The Sermon Christmas Eve 2015 by David McGee
Dec 24, 2015
Christmas Eve 2015 (19:40)
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Well I've been sick. This is probably the best I've been in three weeks three days. So it's been a difficult couple of days. But as we think about Christmas and especially Christmas Eve. I know there are a number of things that are special to us. You know. I was like that the youth convention. And good Friday. They would have the. Candlelight service. You know. And you know you have four or five thousand people seven thousand people with candle light candles and they lit. The. It was just a beautiful feeling a beautiful evening. And I often think of for ourselves. Me. The like that shines in our life and. The light. Is Christ and how that Christ has. Christ has been this light to our lives. And is we think about. As I think about the. Coming of Christmas and. The coming of the new year. I think of it in the context of how can we be encouraging what gifts of encouragement. Could we give to the people around us. How that we could be bearers of good tidings. Bearers of things that would bring great joy and. We we look at life sometimes and I don't know how many times we see it but we see the. The negative the. Bad. You know. We all you do is watch the news at night for an hour and a half you can see every crime that was committed. Round the world. Not every crime but the biggest the worst of them and. It just seems to be like there's no is there any good going on in the world and. And the reality of that is yes. There is a lot of good. Going on in the world. There's a lot of good happening around us and. I think that wants us to be bearers of joy. He wants us to be the good. Bears of. Of of good tidings. And that. The good tidings that we have is founded in our relationship with Christ and how that is not out of control. You know the world is not out of control ISIS is in control of the. The outcome of the world I remember they. Way back in the cold war. For it we would hear about how the Berlin. And how the the Russians in the mosque how that somebody got their finger on the nuclear bombs and they're going to start a nuclear war and. You know still has the world. In his hand. And is still in control of all things and whenever it's his time it will be done. And when it's not his time it won't happen until then. So until I often think of it in that we look at the end of life. You know way out there the end of life wherever it is. And when the end of life is here. We're going home to heaven has forgiven us of our sins has taken care of everything. And when it's all said and done 's will create a new having a new or to thaw going to be a wonderful place and everything is good. So it's all good out there why can't we come back to where we're at today. And recognize that we are safe and we are at peace with . And we are peace with our fellow man. And that the peace. That Jesus Christ came to give that is that where peace on earth goodwill toward men. And this. Peace on earth is something that we are to possess in our hearts. That we are to possess that we are to be at peace. The. I heard a guy the other day. If I can remember the quote it said. I was talking about humility but it's kind of like a determined humility. Determined humility and. We don't think of those words as going together. Then to determine there's a determination inside of us that is birth by the Spirit of that. That. We are here on a mission we are here for a purpose and determined humility I think that's. That's what Jesus is. He is that determined humility determined to accomplish the will of the Father. And yet. Humble and how that he. He presents it and how that he he works into the lives of other people and so if we think of how the is with us now. Then it is a determined humility. That he's not going to come into our life with a ball bat and say you know. Straighten up or else. He's going to come with His grace and His mercy. And he's on the come to us to encourage our hearts. To bring hope and peace. The story behind joy to the world. You know this is one of those songs that we've sung I've saying. Not very well. But I sung. Have sung. I've sung I saying. I'm singing. Almost sounds like elf. I'm singing. I'm not singing. So. But I have this Christmas Carol I want to read. I want to read. The outline of joy to the world here. No Christmas carol list. Would be complete without the exuberant celebration song of joy to the world. This lively tune is essentially memorized and simple to play. As an instrument but. Do you know that the interesting story behind this well beloved him. Isaac Watson sixteen seventy four to seven hundred forty eight so it's an old one. Author of about seven hundred fifty songs. Is commonly called the father of him. Due to his popular. Popularity as the first English him writer and a few of his most well known songs. Still saying are sung today and. Which include. Come ye that love the Lord. And when I survey the wondrous cross. At the cross. And the topic of today's post. Is Joy to the world. Isaac Watts' was a young man when hymns. Other than. Psalms were allowed to be sung in the Church of England. This gave way to Watts developing many beloved songs and what still based many of his songs on the Psalms. But he was especially interested in writing a hymn based on the Christian experience. Joy to the world was written in seventeen nineteen. Based on Psalm ninety eight. