Luke 2 features the Christmas story. The central message is this: "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord," (v. 11).
There was THE NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS, "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night," (v. 8). The darkness of sin engulfed the world. It was a world in desperate need of God's Light.
So, came THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS, "And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them," (v. 9a). The radiance of God's glory broke into the night. What would Christmas be without light? We see lights on the tree, sparkling from decorations, and candles flickering in the windows. The True Light was come into the world--shining from a stable.
Yet, there was THE FRIGHT OF CHRISTMAS, "and they were greatly afraid," (v. 9b). Holy angels appeared--and these shepherds were terrified. These men knew that such beings were typically bringing judgment.
But, this would give way to THE DELIGHT OF CHRISTMAS,
"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
'Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'" (v. 10-14).
Good news was brought instead of bad news. Great joy was promised rather than fearful judgment.
The story moves to THE FLIGHT OF CHRISTMAS, "So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they came with haste..." (v. 15-16a). The shepherds did not delay. They would not be detoured. They dashed to the stable! Christmas is an exciting time! Those who come to Jesus for salvation best not delay! Those who know Christ and desire to worship Him should do so with haste!
There was THE SIGHT OF CHRISTMAS, "and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them." (v. 16b-20). Oh, what a sight--a virgin, Mary, had given birth, a peasant carpenter, Joseph, would care for the King of Glory, and the Babe--Infinite now an infant, not on a throne but in a manger! It was astonishing--and still is! Charles Wesley put it,
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th'angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin's womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th'incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"
Yours with Good News,
Dennis Thurman, AMS
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