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Experience Christmas

READ: LUKE 2:8
CHALLENGE: Truly Experience Christmas

Luke 2:19 – But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. (CSB)

A.EXPERIENCE THE POWER

Vv8-9- And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

What is this glory of God? Let’s dive into it and see what we can learn about the glory shining around the shepherds.

· Glory = Goodness

Exodus 33:18-23 – Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

Moses said, God, I want to see your glory! God said, I will cause all of my goodness to pass in front of you. We see here a connection between the glory of God and the goodness of God! God went on to communicate, I will have mercy and compassion on whom I desire.

· Glory = Communication from God

2 Peter 1:17-18 – He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

The majestic glory in 2 Peter refers to the transfiguration of Christ and at that time there was communication from God. Moses saw the glory of God and God spoke. Paul encountered Christ’s glory and there was a message from Christ. The shepherds are not just seeing light for the sake of seeing light. It’s about revelation from God.

What is so important that God is talking to the shepherds through the angel? Luke 2:10-12 – But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

· Glory = God’s Might

Glory is at times used to reference God’s might and strength as well.

Romans 6:4 – We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Glory in Romans 6 is synonymous with God’s power! It’s so strong that it overturned death. To reverse one of the most powerful forces in nature is staggering. Death to life! We too can have a new life!

· Glory = Sending His Son

John 1:14 – The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

We have seen the glory of God in Jesus. They saw the miracles and the transfiguration. They were witnesses to that divine side of Jesus. Glory denotes sending Jesus.

B.EXPERIENCE PRAISE

Vv13-14 – Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Romans 1:21-23 – For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

What allows darkness to slip into society and into our lives? Isn’t it the lack of glorifying God?! People have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of this world.

25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

C.EXPERIENCE PEACE

1. Experience the Power

God is good and strong and present with us. Let’s demonstrate the goodness of God and be a light for others.

2. Experience the Praise

He saves us. Have you received that gift yet? You have so much to be thankful for. Let’s remember all that God has done.

3. Experience the Peace.

Do your part. You don’t have to jaw at people or make their lives miserable. Let’s live like Jesus.

Sometimes we focus on what we have to do and we don’t like coming out of our normal routines. And clearly Christmas pulls us out of the norm. It is busier but it’s also more beautiful.

READ: LUKE 2:8 CHALLENGE: Truly Experience Christmas Luke 2:19 - But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. (CSB) A.EXPERIENCE THE POWER Vv8-9- And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. What is this glory of God? Let’s dive into it and see what we can learn about the glory shining around the shepherds. · Glory = Goodness Exodus 33:18-23 - Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” Moses said, God, I want to see your glory! God said, I will cause all of my goodness to pass in front of you. We see here a connection between the glory of God and the goodness of God! God went on to communicate, I will have mercy and compassion on whom I desire. · Glory = Communication from God 2 Peter 1:17-18 - He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. The majestic glory in 2 Peter refers to the transfiguration of Christ and at that time there was communication from God. Moses saw the glory of God and God spoke. Paul encountered Christ’s glory and there was a message from Christ. The shepherds are not just seeing light for the sake of seeing light. It’s about revelation from God. What is so important that God is talking to the shepherds through the angel? Luke 2:10-12 - But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” · Glory = God’s Might Glory is at times used to reference God’s might and strength as well. Romans 6:4 - We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Glory in Romans 6 is synonymous with God’s power! It’s so strong that it overturned death. To reverse one of the most powerful forces in nature is staggering. Death to life! We too can have a new life! · Glory = Sending His Son John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. We have seen the glory of God in Jesus. They saw the miracles and the transfiguration. They were witnesses to that divine side of Jesus. Glory denotes sending Jesus. B.EXPERIENCE PRAISE Vv13-14 - Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Romans 1:21-23 - For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. What allows darkness to slip into society and into our lives? Isn’t it the lack of glorifying God?! People have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of this world. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. C.EXPERIENCE PEACE 1. Experience the Power God is good and strong and present with us. Let’s demonstrate the goodness of God and be a light for others. 2. Experience the Praise He saves us. Have you received that gift yet? You have so much to be thankful for. Let’s remember all that God has done. 3. Experience the Peace. Do your part. You don’t have to jaw at people or make their lives miserable. Let’s live like Jesus. Sometimes we focus on what we have to do and we don’t like coming out of our normal routines. And clearly Christmas pulls us out of the norm. It is busier but it’s also more beautiful.