Participants: Billy Blackwood
Series Code: 3CS
Program Code: 3CS000003A
00:01 And suddenly there was with the angel
00:02 a multitude of the heavenly host 00:04 praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, 00:08 and on earth peace, good will toward men. 00:14 Celebrate this special season by worshipping 00:17 our Savior and King as we bring you 00:20 Christmas with Billy Blackwood. 00:28 Hark! the herald angels sing 00:32 "Glory to the newborn king" 00:37 Peace on earth, and mercy mild 00:41 God and sinners reconciled 00:46 Joyful all ye nations rise 00:50 Join the triumph of the skies 00:54 With angelic host proclaim 00:59 "Christ is born in Bethlehem" 01:03 Hark! the herald angels sing 01:08 "Glory to the newborn king!" 01:30 Christ, by highest heaven adored 01:34 Christ the everlasting Lord 01:39 Late in time behold him come 01:43 Offspring of a virgin's womb 01:47 Veiled in flesh, the God had seen 01:52 Hail the incarnate deity 01:56 Pleased, as man with men to dwell 02:01 Jesus, our Emmanuel 02:05 Hark! the herald angels sing 02:09 "Glory to the newborn king!" 02:28 Hail the heaven born prince of peace 02:34 Hail the son of righteousness 02:41 Light and life to all he brings 02:47 Risen with healing in his wings 02:54 Mild he lays his glory by 03:00 Born that may no more they die 03:05 Born to raise us son's on earth 03:11 Born to give us second birth 03:18 Hark! The herald angels sing, 03:24 "Glory to the new born King!" 03:46 I'm dreaming 03:50 Of a white Christmas 03:56 Just like the ones I used to know 04:04 Where the treetops glisten 04:09 and children listen 04:14 To hear sleigh bells in the snow 04:24 I'm dreaming 04:27 Of a white Christmas 04:34 With every Christmas card I write 04:41 May your days be merry and bright! 04:51 And may all your Christmases be white 05:01 I'm dreaming 05:04 Of a white Christmas 05:11 Just like the ones I used to know 05:18 Where the treetops glisten 05:24 and children listen 05:28 To hear sleigh bells in the snow 05:38 I'm dreaming 05:42 Of a white Christmas 05:48 With every Christmas card I write 05:56 May your days be merry and bright! 06:05 And may all your Christmases be white 06:40 Angels we have heard on high 06:44 Sweetly swinging o'er the plains 06:48 And the mountains in reply 06:52 Echoing their joyous strains! 06:56 Gloria 07:04 In excelsis Deo 07:08 Gloria 07:16 In excelsis Deo 07:28 Come to Bethlehem and see 07:32 Him whose birth the angels sing 07:36 Come, adore on bended knee 07:40 Christ the Lord, the newborn King 07:44 Gloria 07:52 in excelsis Deo 07:56 Gloria 08:04 in excelsis Deo 08:10 In excelsis Deo 08:25 Well, you've probably ever heard angels 08:27 we've heard of hike quite like that but I promise you, 08:29 you won't forget it. 08:31 You know we get that story from Luke's gospel. 08:33 He tells the story of Christ birth, 08:35 and I'm just gonna read that 08:37 and you can follow along with me in Luke Chapter 2 08:39 if you want to. 08:41 It's interesting to me 08:43 how the news was disseminated that night 08:45 how the shepherds knew, 08:46 the angels knew, the wise men knew 08:50 and obviously Mary knew. 08:54 But we read that story and we find that 08:57 God was up to something very miraculous. 09:01 In Luke Chapter 2, it reads, 09:06 "And it came to pass in those days, 09:07 that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus 09:09 that all the world should be registered. 09:12 This since this first took place 09:14 while Quirinius was governing Syria. 09:16 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 09:19 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, 09:22 out of the city of Nazareth, 09:23 into Judea, to the city of David, 09:25 which is called Bethlehem, 09:26 because he was of the house and lineage of David, 09:28 to be registered with Mary, 09:30 his betrothed wife who was with child. 09:33 So it was that while they were there, 09:35 the days were completed for her to be delivered. 