WEBVTT 00:00:03.439 --> 00:00:13.599 This time of year, the world loves the Christmas story: a baby, a manger, a soft glow, a sense of peace. 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:22.000 And even for Christians, we know this story so well that we almost stop listening before it's finished. 00:00:22.239 --> 00:00:28.480 We know the angels, the shepherds, the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths. 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:30.800 And that's often where we stop. 00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:35.039 But this child wasn't born simply to be admired. 00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:37.359 He was born to die. 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:44.719 If you remove the cross from Christmas, you remove its power. 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:51.280 Listen now to God's word from Luke 2, verses 8 through 14. 00:00:54.240 --> 00:01:08.000 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night, and an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. 00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:16.239 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all the people. 00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:23.519 For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:26.239 And this will be the sign for you. 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:31.439 You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 00:01:32.079 --> 00:01:47.519 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased. 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:55.599 Luke gives us a sign, and that sign already points us beyond the manger. 00:01:56.159 --> 00:02:02.079 But before Luke shows us the sign, he shows us who hears the announcement. 00:02:02.400 --> 00:02:08.960 So let's slow down and listen carefully to how God tells this story. 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:16.000 Luke begins with shepherds, keeping watch over their flocks by night. 00:02:16.479 --> 00:02:22.080 They were ordinary, overlooked, even considered unclean. 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:32.319 Their work kept them outdoors, away from the temple and synagogue, and they were often treated as religious outsiders. 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:46.240 If the greatest news the world had ever known was going to be announced for the very first time, these would have been the last people you'd expect to hear it. 00:02:46.800 --> 00:02:49.439 After all, who would believe them? 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:52.400 And yet, that is precisely the point. 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:56.879 God announces salvation to humble sinners. 00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:03.840 He could have announced it to King Herod, or to a Pharisee, or a scribe. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:12.960 But God chose these lowly shepherds to receive good news of great joy, which will be for all the people. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:18.159 God doesn't wait for us to clean ourselves up. 00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:20.960 He meets us right where we are. 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:24.159 This is the wonder of the gospel. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:32.080 It's offered to the tired, the overlooked, the fearful, and the broken. 00:03:33.039 --> 00:03:37.919 If that describes you today, know that the gospel is for you. 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:48.400 The Savior enters the world, not in splendor, but in swaddling cloths, in a stable, among animals. 00:03:49.360 --> 00:03:59.520 And the first announcement goes to shepherds living in the dark, unaware that God's glory is breaking through the night. 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:06.400 But in the darkest hour of the night, light shines the brightest. 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:17.600 That light points us forward, beyond the manger, beyond the swaddling cloths, beyond the stable. 00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:24.240 The angel doesn't just announce a birth, he gives a sign. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:28.720 And that sign tells us something profound. 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:37.839 This child is not just any baby, he is the Savior, the Christ, the Lord. 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:58.160 And notice carefully, he was born for you, not for someone abstract, not for the world in general, but for you personally, intentionally, so that he could live for you and die for you. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:09.439 For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, and this will be the sign for you. 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:13.439 You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:22.079 You might be wondering why the sign for the shepherds was a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:27.600 Swaddling was the way newborns were cared for in Jesus' day. 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:37.120 After birth, a baby's body was carefully wrapped in strips of cloth, providing warmth, protection, and a sense of security. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:41.839 It was one of the first acts of love a parent could give. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:54.560 Mary's hands, wrapping her firstborn in those cloths, show us a mother's care and compassion, even in a stable, surrounded by animals. 00:05:55.600 --> 00:05:58.800 But there's more than maternal care here. 00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:04.560 Swaddling also speaks of total dependence. 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:08.800 A newborn cannot survive on its own. 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:18.959 Jesus, though fully God, entered the world as a helpless infant, fully dependent on his earthly parents. 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:24.079 His humility is on display from the very start. 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:28.240 And there is a deeper prophetic layer here. 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:38.800 The very same type of cloth used to swaddle newborns was also used to wrap the dead for burial. 00:06:39.680 --> 00:07:00.000 And if you're wondering why shepherds were given this sign, they would have immediately recognized that these were the same kinds of strips used to wrap the lambs destined for the temple sacrifice, lambs raised in Bethlehem to be slain for Passover. 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:02.800 Does that sound familiar? 