Original Christmas Playlist Part 3

But I have a warning … Christmas songs can cause an illness … called Christmas spirit. Now you may have already caught this. That’s ok …. Just don’t wear headphones or this could happen: PLAY VIDEO

We’ve been talking about how to get true Christmas spirit. And if modern Christmas songs can give us a little Christmas spirit, then the original/first Christmas playlist can give us true Christmas spirit.

Review: 1. Worship and delight out of our need 2. Believing and singing

Main Idea: Christmas spirit is a spirit of good news because God’s favor rests, God’s peace has come, and God’s glory shines.

We have peace now because we know God will definitely be glorified and we are definitely favored by God.

The angel’s news was great news because ….

1. God’s Favor Rests

Luke is telling the Christmas story, and then he seemingly switches tracks and tells us about a group of shepherds. (explain why this is unusual)

God actually favors us -- it rests on us … done deal!

Illustration: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle engagement -- we’re not invited

Shepherds of all people were invited … (virtually homeless guys)

2. God’s Peace has Come

What is peace?

End of hostility, war,

Bible: “shalom” … well being, rightness

This peace that has come is not a fake peace or temp peace

Ill. Christmas truce

Peace-faking …

So the angels promised a coming peace … does this mean they were wrong?

Ill. Wadsworth's Carroll … “And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

The reality is we suck at peace … Ill. Peace in only 8% of world history

Give examples of current lack of peace: race relations, sex allegations, wars throughout the world, terrorism, political strife, etc.

Were these angels wrong?

Jesus himself tells us that he hasn’t come to bring peace.

They were not wrong Jesus has indeed brought peace but not in fullness

John 14:27 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

These angels come proclaiming that peace (“shalom”) has come.

Jesus came to secure that shalom, a world where everything right, would be a permanent reality.

But this shalom will only come in part until Jesus returns again in his second coming

But we can have peace now:

Peace from our past

If there is anything in your past that still causes you shame, embarrassment, or guilt, this song promises you can be at peace.

If there is anything in your past that brings you sadness, grief, or loneliness, this song promises you can be at peace.

If there is anything in your past that brings you regret over things done or said that hurt people you love, this song promises you can be at peace.

The Bible says, "… as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12).

Peace in our present

John 14:27, "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid."

Peace for our future

Anxiety about the future will always rob the peace and tranquility of today.

3. God’s Glory Shines

Wadsworth: “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men."

God is not dead!! In fact, it is because he did die and now lives, we have an certain hope of real peace.

Isaiah 53:4–5 ESV

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

We have peace now because we know God will definitely be glorified and we are definitely favored by God.

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