have the great privilege to be in the house of the Lord. I know some of us, we might feel tired from yesterday. We had a great time. How many of you know that today is a special occasion? You know, every time we gather in the Lord's day to give him worship, to honor him, and just to be able to hear the word of God, you know, it's such a privilege that we have. So I'm sure we're not taking this for granted. So today we're gonna be meditating from the book of Luke, from the book of Luke. So I will ask you please to open your Bibles in chapter 2. The title for this sermon today is Five Biblical Truths Revealed by the Birth of Jesus. Five Biblical Truths Revealed by the Birth of Jesus, taken from Luke, chapter 2, and we're going to read from verse 8 to verse 20. And if you are able, please, would you stand up to honor God's word as we read this passage here? We read the word of God in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And in the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. And they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you. you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see these things that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with Hest and found Mary and Joseph and the baby laying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen as it had been told them. Let us go to the Lord in prayer. Our Father in heaven, we come before you in the name of your Son, Jesus. We are so thankful, Lord, that you are allowing us to be here and just to be able to hear your message for us. Father, speak to our hearts. Help us to comprehend this great message that is about Christmas, about sending your son into the world to rescue sinners. I pray, Father, that you will bless your people today and that you will speak to them through your servant, Lord, who is weak in all the ways. But Father, let Christ be exalted today. and your name be glorified as you speak through your servant, O Lord. Come and bless us, O Lord. We ask in the mighty name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen, amen. You may be seated, brothers and sisters. Well, in Luke, in Luke's second chapter, we see the great fulfillment of God's promises to send a savior to rescue humanity from sin. The birth of Jesus was orchestrated through divine events with all elements ready. The governing empire was ready. Religious groups were ready. the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds tending their flocks, Bethlehem stable became the humble setting for this miracle, fulfilling Micah's prophecy. As Jesus was born, angels announced his arrival to the shepherds, proclaiming peace and glory. The shepherds worshiped him, spreading the joyful news and renewing hope in humanity. This miraculous birth symbolizes God's love and grace, reminding us of the peace and joy found in the Savior as Christmas approaches, which will reflect on the true significance of this occasion. Brothers and sisters, this is why today I would like to share with you five profound truths revealed by the birth of Jesus as described in Luke chapter 2. First, the birth of Jesus reveals and proclaims the glory of God. The birth of Jesus reveals and proclaims the glory of God. Second, we will see that it signifies and announces peace among men. It signifies and announces peace among men. Third, it brings forth and celebrates great joy. Fourth, it conveys a sense of urgency. The birth of Jesus conveys a sense of urgency. And lastly, The birth of Jesus proclaims the absence of fear. The birth of Jesus proclaims the absence of fear. So let us embark on this journey this morning, exploring each truth with open hearts and minds, allowing the timeless message of Jesus' birth to inspire and transform in our everyday lives. Let us see first how the birth of Jesus reveals and proclaims the glory of God. Notice with me how before announcing any benefits for man, here the angels sang the birth of Jesus and the salvation he will bring to the sinners was first and foremost for the glory of God. For the glory of God. Look with me when it says, glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. It is essential to recognize that Christ was born to glorify the Father. Christ was born to glorify the Father. As stated in John 6, verse 38, when Jesus said, This underscores that Jesus' primary purpose on earth was to execute God's divine plan. It was to bring glory to the Father. It was to proclaim the glory of God. And what was the divine plan towards humanity? I suppose, beloved, that we can mention many things. but allow me to mention just a few so we can understand that Christ was born to glorify the Father. The divine plan of God is to rescue sinners like us and give us everlasting life. The divine plan of God is that the only way to rescue those sinners was by sending his son on this earth to die on the cross on our behalf. The divine plan of God, it was to make us perfect, to bless our lives, to enjoy his wonderful love. You see, it was all God's plan since the beginning to save us from our sin. And in Christ, all the promises of God find their fulfillment. Through Christ we witness the magnificent display of God's love for sinners. In Him, God's faithfulness is evident as He accomplishes all He has intended. In Christ we observe God's provision exemplified by His gift of His only Son, ensuring that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Moreover, in Christ we see God's power at work rescuing sinners. This is the reason the angels proclaim and were singing glory to God in the highest. You see, when John the Baptist saw Jesus for the first time, we read in John 1, verse 29, that he