[0.00 --> 2.76] . [30.00 --> 33.90] Jasmine [33.90 --> 48.66] Jasmine [48.66 --> 52.94] Jasmine [52.94 --> 65.90] I'm dreaming tonight of a place I love [65.90 --> 72.20] Even more than I usually do [72.20 --> 82.92] And although I know it's a long road back [82.92 --> 88.50] I promise you [88.50 --> 99.00] I'll be home for Christmas [99.00 --> 109.06] You can land on me [112.92 --> 122.50] Please have snow and mistletoe [122.50 --> 132.08] And presents around the tree [132.08 --> 137.66] Christmas Eve [137.66 --> 143.24] Will find me [143.24 --> 155.34] Where the love light gleams [155.34 --> 162.92] I'll be home for Christmas [162.92 --> 172.50] And what if only in my dreams [172.50 --> 182.08] I'll be home for Christmas [182.08 --> 184.08] I'll be home for Christmas [184.08 --> 189.08] You can plan on me [189.08 --> 197.66] Please have snow and mistletoe [197.66 --> 202.66] And presents around the tree [202.66 --> 208.24] Christmas Eve [208.24 --> 210.82] Will find me [210.82 --> 218.82] Where the love light gleams [218.82 --> 223.82] I'll be home for Christmas [223.82 --> 231.40] If only in my dreams [231.40 --> 247.98] Please have snow and mistletoe [247.98 --> 251.56] And presents around the tree [251.56 --> 255.56] And presents around the tree [255.56 --> 257.56] And presents around the tree [257.56 --> 260.56] Christmas Eve [260.56 --> 264.56] Will find me [264.56 --> 270.14] Where the love light gleams [270.14 --> 274.14] Where the love light gleams [274.14 --> 276.14] I'll be home for Christmas [276.14 --> 278.72] I'll be home for Christmas [278.72 --> 283.72] If only in my dreams [283.72 --> 290.72] If only in my dreams [290.72 --> 308.96] If only in my dreams [320.72 --> 339.16] And now on [339.16 --> 349.34] My baby, heaven sent you to me. [349.34 --> 355.48] All the world's been praying. [357.10 --> 362.34] Who will save? [362.34 --> 392.32] But who am I that here tonight I hold the one who'll bring this light? [392.34 --> 398.26] Hallelujah, we've been found. [398.68 --> 405.84] A child is born to save us now, Jesus. [407.10 --> 411.82] Hallelujah, light has come. [412.24 --> 418.36] A Savior who will set us free. [418.36 --> 426.28] The promise for those who believe. [426.28 --> 446.28] Do you hear the angels sing for you, my baby? [446.28 --> 460.28] Men and kings have come to bow to you. [460.28 --> 474.62] But here in my arms, so close to me. [474.62 --> 480.62] The Son of God. [482.54 --> 488.12] Now all can see. [488.12 --> 496.04] Hallelujah, we've been found. [496.04 --> 503.96] A child is born to save us now, Jesus. [504.96 --> 509.48] Hallelujah, light has come. [509.96 --> 514.12] A Savior set us free. [514.12 --> 520.12] So praise to God on high. [521.08 --> 525.04] He has heard our cry. [527.04 --> 531.64] So praise to God on high. [531.64 --> 536.66] He has heard our cry. [536.66 --> 539.58] He has heard our cry. [543.32 --> 553.42] Hallelujah, we've been found. [553.42 --> 555.42] Amen. [583.42 --> 586.46] Set us free. [587.00 --> 594.22] The promise for those who believe. [602.22 --> 604.22] Amen. [604.22 --> 605.22] Amen. [609.22 --> 610.06] Good. [611.68 --> 613.26] We'll wait for that to land. [613.26 --> 614.18] Good morning. [615.36 --> 616.60] Merry Christmas. [617.80 --> 620.52] Welcome to church this morning. [620.72 --> 622.14] A very special welcome. [622.14 --> 625.92] If you are a guest with us, we are so glad that you are here. [626.30 --> 630.50] As you can see, people are looking for places and spaces to sit. [631.10 --> 633.80] And so there is a few empty seats up here, [633.88 --> 636.50] although I think the Alchemists have put seat chairs down there. [636.72 --> 638.96] But I want to encourage you, if you can, [638.96 --> 643.18] maybe move to the middle of your row so that, [643.42 --> 644.20] oh, the Alchemists are there. [644.28 --> 644.96] Whose coat is that? [646.56 --> 647.20] Oh, there. [647.32 --> 647.76] There you go. [648.34 --> 649.40] We're figuring it out. [649.70 --> 650.78] If you can move to the middle, [650.88 --> 654.34] that helps everybody come in and find a space together. [654.34 --> 662.12] We are excited to share in this Christmas worship with you this morning. [662.12 --> 666.82] Before we begin, just one reminder that on Saturday, [667.10 --> 669.86] this coming Saturday at 1.15, [670.22 --> 674.92] we have booked the ice sheet at Canlan Arena, [675.80 --> 677.10] formerly Twin Rinks. [677.10 --> 681.34] And so if you want to come and join us for a church family skate, [681.42 --> 682.74] we would love to see you there. [682.96 --> 684.84] They have some rentals there, [684.98 --> 686.42] and so you can keep that in mind. [686.52 --> 689.90] But if you would like to guarantee that you can get on the ice, [690.16 --> 691.00] bring your own skates. [691.16 --> 693.72] That will help facilitate that. [694.22 --> 697.12] At about 2 o'clock until about 3 o'clock, [697.22 --> 699.18] we have the room there booked as well, [699.20 --> 703.06] so we can have some hot chocolate afterwards and hang out in that time. [703.08 --> 704.44] If you have any questions about that, [704.44 --> 707.68] there's a poster on the door on the way out, [707.76 --> 710.70] and in the screen, the rolling announcements as well. [710.80 --> 711.62] There are details there, [711.70 --> 714.30] or you can grab me or Pastor Kevin or someone else [714.30 --> 715.46] who looks like they know what they're doing, [715.56 --> 716.34] and they'll answer you. [717.72 --> 721.48] We're going to gather this morning in song and in prayer and in word [721.48 --> 724.20] in the presence of our God. [724.28 --> 726.56] And so I'm going to invite you, as you are able to stand, [728.06 --> 730.00] we're going to receive God's greeting together. [730.00 --> 733.74] So I invite you to take a posture of receipt [733.74 --> 735.96] as God welcomes us into this place. [736.44 --> 739.26] And following that, I'm just going to invite you to turn to those around you, [739.40 --> 741.16] welcome them into worship. [742.18 --> 744.62] After we have welcomed each other in worship, [744.62 --> 746.84] I invite you just to take a seat for a moment, [746.84 --> 749.44] and we will light the Christmas candle together. [750.06 --> 752.78] Receive the greeting of our God this morning. [752.78 --> 758.28] The Lord bless you and keep you. [759.10 --> 762.60] The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. [763.54 --> 768.58] The Lord turn his face toward you and give you his peace. [769.66 --> 769.98] Amen. [782.78 --> 783.78] Amen. [788.40 --> 789.04] Amen. [789.20 --> 789.56] Amen. [790.18 --> 790.42] Amen. [790.52 --> 791.34] Amen. [791.36 --> 791.84] Amen. [791.86 --> 792.10] Amen. [792.10 --> 792.28] Amen. [792.74 --> 792.80] Amen. [792.90 --> 792.94] Amen. [793.10 --> 794.02] Amen. [794.22 --> 795.04] Amen. [795.24 --> 795.48] Amen. [795.50 --> 796.00] Amen. [800.46 --> 800.66] Amen. [802.80 --> 807.44] Amen. [807.62 --> 809.54] Amen. [809.54 --> 809.60] Amen. [809.78 --> 810.82] Amen. [810.82 --> 810.92] Amen. [810.92 --> 811.00] Amen. [811.00 --> 811.42] Amen. [811.42 --> 811.92] Amen. [811.92 --> 812.56] Amen. [812.56 --> 832.16] Good morning, Church. [833.10 --> 836.92] On Christmas Day, we celebrate the arrival of the promised Savior, [837.72 --> 839.80] the culmination of our Advent waiting. [839.80 --> 844.26] Grant that as we eagerly await the coming of your only Son, [844.80 --> 848.92] we may be found ready like shiny lamps prepared for his arrival. [850.32 --> 852.76] The light of Christ has come into the world, [853.66 --> 858.30] dispelling the darkness of sin and bringing the gift of eternal life. [859.48 --> 861.74] Today we celebrate the joy of Christ's birth, [862.34 --> 865.78] knowing that in him God's promises are fulfilled. [866.18 --> 869.42] Let us join with all creation in exultant praise, [869.80 --> 871.88] for our Savior is born today. [871.88 --> 871.94] Amen. [871.94 --> 896.42] Please join us in singing, O come all ye faithful. [896.92 --> 898.00] Please stand with us. [898.00 --> 906.00] O come all ye faithful, [906.00 --> 913.08] joyful and triumph, [913.08 --> 921.08] O come all ye faithful, [921.08 --> 926.08] joyful and triumph, [926.08 --> 935.08] O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. [935.08 --> 941.08] come and behold him, [941.08 --> 945.08] for the King of angels, [945.08 --> 949.08] O come let us adore him, [949.08 --> 953.08] O come let us adore him, [953.08 --> 955.08] O come let us adore him, [955.08 --> 959.08] O come let us adore him, [959.08 --> 961.08] word� colorful and proclaim, [961.08 --> 965.08] O come let us reunion bow. [965.08 --> 967.08] Shoot the tom. [967.08 --> 969.08] The exactly Yeshua Tyno Debbie [969.08 --> 969.96] printed us of Jesus, [969.96 --> 971.08] irish, [971.08 --> 971.92] Yang of the F metropolitan [971.92 --> 973.08] to the body sin [973.08 --> 975.10] always have been [975.10 --> 976.08] holy