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:10.720 On the very first day of his life, Jesus was wrapped like one of those sacrificial lambs. 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:16.639 From the manger to the cross, his life is a living prophecy. 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:42.480 As Hebrews 2, 14 and 15 tells us, therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death he might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:52.240 Jesus was born to die, to defeat death and the devil. 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:57.279 From the very beginning, his mission was clear. 00:07:57.680 --> 00:08:08.959 He took on flesh so that through his death he might destroy the one who holds the power of death and free those enslaved by fear. 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:18.399 The Savior, sent to die for his people, was marked by his mission from the womb to the tomb. 00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:26.959 On that first day, wrapped in swaddling cloths, he foreshadowed the sacrifice he would make for us. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:34.080 As John Piper says, Good Friday is the reason for Christmas. 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:49.600 The baby in the manger would grow to die for our sins, so that we could be free from fear, filled with joy, and set to live for him. 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:56.480 From the very first day of his life, he is wrapped like a sacrificial lamb. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:09:03.039 On the day of his death, he would be wrapped in similar linen cloths in a tomb. 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:09.679 In the manger, a simple feeding trowel, a humble place for a king. 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:11.440 But it was enough. 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:16.799 God did not wait for grandeur or ceremony. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:28.320 The creator of the universe came as a baby, fully divine and fully human, taking on our weakness and our flesh. 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:33.360 From the start, his life pointed to his mission. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:48.240 He humbled himself, obedient even to death, death on a cross, to accomplish salvation for his people, and establish his eternal kingdom. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:10:01.440 Every moment of his life, from swaddling cloths to a tomb, proclaimed the glory of God and the salvation he would accomplish for his people. 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:07.600 Let's look again at verses thirteen and fourteen in our passage in Luke. 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:24.000 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased. 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:30.799 The shepherds were terrified, but then they heard the angels sing. 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:33.600 And what did they sing about? 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:38.080 God's glory and God's peace. 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:43.360 Peace for those with whom he is pleased. 00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:57.120 Peace not earned by power or wealth, not bought with merit, but freely given through the Savior, wrapped in swaddling cloths. 00:10:57.600 --> 00:11:13.039 And this peace isn't just a nice feeling, it's the tangible expression of God's love, the one who delights in us, not because of what we've done, but because of who he is. 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:18.480 He entered our world to rescue and redeem. 00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:28.159 This is the very love of God breaking into our world, the love that the angels heralded. 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:40.320 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:47.279 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:51.039 He who believes in him is not judged. 00:11:51.360 --> 00:12:00.639 He who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:13.039 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their deeds were evil. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:21.360 For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds be exposed. 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:31.120 But he who practices the truth comes to the light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been done by God. 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:33.840 And of course that comes from John three. 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:46.879 God's love is not theoretical or distant, it's personal, it's effectual, it changes hearts, and it changes lives. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:51.279 Maybe you're thinking, God could never love me. 00:12:51.519 --> 00:12:53.120 Look at what I've done. 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:55.759 I've failed too many times. 00:12:56.720 --> 00:13:00.240 Friends, the gospel says the opposite. 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:05.759 God's love doesn't depend on your perfection or your goodness. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:15.039 It has and always will depend on God's grace alone and the completed works of Christ. 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:22.559 God proved his love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:24.720 That's what Jesus did. 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:43.919 Fully God and fully man, he came to die in your place, so that you could truly live, born again into new life in Christ, at peace with God, and free to love and live in harmony with others. 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:46.480 There's no greater love than that. 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:47.440 None. 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:51.919 The gospel changes everything. 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.320 Are you fearful? 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:56.639 You don't need to fear death. 00:13:56.960 --> 00:14:00.960 Christ has already faced it and defeated it for you. 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:06.240 Through him, the power of death and Satan is broken. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:11.120 God's love has reached you even in your fear. 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:13.279 Are you weary? 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:22.000 Your joy rests on God's love, displayed in Jesus, who came to rescue, redeem, and restore. 