09:38 And she brought forth her firstborn son 09:40 and wrapped him in swaddling clothes 09:42 and laid him in a manger, 09:43 because there was no room for them in the inn. 09:47 Now they were in the same country 09:48 shepherds living out in the field, 09:50 keeping watch over their flock by night. 09:52 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, 09:54 and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 09:56 and they were greatly afraid. 09:58 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, 10:02 I bring you good tidings of great joy 10:04 which will be to all people. 10:06 For there is born to you this day 10:07 in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 10:13 And this will be a sign to you: 10:14 you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes 10:17 lying in a manger. 10:19 And suddenly there was a great host with the angel, 10:22 a multitude singing and praising God saying, 10:25 "Glory to God in the highest, 10:28 and on earth peace, good will toward men." 10:34 You know, we have such a treasure of carols, 10:38 of Christmas carols to tell the story of Christ's birth. 10:43 Most of us have grown up singing them. 10:48 I wonder if we thought about the songs 10:52 that that were born that night. 10:54 Obviously, the song we just sang 10:57 "Angels we have heard on high. 10:58 Sweetly singing o'er the plains, 11:00 Gloria Gloria in excelsis Deo," 11:02 which is Latin for Glory to God in the highest. 11:05 And the songs that have been written since that night 11:08 to tell the story, there are hundreds of them. 11:11 All sharing a facet of that beautiful old story. 11:16 of that first Christmas night, that first Noel. 11:21 This is one of my favorite old carols. 11:23 I hope you enjoy it too. 11:34 The First Noel 11:38 The angel did say 11:42 Was to certain poor shepherds 11:47 In fields as they lay 11:51 In fields where they 11:55 Lay keeping their sheep 11:59 On a cold winter's night 12:04 That was so deep 12:08 Noel, Noel, 12:12 Noel, Noel 12:17 Born is the King of Israel 12:27 And then they looked 12:31 And saw a star 12:35 Shining in the east beyond 12:42 Them far 12:44 And to the earth 12:48 It gave great light 12:52 And so it continued 12:57 Both day and night 13:01 Noel, Noel, 13:05 Noel, Noel 13:10 Born is the King of Israel 13:20 Then let us all 13:25 With one accord 13:29 Sing praises 13:32 To our heavenly Lord 13:38 That hath made heaven 13:42 And earth of naught 13:46 And with his blood 13:51 Mankind has bought 13:55 Noel, Noel, 14:00 Noel, Noel 14:05 Born is the King 14:08 Of Israel 14:13 Noel, Noel, 14:17 Noel, Noel 14:22 Born is the King 14:26 Of Israel 14:39 It came upon 14:44 The midnight clear 14:48 That glorious song of old 14:56 From angels bending 15:00 Near the earth 15:04 To touch their harps of gold! 15:12 Peace on the earth, 15:15 Good will to men 15:20 From heaven's all gracious King! 15:28 The world in solemn 15:32 Stillness lay 15:36 To hear the angels sing 15:52 And ye beneath 15:56 Life's crushing load 16:00 Whose forms are bending low 16:09 Who toil along 16:13 The climbing way 16:17 With painful steps 16:21 And slow 16:25 Look now 16:27 For glad and golden hours 16:33 Come swiftly on the wing 16:41 Oh rest beside 16:45 The weary road 16:49 And hear 16:51 The angels sing 17:06 For lo! The days 17:10 Are hastening on 17:14 By prophet seen of old 17:22 When with the ever-circling years 17:30 Shall come the time foretold 17:38 When the new heaven 17:42 And earth shall own 17:46 The Prince of Peace 17:51 Their King 17:54 And the whole world 17:58 Send back the song 18:03 Which now the angels sing 18:23 I love those old songs, 18:25 I hope you love them as much as I do. 18:27 You know, I've actually written a few Christmas songs 18:29 and they're all kind of around the same theme. 18:34 They talk about what Christmas really is. 18:35 You know, the world seems to be focused on 18:37 Santa Claus and on reindeer and on Frosty the Snowman 18:42 and you know whatever else, 18:45 but the real thing and the real thing is Jesus, 18:48 the Christ in Christmas is Jesus. 