Adam també ben查 lets her [976.12 --> 979.90] Rodman thành [979.90 --> 986.46] glory to God [986.46 --> 991.00] glory in the highest [991.00 --> 995.28] O come let us adore him [995.28 --> 999.54] O come let us adore him [999.54 --> 1004.14] O come let us adore him [1004.14 --> 1008.58] in Christ the Lord [1008.58 --> 1015.30] May Lord be briefly [1015.30 --> 1019.78] Lord this happy morning [1019.78 --> 1023.42] Jesus to thee [1023.42 --> 1027.30] be all glory [1027.30 --> 1033.10] Word of the Father [1033.10 --> 1036.94] now in flesh I'll be [1036.94 --> 1041.66] O come let us adore him [1041.66 --> 1045.66] O come let us adore him [1045.66 --> 1049.66] O come let us adore him [1049.66 --> 1055.66] in Christ the Lord [1055.66 --> 1073.72] angels from the realms of glory [1073.72 --> 1078.44] wing your flight o'er all the earth [1078.44 --> 1082.44] ye who sang creation story [1082.44 --> 1086.44] now proclaim Messiah's birth [1086.44 --> 1088.16] come and worship [1088.16 --> 1091.16] come and worship [1091.16 --> 1095.88] worship Christ the new born King [1095.88 --> 1100.60] come and worship [1100.60 --> 1104.60] come and worship [1104.60 --> 1108.60] come and worship [1108.60 --> 1121.32] loved Christ the new born King [1121.32 --> 1127.62] Come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King. [1131.18 --> 1145.88] Emmanuel, Emmanuel, you are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praise and praise. [1145.88 --> 1157.76] Emmanuel, Emmanuel, come and your way among us. [1157.76 --> 1161.28] We welcome you here, Lord Jesus. [1162.20 --> 1165.88] Come and your way among us. [1166.26 --> 1169.42] We welcome you here, Lord Jesus. [1169.42 --> 1171.42] Amen. [1199.42 --> 1201.42] Amen. [1229.42 --> 1231.42] Amen. [1259.42 --> 1261.42] Amen. [1264.86 --> 1268.88] Come and your way among us. [1269.22 --> 1273.92] We welcome you here, Lord Jesus. [1273.92 --> 1277.42] Emmanuel, Emmanuel. [1277.42 --> 1291.42] Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel. [1293.92 --> 1295.30] You may have a seat. [1307.42 --> 1315.96] God with us, fragile, defenseless, entrusted to our care. [1316.92 --> 1322.44] The breath of life drew his first breath, heaven's earthly air. [1323.60 --> 1329.28] Creator becomes creation, God's word in human form. [1329.54 --> 1334.84] The breath of life in human flesh, God with us. [1334.84 --> 1337.34] He is born. [1338.48 --> 1346.76] In the dark, a shining light, a solitary voice announcing his coming to blind and deaf. [1347.86 --> 1350.10] A precious few rejoiced. [1351.00 --> 1359.54] So, the royal retinue ripped through heaven's seams, proclaiming glory, shouting praise. [1360.38 --> 1363.58] This one should be esteemed. [1363.58 --> 1367.02] Creator become creation. [1367.86 --> 1370.72] God's word in human form. [1371.64 --> 1373.92] The breath of life in human flesh. [1375.00 --> 1376.52] God with us. [1377.50 --> 1378.92] He is born. [1380.12 --> 1384.50] Years later, in our arrogance, we broke that baby's trust. [1385.50 --> 1387.40] Sin pierced his flesh. [1387.40 --> 1392.68] The curtain tore and blew in breath's last gust. [1393.74 --> 1398.36] Fragile, defenseless, entrusted to his care. [1398.36 --> 1404.92] The breath of life expelled to make us heaven's earthly heirs. [1404.92 --> 1406.92] Creator become creation. [1406.92 --> 1408.80] Creator become creation. [1409.60 --> 1411.66] God's word in human form. [1412.50 --> 1415.04] The breath of life returned to flesh. [1416.14 --> 1417.22] God with us. [1417.94 --> 1419.96] We are reborn. [1419.96 --> 1427.76] God with us as we sing infant holy, infant lowly. [1427.76 --> 1428.76] Let mới be даже. [1428.76 --> 1429.76] Ope. [1429.76 --> 1430.22] Amen. [1432.64 --> 1435.26] Reason for heaven. [1435.26 --> 1437.36] God with us. [1437.44 --> 1438.08] Man above. [1438.46 --> 1439.32] Someone above. [1439.32 --> 1439.82] Amen. [1440.10 --> 1440.34] Nummer. [1440.42 --> 1441.46] Someone above. [1441.92 --> 1442.66] Wasidan fame. [1443.10 --> 1443.80] アーモepsั� rends it. [1443.80 --> 1444.54] Son above. [1445.02 --> 1445.66] God with us. [1445.68 --> 1446.22] Ope. [1446.54 --> 1447.22] 때도egt聾. [1447.22 --> 1447.60] S comun�y. [1447.64 --> 1448.60] To be och education in human form. [1448.80 --> 1449.16] mondy. [1449.32 --> 1449.70] memorizedemente。 [1449.98 --> 1450.68] Person without him. [1450.68 --> 1452.00] prechen行了 governance home. [1452.00 --> 1453.04] Bلة acosts outは lens discussion alkaline. [1453.04 --> 1454.02] I agree with guidance. [1454.02 --> 1455.02] Bagcause From the wheel. [1455.02 --> 1485.00] . . . [1485.00 --> 1514.98] . . . [1515.00 --> 1517.00] . . . [1545.00 --> 1547.00] . . . [1547.00 --> 1549.00] . . . [1549.00 --> 1551.00] . . . [1551.00 --> 1553.00] . . . [1553.00 --> 1555.00] . . . [1555.00 --> 1569.00] was born for you christ [1569.00 --> 1583.00] is [1585.00 --> 1594.28] our next song is a christmas tradition in our church reflective of for some of us our dutch [1594.28 --> 1602.60] heritage the song is glory to god and we will have it on the screen in the english words but [1602.60 --> 1613.00] if you'd love to sing it in dutch please join us [1615.00 --> 1624.28] glory to god [1624.28 --> 1630.28] glory to God [1630.28 --> 1632.28] in the highest [1632.28 --> 1634.28] in the highest [1634.28 --> 1638.28] in the highest [1638.28 --> 1640.28] in the highest [1640.28 --> 1646.28] please be on earth [1646.28 --> 1650.28] please be on earth [1650.28 --> 1652.28] to the people [1652.28 --> 1654.28] whom God [1654.28 --> 1660.28] delights in [1660.28 --> 1664.28] glory to God [1664.28 --> 1668.28] in the highest [1668.28 --> 1672.28] glory to God [1672.28 --> 1676.28] in the highest [1676.28 --> 1682.28] please be on earth [1682.28 --> 1686.28] please be on earth [1686.28 --> 1690.28] please be on earth [1690.28 --> 1692.28] please be on earth [1692.28 --> 1696.28] please be on earth [1696.28 --> 1704.92] To the peace of, to the peace of, who God delights in. [1704.92 --> 1714.44] To the peace of, who God delights in, who God delights in. [1714.44 --> 1731.58] Glory to God, glory to God, in the highest, in the highest, in the highest. [1731.58 --> 1751.66] Praise the honor, praise the honor, to the peace of, who God delights in. [1751.66 --> 1755.86] Amen. [1757.86 --> 1761.42] Amen. [1761.58 --> 1762.58] Amen. [1762.58 --> 1764.58] Amen. [1779.40 --> 1782.58] Good morning and Merry Christmas to everybody. [1782.72 --> 1783.94] Merry Christmas from the Deacons. [1784.08 --> 1791.06] This morning we are having our offering and it will be for the budget as well as for benevolence. [1791.06 --> 1797.86] And we thank this congregation for the generous donations that have been given throughout this year. [1798.42 --> 1803.06] We pray that, we know that God has blessed us and we pray that that will continue. [1803.66 --> 1805.50] Please give as God has given to you. [1805.50 --> 1813.68] all fine with us and we pray that the Lord has done and must be no means of blessing God. [1813.68 --> 1817.64] We pray that Godは破綻. [1817.64 --> 1835.72] Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star [1835.72 --> 1842.24] While angels sent to holy shepherds [1842.24 --> 1850.00] Realizement seeking truth traveled from afar [1850.00 --> 1856.14] Hoping to find the child from heaven [1856.14 --> 1861.28] Following on at ease [1861.28 --> 1868.88] They bow before the humble Prince of Peace [1868.88 --> 1874.88] We bring an offering of worship to our King [1874.88 --> 1881.88] No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing [1882.44 --> 1888.88] Jesus, may you receive the honor that you're due [1889.44 --> 1896.88] O Lord, we bring an offering to you [1898.88 --> 1916.64] The sun cannot compare to the glory of your love [1916.64 --> 1921.88] There is no shadow in your presence [1921.88 --> 1929.88] No more to let we dare to stand before your throne [1929.88 --> 1935.88] We know you're the Holy One of Heaven [1935.88 --> 1941.88] It's only by your blood [1941.88 --> 1945.88] And it's only through your mercy [1945.88 --> 1949.88] Lord, I come [1949.88 --> 1955.88] I bring an offering of worship to my King [1955.88 --> 1961.88] No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing [1961.88 --> 1969.88] Jesus, may you receive the honor that you're due [1969.88 --> 1975.88] O Lord, I bring an offering to you [1975.88 --> 1976.88] O Lord, I bring an offering to you [1976.88 --> 1981.88] I bring an offering of worship to my King [1981.88 --> 1987.88] No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing [1987.88 --> 1997.88] Jesus, may you receive the honor that you're due [1997.88 --> 2001.88] O Lord, I bring an offering to you [2001.88 --> 2005.88] O Lord, I bring an offering to you [2005.88 --> 2012.88] O Lord, I bring an offering to you [2012.88 --> 2030.88] O Lord, I bring an offering to you [2030.88 --> 2046.56] I would love to invite all the kids to come forward if you are