Govert Flinck (1615–1660) “Angels Announcing the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds”Reading: Luke 2.8-14 – “Shepherds and Angels”
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
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“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.”
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“Joy to the World” – Isaac Watts (1719)
Unspeakable Joy adaptation by Chris Tomlin
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
Good news of great joy… For every woman, every man… This will be a sign to you… A baby born in Bethlehem… Come and worship… Do not be afraid
A company of angels… Glory in the highest… And on the earth peace among… Those of whom His favor rests… Oh, come and worship… Do not be afraid, no, no
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… He has done great things for me… Great things for me
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Play Audio – “My Soul Magnifies the Lord” – Chris Tomlin
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Unto you a child is born… Unto us a Son is given… Let every heart prepare His throne… And every nation under Heaven… Come and worship Do not be afraid, no, no
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… My soul magnifies the Lord… He has done great things for me… Great things for me
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… My soul magnifies the Lord… He has done great things for me… Great things for me
Of His government there will be no end… He’ll establish it with His righteousness… And He shall reign on David’s throne… And His name shall be from this day on… Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father… Wonderful, Counselor His name shall be Everlasting Father
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… He has done great things for us… He has done great things for us… He has done great things for us… He has done great things for us
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… My soul magnifies the Lord… He has done great things for me… Great things for me
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord… My soul magnifies the Lord… He has done great things for me… Great things for me… He has done great things… He has done great things
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it….
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Luke 2.1-5 NLT
John 1.1-5, 10-14 NLT
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