18:51 And I want to do a couple of songs for you that, 18:52 that talk about that very subject 18:54 and drive the point home. 18:56 This first one, you know, 18:58 as you're sitting there in wherever you are right now, 19:01 wherever you're watching. 19:02 Probably no one's watching you okay, 19:05 so you can just join right in and sing along on this. 19:07 It doesn't matter how you sound, 19:09 we're not gonna mike you, we're not gonna tell anybody, 19:11 okay, so just be our secret, 19:12 but I want you to help me sing along on this. 19:14 This little chorus talks about what Christmas really is 19:17 and it goes like this. 19:18 The Christ in Christmas is Jesus 19:22 The glowing glory is Jesus. 19:25 He's the holy and holiday The Prince of Peace every day 19:28 The Christ in Christmas is Jesus. 19:32 Okay. 19:33 Have you got that? Can we do that one more time? 19:34 The Christ in Christmas is Jesus 19:38 The glowing glory is Jesus 19:41 He's the holy in holiday The Prince of Peace every day 19:44 The Christ in Christmas is Jesus. 19:47 A long time ago in Bethlehem 19:51 So the Holy Bible says 19:54 Stars shone bright in the heavens 19:57 Over where the baby slept 20:01 But the star of the show wasn't in the sky 20:04 On that first Christmas night 20:07 The baby boy in the manger 20:10 Was the one who created the light 20:13 Oh, the Christ in Christmas is Jesus 20:17 The glowing glory is Jesus 20:20 He's the holy in holiday The Prince of Peace every day 20:24 The Christ in Christmas is Jesus 20:27 Today there are those who still don't know 20:30 Who the Holy Christ child is 20:34 They celebrate the holiday spirit 20:36 Without realizing which is 20:40 But the star of the show isn't Santa Clause 20:43 Or he's roving those reindeer 20:47 Jesus is the Christ of Christmas 20:49 And he's the reason the season is here 20:52 Oh, the Christ in Christmas is Jesus 20:56 The glowing glory is Jesus 20:59 He's the holy in holiday The Prince of Peace every day 21:03 The Christ in Christmas is Jesus 21:06 Oh, the Christ in Christmas is Jesus 21:09 The glowing glory is Jesus 21:12 He's the holy in holiday The Prince of Peace every day 21:16 The Christ in Christmas is Jesus 21:19 Yes, the Christ in Christmas is Jesus 21:22 Yes, the Christ in Christmas is Jesus 21:29 Wow, you sound really good singing that. 21:32 I'm kidding, I can't hear you. But you really did, I'm sure. 21:34 I hope you know that Jesus is the reason for the season. 21:37 A lot of us have heard that phrase 21:39 and we realize that, 21:41 that the Christ in Christmas is Jesus. 21:43 He's really what the season is all about. 21:45 Well, this is another one of my songs 21:46 and it's about that same topic and it's called, 21:50 "Jesus is the reason for the season." 21:51 Hope you enjoy it. 22:03 At the center of time 22:08 Stands a manger 22:13 A man and his wife 22:17 A baby boy 22:21 Though the world 22:24 Had no room for this baby 22:29 The stranger he came 22:34 To make room for us 22:45 Through the ages 22:48 Men tell of his story 22:54 How God in His love 22:59 Became a man 23:03 How He willingly gave 23:08 His power 23:11 His glory 23:13 That we might become like Him 23:22 Oh, Jesus is the reason for the season 23:32 Jesus is the reason for the season 23:40 Though hues have come 23:42 And hues have gone 23:45 God's gift of love 23:47 Lives on and on 23:49 Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season 24:04 There's a thrill in the air 24:09 Each December 24:14 As families come from far and near 24:21 There's a joy in our hearts 24:26 As we stop to remember 24:32 The reason 24:34 The seasons here 24:40 Oh, Jesus is the reason for the season 24:49 Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season 24:58 Though hues have come 25:00 And hues have gone 25:03 God's gift of love lives on and on 25:07 Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season 25:16 Though hues have come and hues have gone 25:21 God's gift of love lives on and on 25:25 Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season 26:19 Silent night 26:25 holy night 26:30 All is calm 26:35 all is bright 26:42 Round yon Virgin 26:48 Mother and Child 26:54 Holy infant so tender and mild 27:05 Sleep in heavenly peace 27:17 Sleep in heavenly peace 27:31 Silent night 27:36 Holy night 27:43 Son of God 27:49 Love's pure light 27:55 Radiant beam 28:00 from Thy holy face 28:07 With the dawn 28:12 Of redeeming grace 28:18 Jesus Lord 28:23 At Thy birth 28:31 Jesus Lord 28:35 At Thy birth 28:49 Silent night 28:55 Holy night 29:01 Shepherds quake 29:07 At the sight 29:13 Glories stream 29:18 From heaven afar 29:24 Heavenly hosts 29:29 Sing hallelujah 29:36 Christ the Savior is born! 29:48 Christ the Savior is born! 30:22 You know that night in Bethlehem, 30:26 it was a night like no other. 30:28 I sometimes wonder 30:32 what the angels must have been thinking. 30:37 The angels had been in the presence of God 30:39 since time eternal. 30:43 They had worship the Lord. 30:47 They had intimate fellowship if you can, 30:52 if you will with the Father, and the Son, 30:55 and the Holy Spirit. 30:57 And now all of a sudden, 31:00 for the first time from eternity past, 31:04 something was getting ready to happen 31:05 that they just really couldn't quite understand. 31:09 God, the Son 31:13 was going to become a human baby. 31:18 Think about that. 31:19 Think about that. 31:22 You know, I guess the picture I get in my mind, 31:24 maybe this is just me, 31:25 I can't really support this necessarily from scripture 31:28 but just for me I get a picture of, 31:29 of the angels just kind of leaning 31:33 over the balconies of heaven... 31:37 holding their breath waiting to witness 31:43 what was about to happen. 31:48 You know as a kid, like most kids, 31:51 we anticipate Christmas morning, 31:53 we rush to the living room or wherever the tree is set up 31:57 and the presents are and we rip open the presents 32:00 and we, you know, we want to see what we got 32:03 and some new toy or new doll 32:06 or whatever it is and, and we just, 32:10 we take such delight in un-packaging 32:14 and ripping the bows off and the paper off 32:17 and getting the box open and seeing what's in there, 32:21 and the anticipation of all of that 32:24 is part and parcel to Christmas. 32:28 Because I think, maybe that's exactly 32:30 what the angels were doing 32:31 that silent night, that holy night, 32:33 is they were watching as the bow 32:38 and the paper if you will, the packaging came off 32:45 and the gift of God was born as a baby... 32:53 as a baby, 32:55 a helpless human baby. 32:56 The King of the universe, the King of kings, 32:59 the Lord of lords 33:02 becoming a helpless human baby. 33:07 Clothed with our humanity, clothed with our frailty, 33:13 clothed with our weakness. 33:14 You know, theologians and common people 33:20 for 2000 years have tried to, 33:23 tried to wrap their minds 33:25 around the magnitude of the incarnation. 33:31 And it's probably futile, you know we're a finite mind, 33:34 trying to comprehend the infinite mind of God. 33:41 That God would become a helpless human baby. 33:50 You know that night I'm sure, well, I'm sure, 33:55 I don't what understanding the angels had 33:58 but they were probably just in absolute awe 34:05 as they watched Jesus born of a virgin. 34:14 I love the old hymns that are written particularly 34:16 about that night. 34:18 Like that one Silent night, holy night! 34:21 Son of God love's pure light, 34:24 radiant beams from Thy holy face 34:26 with the dawn of redeeming grace. 34:29 What great words. 34:31 Because you know that was 34:32 really the whole point of Christmas. 34:34 That was really the whole point 34:37 is God's redeeming grace because we were all, 34:40 face it folks, we were all helpless and hopeless. 34:42 We were all bound for an eternity apart from God, 34:46 separated from Him, lost in our sin. 34:53 But God had a plan, 34:55 from before the foundation of the world God had a plan. 34:57 His plan was to come Himself 35:02 and to live a sinless life in our place, 35:06 to die an atoning death in our place. 