willing. [2046.92 --> 2048.44] Come meet me up here just for a minute. [2049.04 --> 2050.98] We'll have a quick chat here for a second. [2050.98 --> 2055.44] On this Christmas day, here comes a bunch. [2060.88 --> 2070.08] Merry Christmas, everyone. [2070.08 --> 2073.18] Oh, you know what? [2073.22 --> 2075.94] You guys are way louder when I have a dog puppet up here. [2077.02 --> 2078.42] Merry Christmas, everyone. [2079.10 --> 2080.18] Merry Christmas. [2080.70 --> 2082.38] Now, I have a quick question for you all. [2084.56 --> 2086.96] Did any of you open any presents this morning? [2087.72 --> 2087.94] Yeah? [2088.14 --> 2089.80] How many of you opened presents already? [2089.80 --> 2092.56] How many of you are going to open presents soon? [2093.60 --> 2095.70] Now, why do we open presents on Christmas? [2096.20 --> 2099.42] That's a normal thing, but why do we do that? [2109.78 --> 2110.18] Yeah? [2111.58 --> 2113.02] Oh, we're going to get a whole rundown. [2114.24 --> 2115.18] Oh, wow. [2115.40 --> 2116.18] That's exciting. [2117.60 --> 2118.16] I know. [2118.16 --> 2120.22] Oh, so some people open at Christmas, presents Christmas Eve. [2120.28 --> 2121.16] Some open Christmas Day. [2121.36 --> 2122.52] Why do we open them at all? [2124.28 --> 2126.32] Because, oh, you are so good, Haley. [2126.50 --> 2131.02] We open presents because Christmas is the day that we got the gift of Jesus. [2131.66 --> 2133.82] Do you remember some of you were in children's worship time on Sunday, [2133.88 --> 2136.78] and we talked about how Jesus is our forever king. [2137.26 --> 2138.20] Do you know what Jesus did? [2139.20 --> 2140.34] Jesus came. [2140.46 --> 2142.66] He was already our king before he was born. [2142.66 --> 2147.22] He came down from a throne in heaven, the Bible says, to become a baby. [2147.94 --> 2148.72] Isn't that something? [2148.80 --> 2150.92] And he did that to save us all from our sins. [2151.12 --> 2155.40] So he was a king, and then he came down to earth to be a baby king. [2155.96 --> 2160.64] And then he died on the cross and rose again and went back to heaven to continue to be our king. [2160.94 --> 2163.04] So he's not just our forever king going forward. [2163.14 --> 2164.44] He was our forever king forever. [2164.44 --> 2168.50] And then he came, and he became a baby for us. [2168.54 --> 2169.22] Isn't that something? [2169.98 --> 2170.54] Isn't that something? [2170.64 --> 2175.32] So that's what we're celebrating today, and that's what we're going to hear Pastor Chris talk about in his message. [2175.40 --> 2178.48] So I'm going to pray, and then today we're going to sit back with our parents, [2178.56 --> 2182.30] and we're going to listen to Pastor Chris talk about the meaning of Christmas for us today, okay? [2182.48 --> 2186.50] If you didn't, there are some activities at the children's worship time booth that you can do. [2186.70 --> 2188.32] I think there's some stickers and stuff like that. [2188.38 --> 2191.40] So you can go grab those as well after we pray if you want, okay? [2191.78 --> 2192.30] Let me pray. [2192.30 --> 2194.56] Dear God, thank you so much for this day. [2194.66 --> 2199.68] Thank you that we could be here today on Christmas Day, so excited to celebrate your birth, God. [2199.72 --> 2203.22] And we just, we pray that you'll help us remember that you are our forever king, [2203.28 --> 2206.30] that you came down from the throne of heaven to become a baby for us, [2206.78 --> 2212.70] to eventually grow up to a man, to die on the cross, and to rise again for all of our sins. [2212.80 --> 2216.42] And God, may we remember that this is the day that you are the greatest gift that we could receive. [2216.76 --> 2217.78] We pray this in your name. [2218.44 --> 2218.80] Amen. [2218.80 --> 2219.00] Amen. [2219.66 --> 2220.08] All right. [2220.74 --> 2221.28] You know what? [2221.38 --> 2221.80] Let's do it. [2221.80 --> 2223.48] We do this at our church all the time. [2223.56 --> 2224.14] Let's do it anyways. [2224.20 --> 2225.78] We're not going anywhere, but let's all stand up. [2225.86 --> 2229.06] We're going to do the blessing because there's some guests here that I think need to be blessed by the kids. [2229.54 --> 2230.78] So we're going to stand here. [2230.86 --> 2233.08] We're going to put our hands like this, and I'm going to count to three, [2233.14 --> 2235.64] and we're going to say together, the Lord be with you, okay? [2235.74 --> 2236.22] Are you ready? [2236.52 --> 2237.64] We're going to say this to the church. [2237.92 --> 2239.10] One, two, three. [2239.48 --> 2241.46] The Lord be with you. [2242.18 --> 2243.50] All right. [2243.50 --> 2244.78] You can go back to your parents' seats. [2244.78 --> 2246.38] All right. [2251.80 --> 2264.28] Good morning. [2264.82 --> 2265.36] Good morning. [2265.48 --> 2266.18] My name is Dave. [2267.14 --> 2271.54] I am an elder at this church, and I get to lead you in our church family prayer. [2271.54 --> 2272.96] Will you pray with me? [2272.96 --> 2281.70] Father, it is with great joy that we gather on this Christmas day. [2282.10 --> 2285.72] It is a time that we join with Christians of all times and of all ages, [2285.96 --> 2288.40] and we celebrate the profound importance of this day, [2288.90 --> 2292.96] that Jesus chose to take on human form, taking on the very nature of a servant. [2292.96 --> 2298.50] It is a marvelous thought that the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. [2299.18 --> 2301.38] Like the shepherds, we hear the message from the angels. [2301.74 --> 2304.70] I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. [2305.22 --> 2307.76] Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. [2308.12 --> 2309.36] He is Christ the Lord. [2310.26 --> 2313.26] And because of this good news, we sing with the angels, [2313.84 --> 2318.22] glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. [2318.22 --> 2323.68] Father, even with the joy of Christmas, we need to confess that we are sinful people. [2324.48 --> 2328.84] It is because of human sin and human rebellion that we need to be reconciled to you, [2329.18 --> 2330.94] and that Jesus needed to come down, [2331.50 --> 2336.74] and that the child in the manger needed to grow, live a humble life, and die on a cross. [2337.66 --> 2342.82] We confess that we get caught up in the many distractions and the excess of this season. [2343.54 --> 2345.56] Help us to remember the real purpose of Christmas, [2345.56 --> 2349.36] to celebrate the very humble beginnings of our faith in a stable. [2350.66 --> 2353.64] Father, we come to you because we have many reasons to be thankful. [2354.22 --> 2358.06] We thank you for the joy and celebration that we felt in this time of Advent. [2358.72 --> 2362.08] We thank you for this church family and everyone who has gathered here. [2362.86 --> 2364.82] We thank you for the leadership of this church, [2365.10 --> 2368.54] with Pastor Chris, Pastor Kevin, and Josh. [2368.84 --> 2370.36] We thank you for members of the council. [2370.36 --> 2376.70] We pray for wisdom for them, that they may provide good leadership and decisions for us. [2377.22 --> 2379.60] We thank you for the many ministries of this church, [2379.98 --> 2384.66] the nursery, children's worship time, gems, cadets, youth, young adults, [2384.98 --> 2388.58] the Mexico team, coffee break, care groups, seniors ministry. [2389.14 --> 2391.12] We ask that you bless the work that they do, [2391.36 --> 2395.42] that they may meet the spiritual and physical needs that we see around us. [2395.42 --> 2401.70] Father, as a church community, we think of the joys and needs that we have as a Christian community. [2402.24 --> 2405.54] We pray for those who use this time to travel, to be with extended family. [2406.02 --> 2408.42] We pray for safe travels and a meaningful time together. [2409.90 --> 2412.12] Father, in the midst of all the joy and celebration, [2412.38 --> 2414.70] we realize that this may be a time that is difficult. [2415.36 --> 2417.80] We pray for those who experience hardship or loneliness, [2418.28 --> 2420.38] and for those who grieve the loss of a loved one. [2420.80 --> 2424.28] We pray that they may feel your comfort, your peace, and your presence. [2424.28 --> 2428.22] And we pray that all of us may be a source of light and compassion. [2429.10 --> 2432.74] We pray for Elise Wagenau's father, Doug, as he continues his health struggles [2432.74 --> 2434.56] and the news of a tumor on his spine. [2435.08 --> 2438.50] We pray for patience and strength as the family takes this journey together. [2439.16 --> 2443.04] We pray for Amanda Hogan's sister and Klaus Tessamacher's daughter, Tanya, [2443.58 --> 2446.62] who is experiencing stage 4 breast cancer that has spread. [2447.24 --> 2449.20] We pray for her and her family, [2449.54 --> 2453.40] that they may feel your comfort, peace, healing, and hope. [2453.40 --> 2460.18] And