exclaimed, behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Christ is God's provision for us. Christ is God's love for us. Christ was born to serve as a reminder that God has not forsaken us in our suffering and has taken action on our behalf. God has provided everything we need, which is why the Bible proclaims that salvation belongs to the Lord. Over and over we see throughout the Bible that the Bible proclaims that salvation belongs to the Lord. This is why when we read Ephesians chapter two, we find great comfort and it's revealed in the heart of God overflowing with mercy and love. Just listen what Ephesians chapter two says. And you were dead in trespasses and sins in which you once walked. following the curse of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and we were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. By grace, you have been saved. and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace and kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing. It is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." You see, this is the condition of the fallen world. We must understand that we were hopeless We must understand our devastation. Our devastation was horrible. We were by nature enemies of God because our sin. This is what God has done for us. He has made us alive together with Christ. He gave us hope. He gave us everlasting life. He's blessing us with all spiritual blessings. My heart rejoices every time I read Ephesians chapter two. I cannot comprehend the love of God. I cannot comprehend how God can love me, me being a sinner like I am. And yet the Bible declares that he loved me. And the proof of that is that he sent Jesus to die on my behalf. We were dead in trespasses and sins, but God who is rich in mercy and love. I love when I read this Ephesians chapter two and when it says, yeah, you were dead in your trespasses and sins, but God, God did something on our behalf. We were doomed to hell because of our sin, but God who is rich in mercy and his great love, he gave us Christ. We were in a world of darkness with a darkened mind because of our sinful nature. But God, who is rich in mercy and in his great love, he made us alive with Christ. Indeed, beloved, everything, absolutely everything has been done by God on behalf of sinners like us. This is why the angels are proclaiming first that the glory needs to be a credit to God. Glory to God in the highest. He has done something for us. This is why we must sing with the angels every time we gather here and we must say glory to God in the highest. We must join the angels singing in heaven that Christ was born primarily for the glory of God. For the glory of God. God has drawn near to sinful man in the person of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Therefore, glory to God in the highest! He has sent his Son into the world to rescue the lost. Therefore, glory to God in the highest! He has not abandoned us in this dark world. Therefore, glory to God in the highest. He has bestowed salvation upon us so that we might not perish. Therefore, beloved, therefore, glory to God in the highest. Everything. Absolutely everything has been a divine plan orchestrated by God to save sinners. This underscores our belief that Christ was born for the glory of God, to proclaim his goodness, to proclaim his mercy, to proclaim his grace, to proclaim his love, to proclaim his faithfulness. Oh, how wonderful. Oh, beloved, how wonderful is to know that the great love of God was manifested in the life of Jesus Christ, our Lord. We must rejoice. We must proclaim his glory. No wonder the reformers proclaim with a loud voice over and over and over like a herald saying, soli deo gloria. Soli deo gloria. To God alone be the glory. To God alone be the glory. He has done it all. He has done it all. Therefore, we must never forget that the birth of Jesus and the salvation that he brings to man is first and foremost for the glory of God. Secondly, the birth of Jesus reveals and proclaims peace among men. Peace among men. Listen again to the angel's words here in our main text. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. What kind of peace reveals the birth of Jesus? Peace with God. Peace between us and God. Did you know that the Bible declares that man lives as an enemy of God? due to our sinful nature? We are rebels? We keep breaking His law? We disobey our Creator? Romans chapter 5 verse 10 and Colossians chapter 1 verse 21 emphasizes this truth. This is the state of the sinner. This is how the Bible presents the man who does not have Christ, an enemy of God. Well, Christ was born so that we can have peace with our Creator. Listen to how 2 Corinthians 5.17-19 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Their old has passed away. Behold, the new has come. Now listen to this. All this is from God. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Verse 19. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself. You see? Not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ. God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ. be reconciled with God. For our sake, he made him to be sin, who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. There is only one way to be reconciled with God, and that is through Christ Jesus, his son. Why only through Jesus Christ? Why only through his son? For he was the only one who offered his life on behalf of sinners. For he was the only one who lived a perfect life in this world to fulfill God's law on our behalf. For He was the only one who went to the cross to suffer the punishment that you and I deserve. He was the only one who carried our sins on His shoulders. He was the only one who had what was necessary to pay our debt because He was the God who became man. He was the only one who died and rose again on the third day with power and glory. He was the only one who was crowned. with crown of king of kings and Lord of lords and was given power in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every man will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord for the glory of God the Father. What a wonderful statement. The Bible says that there is no other name under heaven given unto men by which we can be saved. It's only in the name of Jesus. It's only through Jesus. He is the gospel. He is the good news. And it is to him that we proclaim to a world of darkness by telling them to repent of their sins and put their faith on Jesus Christ to be reconciled with God and to obtain salvation. Romans chapter 5 verse 1 says, therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the only way we can live in peace with God. Therefore, the birth of Jesus reveals and proclaims the great truth that we have peace through him. Thirdly, let us consider how the birth of Jesus reveals and proclaims great joy. The birth of Jesus reveals and proclaims great joy. Notice again in our main text, And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. The term joy refers to a profound sense of contentment that transcends mere happiness. It is important to note that joy and happiness are not synonymous. Joy can persist even amidst tribulation, whereas happiness is often contingent upon surrounding circumstances. In life, we frequently receive uplifting news that give us happiness. For example, we might purchase our dream home that give us happiness. We can celebrate our children's graduation from their desired school that give us happiness. Or we secure a fulfilling job. Surely, that make us happy. But these experiences, generate happiness, yet such feelings are often fleeting as time progresses. In contrast, nothing compares to the immersed joy that arises from the realization of one's sins being forgiven and the gift of eternal life bestowed upon us through the Son of God. This revelation brings not only joy, but an enduring joy that lasts for all eternity. Notice verse 15. It tells us that the shepherd said to one another, let us go over Bethlehem and see the things that happen, which the Lord has made known to us. And they went with Hesed and found Mary and Joseph and the baby laying in a manger. Now notice verse 20. And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen as it had been told them. What a privilege these shepherds had to be able to witness the birth of Jesus. They expressed great joy in their hearts. This is the profound joy that knowing Jesus instills in the heart of the individual. It is a joy that transcends circumstances, a profound sense of peace, and a fulfillment that comes from witnesses that divine. The shepherds humble and ordinary were chosen to partake in this extraordinary moment to see Jesus and they rejoice. They rejoice. Their journey to Bethlehem was not merely a physical one, but a spiritual awakening that left an indelible mark on their hearts. This joy sparked by the birth of Jesus is a gift meant to be shared, encouraging us to spread the good news in a world of need, of hope and compassion. Perhaps these shepherds were the first ones to spread the good news in Bethlehem. And I can only imagine these humble shepherds proclaiming everyone and to everyone, we have seen the Son of God. We have seen the Messiah. We have seen the Christ. Come. Come and see the Son of God. Let me tell you where it is. Come and get to know him. This is what happens in the heart of a person who has Jesus. It is a great joy. We cannot stop talking about Jesus. We want to tell everyone, we want to go everywhere, and we want to proclaim Christ to the whole world. It is a great joy in our hearts when we know Christ. We tell everyone, come, come and see the Son of God. Come and rejoice in Christ. How can I not rejoice if I was dead in trespasses and sin, but now I'm alive and I have everlasting life in Christ? I was a slave of sin, but now I'm free by the power of my Savior. I was living in darkness, but now I live in the light. I live in the kingdom of God. I belong to Him. I was without hope, but in Christ, I found hope. Before, I was an enemy of God. Now, through Christ, I'm a child of God. And all this because of my Savior. because of my Savior. I ask you this day, isn't it the birth of the Son of God and what He has done for us, isn't it a cause of great joy? We should be rejoicing every day. We should be proclaiming His glory. We should be singing every day. Fourthly, let us consider here that the birth of Jesus reveals a sense of urgency. Yes, a sense of urgency. Notice again the second part of verse 15 in our main text. Let us go over to Bethlehem and see these things that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us. Now verse 16, notice verse 16. and they went with Heston and found Mary and Joseph and the baby laying in a manger." You see, here we see that the shepherds recognize the significance of this moment. This was not just another event, no. It was the fulfillment of a promise. It was the arrival of hope The urgency serves as a powerful reminder that when we encounter the message of Jesus, we too are called to respond without delay. Yes, the birth of Jesus ignites a flame within us, urging us to approach him, to embrace his mercy, and share the joy of his presence. As we reflect on this urgency, let us ask ourselves, are we ready to respond to the call of Christ in our lives? The time is now. There