00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:31.600 He loves you, not because you're perfect, but because of who he is and because he is perfect. 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:36.720 And for our church, we don't stop at the manger. 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:43.440 Following Christ means following him to the cross and out of the empty tomb. 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:52.240 We live as people transformed by his love, sent to be salt and light in our world. 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:58.720 God first loved us, and now we love because he first loved us. 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:09.600 All of this, freedom from fear, renewed joy, and life shaped by God's love points us to the same truth. 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:21.360 The source of hope, peace, joy, and love is not in what we do or what the world offers, it's found in Christ alone. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:25.600 Are you seeking more hope in your life? 00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:27.200 Seek Christ. 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:31.200 Are you seeking more peace in your life? 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.879 Seek Christ. 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:36.639 Are you seeking more joy in your life? 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.399 Seek Christ. 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:41.919 Are you seeking more love in your life? 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:44.080 Seek Christ. 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:52.320 Everything you're looking for finds its ultimate satisfaction and fulfillment in Christ. 00:15:53.279 --> 00:16:05.200 If you're trusting in yourself to acquire these things, if you're trusting in anything other than Christ alone, you are rejecting God's free gift to you. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:11.679 And during Christmas time, no one wants their gift rejected by the one they love. 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:19.840 Imagine someone being gifted a brand new vehicle and responding, No thanks, I'll just keep walking. 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:23.440 In fact, it's even worse than that. 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:26.879 It's like turning down a lifeboat while drowning. 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:32.720 The fool says in his heart, there is no God. 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:37.200 The proud say that there is no need for God. 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:43.600 But Advent reminds us that God didn't wait for us to fix ourselves. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:47.679 Otherwise, we'd be helpless and lost. 00:16:48.559 --> 00:17:01.360 He came in the flesh to rescue us and transform us, renewing our hearts, minds, and our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:09.680 The world loves the baby in the manger, soft, sweet, and safe. 00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:13.519 But Scripture gives us more than a baby. 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:18.160 It gives us a Savior wrapped for sacrifice. 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:25.359 Jesus was born to die, so that those who die might live. 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:33.440 He came to seek and save the fearful, the weary, the broken, and the lost. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:44.960 He came to give life where there was death, hope where there was despair, and peace where there was chaos. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:55.359 This is why the angel sang, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:18:05.440 Not peace earned by our own effort or abilities, but peace freely given through the one who first loved us. 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:32.240 And this is why Christmas joy will never fade, because the same Jesus wrapped in swaddling cloths, the Lamb of God, the Savior of the world, is still alive and reigns as King above all kings, Lord above all lords, and over every ruler on this earth. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:39.440 His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and at his name every knee shall bow. 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:43.200 He makes his enemies his footstool. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:54.559 And to all who receive him, who believe in his name, the Apostle John writes about Jesus, he gave the right to become children of God. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:19:03.519 Romans eight one declares, There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:06.319 Do you believe that today? 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:11.359 Or are you still walking in the chains of condemnation? 00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:15.039 Turn to Christ and live. 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:17.680 He's the chainbreaker. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:25.200 As we close out this Advent series, let's remember what we've seen all along. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:35.440 From the promise in the garden to the fulfillment in Bethlehem, God's love has always been at work. 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:39.119 This is the heart of Christmas. 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:45.839 This is the gospel, the good news, and this is why we rejoice. 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:47.359 Let's pray. 00:19:50.319 --> 00:20:05.359 Heavenly Father, we're so grateful that you are a God who loves us, loves us so much that you gave your Son Jesus to come into this world and to die for us. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:09.599 That all who believe in his name have eternal life. 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:18.880 God, we thank you that you offer us hope in a world that is filled with despair. 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:25.839 You do not abandon your people, and you fulfill every single promise you make. 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:33.759 God, if it depended on us, we would be hopeless and helpless and forever lost. 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:38.319 But we praise you that it always depends on you. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:43.119 You are the one who is unchanging and unfailing. 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:47.039 And we give you the glory in Jesus' name. 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:48.000 Amen.