Father, we pray for Pastor Chris as he leads us again in the study of our word [2460.18 --> 2462.62] as revealed to the prophet Isaiah. [2463.26 --> 2467.94] We thank you that, unlike Isaiah, we don't have to wait for the coming of the Messiah [2467.94 --> 2473.62] because he has already come, the word made flesh, Emmanuel, God with us. [2474.40 --> 2477.28] May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God [2477.28 --> 2480.28] and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. [2481.04 --> 2481.30] Amen. [2481.30 --> 2481.38] Amen. [2483.40 --> 2513.36] As we begin this morning here in a reflection on God's word on Christmas Day, [2513.36 --> 2516.50] I just want to take a moment right at the outset [2516.50 --> 2519.94] and acknowledge something with you this morning. [2520.02 --> 2523.84] Something strange, weird, and mysterious. [2523.84 --> 2529.34] Because when you get right down to it, Christmas is weird. [2530.58 --> 2531.64] Christmas is strange. [2532.70 --> 2537.54] Honestly, pull back all the 21st century dressings, [2537.54 --> 2539.68] the music and the malls and the parties, [2539.68 --> 2542.20] the lights and the turkey dinners. [2542.20 --> 2545.52] Most of the time, good things, depending on who's cooking. [2546.32 --> 2548.06] Pull all of that back, right? [2548.14 --> 2551.58] Pull the history of Christian cultural influence. [2552.08 --> 2557.74] Pull back pop Christmas music and music specials, Christmas specials. [2558.00 --> 2560.96] Pull back the sleigh bells and the Christmas trees. [2560.96 --> 2564.10] Look behind that curtain of cultural Christmas. [2564.10 --> 2568.10] And Christmas should be impossible. [2568.10 --> 2568.66] Impossible. [2568.66 --> 2577.70] Now, very aware of the fact that enough of you here this morning [2577.70 --> 2582.74] have grown up in the church or are at least church adjacent. [2582.74 --> 2587.56] And what I mean by that is that we have family or friends [2587.56 --> 2590.06] who invited us to come here this morning [2590.06 --> 2591.98] and we came because we love them [2591.98 --> 2596.30] or because it was a condition for opening presents later on in the day [2596.30 --> 2598.64] or for eating Christmas dinner, and so we're here. [2600.32 --> 2604.94] Most of us here this morning have been around long enough [2604.94 --> 2608.48] for this truth that Christmas is strange [2608.48 --> 2611.12] is easy to miss. [2612.66 --> 2617.22] It's easy to miss the impossible nature of this day. [2617.52 --> 2619.68] We can become numb to the miracle [2619.68 --> 2624.02] or we can take for granted the majesty of this mystery. [2625.82 --> 2631.94] Or maybe you're not even sure what you believe about this Jesus guy, [2632.12 --> 2635.24] but you still like Christmas, right? [2635.24 --> 2639.02] For so many people today, Christmas has become a reason [2639.02 --> 2640.76] to take a few days off of work, [2641.08 --> 2644.58] to give a couple presents, maybe even to give one or two. [2645.02 --> 2648.14] Christmas has become a time where you can go up the mountains [2648.14 --> 2649.78] to ski or snowboard, [2649.86 --> 2653.28] or maybe you're lucky enough to go off to Mexico or to Hawaii. [2654.92 --> 2658.12] Christmas, for so many, is about family traditions, [2658.34 --> 2660.62] about peppermint lattes and eggnog. [2660.98 --> 2663.06] It's about palm dauphine if you're French [2663.06 --> 2665.48] or malva pudding if you're from South Africa [2665.48 --> 2667.36] or panettone if you're Italian [2667.36 --> 2670.08] or peppernotin if you're Dutch. [2671.56 --> 2673.78] For so many of us, Christmas isn't spiritual, [2674.06 --> 2674.72] it's physical. [2675.48 --> 2677.60] It's about good food and good rest. [2679.78 --> 2682.92] Now, I suspect that if you're here this morning, [2683.58 --> 2688.42] you're somewhere in the middle of this range of possibilities. [2688.42 --> 2688.98] Right? [2690.50 --> 2692.74] Christmas comes, and we love it, [2693.32 --> 2696.06] but life goes on to the next thing. [2697.42 --> 2698.24] All right, after today, [2698.34 --> 2701.06] we're pretty quickly counting down to New Year's Eve parties, [2701.46 --> 2704.20] and then it's back to school or back to work, [2704.92 --> 2707.64] back to life as usual. [2708.60 --> 2710.64] Life as it was a few weeks ago [2710.64 --> 2712.86] and as it will be a few weeks from now. [2712.86 --> 2716.48] Christmas, the impossibility of it all, [2716.88 --> 2719.66] can easily be missed. [2721.60 --> 2724.34] And it's easy to miss in the midst of all that. [2726.70 --> 2730.46] We haven't even talked about the very real circumstances [2730.46 --> 2732.34] that some of you are in, right? [2732.36 --> 2733.54] Of disease and death. [2734.56 --> 2736.00] Of worry and work. [2736.94 --> 2738.76] Of what if and how come. [2738.76 --> 2740.76] And in the midst of all of that, [2740.88 --> 2743.48] this easily just becomes another season, [2743.66 --> 2744.68] another day, another week [2744.68 --> 2746.18] that we just need to get through. [2749.64 --> 2751.00] And if you're anywhere [2751.00 --> 2755.32] in those ranges of possibilities this morning, [2755.90 --> 2758.58] I want to take just a few minutes of our time [2758.58 --> 2763.54] and stoke the marvel of Christmas Day. [2764.78 --> 2766.42] All right, let's pause for a moment [2766.42 --> 2769.22] and to gander at the impossible, [2770.00 --> 2774.08] to lift the veil and to peer into the mystery. [2775.34 --> 2777.90] Now to do that, let me set the stage for you this morning. [2778.70 --> 2781.04] Whether or not you've been with us throughout Advent, [2781.54 --> 2783.64] that's the season leading up to Christmas, [2784.20 --> 2787.02] it won't matter as I'll give you the context here. [2787.82 --> 2791.10] We have been looking at the book of Isaiah, [2791.30 --> 2792.84] waiting with Isaiah. [2792.84 --> 2793.24] Isaiah. [2793.92 --> 2798.86] Now Isaiah is a prophet in the Jewish tradition [2798.86 --> 2800.94] to the people of Judah [2800.94 --> 2804.86] in the 8th century before Christ. [2805.78 --> 2808.32] He speaks the word of God to kings [2808.32 --> 2809.78] who have forgotten God. [2810.42 --> 2813.52] He speaks of the expectation of the Messiah, [2813.94 --> 2815.34] which means the anointed one, [2815.44 --> 2816.88] the true king, right? [2816.92 --> 2819.14] He brings a word from God to people [2819.14 --> 2821.88] as a division reigns in the land, [2821.88 --> 2823.72] as exile approaches, [2823.72 --> 2826.50] and as two major nation states [2826.50 --> 2829.34] loom large over Israel and Judah, [2829.48 --> 2832.72] the empire of Assyria and eventually Babylon. [2833.78 --> 2835.66] And where I want us to look this morning [2835.66 --> 2838.64] with Isaiah is in Isaiah 7. [2839.70 --> 2841.68] And we're going to jump into the story [2841.68 --> 2844.04] as King Ahaz, [2844.36 --> 2845.98] who's the king of Judah, [2845.98 --> 2847.50] has a choice to make. [2848.72 --> 2850.30] The background to this story [2850.30 --> 2852.18] is recorded for us in the Bible [2852.18 --> 2853.92] in 2 Kings 16. [2855.18 --> 2858.00] Northern Israel and Aram [2858.00 --> 2861.80] are threatening Judah and King Ahaz. [2862.34 --> 2864.60] They both want to pull Ahaz, [2865.00 --> 2866.04] the king of Judah, [2866.20 --> 2867.60] into an alliance [2867.60 --> 2870.90] because of the nearing and looming threat [2870.90 --> 2872.32] of the Assyrian Empire. [2872.32 --> 2875.46] Short of pulling him into an alliance, [2876.00 --> 2877.98] they could also topple the kingdom [2877.98 --> 2880.26] and annex it back. [2881.52 --> 2884.14] Now Ahaz instead decides [2884.14 --> 2885.52] he's going to approach [2885.52 --> 2888.12] the king of the Assyrian Empire [2888.12 --> 2889.66] and make a deal with him. [2890.90 --> 2893.28] Now, read between the lines [2893.28 --> 2894.36] in this story. [2895.52 --> 2895.64] Right? [2895.78 --> 2896.52] Simply put, [2896.92 --> 2899.40] Ahaz has a choice to make, [2899.40 --> 2901.36] and that choice isn't between [2901.36 --> 2903.64] Assyria on the one hand [2903.64 --> 2905.88] or Israel and Aram on the other. [2906.14 --> 2908.70] It's a choice between trusting God [2908.70 --> 2910.10] or not. [2912.26 --> 2913.70] And going to Assyria [2913.70 --> 2915.04] and making a deal with them, [2915.14 --> 2917.32] he took matters into his own hands [2917.32 --> 2920.18] and he ends up picking sides [2920.18 --> 2921.94] with what becomes an even greater threat [2921.94 --> 2923.06] to their destruction. [2924.52 --> 2925.64] Here's the problem [2925.64 --> 2926.92] that we step into. [2926.92 --> 2931.44] Ahaz is letting his perspective [2931.44 --> 2934.36] dictate reality. [2935.80 --> 2937.66] Ahaz is letting his perspective [2937.66 --> 2938.98] dictate reality. [2939.14 --> 2940.54] And from his point of view, [2941.02 --> 2943.22] the northern Israel and Aram [2943.22 --> 2944.84] are