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In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, we read of Jesus’ first visit to Jerusalem. As an infant he accompanied his parents to the Temple for the performance of rituals prescribed by the Law of Moses. While there, the holy family encountered two people who blessed the child and prophesied regarding him.

On this Lord’s Day we remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The sermon will explore the rich truths contained in the message of the angels recorded in Luke 2:8-20.

In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, Luke tells the story of the birth of Jesus. He tells it briefly and without fanfare. The Lord Jesus came into the world in a humble estate. Even so, we see the hand of God at work in the simple details.

In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, Luke records a prophetic word given through Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father. The song rehearses the promises the Lord made to Israel, especially to Abraham. The promises find fulfillment in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. Zechariah compares Him to the sunrise that dispels the darkness.

In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist. When she and her husband confirmed that their son’s name was John, Zachariah immediately regained his ability to speak. The crowd that had gathered to celebrate the circumcision of John was amazed and wondered what sort of man John would become. A subtle them undergirds the story. It is grace.

Last week we examined the announcement Elizabeth (John the Baptist’s mother) made regarding God’s blessing on the virgin Mary (Luke 1:39-46). In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, Luke records Mary’s response to God’s incomprehensible miracle (Luke 1:46-56). It is a poetic work often called The Magnificat (a Latin translation of her opening word, “magnify,” see 1:46).

Her glorious poem “magnifies” the Lord for three characteristics: his holiness, might, and mercy. She spreads these praiseworthy attributes across three parts that show God’s mercy extended to Mary (46-49), to the human race in general (50-53), and Israel in particular (54-55).

The angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would miraculously conceive and bear the Son of God. He also informed her of the miraculous conception of her relative, Elizabeth. The young Mary promptly made the arduous journey to visit Elizabeth. Luke’s description of their meeting is filled with signs of the sovereign work of God. Under the direction of the Spirit of God, the old woman pronounce blessing—twice on Mary and once on the child Mary carried.

Each year at HBC we set aside a week to focus attention on the mission that we have in this world. This Sunday begins our Missions Emphasis Week. Traditionally, we begin the week with the observance of the Lord’s Table. Together, we remember Christ, whose mission is now our mission (Acts 13:47, cf. Isaiah 49:6).

In Luke 1:5-25, we saw that 400 years of silence was broken. God gave no prophetic word to Israel from the time of Malachi until the Day that Gabriel announced to the priest Zechariah that he and his wife would have a son in their old age. This son would be the greatest prophet because he would serve as the forerunner of the Messiah.

In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 1:26-38), Gabriel puts in a second appearance. This time he announces the coming of the Messiah to Mary. Her Son, conceived by a miracle from God, would be Son of David and Son of God. As King, he will rule forever.

The last prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi, foretold the coming of the Lord in judgment and redemption. After Malachi, prophecy fell silent for 400 years. All of that changed in the sermon text for this Lord’s Day. God promised a priest, Zechariah, and his wife a child in their old age. This child would grow to be the greatest of all prophets for he would identify the Christ who is the culmination of prophetic history.