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. All the earth. Make a loud noise and rejoice. Sing praise sing out to the Lord with the heart and with the heart and with the voice of a psalm with trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord the King. Let the sea roar and the fullness thereof. The world and they that while they are in let the floods. Clap their hands let the hills be joyful together before the Lord for he come of to judge the earth with righteousness shall he judge the world. And the people with equal equity. If you notice the lyrics of the song joy to the world. You will see nothing about shepherds manger wise men. Angels or any other character are element that we commonly ociate with a Christmas story. The reason behind that. Isaac watch did not write. GEORGE to the world to be a Christmas song. The original theme of the song was the second coming of the Lord. Christmas. Won't always be a joyful time. But when Jesus comes back even the rocks will sing. So over one hundred years later an eight hundred thirty nine all Mason. Adapted the arrangement the song. Into a melody. Many believe to have been written by Handel in my research the guy who wrote this song. This this. This information here. He says I have not been able to establish when or why this him became ociated with Christmas. Certainly we can look at the message and. In the in the song and see that it. Apply to Christ appearance as a babe in the Bethlehem. We must prepare room for him. In our hearts and lives. This is a joyous occasion. So as you hear the singing. Of this beloved Carol. Think about the words. Yes. They apply to the Christmas story and that the Lord has come. Boyce. But let the lyrics also point to the reason Jesus came to save the world. Be ready because he is coming again. What a glorious day that will be. When the whole earth. Celebrates his appearing. So as we think of joy to the world. The Lord has come. You know we're just like we ociate I've always ociated with all dread the Lord of the world the Lord has come. Let the earth receiver Cain with you know think of the manger think of Bethlehem think of all these types of things. But none of them. None of those are mentioned in the song. There's nothing about shepherds and wi and things like that. It's all about referring to Jesus coming back again. And it is important that we celebrate the birth of Christ. And then the birth of Christ was not celebrated until. Many centuries later. It was the resurrection of Christ it was always celebrated and. So we have the resurrection of Christ which brings to us the hope of eternal life which gives to us that peace of . That p es all understanding and. In Nehemiah. Chapter eight verse ten it says. Go home and prepare a feast. Holiday food and drink. And share it with those who don't have anything. This is the day. This. This day is a holy day to . Don't feel bad. The joy of is your strength. So whenever we start. I think of writing. This. This message this evening. I was thinking of joy. And I was thinking of encouragement. And how many times throughout the script. Yours are the two of them. Put together. That if you. If you look out Joy. You find that it is almost always in. In the framework of something being given. And how that has brought something into your life and. We have here Nehemiah does it. And Bill ations Paul writes about it. He says But what happens when we live 's way. He brings gifts. Into our lives. That when we live 's way he brings gifts into our lives. So as we again think about Christmas. And the coming. Of Christmas morning with all of the. Gifts and so on we find that. It is a place were gifts. Are part of what we do. Giving of gifts and if you haven't bought the right gifts. It's too late. You know. You know. I've I shopped early this year is about three o'clock this afternoon. So. But. I was going to the mountain. Bum some. Off of. Some of you and say yeah everything special that Rhonda would like. Can you bring that to church tonight and wrap it in this kind of paper. But when you think of joy to the world when you think of joy and peace and. And presence of 's presence. Not gifts under the tree but the presence of . What do you think of. I mean what. What is your most joyful. Christmas experience. You know. What is your most joyful Chris. Experience. Anyone have one. And you might have a joyful Christmas experience. And then there's all been humbugs for us to know on your pens that has Jesus like the way. You know. But any other any other. Mid memorable. Christmas. Experiences. I remember as a kid we used that we had to live the to Vittie and. We had the truck you know the farm in the rocks from the back of the truck so we could haul animals and we hauled the donkey and. He was a little stubborn at times to come down the sidewalk when we're trying to reciting a Christmas story and we're going to. Mary and Joseph and. I don't remember it intently I just remember trying to pull that stupid donkey down the street. You know. So. It wouldn't cooperate. So I mean anyone else. And the other. And you know. Memorable Christmas. Doesn't have to be church things you know. Years. I don't know why. Whenever I grew up in church. We never had a Christmas Eve service. We just never had one. We always had. New Year's Eve services. But we never had a Christmas Eve service. So it wasn't till just a few years ago. I don't know how long ago but. That we started having our Christmas Eve service here. And. It's been an important part of what we do. Anyone else. You know any other special. Memorable moments of Christmas Eve Christmas. Yes. Yeah you got to target good. I didn't. Oh OK. Yeah. So we see that. Everybody has a special. And I'm sure you have a special. You know. You have a special one we just but. You see encouragement is that we are to remember the good things. We are and we are to remember the good things and we are to encourage. Ourselves. In the Lord. And to encourage ourselves in our faith and encourage. And to find that. We have this humility that just doesn't give up. THIS THIS THIS THIS. Tenaciousness this. Stubbornness. A few cool. Would call it that. Digging our heels in or whatever you want to say that our faith in and that are our belief in what is doing and what he wants to do in our life. Isn't over yet. It isn't over yet still has a place a plan and a purpose for our lives and. And he is going to. What happens when got when we live 's way he brings gifts into our lives. You know. And. There are a lot of gifts going to be coming into your lives. Some more than others. In the next twenty four hours or so. But the gifts that gives to us. Won't become obsolete in a few hours or in a few years. The gifts that brings into our lives. Are gifts that he has given us to given to us. To