the major threat. [2945.70 --> 2947.18] But from God's point of view, [2947.48 --> 2948.22] those are nothing. [2948.64 --> 2949.46] It's not them. [2949.60 --> 2950.70] It's actually him. [2950.92 --> 2952.46] It's his heart. [2953.82 --> 2956.86] Ahaz missed the deeper reality [2956.86 --> 2958.48] of what was going on. [2959.56 --> 2960.68] Does that sound familiar? [2963.16 --> 2964.36] John Oswalt, [2964.48 --> 2966.30] who is a Bible scholar, [2967.04 --> 2968.62] is part of the translation team [2968.62 --> 2970.24] for the Bible version [2970.24 --> 2972.20] that we read here at Emmanuel. [2972.88 --> 2973.76] He writes, [2974.84 --> 2975.42] he says, [2975.54 --> 2977.10] we are always in danger [2977.10 --> 2978.64] of paying too much attention [2978.64 --> 2979.64] to the passing [2979.64 --> 2981.96] and paying too little attention [2981.96 --> 2983.52] to the significant. [2987.10 --> 2988.42] Paying too much attention [2988.42 --> 2989.20] to the passing [2989.20 --> 2991.28] and paying too little attention [2991.28 --> 2992.92] to the significant. [2994.38 --> 2996.52] If all you ever focus on [2996.52 --> 2998.74] is that thing right in front of you, [2998.74 --> 3001.18] you might miss the important thing [3001.18 --> 3002.74] going on around you. [3005.22 --> 3006.08] Ahaz's choice [3006.08 --> 3007.64] between trusting God [3007.64 --> 3009.56] or trusting himself [3009.56 --> 3011.74] has impacts down the line [3011.74 --> 3012.52] for his life [3012.52 --> 3013.64] and for his rule. [3014.40 --> 3015.98] And unless he gets to a point [3015.98 --> 3016.94] where he can trust [3016.94 --> 3018.20] in a sovereign God [3018.20 --> 3019.06] who is good, [3019.38 --> 3021.16] unless he can give himself up [3021.16 --> 3022.26] to God's rule [3022.26 --> 3023.42] and reign in his life, [3023.86 --> 3024.92] he will continue [3024.92 --> 3026.10] to be stuck [3026.10 --> 3027.36] in this loop [3027.36 --> 3028.26] of panic, [3028.72 --> 3029.08] fear, [3029.38 --> 3029.90] poor decision, [3030.28 --> 3030.72] consequence. [3031.42 --> 3031.92] Panic, [3032.28 --> 3032.60] fear, [3032.94 --> 3033.40] poor decision, [3033.72 --> 3034.14] consequence. [3034.14 --> 3039.06] It's a loop, [3039.12 --> 3039.76] I can keep going. [3042.68 --> 3043.02] Right? [3043.06 --> 3044.38] It's only entrusting [3044.38 --> 3046.32] in the real present [3046.32 --> 3048.26] and really present [3048.26 --> 3049.90] ultimate truthfulness [3049.90 --> 3051.26] and ultimate truth [3051.26 --> 3052.28] of God. [3052.52 --> 3054.42] Is there any real security [3054.42 --> 3055.66] for him [3055.66 --> 3057.46] in this present life? [3057.62 --> 3059.66] The only trusting in God [3059.66 --> 3061.14] breaks that loop. [3062.60 --> 3063.80] And so Isaiah comes [3063.80 --> 3066.18] and issues a challenge [3066.18 --> 3067.14] to Ahaz. [3067.52 --> 3068.40] He comes [3068.40 --> 3069.02] and he says [3069.02 --> 3070.06] to ask God [3070.06 --> 3070.82] for a sign. [3070.94 --> 3072.16] Let's look at Isaiah 10 [3072.16 --> 3073.28] together. [3075.44 --> 3076.00] Again, [3076.20 --> 3077.24] the Lord spoke [3077.24 --> 3078.22] to Ahaz. [3080.60 --> 3081.74] Ask the Lord [3081.74 --> 3082.28] your God [3082.28 --> 3083.02] for a sign, [3083.66 --> 3085.32] whether in the deepest depths [3085.32 --> 3087.38] or in the highest heights. [3088.80 --> 3090.26] Ask him for anything [3090.26 --> 3091.96] is what Isaiah is saying. [3092.10 --> 3093.08] Ask for a sign [3093.08 --> 3093.90] to prove [3093.90 --> 3095.24] that your decision [3095.24 --> 3096.64] was a good one. [3097.96 --> 3098.84] But Ahaz [3098.84 --> 3099.66] doesn't want [3099.66 --> 3100.40] to be found out. [3101.74 --> 3102.26] Or, [3102.46 --> 3103.84] maybe at this point, [3104.40 --> 3105.22] he's choosing [3105.22 --> 3107.08] willful ignorance. [3108.30 --> 3108.88] Do you know [3108.88 --> 3109.54] what I mean by that? [3110.54 --> 3110.80] Right? [3110.88 --> 3112.38] He's committed himself [3112.38 --> 3113.24] to this course [3113.24 --> 3113.90] of action [3113.90 --> 3115.14] and he refuses [3115.14 --> 3116.30] to be dissuaded [3116.30 --> 3117.64] because that would mean [3117.64 --> 3118.80] admitting a mistake [3118.80 --> 3119.62] or admitting [3119.62 --> 3120.58] that he did something [3120.58 --> 3121.20] wrong [3121.20 --> 3122.34] or said something wrong. [3122.52 --> 3122.78] Right? [3122.82 --> 3123.60] You've never done that. [3124.34 --> 3125.26] You've never stuck [3125.26 --> 3126.10] to a story [3126.10 --> 3127.06] because you've already [3127.06 --> 3128.44] argued for 10 minutes straight [3128.44 --> 3129.14] even though [3129.14 --> 3129.96] eight minutes ago [3129.96 --> 3130.78] in your heart of hearts [3130.78 --> 3131.34] you admitted [3131.34 --> 3132.12] that you were wrong [3132.12 --> 3132.82] but you're not going [3132.82 --> 3133.46] to give in [3133.46 --> 3134.26] because you're not [3134.26 --> 3134.80] going to give her [3134.80 --> 3135.48] the satisfaction [3135.48 --> 3136.26] of knowing [3136.26 --> 3136.98] that she was right. [3137.08 --> 3137.56] You don't do that, [3137.60 --> 3137.72] right? [3138.86 --> 3139.46] Just me? [3140.18 --> 3141.12] Pronouns are intentional [3141.12 --> 3141.64] there, folks. [3141.64 --> 3148.36] Instead, Ahaz's response [3148.36 --> 3150.80] is feigned piety. [3151.00 --> 3151.88] Let's continue [3151.88 --> 3153.22] in that text. [3154.00 --> 3154.64] Verse 12, [3154.78 --> 3155.56] Ahaz said, [3156.24 --> 3157.12] I will not ask, [3157.56 --> 3158.30] I will not put [3158.30 --> 3159.80] the Lord to the test. [3161.82 --> 3162.80] Isaiah's challenge [3162.80 --> 3163.52] to him is [3163.52 --> 3164.56] ask for evidence [3164.56 --> 3167.00] and Ahaz's response [3167.00 --> 3168.44] is to bury his head [3168.44 --> 3169.10] in the sand [3169.10 --> 3169.92] into clouded [3169.92 --> 3171.06] and spiritual language. [3171.64 --> 3173.24] Now look, [3173.80 --> 3176.40] at this point, [3177.64 --> 3178.90] even the most [3178.90 --> 3180.20] compelling evidence [3180.20 --> 3182.26] will be dismissed [3182.26 --> 3184.12] and explained away. [3187.38 --> 3187.60] Okay, [3188.60 --> 3189.36] zoom out [3189.36 --> 3190.14] for a moment. [3192.56 --> 3193.50] Evidence [3193.50 --> 3195.20] does not [3195.20 --> 3196.20] create [3196.20 --> 3197.22] faith. [3199.96 --> 3200.52] Right? [3200.52 --> 3201.00] Isaiah [3201.00 --> 3201.96] wouldn't be able [3201.96 --> 3202.68] to argue [3202.68 --> 3203.36] Ahaz [3203.36 --> 3204.08] into right [3204.08 --> 3204.54] belief. [3205.66 --> 3206.66] Just like [3206.66 --> 3207.72] you can't argue [3207.72 --> 3208.40] your friend [3208.40 --> 3209.10] into right [3209.10 --> 3209.50] belief, [3209.54 --> 3210.02] no matter [3210.02 --> 3210.58] how hard [3210.58 --> 3211.18] you try. [3212.02 --> 3212.34] But, [3213.08 --> 3213.84] evidence [3213.84 --> 3215.10] confirms [3215.10 --> 3216.20] faith. [3217.48 --> 3218.36] That is, [3218.42 --> 3218.94] if you have [3218.94 --> 3219.64] the eyes [3219.64 --> 3220.48] to see it, [3221.20 --> 3222.30] you will get it. [3222.70 --> 3223.86] And it will be [3223.86 --> 3224.52] a confirmation [3224.52 --> 3225.98] for you. [3226.84 --> 3227.24] Right? [3227.24 --> 3227.70] where there [3227.70 --> 3228.86] is no faith, [3229.12 --> 3229.54] at least [3229.54 --> 3230.26] not faith [3230.26 --> 3231.02] in God [3231.02 --> 3231.80] and his word [3231.80 --> 3232.34] to us, [3232.34 --> 3232.96] where there [3232.96 --> 3233.68] is no faith, [3234.02 --> 3234.38] evidence [3234.38 --> 3235.12] will just [3235.12 --> 3235.72] have to be [3235.72 --> 3236.68] explained away. [3237.78 --> 3238.34] Evidence [3238.34 --> 3239.06] isn't welcome [3239.06 --> 3241.16] and therefore, [3241.80 --> 3242.10] evidence [3242.10 --> 3243.06] isn't seen. [3245.68 --> 3246.38] That's why [3246.38 --> 3246.88] some of you [3246.88 --> 3247.82] get so frustrated [3247.82 --> 3248.92] trying to convince [3248.92 --> 3249.42] your kids [3249.42 --> 3249.94] to believe [3249.94 --> 3250.60] like you do. [3250.60 --> 3253.66] because without [3253.66 --> 3254.16] the shared [3254.16 --> 3254.64] faith, [3254.82 --> 3255.66] it's really [3255.66 --> 3256.24] easy to [3256.24 --> 3256.88] explain that [3256.88 --> 3257.62] evidence away. [3258.34 --> 3258.62] One, [3258.82 --> 3259.76] because it's [3259.76 --> 3260.70] necessary to [3260.70 --> 3261.32] explain that [3261.32 --> 3262.02] evidence away [3262.02 --> 3263.56] and two, [3264.28 --> 3265.08] the evidence [3265.08 --> 3266.38] requires faith [3266.38 --> 3267.24] to make sense [3267.24 --> 3267.58] of it. [3268.70 --> 3269.30] Let's flip the [3269.30 --> 3269.96] coin for a second, [3270.04 --> 3270.14] right? [3270.38 --> 3271.44] The very same [3271.44 --> 3273.14] reason a strict [3273.14 --> 3274.40] naturalist finds [3274.40 --> 3274.92] it impossible [3274.92 --> 3275.78] to believe [3275.78 --> 3276.86] in a creation [3276.86 --> 3278.34] account is [3278.34 --> 3279.40] why you find [3279.40 --> 3280.02] it impossible [3280.02 --> 3280.96] not to believe [3280.96 --> 3281.36] in one. [3282.88 --> 3283.44] Or to put it [3283.44 --> 3283.94] another way, [3284.28 --> 3285.08] the very same [3285.08 --> 3285.92] reason so many [3285.92 --> 3286.70] people miss [3286.70 --> 3288.02] the impossibility [3288.02 --> 3288.70] of Christmas [3288.70 --> 3289.82] is precisely [3289.82 --> 3290.50] the reason [3290.50 --> 3291.84] why you can't [3291.84 --> 3292.82] help but see [3292.82 --> 3293.54] it sitting here [3293.54 --> 3294.06] this morning. [3295.00 --> 3295.42] At least, [3295.76 --> 3296.50] I hope you see [3296.50 --> 3297.62] it or you're [3297.62 --> 3298.32] beginning to see [3298.32 --> 3298.54] it. [3298.86 --> 3299.18] You're getting [3299.18 --> 3299.68] a glimpse [3299.68 --> 3300.88] of it. [3302.06 --> 3302.46] And I know [3302.46 --> 3302.82] it seems [3302.82 --> 3303.92] convoluted [3303.92 --> 3304.24] perhaps. [3304.38 --> 3305.18] Let's try it [3305.18 --> 3306.14] this way. [3308.44 --> 3309.34] Where you [3309.34 --> 3310.56] start with [3310.56 --> 3311.18] your faith, [3311.34 --> 3311.74] where you [3311.74 --> 3312.28] are starting [3312.28 --> 3312.86] from, [3313.48 --> 3313.94] determines [3313.94 --> 3315.28] where you [3315.28 --> 3315.68] will end [3315.68 --> 3316.00] at. [3317.76 --> 3317.98] Right? [3318.02 --> 3318.34] If you [3318.34 --> 3319.06] believe in [3319.06 --> 3319.44] a God [3319.44 --> 3320.00] who says [3320.00 --> 3320.92] something like, [3321.32 --> 3321.88] with man [3321.88 --> 3322.36] this is [3322.36 --> 3322.84] impossible, [3323.30 --> 3323.70] but with [3323.70 --> 3324.48] God all [3324.48 --> 3325.38] things are [3325.38 --> 3325.86] possible. [3326.98 --> 3327.24] If you [3327.24 --> 3327.56] believe in [3327.56 --> 3327.82] a God [3327.82 --> 3328.20] who says [3328.20 --> 3328.58] that, [3328.86 --> 3329.40] then what [3329.40 --> 3330.40] you assume [3330.40 --> 3331.18] to be true [3331.18 --> 3332.16] will be [3332.16 --> 3332.62] changed, [3332.90 --> 3333.28] will be [3333.28 --> 3333.78] transformed. [3335.22 --> 3335.64] If you [3335.64 --> 3336.20] don't yet [3336.20 --> 3336.82] believe in [3336.82 --> 3337.32] this kind [3337.32 --> 3337.78] of God, [3338.32 --> 3338.84] then it [3338.84 --> 3339.14] remains [3339.14 --> 3339.66] impossible. [3340.60 --> 3340.90] And in [3340.90 --> 3341.18] a sense, [3341.26 --> 3341.46] you're not [3341.46 --> 3341.72] wrong, [3341.80 --> 3342.56] because for [3342.56 --> 3342.88] you, [3342.96 --> 3343.62] from your [3343.62 --> 3344.16] perspective, [3345.16 --> 3345.74] it is [3345.74 --> 3346.62] impossible. [3349.02 --> 3349.38] But, [3349.88 --> 3351.70] but, [3351.76 --> 3352.32] look at [3352.32 --> 3353.72] how Isaiah [3353.72 --> 3355.00] responds. [3358.52 --> 3359.54] Verse 13, [3360.92 --> 3361.94] Isaiah said, [3361.94 --> 3363.10] here, [3363.10 --> 3363.12] here, [3363.52 --> 3364.06] now, [3364.36 --> 3364.60] you, [3364.86 --> 3365.78] house of [3365.78 --> 3366.22] David, [3366.36 --> 3366.86] is it not [3366.86 --> 3367.46] enough to [3367.46 --> 3367.94] try the [3367.94 --> 3368.46] patience of [3368.46 --> 3368.84] humans? [3369.26 --> 3369.68] Will you [3369.68 --> 3370.32] try the [3370.32 --> 3371.12] patience of [3371.12 --> 3371.84] my God [3371.84 --> 3372.54] also? [3373.42 --> 3373.74] Now, [3373.86 --> 3374.50] don't sleep [3374.50 --> 3375.02] on that [3375.02 --> 3375.62] my God [3375.62 --> 3376.40] line there. [3377.12 --> 3377.26] Right? [3377.36 --> 3378.02] Isaiah is [3378.02 --> 3379.00] saying that [3379.00 --> 3380.02] God isn't [3380.02 --> 3381.16] Ahaz's God [3381.16 --> 3381.70] anymore. [3381.92 --> 3382.52] Ahaz has [3382.52 --> 3383.70] chosen something [3383.70 --> 3384.18] different. [3384.32 --> 3384.86] His face, [3385.24 --> 3385.90] his faith [3385.90 --> 3387.10] is elsewhere, [3387.10 --> 3388.10] and because of [3388.10 --> 3388.24] that, [3388.28 --> 3388.90] he's burying [3388.90 --> 3389.50] his face [3389.50 --> 3390.30] into the [3390.30 --> 3390.58] sand. [3390.58 --> 3391.38] He's hiding [3391.38 --> 3392.76] the reality [3392.76 --> 3393.50] of his [3393.50 --> 3394.02] lack of [3394.02 --> 3394.86] faith behind [3394.86 --> 3395.56] a false [3395.56 --> 3396.20] sense of [3396.20 --> 3396.64] piety. [3398.56 --> 3398.88] And so [3398.88 --> 3399.32] Isaiah [3399.32 --> 3401.00] says, [3401.70 --> 3402.04] therefore, [3402.96 --> 3403.74] the Lord [3403.74 --> 3404.84] himself will [3404.84 --> 3405.42] give you [3405.42 --> 3406.20] a sign. [3406.74 --> 3407.40] The virgin [3407.40 --> 3408.30] will conceive [3408.30 --> 3408.88] and give [3408.88 --> 3409.78] birth to a [3409.78 --> 3410.72] son and [3410.72 --> 3412.12] will call [3412.12 --> 3412.66] him [3412.66 --> 3414.04] Emmanuel. [3418.10 --> 3419.06] That's the [3419.06 --> 3419.86] impossibility [3419.86 --> 3420.50] of Christmas. [3420.58 --> 3422.92] Now, [3422.96 --> 3423.14] look, [3423.20 --> 3423.56] some of you [3423.56 --> 3424.06] heard me [3424.06 --> 3424.56] say that, [3424.64 --> 3424.88] and you're [3424.88 --> 3425.18] thinking, [3425.32 --> 3425.50] yep, [3425.76 --> 3426.32] the virgin [3426.32 --> 3426.90] will conceive [3426.90 --> 3427.26] and give [3427.26 --> 3427.70] birth to [3427.70 --> 3428.08] a son. [3428.28 --> 3428.72] That's [3428.72 --> 3429.24] impossible. [3429.86 --> 3430.26] And yeah, [3430.42 --> 3430.90] you're right, [3431.04 --> 3431.58] that's an [3431.58 --> 3432.64] impossibility [3432.64 --> 3433.68] in this [3433.68 --> 3434.06] text. [3434.46 --> 3435.20] We know [3435.20 --> 3436.00] better now, [3436.14 --> 3436.50] virgins [3436.50 --> 3437.16] don't have [3437.16 --> 3437.92] babies, [3438.22 --> 3438.64] unless, [3438.76 --> 3439.28] of course, [3440.44 --> 3441.38] unless you [3441.38 --> 3442.24] believe in [3442.24 --> 3443.08] a God who [3443.08 --> 3443.86] looks at the [3443.86 --> 3444.62] impossible and [3444.62 --> 3444.80] says, [3444.90 --> 3445.16] boom, [3445.32 --> 3445.68] possible. [3446.90 --> 3447.30] Unless, [3447.44 --> 3447.70] of course, [3447.76 --> 3448.38] you believe in [3448.38 --> 3448.94] a God who [3448.94 --> 3449.98] could create [3449.98 --> 3450.98] everything that [3450.98 --> 3452.36] you see out [3452.36 --> 3453.12] of nothing with [3453.12 --> 3453.76] just a word, [3454.02 --> 3454.56] a God who [3454.56 --> 3454.80] said, [3455.02 --> 3455.38] let there be [3455.38 --> 3455.68] light, [3455.76 --> 3456.52] and then bang, [3456.68 --> 3457.28] there's an [3457.28 --> 3458.08] explosion of [3458.08 --> 3458.38] light. [3459.42 --> 3459.84] And if that's [3459.84 --> 3460.06] what you [3460.06 --> 3460.52] believe, [3460.72 --> 3461.38] the only [3461.38 --> 3461.94] reasonable [3461.94 --> 3463.06] conclusion is [3463.06 --> 3463.72] that God [3463.72 --> 3464.44] who formed [3464.44 --> 3465.62] man out of [3465.62 --> 3466.44] dust and dirt [3466.44 --> 3467.20] and breathed [3467.20 --> 3467.86] life into [3467.86 --> 3468.16] them, [3468.40 --> 3468.94] the only [3468.94 --> 3469.44] reasonable [3469.44 --> 3470.24] conclusion that [3470.24 --> 3470.80] God who [3470.80 --> 3472.20] raised a man [3472.20 --> 3473.00] from the dead, [3473.00 --> 3473.84] the only [3473.84 --> 3474.30] reasonable [3474.30 --> 3475.12] conclusion is [3475.12 --> 3475.60] that God [3475.60 --> 3476.00] can do [3476.00 --> 3477.02] anything in [3477.02 --> 3477.52] this physical [3477.52 --> 3477.92] world. [3479.20 --> 3479.38] Right? [3479.40 --> 3479.80] If you have [3479.80 --> 3480.46] the eyes of [3480.46 --> 3481.26] faith to see [3481.26 --> 3481.46] it, [3482.02 --> 3482.74] it's just [3482.74 --> 3483.92] another evidence [3483.92 --> 3484.92] of God's [3484.92 --> 3486.12] sovereign rule [3486.12 --> 3486.90] that only [3486.90 --> 3487.58] makes sense, [3487.86 --> 3488.38] that speaks [3488.38 --> 3489.76] cogently to [3489.76 --> 3490.30] your heart. [3491.66 --> 3492.50] And if you [3492.50 --> 3492.86] don't, [3494.00 --> 3494.48] well, [3494.50 --> 3494.68] then it [3494.68 --> 3495.00] doesn't. [3497.56 --> 3498.26] And you [3498.26 --> 3498.52] need to [3498.52 --> 3498.96] explain it [3498.96 --> 3499.22] away. [3500.82 --> 3501.66] You need to [3501.66 --> 3502.40] find a reason, [3502.84 --> 3503.08] right, [3503.14 --> 3503.88] why all of [3503.88 --> 3504.78] these rational, [3505.34 --> 3505.86] reasonable, [3506.44 --> 3506.94] averagely [3506.94 --> 3507.98] intelligent people [3507.98 --> 3509.04] and billions [3509.04 --> 3510.06] throughout the [3510.06 --> 3510.66] world and [3510.66 --> 3511.40] throughout history [3511.40 --> 3512.22] believe this [3512.22 --> 3512.80] to be true. [3514.80 --> 3515.38] Right? [3515.42 --> 