35:11 To pay our sin debt in full 35:14 and to rise again on the third day 35:17 to live the life that we couldn't live, 35:20 to pay the debt we couldn't pay. 35:23 That's what the Silent Holy Night was all about. 35:26 God's redeeming grace, 35:29 He redeemed you and He redeemed me. 35:32 Those of us who placed 35:34 our faith and trust in Jesus Christ 35:36 and what He did on the cross are redeemed, 35:39 bought back 35:43 from our sin and the punishment, 35:47 the consequences. 35:49 We're bought back. 35:51 We're redeemed by God's redeeming grace. 35:54 His grace giving us what we don't deserve. 36:00 I love to say that God's grace is God giving us 36:02 what we don't deserve 36:03 and His mercy is withholding what we do deserve. 36:06 And maybe you've never thought of it 36:07 but grace can also be an acronym. 36:09 G-R-A-C-E God's Riches At Christ's Expense. 36:14 That's what the cross is all about. 36:15 That's what Christmas is all about, 36:17 because we couldn't had the cross 36:18 if we hadn't had Christmas. 36:21 So that Silent night that Holy night. 36:24 The Son of God 36:25 loves pure light became a baby in a manger. 36:31 And as I sang the song earlier 36:34 that I wrote the Christ in Christmas is Jesus. 36:36 The baby boy in the manger 36:38 was the one who created the star that night, 36:40 that shone so brightly that it guided wise men 36:43 from scholars believe thousands of miles away 36:48 and led them eventually to the place 36:51 where Jesus was that they might bring gifts of gold, 36:54 frankincense and myrrh to worship the King of kings 36:58 and the Lord of lords. 37:01 And you know that's really what we're called to do. 37:03 That's really our purpose, 37:05 if you want to know what God's purpose 37:06 for your life is ultimately. 37:08 Our purpose is to worship Him, 37:11 just to give Him glory with our lives, with our time, 37:14 with our talent, with our gifts with who all that we are 37:19 to worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 37:26 You know the angels are still worshipping Him 37:28 and we have an opportunity 37:31 as believers in Christ to worship Him every day. 37:36 There's another song that talks about that night that... 37:38 It's just another fabulous song, a great lyric 37:43 and a powerful message 37:46 and it takes this a step further. 37:48 Not only does it tell the story of that holy night, 37:52 but it takes it a step further 37:54 in proclaiming the gospel which says, 37:57 "Not only are we to love the Lord, 37:58 but we are to love each other." 38:02 And, and the second verse of this song was written 38:04 at a time when there was a lot of tension in our country, 38:07 there is tension in our country today. 38:09 And these words are never more applicable 38:14 than they are today. 38:16 And I hope you will listen and apply them to your heart 38:19 and your life and your relationships, 38:21 and in so doing that your light 38:23 will so shine before men that they will give God glory 38:26 and you will be a worshipper of the Most High God, listen. 38:58 O holy night 39:01 The stars are brightly shining 39:07 It is the night of the dear Savior's birth 39:16 Long lay the world 39:20 In sin and error pining 39:25 Till He appeared 39:28 And the soul felt its worth 39:34 A thrill of hope 39:38 The weary world rejoices 39:42 For yonder breaks 39:46 A new and glorious morn 39:51 Fall on your knees 39:59 O hear 40:02 The angels' voices 40:07 O night divine 40:14 O night 40:18 When Christ was born 40:22 O night 40:26 O holy night 40:34 O night divine 40:52 Truly He taught 40:56 Us to love one another 41:01 His law is love 41:04 And His gospel is peace 41:10 Chains shall He break 41:14 For the slave is our brother 41:20 And in His name 41:22 All oppression shall cease 41:28 Sweet hymns of joy 41:32 In grateful chorus raise we 41:37 With all our heart 41:40 We praise His holy name 41:45 Christ is