bring courage and strength. To our lives that we can be encourage. Encourage others to others. So as we. You know. As we think about. People around us and. Lives that we can interact with. We think of ways to help them to believe that is there with us. And the joy of the Lord is our strength. And that no matter what happens. is going to see us through this. And is going to give us the gifts and as we approach the ending of one year in the beginning of a new one. We're looking at how their god is going to use us. Again. Afresh in a new. To take us on word from here to where he wants us to be a min. Well read the Christmas story. Luke Chapter two. And this one is that an Ivy Sunday I read it in the King James. But in those days Caesar Augustus. Issued a decree than a census should be taken to the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while choir Ennius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth and Galilee to Judea. To Bethlehem. The town of David because he belonged to the House and the line of David. He went there to register with Mary who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. And while they were there the time came for the baby to be born. And she gave birth to her first born. A son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed them in the manger because there was no room. Available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby keeping watch over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. And they were terrified. But the angel said to them Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah. The Lord. This will be a sign to you you will find the baby wrapped in clothes and lying in the manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising and saying. Glory to in the highest heavens. And on earth peace. To those whom his favor rests. And when the Angels had left him and gone into heaven the shepherd said to one another. Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened. Which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him they spread word concerning what had been told to them. About this child. And all who heard it were amazed that what the shepherd said on to them. But Mary treasured up. All these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned glorifying and praising for all the things they had heard and seen. Which were just as they had been told. So it's our understanding of the Christmas story. And there are so many other things in those verses. But. came to encourage us. That there is hope. There is a messiah. There is a way to be restored. There's a peace that gives. And there's a joy. That he has in our hearts. So it was to stand you in the saying do. With to want to get the. I would. Whenever we. Light the candles. The one that's lit. Is held this way. The one it's being lit comes in from the side. That way you don't drip. Wax all over everything. So. Just remember that while light a candle and will p it around. And it's a symbol of how that the light of works in our lives. And that Jesus lights our path and. All the darkness in the world. Cannot extinguish the light. Of one candle.Well I've been sick. This is probably the best I've been in three weeks three days. So it's been a difficult couple of days. But as we think about Christmas and especially Christmas Eve. I know there are a number of things that are special to us. You know. I was like that the youth convention. And good Friday. They would have the. Candlelight service. You know. And you know you have four or five thousand people seven thousand people with candle light candles and they lit. The. It was just a beautiful feeling a beautiful evening. And I often think of for ourselves. Me. The like that shines in our life and. The light. Is Christ and how that Christ has. Christ has been this light to our lives. And is we think about. As I think about the. Coming of Christmas and. The coming of the new year. I think of it in the context of how can we be encouraging what gifts of encouragement. Could we give to the people around us. How that we could be bearers of good tidings. Bearers of things that would bring great joy and. We we look at life sometimes and I don't know how many times we see it but we see the. The negative the. Bad. You know. We all you do is watch the news at night for an hour and a half you can see every crime that was committed. Round the world. Not every crime but the biggest the worst of them and. It just seems to be like there's no is there any good going on in the world and. And the reality of that is yes. There is a lot of good. Going on in the world. There's a lot of good happening around us and. I think that wants us to be bearers of joy. He wants us to be the good. Bears of. Of of good tidings. And that. The good tidings that we have is founded in our relationship with Christ and how that is not out of control. You know the world is not out of control ISIS is in control of the. The outcome of the world I remember they. Way back in the cold war. For it we would hear about how the Berlin. And how the the Russians in the mosque how that somebody got their finger on the nuclear bombs and they're going to start a nuclear war and. You know still has the world. In his hand. And is still in control of all things and whenever it's his time it will be done. And when it's not his time it won't happen until then. So until I often think of it in that we look at the end of life. You know way out there the end of life wherever it is. And when the end of life is here. We're going home to heaven has forgiven us of our sins has taken care of everything. And when it's all said and done 's will create a new having a new or to thaw going to be a wonderful place and everything is good. So it's all good out there why can't we come back to where we're at today. And recognize that we are safe and we are at peace with . And we are peace with our fellow man. And that the peace. That Jesus Christ came to give that is that where peace on earth goodwill toward men. And this. Peace on earth is something that we are to possess in our hearts. That we are to possess that we are to be at