3516.02] When you try to [3516.02 --> 3516.74] explain that [3516.74 --> 3517.12] away, [3517.36 --> 3518.00] don't just [3518.00 --> 3518.62] bury your head [3518.62 --> 3519.20] in the sand [3519.20 --> 3520.10] and feign some [3520.10 --> 3520.74] sense of [3520.74 --> 3521.52] piety, [3522.24 --> 3522.88] assuming that [3522.88 --> 3523.34] you know [3523.34 --> 3524.18] best. [3526.52 --> 3526.72] Right? [3526.76 --> 3527.16] The virgin [3527.16 --> 3528.46] birth is [3528.46 --> 3530.26] an impossibility [3530.26 --> 3531.66] made possible [3531.66 --> 3532.36] at Christmas. [3532.52 --> 3533.08] Don't miss [3533.08 --> 3533.42] that. [3533.88 --> 3534.58] Instead, [3535.58 --> 3536.72] marvel at [3536.72 --> 3536.94] it. [3538.16 --> 3539.28] But that's [3539.28 --> 3539.80] not the [3539.80 --> 3540.32] impossible [3540.32 --> 3540.92] Christmas [3540.92 --> 3541.68] that I'm [3541.68 --> 3542.22] talking about. [3543.60 --> 3544.52] That's just [3544.52 --> 3545.00] step one. [3546.32 --> 3547.22] To get [3547.22 --> 3547.40] there, [3547.50 --> 3548.08] let's read [3548.08 --> 3549.86] Matthew 1, [3550.20 --> 3551.36] 18 to [3551.36 --> 3551.90] 23 [3551.90 --> 3553.06] together. [3555.66 --> 3556.42] This [3556.42 --> 3557.38] is how [3557.38 --> 3557.84] the birth [3557.84 --> 3558.40] of Jesus, [3558.56 --> 3559.04] the Messiah, [3559.18 --> 3559.64] came about. [3559.64 --> 3561.70] his mother [3561.70 --> 3562.40] Mary was [3562.40 --> 3563.04] pledged to [3563.04 --> 3563.50] be married [3563.50 --> 3564.12] to Joseph, [3564.12 --> 3565.08] but before [3565.08 --> 3565.66] they came [3565.66 --> 3566.18] together, [3566.58 --> 3566.94] she was [3566.94 --> 3567.38] found to [3567.38 --> 3567.86] be pregnant [3567.86 --> 3568.30] through the [3568.30 --> 3568.98] Holy Spirit. [3569.86 --> 3570.36] Because [3570.36 --> 3570.80] Joseph, [3570.92 --> 3571.36] her husband, [3571.48 --> 3572.06] was faithful [3572.06 --> 3572.72] to the law [3572.72 --> 3573.36] and yet did [3573.36 --> 3573.90] not want to [3573.90 --> 3574.72] expose her to [3574.72 --> 3575.60] public disgrace, [3575.98 --> 3576.68] he had in [3576.68 --> 3577.28] mind to [3577.28 --> 3577.92] divorce her [3577.92 --> 3578.34] quietly. [3578.34 --> 3580.30] But after [3580.30 --> 3580.64] he had [3580.64 --> 3581.02] considered [3581.02 --> 3581.42] this, [3581.50 --> 3582.00] an angel [3582.00 --> 3582.30] of the [3582.30 --> 3582.92] Lord appeared [3582.92 --> 3583.30] to him [3583.30 --> 3583.82] in a dream [3583.82 --> 3584.24] and said, [3584.38 --> 3584.70] Joseph, [3585.18 --> 3585.86] son of [3585.86 --> 3586.22] David, [3586.38 --> 3587.00] do not be [3587.00 --> 3587.66] afraid to [3587.66 --> 3588.20] take Mary [3588.20 --> 3588.76] home as [3588.76 --> 3589.16] your wife, [3589.52 --> 3590.06] because what [3590.06 --> 3590.72] is conceived [3590.72 --> 3591.86] in her is [3591.86 --> 3592.40] from the [3592.40 --> 3593.16] Holy Spirit. [3593.72 --> 3594.20] She will [3594.20 --> 3594.72] give birth [3594.72 --> 3595.44] to a son [3595.44 --> 3595.96] and you [3595.96 --> 3596.38] are to [3596.38 --> 3596.80] give him [3596.80 --> 3597.30] the name [3597.30 --> 3597.90] Jesus, [3597.90 --> 3598.76] because he [3598.76 --> 3599.42] will save [3599.42 --> 3600.30] his people [3600.30 --> 3601.00] from all [3601.00 --> 3602.20] their sins. [3602.20 --> 3603.96] all this [3603.96 --> 3604.68] took place [3604.68 --> 3605.34] to fulfill [3605.34 --> 3605.74] what the [3605.74 --> 3606.24] Lord had [3606.24 --> 3606.84] said through [3606.84 --> 3607.40] the prophet. [3608.30 --> 3608.82] The virgin [3608.82 --> 3609.62] will conceive [3609.62 --> 3610.22] and give [3610.22 --> 3611.16] birth to [3611.16 --> 3611.68] a son [3611.68 --> 3612.80] and they [3612.80 --> 3613.42] will call [3613.42 --> 3613.80] him [3613.80 --> 3614.90] Emmanuel, [3615.50 --> 3616.44] which means [3616.44 --> 3617.46] God [3617.46 --> 3619.04] with us. [3622.04 --> 3622.96] This is [3622.96 --> 3623.52] how the [3623.52 --> 3624.14] birth of [3624.14 --> 3624.82] Jesus the [3624.82 --> 3625.32] Messiah [3625.32 --> 3626.60] came about, [3626.70 --> 3626.84] right? [3626.88 --> 3627.52] The anointed [3627.52 --> 3628.00] one, [3628.36 --> 3628.94] the servant [3628.94 --> 3629.88] who is king, [3630.00 --> 3630.58] the servant [3630.58 --> 3631.68] who is God's [3631.68 --> 3632.30] son, [3632.46 --> 3633.12] the servant [3633.12 --> 3634.78] who is God. [3636.32 --> 3637.04] She was [3637.04 --> 3637.80] found to be [3637.80 --> 3638.88] pregnant through [3638.88 --> 3640.04] the Holy Spirit. [3640.18 --> 3640.80] What is [3640.80 --> 3641.76] conceived in [3641.76 --> 3642.86] her is from [3642.86 --> 3643.94] the Holy Spirit. [3644.24 --> 3644.58] God, [3644.64 --> 3645.56] God the Spirit [3645.56 --> 3646.74] causes Mary [3646.74 --> 3647.98] to be with [3647.98 --> 3648.60] child. [3648.78 --> 3649.58] God is [3649.58 --> 3650.78] his father. [3650.94 --> 3651.50] This ain't [3651.50 --> 3652.30] no ordinary [3652.30 --> 3652.88] son. [3653.14 --> 3654.06] Don't miss [3654.06 --> 3654.42] that. [3655.56 --> 3656.10] She will [3656.10 --> 3656.58] give birth [3656.58 --> 3657.26] to a son [3657.26 --> 3657.82] and you are [3657.82 --> 3658.36] to give him [3658.36 --> 3658.78] the name [3658.78 --> 3659.46] Jesus, [3659.64 --> 3660.06] because he [3660.06 --> 3660.60] will save [3660.60 --> 3661.14] his people [3661.14 --> 3661.60] from their [3661.60 --> 3662.00] sins. [3662.48 --> 3663.06] Jesus, [3663.38 --> 3663.88] Yeshua, [3664.30 --> 3665.18] means the [3665.18 --> 3666.14] Lord saves. [3667.68 --> 3668.14] And all [3668.14 --> 3668.52] of this [3668.52 --> 3669.12] took place [3669.12 --> 3669.68] to fulfill [3669.68 --> 3670.04] what the [3670.04 --> 3670.46] Lord had [3670.46 --> 3670.88] said through [3670.88 --> 3671.36] the prophet. [3672.10 --> 3672.66] The virgin [3672.66 --> 3673.34] will conceive [3673.34 --> 3673.86] and give [3673.86 --> 3674.38] birth to [3674.38 --> 3674.90] a son [3674.90 --> 3675.68] and they [3675.68 --> 3676.26] will call [3676.26 --> 3676.54] him [3676.54 --> 3677.26] Emmanuel, [3677.76 --> 3678.48] which means [3678.48 --> 3679.16] God [3679.16 --> 3680.70] with us. [3681.98 --> 3682.58] God [3682.58 --> 3683.54] with [3683.54 --> 3684.74] us. [3685.92 --> 3686.56] That [3686.56 --> 3687.48] is the [3687.48 --> 3688.50] impossibility [3688.50 --> 3689.70] of Christmas. [3689.70 --> 3690.56] God [3690.56 --> 3691.62] with us. [3692.28 --> 3693.20] The eternal [3693.20 --> 3693.88] enters [3693.88 --> 3694.42] time. [3695.82 --> 3696.46] The infinite [3696.46 --> 3697.52] limits himself [3697.52 --> 3698.30] into the [3698.30 --> 3698.68] finite. [3699.06 --> 3699.98] The transcendent [3699.98 --> 3700.84] condescends [3700.84 --> 3701.52] and becomes [3701.52 --> 3702.14] imminent. [3702.52 --> 3702.74] In the [3702.74 --> 3703.16] Christ [3703.16 --> 3703.64] child, [3703.76 --> 3704.30] the fullness [3704.30 --> 3705.48] of God [3705.48 --> 3706.40] dwells. [3707.48 --> 3707.84] Oh man, [3707.94 --> 3708.44] don't be [3708.44 --> 3708.98] numb [3708.98 --> 3709.78] to this [3709.78 --> 3710.30] miracle [3710.30 --> 3711.04] or take [3711.04 --> 3711.60] for granted [3711.60 --> 3712.48] the majesty [3712.48 --> 3713.14] of this [3713.14 --> 3713.82] mystery. [3713.96 --> 3714.32] This is [3714.32 --> 3714.70] Christmas. [3714.70 --> 3716.70] right? [3716.76 --> 3716.94] And you [3716.94 --> 3717.58] can choose [3717.58 --> 3718.06] to bury [3718.06 --> 3718.46] your head [3718.46 --> 3718.78] in the [3718.78 --> 3719.08] sand [3719.08 --> 3719.60] and explain [3719.60 --> 3719.96] it away. [3721.16 --> 3721.60] But [3721.60 --> 3721.92] instead, [3723.02 --> 3724.74] instead I [3724.74 --> 3725.22] hope you [3725.22 --> 3725.94] begin to [3725.94 --> 3726.40] wonder. [3727.48 --> 3727.80] And I [3727.80 --> 3728.18] pray, [3728.28 --> 3728.72] I pray [3728.72 --> 3729.08] that your [3729.08 --> 3729.58] wonder [3729.58 --> 3731.16] turns to [3731.16 --> 3731.60] worship [3731.60 --> 3732.76] as you [3732.76 --> 3733.28] approach [3733.28 --> 3733.68] this [3733.68 --> 3734.48] Christ [3734.48 --> 3734.82] child. [3735.72 --> 3736.18] Don't be [3736.18 --> 3736.74] distracted [3736.74 --> 3737.28] by the [3737.28 --> 3737.76] busyness [3737.76 --> 3738.12] of the [3738.12 --> 3738.50] season [3738.50 --> 3738.86] around. [3739.32 --> 3739.98] Don't let [3739.98 --> 3740.34] what is [3740.34 --> 3740.78] right in [3740.78 --> 3741.28] front of [3741.28 --> 3742.26] you rob [3742.26 --> 3743.28] you of [3743.28 --> 3743.98] the God [3743.98 --> 3744.30] who's [3744.30 --> 3744.60] all [3744.60 --> 3745.06] around [3745.06 --> 3745.30] you, [3745.40 --> 3745.84] the God [3745.84 --> 3746.48] who came [3746.48 --> 3747.40] into the [3747.40 --> 3747.88] world to [3747.88 --> 3748.34] live the [3748.34 --> 