is no moment to waste. Let me tell you this. We are living in the last days. I mean, look at around the world. Look at all the evil. We are living in the last days and you need to understand that we are approaching very soon to the end of this life. You need to be able to hear that the coming of the Lord is approaching very soon. If you are not right with God, you better get right with the Lord now. We have no time to waste. We have no time to be playing games, to be playing church, to be playing a Christian, to be a Christian. We need to get serious in our relationship with our Lord. Not only that, but the truth of the matter is that we are not promised tomorrow. No, we are not promised tomorrow. We don't know what tomorrow holds. We don't know if tomorrow we're going to leave or we're going to die. Now is the time that you should acknowledge him as your Lord and Savior. Tomorrow it can be too late. God is choosing you on this day to be able to hear the gospel, just as he chose the shepherds from Bethlehem. The Bible says in Hebrews chapter 3 verse 15, if you hear his voice today, not tomorrow, not yesterday, today, today, do not harden your heart. For the shepherds, the most critical aspect at that moment was the announcement made by God. which required their immediate response. Consider this. Among all the people in the world, they were granted the unique privilege of receiving this invitation to witness the Son of God. Think about this. What might have transpired had they ignored this announcement? It is likely that they will have remained in their sins. However, the Bible illustrates that they believed the message delivered by God's messenger and they promptly came to worship Jesus. They left everything, all the sheep they left over there. Nothing was more important than to see the Son of God. This response from the shepherds exemplifies how one should react upon hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. There's no time to waste. Nothing is more important in your life than to be able to listen and Embrace the gospel, the good news, that Jesus is your Lord and your Savior. Time is short. We cannot afford to delay. As stated in 2 Corinthians 6, verse 2, this is the acceptable time. Now is the day of your salvation. When God calls upon our lives, We must recognize that this is the most significant calling we will ever, ever encounter. We must respond quickly, for nothing is more crucial that this divine calling place upon us. The eternity of your soul hinges upon this decision. This is the most important choice you will ever make. It is a choice between Christ and the world. It is a choice between Christ and your personal ambitions. It is a choice between Christ and sin. It is a matter of life or death. It is a decision between light and darkness. It is a contrast. between condemnation and the forgiveness of your sins. God says in Ezekiel chapter 33, verse 11, I live, says the Lord, I do not desire the death of the wicked, but that the wicked shall turn from his way and that he shall live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways. Why would you die, O house of Israel? And here, God is saying to us, why would you want to die? Why do you want to continue the same path of weakness? Behold, I do not want you dead, says the Lord, but that you shall turn from your wicked way and live. Turn back from your evil way. Come to Christ. Come quickly before it's too late. Lastly, let us consider how the birth of Jesus reveals and proclaims the absence of fear. Yes, the birth of Jesus reveals and proclaims the absence of fear. Notice verse 10 again in our main text. There is a very beautiful hymn that the title is, Because He Lives. I don't know if you know this beautiful hymn. Because He Lives. When I listen to this hymn, it reminds me that because I have Christ with me, I will never have to face fear. I will never have to fear what tomorrow holds. I am secure in his hands. Some of the stanzas of this hymn goes like this. God send us his son. They call him Jesus. He came to love, heal, and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. Because he lives, I can face tomorrow. Because he lives, all fear is gone. This is what Christ produces in a person's life. Cast out all of fear. He cast out the fear of death. The fear of condemnation. The fear of our enemy. Why should we fear then if with us is the one who conquered death? Who conquered Satan? Who conquered the grave? There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus according to Romans chapter 8 verse 1. Therefore, do not fear. He has delivered us from the fear of death by being subject to slavery all of our lives according to Hebrews chapter 2 verse 15. Therefore, do not fear. Christ delivers us from the wrath to come that will come to this world according to 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 10. Therefore, do not fear. Now, to close this time, Let me read Romans chapter 8, verse 35 to 39. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Verse 37, no. In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. What a wonderful promise we have in Christ. Fear not, for I am with you, says the Lord. To God alone be the glory forever and ever. Let us pray for this sermon. Our Father, we thank you for reminding us, O Lord, the meaning of the birth of Jesus. Thank you for the salvation that we have in your Son. I pray, O God, that as we leave this place, we will not forget the meaning of Christmas. Please help us to remember of your great love and mercy, your grace and your goodness for sinners like us. To you be the glory always, O God. I pray in the name of Christ, you son. Amen.