the Lord 41:53 Oh, praise His name forever 42:01 His power 42:05 And glory ever 42:13 More proclaim 42:17 His power 42:21 And glory ever 42:29 More proclaim 42:34 Fall on your knees 42:42 O hear the angels' voices 42:50 O night divine 42:57 O night 43:01 When Christ was born 43:06 O night Divine 43:15 O night 43:20 O holy night 43:50 On that first Christmas 2000 years ago, 43:54 shepherds came from the fields 43:56 in response to the call of the angel of the Lord, 44:00 and wise men from the east 44:03 began a journey following a star 44:05 that will ultimately lead them 44:06 to the Christ child, the Messiah. 44:10 Today the call still goes out to all who would be faithful. 44:14 Come and be behold Him, 44:18 born the king of angels, 44:20 come let us adore Him, come let us adore Him. 44:24 Oh, come let us adore Him, 44:29 Christ the Lord. 44:32 That's the call to us today. 44:37 O come, all ye faithful 44:41 Joyful and triumphant 44:45 O Come ye O come ye, 44:49 To Bethlehem 44:54 Come and behold Him 44:58 Born the King of angels 45:02 O come, let us adore Him 45:06 O come, let us adore Him 45:11 O come, let us adore Him 45:15 Christ the Lord 45:20 Sing, choirs of angels, 45:24 sing in exultation 45:27 Oh, sing, all ye citizens 45:31 Of heaven above! 45:36 Glory to God 45:39 all glory in the highest 45:44 O come, let us adore Him 45:48 O come, let us adore Him 45:52 O come, let us adore Him 45:57 Christ the Lord 46:03 Yea, Lord, we greet Thee 46:07 Born this happy morning 46:11 O Jesus 46:13 To Thee be all glory given 46:20 Word of the Father 46:25 Now in flesh appearing 46:29 O come, let us adore Him 46:33 O come, let us adore Him 46:37 O come, let us adore Him 46:42 Christ the Lord 46:48 O come, let us adore Him 46:53 Christ the Lord 47:06 Today we come to adore Him 47:09 because He came, 47:12 He came as the word of the Father 47:15 in flesh appear. 47:17 He came to be Emmanuel, God with us, 47:24 He came taking on the form of a servant 47:28 humbling Himself, 47:30 becoming obedient under death. 47:32 Even the death of the cross, 47:34 because He came we can know the Father, 47:37 because He came, we could have everlasting life, 47:41 and because He came, 47:43 we can celebrate who we are in Him 47:45 and who He is in us. 47:47 There is joy because He came. 47:51 Praise the Lord. 47:53 Joy to the world! The Lord is come 47:58 Let earth receive her King 48:03 Let every heart Prepare Him room 48:08 And heaven and nature sing And heaven and nature sing 48:12 And heaven and heaven and nature sing 48:18 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns 48:22 Let men their songs employ 48:27 While fields and floods Rocks, hills and plains 48:31 Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy 48:36 Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy 48:53 No more let sins and sorrows grow 48:58 Nor thorns infest the ground 49:05 He comes to make His blessings flow 49:10 Far as the curse is found Far as the curse is found 49:14 Far as, far as, the curse is found 49:24 He rules the world 49:29 with truth and grace 49:34 And makes the nations prove 49:44 The glories of His righteousness 49:49 And wonders of His love And wonders of His love 49:54 And wonders, wonders of His love 49:58 And wonders, wonders of His love 50:13 His love 50:23 His love 50:39 Amen, amen. 50:41 Praise the Lord. 50:43 Praise the Lord for His unspeakable gift. 50:46 You know, being a part of the body of Christ 50:49 affords us the opportunity of being in relationship 50:53 with precious brothers and sisters 50:54 who are a blessing to know. 50:56 One such person in my life is a friend of mine named Bill. 51:00 In 1999, he wrote this following little piece 51:03 that instantly became one of my favorite Christmas readings. 51:07 And I share it and hopes 51:09 that it will minister to you as much as it has me. 51:14 It begins with a Christmas Story, 51:16 "And she brought forth her firstborn son 51:17 and wrapped him in swaddling clothes 51:20 and laid him in the manger." 