We have read and sung of God’s promises fulfilled in Jesus’ birth, life, and death. Open your Bibles (or listen carefully) to Luke 2 which Eric read just a few minutes ago as we consider the perspective of heaven and earth on that first Christmas evening.
Now hear the simple, understated words of Luke 2:9: “Mary gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the guest room.”
From the world’s perspective, this night was like any other. From a worldly perspective it appeared that life was progressing at it always did, and this was another indistinct, unimportant evening.
And this young, poor woman with the misfortune to give birth while traveling to pay taxes, consigned to let the newborn rest in an animal’s feeding trough, may have only stood out for its oddity and misfortune—a strange and pitiable scene that few would have noticed or cared about.
Most people in the world were oblivious to their real plight, sinners hurtling inexorably through time toward each of our terrifying encounter with God our Creator, the Holy Judge against Whom we have all rebelled. All the people in the world—helpless, hopeless if left to ourselves—in desperate need of a Savior, yet only a few knew to even ask for one or to look for the promised Messiah to deliver us from our sin-stained plight. That is the earthly perspective—indifferent, distracted, rebellious oblivion.
And now consider heaven’s perspective. This night was anything but ordinary. All of history had been building toward this moment, ever since God promised a seed to crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). Through Abraham came the promise that all nations would be blessed through his offspring (Genesis 12:3). Isaiah foretold a virgin would bear a son named Immanuel, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14), a sinless servant suffering to bear the sins of man and bring healing through His wounds (Isaiah 53:5-6), and Micah declared the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
Angels knew what it meant to be without a savior. If an angel sinned, they fell forever, separated from God, with only hell awaiting them. No savior; no mercy. And yet they knew that God’s dealings with mankind were different. This baby was their Creator, God the Son who humbled Himself to take on flesh. He came on a promised rescue mission, culminating in His sacrificial death, to justify, sanctify, and glorify sinners, so that for eternity He could show the immeasurable riches of His grace toward all who believe.
From heaven’s vantage, this was not the story of a poor young couple’s misfortune but the glorious arrival of God-in-the-flesh, the Lamb who would take away the sins of the world. What seemed insignificant on earth was celebrated in heaven as the incarnation of the great turning point in all of creation, where the holy God drew near to sinful humanity to offer hope, peace, and reconciliation.
So with this in mind, listen to Luke 2:10 as these heavenly and earthly perspectives on this evening collide in the fields outside Bethlehem. The heavenly messenger, an angel of the Lord, appeared to oblivious shepherds and announced:
“I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.” The angel declared news that people must know, all people—from overlooked shepherds to the nations beyond Israel. This was good news of God’s grace extended to all who would believe. It was a message of great joy. What was that joyous gospel message?
Luke 2:11: The angel declared, “For today, in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Every word matters:
The good news of great joy for all the people had to be announced to the shepherds. It is right to remember and proclaim it again, especially at Christmas. And all who hear it must respond. The news that the Savior, Christ the Lord, was born must affect everything in the lives of those who hear it.
If you are here today and have not yet turned to this Savior, do not live as though this news isn’t true or just something to remember each Christmas. Every day and every part of your life must change. You’ve heard the good news: the Savior, Christ the Lord, has come.
Don’t let the busyness of life or the weight of your sin keep you from responding. Turn from your sin, repent, and believe in Him. He came to rescue sinners, to bear the punishment we deserve, and to give us eternal life. You cannot save yourself, but He has done it all. Come to Him in faith, trusting His work on your behalf. The joy of this good news is for all who believe.
For those of us who already know and trust in Jesus, let us not grow comfortable but continue to worship with our whole lives in the face of the wonder of this night.
Band come on up and lead us in rejoicing in the gift of our Savior, born to die. Let’s sing together, “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery.” We will proclaim to our own hearts, to each other, to God, and the watching world that Jesus Christ is our savior, our only hope, and our eternal joy.
The news of Christmas truly is a good news of great joy. Praise God!
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