December 21st, 2025 | Attributes of Advent | Luke 2:8-20

Why does Christmas exist? According to Pastor Matt Darby, the answer is simple yet profound: Christmas exists so that we can know God. In this Advent message from Luke 2:8–20, Pastor Matt explores how the arrival of Jesus reveals a God who is both overwhelmingly glorious and astonishingly gracious.

While we often separate God’s glory and His grace—placing glory in heaven and grace on earth—Luke’s Gospel refuses to divide them. In the birth announcement of Jesus, God’s radiant glory shines in the darkness, and His compassionate grace reaches the lowest and least: ordinary, overlooked shepherds living on the margins of society.

Pastor Matt unpacks what the Bible truly means by God’s glory—the weight, splendor, and radiance of His presence—and how that same holy glory comes near through grace. The shepherds’ fear gives way to peace as God speaks words of comfort, proving that His holiness does not push sinners away but draws them close.

At the heart of this passage is a powerful declaration: “Unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” In one sentence, heaven announces salvation that is both cosmic and deeply personal. This message reminds us that God meets us where we are, not where we wish we were, and that His grace is always closer than we deserve.

As the Advent season points us toward the new year, this sermon invites listeners to respond like the shepherds—drawing near, receiving salvation, and returning with hearts full of worship for all that God has done.

Do you know JESUS? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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