51:21 Luke 2:7. 51:27 Bill writes, you know, God has an amazing way 51:29 of choosing the undesirable things of earth 51:32 and placing His beauty there. 51:36 The presence of God changes our perceptions. 51:40 It opens our eyes 51:41 from the physical into the spiritual. 51:45 It illuminates our vision. 51:49 God takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary, 51:55 the natural supernatural, 51:58 the worthless priceless. 52:03 So it was that first night in Bethlehem, 52:05 only the God of the universe would have chosen a manger 52:11 as the place to bring His Son into the world. 52:16 A feeding trough for Mary and Joseph 52:25 to lay the word made flesh. 52:27 Certainly not a place 52:29 of splendor or a palace for a king. 52:34 You know, for many people that nights, 52:35 that night their thoughts were anywhere but directed 52:39 towards a stable in Bethlehem. 52:42 How different today. 52:45 Now nativities are found in homes or front yards 52:48 or families right in your neighborhood. 52:52 The manger today has been transformed 52:58 into a thing of beauty and holiness. 53:04 But the beauty of the manger isn't because of what it is. 53:09 No, it's because of who resided there. 53:14 When we see the manger, we see Jesus. 53:20 And He makes it beautiful. 53:26 Far from the material 53:27 extravagance of Christmas today, 53:29 the first Christmas was born of humility, 53:32 and humility is the great extravagance, 53:35 even to the death on the cross. 53:39 That first night probably found many people staring down 53:44 wrong paths and dead end streets, 53:47 but I have a feeling that on that same night 53:49 all of heaven had their eyes fixed on a tiny manger. 53:56 Outside the atmosphere may have been noisy. 53:59 But I wonder if all heaven was suddenly silenced 54:03 as the Son of God came forth 54:06 from the womb of a virgin. 54:11 There were no sense of cinnamon or popery that evening, 54:15 but surely Mary and Joseph breathed 54:18 the very fragrance of God 54:21 as they cradled the Savior in their arms. 54:24 No sparkling lights hung from the exterior 54:28 of that little manger. 54:30 But the light of the world filled the interior. 54:36 And though there would be no decorated Christmas tree 54:39 in the corner, 54:42 God would choose another tree for His Son, 54:47 the Cross. 54:50 The manger seems such an unfitting place for God 54:54 to have chosen for His only Son 54:57 and yet even today God still looks to place 55:03 His beauty in undesirable places, 55:08 dirty and unlovely mangers 55:13 that now take the form of you and me. 55:24 You see it's the love of God 55:25 to look down from heaven and say, 55:29 "There's another manger. 55:31 And I want to dwell there too 55:35 and there's a another and there's another..." 55:40 And so He knocks to see if we will let Him in. 55:46 And if we do, He takes our manger 55:51 and He transforms it. 55:53 And overtime it becomes a beautiful and a holy thing. 55:59 But the beauty of our manger is not 'cause of what we are, 56:05 but because of who resides in us. 56:10 And I pray that when others see our manger, 56:13 they will see Jesus. 56:15 For He alone 56:19 can make a manger beautiful. 56:27 You know, I mentioned earlier 56:29 that our destiny, our purpose 56:34 is to worship Him. 56:37 We sang a little chorus just a few minutes ago, 56:40 that I'm sure you know but I want to ask you 56:42 just in the stillness of wherever you are you. 56:54 Would you sing that little chorus and just... 57:02 Make the manger that you're in right now... 57:14 An altar, a tabernacle... 57:23 And worship the Lord as we sing. 57:32 O come, let us adore Him 57:39 O come, let us adore Him 57:46 O come, let us adore Him 57:55 Christ the Lord 58:12 We'll give Him all the glory 58:19 We'll give Him all the glory 58:26 We'll give Him all the glory 58:35 Christ The Lord 58:42 For He alone is worthy 58:48 For He alone is worthy 58:55 For He alone is worthy 59:02 Oh, Christ the Lord 59:24 Merry Christmas. |
Revised 2023-12-19