --> 00:19:39.379 back to the sheep fellas. 00:19:39.585 --> 00:19:46.169 No, because they knew that what they had seen was of supreme importance 00:19:46.217 --> 00:19:47.325 and priority. 00:19:48.145 --> 00:19:53.725 They made known the statement which had been told them about this child. 00:19:55.185 --> 00:19:57.073 And all who heard it now remember, 00:19:57.073 --> 00:19:58.445 Bethlehem's crowded. 00:19:59.105 --> 00:20:00.525 There's a group there. 00:20:01.935 --> 00:20:06.303 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the 00:20:06.303 --> 00:20:07.115 shepherds. 00:20:07.775 --> 00:20:11.015 But Mary treasured up all these things, 00:20:11.095 --> 00:20:12.745 pondering them in her heart. 00:20:13.615 --> 00:20:18.479 And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all that they 00:20:18.527 --> 00:20:19.847 had heard and seen, 00:20:19.951 --> 00:20:21.955 just as had been told them. 00:20:23.015 --> 00:20:24.195 Make him known. 00:20:25.335 --> 00:20:30.285 See, Christ's birth is good news. 00:20:31.785 --> 00:20:32.457 You know, 00:20:32.561 --> 00:20:36.817 Paul very succinctly defines the gospel as the death, 00:20:36.881 --> 00:20:38.531 burial and resurrection of Christ. 00:20:38.417 --> 00:20:41.645 Well, you don't get to that without the birth, 00:20:42.705 --> 00:20:44.217 the birth of Jesus, 00:20:44.321 --> 00:20:45.929 the birth of the Christ, 00:20:45.929 --> 00:20:47.409 the birth of the Messiah, 00:20:47.409 --> 00:20:49.085 the anointed one of God. 00:20:49.545 --> 00:20:55.651 And here is a people group that have been conditioned and prepared for 00:20:55.683 --> 00:21:02.995 this for centuries at this point to anticipate and expect this Savior, 00:21:03.075 --> 00:21:05.419 the God is salvation. 00:21:05.507 --> 00:21:10.419 Yeshua. The whole idea that the anticipation of it and these lowly 00:21:10.467 --> 00:21:14.347 shepherds who have resigned themselves to this low place in life, 00:21:14.491 --> 00:21:18.643 this place of the only thing that's important about them is that they 00:21:18.643 --> 00:21:20.095 keep the sheep alive. 00:21:21.355 --> 00:21:24.335 And yet God said, 00:21:24.875 --> 00:21:28.615 I want you guys to know my salvation. 00:21:30.235 --> 00:21:30.955 Oh, man, 00:21:30.995 --> 00:21:32.975 that gives me chills right there. 00:21:34.035 --> 00:21:37.267 Because I remember the first time somebody. 00:21:37.451 --> 00:21:38.111 You know, 00:21:38.115 --> 00:21:41.619 I remember my Sunday school teachers at Cali Self Memorial Baptist 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:45.915 Church. I remember those little ladies in the nursery. 00:21:45.955 --> 00:21:46.747 I knew them later. 00:21:46.635 --> 00:21:48.363 I didn't know them when they were changing my diaper, 00:21:48.363 --> 00:21:51.055 but I did know them later in life. 00:21:51.885 --> 00:21:52.533 You know, 00:21:52.533 --> 00:21:55.357 they were also the cooks on our youth retreats. 00:21:55.357 --> 00:21:56.101 You know, 00:21:56.253 --> 00:21:57.933 I didn't think about it until I was an adult, 00:21:57.933 --> 00:21:58.597 but I thought about it. 00:21:58.597 --> 00:21:58.925 I Thought, 00:21:58.925 --> 00:21:59.149 you know, 00:21:59.149 --> 00:22:02.901 when they're in there serving our breakfast at the retreat centers and 00:22:02.901 --> 00:22:03.533 that sort of thing. 00:22:03.533 --> 00:22:07.813 And then it came to mind to me that these are the same ladies that kept 00:22:07.813 --> 00:22:09.133 me in the nursery, 00:22:09.565 --> 00:22:10.305 right? 00:22:11.125 --> 00:22:12.397 But you know what they were doing, 00:22:12.397 --> 00:22:17.105 right? They were sharing and showing me the love of God. 00:22:17.655 --> 00:22:19.559 They were my Sunday school teachers. 