3748.74] life I [3748.74 --> 3749.04] should have [3749.04 --> 3749.38] lived and [3749.38 --> 3750.08] who died [3750.08 --> 3750.54] the death [3750.54 --> 3750.96] that I [3750.96 --> 3751.74] deserved. [3752.28 --> 3753.02] That's the [3753.02 --> 3753.86] impossibility [3753.86 --> 3754.54] of Christmas [3754.54 --> 3755.52] made possible [3755.52 --> 3756.84] by Emmanuel, [3757.24 --> 3758.20] God with [3758.20 --> 3758.68] us. [3759.08 --> 3759.74] And seeing [3759.74 --> 3760.36] the world [3760.36 --> 3761.00] in this [3761.00 --> 3761.92] way changes [3761.92 --> 3762.86] everything [3762.86 --> 3764.24] about the [3764.24 --> 3764.56] world. [3767.06 --> 3768.22] So now, [3769.00 --> 3769.58] no matter [3769.58 --> 3770.48] what you [3770.48 --> 3771.80] are facing, [3772.92 --> 3773.40] no matter [3773.40 --> 3774.42] how deep [3774.42 --> 3775.54] the darkness [3775.54 --> 3776.18] and the [3776.18 --> 3776.80] depths of [3776.80 --> 3777.40] despair [3777.40 --> 3778.86] might feel, [3780.48 --> 3782.56] God is [3782.56 --> 3784.38] with us. [3785.42 --> 3786.40] No matter [3786.40 --> 3787.52] how impossible [3787.52 --> 3788.88] your circumstance [3788.88 --> 3790.20] might seem, [3790.38 --> 3791.36] God is [3791.36 --> 3792.38] with us. [3792.96 --> 3793.44] No matter [3793.44 --> 3794.06] how great [3794.06 --> 3795.08] or successful [3795.08 --> 3796.06] you think [3796.06 --> 3796.84] yourself to [3796.84 --> 3797.48] have been [3797.48 --> 3798.18] and become, [3798.52 --> 3799.34] God is [3799.34 --> 3800.28] with us [3800.28 --> 3800.64] and it's [3800.64 --> 3801.28] from him [3801.28 --> 3801.62] and him [3801.62 --> 3802.06] alone [3802.06 --> 3802.86] that all [3802.86 --> 3803.70] good gifts [3803.70 --> 3804.26] come. [3806.86 --> 3807.90] And all [3807.90 --> 3808.60] of this, [3809.44 --> 3811.00] all of [3811.00 --> 3811.52] this [3811.52 --> 3812.84] comes [3812.84 --> 3814.24] with the [3814.24 --> 3814.86] eyes of [3814.86 --> 3815.24] faith [3815.24 --> 3816.66] to see it. [3818.30 --> 3819.22] I pray [3819.22 --> 3819.62] that this [3819.62 --> 3820.04] Christmas [3820.04 --> 3821.84] you share [3821.84 --> 3822.60] those eyes [3822.60 --> 3823.80] of faith [3823.80 --> 3824.96] with me. [3824.96 --> 3827.86] and so [3827.86 --> 3828.62] this [3828.62 --> 3829.22] Christmas [3829.22 --> 3830.70] marveling [3830.70 --> 3830.96] at the [3830.96 --> 3831.38] majesty [3831.38 --> 3832.12] of God [3832.12 --> 3833.22] with us, [3833.52 --> 3834.22] all of [3834.22 --> 3835.02] those gathered [3835.02 --> 3835.76] here who [3835.76 --> 3836.56] have these [3836.56 --> 3837.30] eyes of [3837.30 --> 3837.66] faith [3837.66 --> 3838.46] together [3838.46 --> 3839.06] said, [3840.14 --> 3840.44] amen. [3841.44 --> 3842.02] Let's [3842.02 --> 3842.22] pray. [3842.22 --> 3848.78] Lord [3848.78 --> 3850.12] Jesus [3850.12 --> 3851.50] Christ, [3853.72 --> 3854.30] Yeshua [3854.30 --> 3855.64] Messiah, [3856.26 --> 3856.62] Jesus [3856.62 --> 3858.04] Messiah, [3861.38 --> 3861.86] Jesus [3861.86 --> 3863.56] Christos, [3865.50 --> 3865.94] you [3865.94 --> 3866.62] are [3866.62 --> 3867.28] God [3867.28 --> 3868.58] with us, [3868.58 --> 3869.24] Emmanuel. [3869.24 --> 3873.64] may this [3873.64 --> 3874.56] truth [3874.56 --> 3875.88] transform [3875.88 --> 3876.90] how we [3876.90 --> 3877.56] see [3877.56 --> 3878.46] the world. [3880.84 --> 3881.66] Give [3881.66 --> 3882.20] us [3882.20 --> 3882.80] today [3882.80 --> 3883.40] these [3883.40 --> 3884.04] eyes [3884.04 --> 3885.12] of faith [3885.12 --> 3885.88] that in [3885.88 --> 3886.32] you, [3886.60 --> 3887.34] from you, [3887.42 --> 3888.02] and with [3888.02 --> 3888.38] you, [3888.54 --> 3889.24] we might [3889.24 --> 3889.88] see [3889.88 --> 3890.66] you. [3892.98 --> 3894.14] Draw us [3894.14 --> 3894.50] near [3894.50 --> 3895.38] to you, [3895.58 --> 3896.14] we pray [3896.14 --> 3896.94] today, [3896.94 --> 3899.06] that we [3899.06 --> 3899.32] might [3899.32 --> 3899.78] marvel [3899.78 --> 3900.64] at the [3900.64 --> 3901.12] mystery [3901.12 --> 3902.20] of the [3902.20 --> 3902.80] incarnation. [3903.84 --> 3904.32] In [3904.32 --> 3904.62] Jesus' [3904.80 --> 3905.20] name we [3905.20 --> 3905.50] pray. [3906.36 --> 3906.80] Amen. [3907.82 --> 3908.22] Amen. [3908.22 --> 3908.28] Amen. [3918.34 --> 3918.60] Amen. [3918.60 --> 3919.26] Amen. [3919.26 --> 3919.38] Amen. [3919.38 --> 3919.76] Amen. [3919.76 --> 3919.86] Amen. [3919.86 --> 3919.98] Amen. [3919.98 --> 3920.20] Amen. [3920.20 --> 3921.32] Amen. [3921.32 --> 3922.02] Amen. [3922.02 --> 3922.38] Amen. [3922.38 --> 3922.46] Amen. [3922.46 --> 3922.54] Amen. [3926.94 --> 3927.94] 数学术 [3929.50 --> 3934.32] 文字幕志愿者 倫直 [3935.86 --> 3940.54] mgrim [3940.54 --> 3954.54] is [3959.50 --> 3968.54] with their wondrous [3970.54 --> 3977.02] the [3981.82 --> 3982.06] is [3982.62 --> 3984.62] is [3984.62 --> 4003.66] To the calling of glory, glory to God in the highest, [4003.66 --> 4008.74] Peace to man on earth [4008.74 --> 4015.74] Come and adore him with wonder [4015.74 --> 4020.66] Christ, Lord of heaven and earth [4021.22 --> 4031.56] There is a day all creation has longed for [4031.56 --> 4035.60] When all of time has been spent [4035.60 --> 4038.92] And the Lord returns [4038.92 --> 4041.90] His song will repeat [4041.90 --> 4044.90] As heaven completes [4044.90 --> 4049.90] Promise peace that will fill the nations [4049.90 --> 4055.56] Glory to God in the highest [4055.56 --> 4060.72] Peace to man on earth [4060.72 --> 4067.08] Come and adore him with wonder [4067.08 --> 4072.92] Christ, Lord of heaven and earth [4072.92 --> 4080.18] Glory to God in the highest [4080.18 --> 4085.66] Peace to man on earth [4085.66 --> 4092.02] Come and adore him with wonder [4092.02 --> 4098.38] Christ, Lord of heaven and earth [4098.38 --> 4104.74] Glory to God in the highest [4104.74 --> 4109.74] Peace to man on earth [4109.74 --> 4116.68] Come and adore him with wonder [4116.68 --> 4122.04] Christ, Lord of heaven and earth [4122.04 --> 4140.34] As we go this Christmas day [4140.34 --> 4144.78] Know that God himself goes with you [4144.78 --> 4146.98] As you receive God's blessing [4146.98 --> 4150.72] I invite you to go also with an invitation [4150.72 --> 4153.04] If you are looking for prayer [4153.04 --> 4155.18] Or would like to connect with someone to pray [4155.18 --> 4157.44] About whatever it is that God has laid on your heart [4157.44 --> 4158.44] There will be someone here [4158.44 --> 4159.14] There will be someone here up front [4159.14 --> 4160.74] With a yellow name tag on [4160.74 --> 4161.70] They'd love to meet you [4161.70 --> 4163.54] To pray with you in that moment [4163.54 --> 4164.70] You can find myself [4164.70 --> 4167.10] Or really anyone here as well [4167.10 --> 4168.84] Would love to pray with you [4168.84 --> 4172.12] Receive the blessing of God [4172.12 --> 4173.84] As we are sent from this place [4173.84 --> 4176.98] Joining him in his mission [4176.98 --> 4180.28] To declare the wonderful glory [4180.28 --> 4181.26] Of God [4181.26 --> 4183.20] Receive his blessing [4183.20 --> 4185.78] God, go before you [4185.78 --> 4186.60] To lead you [4186.60 --> 4188.54] God, go behind you [4188.54 --> 4189.36] To protect you [4189.36 --> 4191.28] God, go beneath you [4191.28 --> 4192.30] To support you [4192.30 --> 4193.90] And God, go beside you [4193.90 --> 4194.98] To befriend you [4194.98 --> 4197.02] Do not be afraid [4197.02 --> 4199.06] Let the blessing of God [4199.06 --> 4200.02] Come upon you today [4200.02 --> 4201.74] Do not be afraid [4201.74 --> 4204.04] But go in peace [4204.04 --> 4206.96] To love and serve the Lord [4206.96 --> 4208.52] Amen [4208.52 --> 4229.08] Joy to the world [4229.08 --> 4232.60] The Lord is come [4232.60 --> 4236.68] And earth we sing [4236.68 --> 4263.58] If you are [4263.58 --> 4285.56] Joy to the earth, our Savior reigns, and all their songs and songs, while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, [4285.56 --> 4299.82] Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy. [4299.82 --> 4314.82] No more let sin and sorrow grow, your thorns infest the ground. [4315.56 --> 4337.24] He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. [4337.24 --> 4351.24] He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove. [4351.24 --> 4369.24] The glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love. [4369.24 --> 4375.24] The glories of His love. [4375.24 --> 4380.24] The glories of His love. [4380.24 --> 4385.24] The glories of His love. [4385.24 --> 4415.22] Thank you. [4415.24 --> 4445.22] Thank you. [4445.24 --> 4475.22] Thank you. [4475.24 --> 4505.22] Thank you. [4505.24 --> 4535.22] Thank you. [4535.24 --> 4537.24] Thank you. [4565.24 --> 4567.24] Thank you. [4595.24 --> 4597.24] Thank you. [4625.24 --> 4627.24] Thank you. [4655.24 --> 4657.24] Thank you. [4685.24 --> 4687.24] Thank you.