peace. The. I heard a guy the other day. If I can remember the quote it said. I was talking about humility but it's kind of like a determined humility. Determined humility and. We don't think of those words as going together. Then to determine there's a determination inside of us that is birth by the Spirit of that. That. We are here on a mission we are here for a purpose and determined humility I think that's. That's what Jesus is. He is that determined humility determined to accomplish the will of the Father. And yet. Humble and how that he. He presents it and how that he he works into the lives of other people and so if we think of how the is with us now. Then it is a determined humility. That he's not going to come into our life with a ball bat and say you know. Straighten up or else. He's going to come with His grace and His mercy. And he's on the come to us to encourage our hearts. To bring hope and peace. The story behind joy to the world. You know this is one of those songs that we've sung I've saying. Not very well. But I sung. Have sung. I've sung I saying. I'm singing. Almost sounds like elf. I'm singing. I'm not singing. So. But I have this Christmas Carol I want to read. I want to read. The outline of joy to the world here. No Christmas carol list. Would be complete without the exuberant celebration song of joy to the world. This lively tune is essentially memorized and simple to play. As an instrument but. Do you know that the interesting story behind this well beloved him. Isaac Watson sixteen seventy four to seven hundred forty eight so it's an old one. Author of about seven hundred fifty songs. Is commonly called the father of him. Due to his popular. Popularity as the first English him writer and a few of his most well known songs. Still saying are sung today and. Which include. Come ye that love the Lord. And when I survey the wondrous cross. At the cross. And the topic of today's post. Is Joy to the world. Isaac Watts' was a young man when hymns. Other than. Psalms were allowed to be sung in the Church of England. This gave way to Watts developing many beloved songs and what still based many of his songs on the Psalms. But he was especially interested in writing a hymn based on the Christian experience. Joy to the world was written in seventeen nineteen. Based on Psalm ninety eight. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. All the earth. Make a loud noise and rejoice. Sing praise sing out to the Lord with the heart and with the heart and with the voice of a psalm with trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord the King. Let the sea roar and the fullness thereof. The world and they that while they are in let the floods. Clap their hands let the hills be joyful together before the Lord for he come of to judge the earth with righteousness shall he judge the world. And the people with equal equity. If you notice the lyrics of the song joy to the world. You will see nothing about shepherds manger wise men. Angels or any other character are element that we commonly ociate with a Christmas story. The reason behind that. Isaac watch did not write. GEORGE to the world to be a Christmas song. The original theme of the song was the second coming of the Lord. Christmas. Won't always be a joyful time. But when Jesus comes back even the rocks will sing. So over one hundred years later an eight hundred thirty nine all Mason. Adapted the arrangement the song. Into a melody. Many believe to have been written by Handel in my research the guy who wrote this song. This this. This information here. He says I have not been able to establish when or why this him became ociated with Christmas. Certainly we can look at the message and. In the in the song and see that it. Apply to Christ appearance as a babe in the Bethlehem. We must prepare room for him. In our hearts and lives. This is a joyous occasion. So as you hear the singing. Of this beloved Carol. Think about the words. Yes. They apply to the Christmas story and that the Lord has come. Boyce. But let the lyrics also point to the reason Jesus came to save the world. Be ready because he is coming again. What a glorious day that will be. When the whole earth. Celebrates his appearing. So as we think of joy to the world. The Lord has come. You know we're just like we ociate I've always ociated with all dread the Lord of the world the Lord has come. Let the earth receiver Cain with you know think of the manger think of Bethlehem think of all these types of things. But none of them. None of those are mentioned in the song. There's nothing about shepherds and wi and things like that. It's all about referring to Jesus coming back again. And it is important that we celebrate the birth of Christ. And then the birth of Christ was not celebrated until. Many centuries later. It was the resurrection of Christ it was always celebrated and. So we have the resurrection of Christ which brings to us the hope of eternal life which gives to us that peace of . That p es all understanding and. In Nehemiah. Chapter eight verse ten it says. Go home and prepare a feast. Holiday food and drink. And share it with those who don't have anything. This is the day. This. This day is a holy day to . Don't feel bad. The joy of is your strength. So whenever we start. I think of writing. This. This message this evening. I was thinking of joy. And I was thinking of encouragement. And how many times throughout the script. Yours are the two of them. Put together. That if you. If you look out Joy. You find that it is almost always in. In the framework of something being given. And how that has brought something into your life and. We have here Nehemiah does it. And Bill ations Paul writes about it. He says But what happens when we live 's way. He brings gifts. Into our lives. That when we live 's way he brings gifts into our lives. So as we again think about Christmas. And the coming. Of Christmas morning with all of the. Gifts and so on we find that. It is a place were gifts. Are part of what we do. Giving of gifts and if you haven't bought the right gifts. It's too late. You know. You know. I've I shopped