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:23.407 They were probably some of the first ones that ever read this passage of 00:22:23.407 --> 00:22:24.555 scripture to me. 00:22:25.215 --> 00:22:25.955 Why? 00:22:27.455 --> 00:22:29.875 Because God had given it to them. 00:22:31.255 --> 00:22:35.635 God had shared his love with them through the birth of Christ. 00:22:36.015 --> 00:22:40.271 And they took it upon themselves to share it with other people and 00:22:40.271 --> 00:22:48.395 children. They did what God expected them to do in making the report and 00:22:48.435 --> 00:22:50.455 announcing the birth of Jesus. 00:22:52.315 --> 00:22:53.355 It's a joy, 00:22:53.475 --> 00:22:54.795 joy to the world. 00:22:54.707 --> 00:23:00.635 I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people. 00:23:00.795 --> 00:23:02.147 It's joy to the world. 00:23:02.147 --> 00:23:03.499 And then I love down here it says, 00:23:03.499 --> 00:23:08.371 and the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all that they 00:23:08.403 --> 00:23:11.439 had heard and rejoicing. 00:23:11.607 --> 00:23:16.247 This is why the Advent wreath and the anticipation of things. 00:23:16.351 --> 00:23:21.503 We start out with the prophets and the promise of God for hope and 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:25.583 salvation and life and God's presence and God's love. 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:28.609 Emmanuel. And we see all that and we go, 00:23:28.895 --> 00:23:33.185 God had a purpose and a plan and he brought it to be. 00:23:33.655 --> 00:23:36.055 And now we see the announcement of it. 00:23:36.055 --> 00:23:39.355 And angels show up with the shepherds and they go, 00:23:39.431 --> 00:23:40.675 pay attention. 00:23:42.775 --> 00:23:48.623 Okay. People have been asking me about Christmas Eve worship gatherings. 00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:49.675 We have two. 00:23:50.415 --> 00:23:52.155 We do one at 5:30. 00:23:53.175 --> 00:23:58.623 If you have any opportunity to choose, 00:23:58.679 --> 00:24:04.915 I would Recommend you choose 7:00 because 5:30 is going to be packed. 00:24:05.215 --> 00:24:06.275 Here's why. 00:24:07.015 --> 00:24:13.355 Families with children come in early so they can go do other things. 00:24:14.175 --> 00:24:16.485 7 o'clock is a little more laid back, 00:24:16.735 --> 00:24:18.595 a little more relaxed. 00:24:18.975 --> 00:24:19.839 But here's what. 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:23.155 And I love what the announcement video says. 00:24:24.055 --> 00:24:24.703 You know, 00:24:24.703 --> 00:24:28.663 there's a lot going on in the world around us right now. 00:24:29.175 --> 00:24:35.985 Particularly important that on Christmas Eve we hear what God wants to 00:24:36.025 --> 00:24:38.537 say. Better than that, 00:24:38.601 --> 00:24:40.681 we hear what God has said. 00:24:40.753 --> 00:24:42.733 Listen to this line right here. 00:24:44.305 --> 00:24:49.245 Glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, 00:24:49.705 --> 00:24:52.685 just as had been told them, 00:24:54.305 --> 00:24:55.045 right? 00:24:56.355 --> 00:24:59.255 I think Christmas Eve worship gatherings are cool. 00:24:59.995 --> 00:25:02.491 First church that I was in outside of seminary, 00:25:02.491 --> 00:25:04.141 we didn't do Christmas Eve. 00:25:06.875 --> 00:25:08.211 I could tell you stories, 00:25:08.211 --> 00:25:08.683 but anyway, 00:25:08.683 --> 00:25:09.455 I won't. 00:25:10.355 --> 00:25:13.587 But then when I went to be a pastor in Maryland, 00:25:13.587 --> 00:25:18.203 I did Christmas Eve every Christmas because I think on Christmas Eve it 00:25:18.219 --> 00:25:29.013 is particularly special opportunity to focus on why Christmas is about 00:25:29.069 --> 00:25:31.117 Jesus. Okay, 00:25:31.301 --> 00:25:33.669 Now I love opening a good toy too. 00:25:33.669 --> 00:25:34.861 Right? I mean, 00:25:34.893 --> 00:25:35.625 I do, 00:25:36.125 --> 00:25:38.105 but that's not what it's about. 