Hope Is Born: The Hope Of Christmas

 

Series Summary

The Christmas season is a time of year that can get pretty crazy, and if we aren’t ready for it, it can get out of control pretty quickly. We can get distracted pretty easily. We can lose our focus if we're not careful. What we need is a little hope. We live in a world that seems to be falling apart, and we need something to cling to. We need hope. As we look into the birth narratives found in Matthew and Luke, we see another time when people needed a little hope. We see a nation that was seeking something to cling to in a world that seemed to be falling apart. God seemed distant. He hadn't been heard from in over 400 years. They needed some hope. And into the chaos that was their world, God spoke. He spoke through four different angelic announcements that he was offering humanity hope. And then he spoke that hope through the cry of a baby born in Bethlehem. These announcements demonstrate that hope has been offered to us. They demonstrate that God has not turned away. They demonstrate that God is still in control, even in a world that seems chaotic and hopeless. They demonstrate that God is willing to step into our lives and help us. They demonstrate hope. Hope is born! He was born 2000 years ago, and placed into a manger, in the small town of Bethlehem. If we're not careful, we could miss it, just like the nation of Israel seemed to miss it so long ago. God announced that hope would be born, and then he was. God's plan was in action, to redeem us, to save us, to give us hope. Hope is born!

Sermon Summary

This Christmas Sunday, we take a look at the angels' announcement to the shepherds in the fields. And the message they bring is one of hope:

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 cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12, ESV)

Are you seeking the hope that the Savior brings? Are you seeking the peace that he offers? Merry Christmas!