early this year is about three o'clock this afternoon. So. But. I was going to the mountain. Bum some. Off of. Some of you and say yeah everything special that Rhonda would like. Can you bring that to church tonight and wrap it in this kind of paper. But when you think of joy to the world when you think of joy and peace and. And presence of 's presence. Not gifts under the tree but the presence of . What do you think of. I mean what. What is your most joyful. Christmas experience. You know. What is your most joyful Chris. Experience. Anyone have one. And you might have a joyful Christmas experience. And then there's all been humbugs for us to know on your pens that has Jesus like the way. You know. But any other any other. Mid memorable. Christmas. Experiences. I remember as a kid we used that we had to live the to Vittie and. We had the truck you know the farm in the rocks from the back of the truck so we could haul animals and we hauled the donkey and. He was a little stubborn at times to come down the sidewalk when we're trying to reciting a Christmas story and we're going to. Mary and Joseph and. I don't remember it intently I just remember trying to pull that stupid donkey down the street. You know. So. It wouldn't cooperate. So I mean anyone else. And the other. And you know. Memorable Christmas. Doesn't have to be church things you know. Years. I don't know why. Whenever I grew up in church. We never had a Christmas Eve service. We just never had one. We always had. New Year's Eve services. But we never had a Christmas Eve service. So it wasn't till just a few years ago. I don't know how long ago but. That we started having our Christmas Eve service here. And. It's been an important part of what we do. Anyone else. You know any other special. Memorable moments of Christmas Eve Christmas. Yes. Yeah you got to target good. I didn't. Oh OK. Yeah. So we see that. Everybody has a special. And I'm sure you have a special. You know. You have a special one we just but. You see encouragement is that we are to remember the good things. We are and we are to remember the good things and we are to encourage. Ourselves. In the Lord. And to encourage ourselves in our faith and encourage. And to find that. We have this humility that just doesn't give up. THIS THIS THIS THIS. Tenaciousness this. Stubbornness. A few cool. Would call it that. Digging our heels in or whatever you want to say that our faith in and that are our belief in what is doing and what he wants to do in our life. Isn't over yet. It isn't over yet still has a place a plan and a purpose for our lives and. And he is going to. What happens when got when we live 's way he brings gifts into our lives. You know. And. There are a lot of gifts going to be coming into your lives. Some more than others. In the next twenty four hours or so. But the gifts that gives to us. Won't become obsolete in a few hours or in a few years. The gifts that brings into our lives. Are gifts that he has given us to given to us. To bring courage and strength. To our lives that we can be encourage. Encourage others to others. So as we. You know. As we think about. People around us and. Lives that we can interact with. We think of ways to help them to believe that is there with us. And the joy of the Lord is our strength. And that no matter what happens. is going to see us through this. And is going to give us the gifts and as we approach the ending of one year in the beginning of a new one. We're looking at how their god is going to use us. Again. Afresh in a new. To take us on word from here to where he wants us to be a min. Well read the Christmas story. Luke Chapter two. And this one is that an Ivy Sunday I read it in the King James. But in those days Caesar Augustus. Issued a decree than a census should be taken to the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while choir Ennius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth and Galilee to Judea. To Bethlehem. The town of David because he belonged to the House and the line of David. He went there to register with Mary who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. And while they were there the time came for the baby to be born. And she gave birth to her first born. A son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed them in the manger because there was no room. Available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby keeping watch over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. And they were terrified. But the angel said to them Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah. The Lord. This will be a sign to you you will find the baby wrapped in clothes and lying in the manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising and saying. Glory to in the highest heavens. And on earth peace. To those whom his favor rests. And when the Angels had left him and gone into heaven the shepherd said to one another. Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened. Which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him they spread word concerning what had been told to them. About this child. And all who heard it were amazed that what the shepherd said on to them. But Mary treasured up. All these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned glorifying and praising for all the things they had heard and seen. Which were just as they had been told. So it's our understanding of the Christmas story. And there are so many other things in those verses. But. came to encourage us. That there is hope. There is a messiah. There is a way to be restored. There's a peace that gives. And there's a joy. That he has in our hearts. So it was to stand you in the saying do. With to want to get the. I would. Whenever we. Light the candles. The one that's lit. Is held this way. The one it's being lit comes in from the side. That way you don't drip. Wax all over everything. So. Just remember that while light a candle and will p it around. And it's a symbol of how that the light of works in our lives. And that Jesus lights our path and. All the darkness in the world. Cannot extinguish the light. Of one candle.