00:25:38.885 --> 00:25:41.585 And it's important for us. 00:25:44.085 --> 00:25:52.387 It's important for us to let the world see what's important to us about 00:25:52.451 --> 00:25:54.175 Christmas. Okay? 00:25:54.795 --> 00:25:55.575 All right. 00:25:56.955 --> 00:25:58.815 So now here's the responsibility. 00:26:01.275 --> 00:26:04.015 Satan loves to steal God's stuff. 00:26:06.155 --> 00:26:07.755 Okay? He loves. 00:26:07.875 --> 00:26:09.027 Thief comes to steal, 00:26:09.027 --> 00:26:10.215 kill and destroy. 00:26:10.715 --> 00:26:13.135 Satan loves to steal God's stuff. 00:26:13.885 --> 00:26:17.277 And if we simply allow this season, 00:26:17.381 --> 00:26:18.785 this celebration, 00:26:19.805 --> 00:26:25.385 to be about anything less than the birth of Jesus. 00:26:26.405 --> 00:26:28.285 I'm not saying don't get together with your family. 00:26:28.285 --> 00:26:29.645 I'm not saying don't buy presents. 00:26:29.645 --> 00:26:32.545 I'm not saying don't sing Jingle Bells. 00:26:33.165 --> 00:26:38.115 But what I am saying is make sure Jesus is in the middle of it. 00:26:38.285 --> 00:26:43.525 To let it become less than that is to allow Satan to steal God's purpose, 00:26:43.605 --> 00:26:44.785 plan, and design. 00:26:46.085 --> 00:26:53.885 And it gives you the opportunity to let others know why Christmas is 00:26:53.925 --> 00:26:54.505 important. 00:26:56.645 --> 00:26:59.397 So when it comes to the Advent wreath, 00:26:59.501 --> 00:27:03.905 we first light the candle of the prophets, 00:27:04.605 --> 00:27:06.549 which is the candle of hope. 00:27:06.549 --> 00:27:12.855 God announced his hope for centuries before the birth of Jesus. 00:27:13.435 --> 00:27:15.347 We like the candle of Bethlehem, 00:27:15.347 --> 00:27:17.667 which is the cannel of peace. 00:27:17.771 --> 00:27:19.939 O little town of Bethlehem, 00:27:20.107 --> 00:27:22.403 how still we see thee lie. 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.555 It's not scripture, 00:27:23.555 --> 00:27:25.691 but it rings in the head for some reason, 00:27:25.691 --> 00:27:26.347 right? 00:27:26.531 --> 00:27:27.995 The peace of God, 00:27:28.115 --> 00:27:29.083 Christ, Jesus, 00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:30.055 he said, 00:27:30.355 --> 00:27:33.055 my peace I leave you. 00:27:33.395 --> 00:27:37.185 Not peace like the world gives peace, 00:27:37.225 --> 00:27:38.875 that comes from the Father. 00:27:41.065 --> 00:27:46.725 Those of you who practiced Advent during your life growing up, 00:27:47.225 --> 00:27:50.545 how many of you had a pink candle in your wreath? 00:27:50.545 --> 00:27:51.825 Did all right? 00:27:51.985 --> 00:27:52.561 You know why? 00:27:52.561 --> 00:27:53.417 The pink candle, 00:27:53.417 --> 00:27:55.857 I said last week you got the purple ones. 00:27:55.857 --> 00:27:59.873 Because a lot of the announcement of the birth of Christ was to the upper 00:27:59.873 --> 00:28:01.971 class, was to the royalty, 00:28:02.043 --> 00:28:03.091 to the kings, 00:28:03.283 --> 00:28:04.935 to the wise men, 00:28:05.515 --> 00:28:06.075 you know, 00:28:06.075 --> 00:28:07.123 to the magi, 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.379 all that sort of thing, 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:08.975 right? 00:28:09.755 --> 00:28:12.539 I'm going to call them wise guys all next Sunday, 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:15.055 y'all. So you know, 00:28:15.715 --> 00:28:20.295 anyway. But the royalty reflects Christ's kingship. 00:28:21.755 --> 00:28:25.295 Candle to the shepherds was the candle of simplicity, 00:28:26.245 --> 00:28:31.461 the candle that God's announcement was not just to a certain class of 00:28:31.493 --> 00:28:34.905 people, but it was an announcement to all the people. 00:28:35.285 --> 00:28:38.397 And that's why God sent angels to tell shepherds. 00:28:38.581 --> 00:28:41.221 So we light that candle of the shepherds. 00:28:41.645 --> 00:28:44.461 It's a pink candle in some traditions, 00:28:44.533 --> 00:28:47.085 and the one I like to keep up here, 00:28:47.085 --> 00:28:50.945 because God meant for all the world to know. 00:28:51.405 --> 00:28:56.035 And now it's our responsibility to go and tell, 00:28:56.375 --> 00:28:58.703 okay? If you don't know Jesus, 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.071 guess what? 00:28:59.071 --> 00:29:01.051 You don't have anything to tell. 00:29:01.935 --> 00:29:04.245 So we want you to know Jesus. 00:29:04.415 --> 00:29:05.655 We want you to meet him. 00:29:05.655 --> 00:29:06.727 If you haven't met him. 00:29:06.727 --> 00:29:08.271 We'd love to introduce you. 00:29:08.271 --> 00:29:09.679 We'd love to tell you about him. 00:29:09.511 --> 00:29:10.903 We'd love to tell you the hope, 00:29:10.903 --> 00:29:11.695 the promise, 00:29:11.815 --> 00:29:12.631 the life, 00:29:12.783 --> 00:29:15.615 the love that God has offered in his son. 00:29:15.615 --> 00:29:17.903 We're going to sing a song in just a minute. 00:29:17.903 --> 00:29:19.695 I'm going to invite you to respond to God, 00:29:19.695 --> 00:29:20.599 not to me. 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.759 If you don't know Jesus, 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:24.639 please be the first one to come down here and we'll pray together. 00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:26.087 I'll introduce you. 00:29:26.271 --> 00:29:28.279 Maybe you got something else you want to pray about. 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.743 I'll be right here to pray with you. 00:29:29.743 --> 00:29:32.015 Or turn to somebody next to you in the room somewhere, 00:29:32.015 --> 00:29:32.607 grab somebody, 00:29:32.607 --> 00:29:33.967 go. Will you pray with me? 00:29:33.967 --> 00:29:34.455 That's fine, 00:29:34.455 --> 00:29:34.785 too. 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.431 All right, 00:29:35.583 --> 00:29:37.035 just pray with somebody. 00:29:37.815 --> 00:29:38.847 But more than anything, 00:29:38.847 --> 00:29:41.631 let's just praise God like the shepherds did on their way back to the 00:29:41.631 --> 00:29:44.927 sheep. Here we go back to the dark field, 00:29:45.071 --> 00:29:46.965 the campfire and sheep. 00:29:47.345 --> 00:29:49.325 But what a night it's been. 00:29:50.345 --> 00:29:51.005 Let's pray. 00:29:50.945 --> 00:29:53.665 God, thank you for today and for your love for us. 00:29:53.665 --> 00:29:54.193 And thank you, 00:29:54.193 --> 00:29:57.285 God, that we can celebrate your love. 00:29:57.825 --> 00:30:01.205 God, we can celebrate Christmas because we have the reason. 00:30:02.025 --> 00:30:05.165 God, we've got the message. 00:30:05.905 --> 00:30:08.113 We've received the salvation, 00:30:08.209 --> 00:30:09.405 the Savior. 00:30:10.105 --> 00:30:10.673 So God, 00:30:10.673 --> 00:30:13.617 let us have joy in this season because that's what the. 00:30:13.617 --> 00:30:15.217 The shepherds did. 00:30:15.281 --> 00:30:17.245 They went back rejoicing. 00:30:17.905 --> 00:30:18.505 So God, 00:30:18.505 --> 00:30:25.281 let us show the world our joy as we make Jesus known in our lives to 00:30:25.313 --> 00:30:26.033 those around us. 00:30:26.033 --> 00:30:28.343 And we pray it in Jesus name. 00:30:28.585 --> 00:30:33.073 God, we want to praise you now and we thank you for the opportunity. 00:30:33.073 --> 00:30:33.345 Amen.