Blessings and Burdens of Christmas

On Christmas night, all Christians sing to him. Hear the news the angels bring. On Christmas night, our praise should sing to hear the news the angels bring. Use all great joy, you stole great earth, whose all are merciful kings. Then why should we honour these societies, since our Redeemer made us blind?

Then why should we honourly so when from our sin he set us free all for to gain our liberty when sin deep be sinned, his grace be fire, his grace and life with failing. When sin departs before his grace Why would not I distress? Angels in love with joy may sing. Angels in love with joy may sing. Oh God to sing a newborn king.

Oh, Lord, have darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night. O Lord of times we have light, which made the angels sing this night. Glory to God and peace to all, how earth forevermore. Amen, amen, amen. And welcome to our annual lessons and carols.

Glad to have you here tonight. We always look forward to this time and We pray the Lord will bless it. Honor him with our gathering tonight. And we thank him for the sending of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Just two announcements.

Following our program tonight, We will be meeting in the fellowship hall for a time of fellowship, donuts and cider, and we hope you'll join us. Stay around, fellowship. Get to know one another. Secondly, Next Sunday is Christmas. Or Church is having a reduced schedule.

We'll have one service in the morning at night. At 10.30. No Sunday school, no evening service. But we hope you'll join us on the Lord's Day as we celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. I read somewhere that celebrating The coming of Christ by being absent from church would be like celebrating.

Your wedding anniversary by being absent from your spouse.

So. Don't do that. Come on and join us.

Next Sunday, if you don't have a place to be. We will gather together with the people of God around the Word of God. and praise the God of the word. At this time, we'll take the evening offering if the ushers are ready. Come ahead, gentlemen.

And we will have a word of prayer and the Offering plates will be passed. I should say we continue to make some prom progress on our Faith Promise program. Beacon folks know what that is, of course. We still have a ways to go, so please join us prayerfully if you haven't. already done so.

Let's pray. Father, we gather together in the name of Jesus Christ. We gather together in honor of Jesus Christ. We gather tonight to remember the incarnation of Christ. And what that incarnation, our incarnation, incarnation was all about.

We gather to remember why he came to save sinners. and to acknowledge that we are sinners in need of salvation. And to thank you for or the one who was given. that sinners might be cleansed from our sins. O Father, make us.

Children. of the Most High God. Teach us to live and walk. in such a way that we honor the one. who gave himself for us.

Please bless the remainder of our Time to night. and use it to honor our Saviour, and to minister to the needs of hearts. as we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen Lesson one. Micah five two through five.

God foretells the one who would come from Bethlehem. But you, Bethlehem Ephrata, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to me the one to be ruler in Israel. Whose goings forth are from of old from everlasting. Therefore he shall give them up. until the time that she who is in labour has given birth, then the remnant of his child of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.

And he shall stand and feed his flock. in the strength of the Lord, and the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall abide, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. and this one shall be peace. Stand, please.

We'll share where the mother labor baby may a man for his head. Mary loves and mother, Jesus Christ, her little child. He came down to earth from heaven to his Father and Lord of God, and he shed. Was a slave, and his praise was a song. Here and me and lowly, give our earth a savior holy, and our eyes that shall see him through his own redeeming God.

For that shallow, so fear and gentle, is our Lord in heaven above. And he leads his children on to the place where he is gone. Our living our Savior. Holy with the hearts and setting mind, what in heaven we shall see him set at God's right hand on high with his child together round his great grace shall every sound lesson two. John 1 1 through 14 as John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.

In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. And all things were made through him. and without him nothing was made that was made.

In him was life. And the lie was the lie of men. And the light shines forth in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness.

to bear witness of the light. that all through him might believe. He was not that light. but was sent to bear witness of that libel. That light was the true light.

which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world. and the world was made through him. And the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own did not receive him.

But as many as received him, To them he gave the right to become children of God. to those who believe in his name. Who were born? Not of blood. nor of the will of the flesh, Nor of the will of man.

but of God. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us. and we beheld his glory. the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. full of grace.

In truth. Pray for O good just heavenly light and usure in the morning ye shepherd shrink but with a pride but here the angels warning this child we can see our convertence and joy shall be the power of Satan praising our peace Where all the hands were spreads abroad, from everlasting was over, with thy lost the word was done, and the stay might lay be our Lord. My His owner of all things lame, I am subordinate all things and He is the whole creation, and Him just thy that is the man. But glory these heavenly wounds, the world is set and dwells in flame, that He may conquer souls in words, as in such people that shall say for those which join He will His place The eternal Father His Holy Son shall pull out truth out low. Up waste the rightness of the God is shown for angels declared by above to learn new mysteries here and fill the love of our descending up the glories of the lesson three, Isaiah.

7.1 through 5. The prophet foretells the 19th century. The Coming of the Savior. There shall come forth a rod from the stem of Jesse. and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him. the spirit of wisdom and understanding. the spirit of counsel and might. the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and he shall not judge by the sight of his eyes, nor decide by the hearing of his ears.

But with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his loins, and the faithfulness the belt of his waist. Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown, when thou cameest to earth for me. But in heaven's fold there was found no room for thy whole image.

Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus. Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee. Heaven's arches rank when the angels sing, proclaiming thy royal decree. But in glory thou come to earth, and in great humility. Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus.

There is room in my heart for thee when the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing, and thy coming to give glory, let thy voice come behind, saying, Yet there is room, there is room at my side for thee, and my heart shall rejoice for Jesus, my heart shall rejoice for Jesus. Thy heart shall rejoice, O John John Johnson, and thy heart shall rejoice when the commest and commonest means of the same lesson four. Luke 1, 26 through 33. The angel Gabriel salutes the Virgin Mary.

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to the city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The Virgin's name was Mary, And having come in, the angel said to her, Rejoice, highly favored one, the LORD is with you. Blessed are you among women. And when she saw him she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary For you have found favor with God.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Highest. And and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever. and of his kingdom there will be no end.

Silent light, holy night, God is all is bright, proudly unearthed, wonder and shine. Holy earth, so tender and wild, sing in heavenly peace, sing in heavenly peace. Silent fight, holy mind shares quick heaven's sight glory stream from heaven above heavenly rosing holy Christ the Savior is more Christ the Savior is Lord Lesson five is taken from Luke chapter 2, verses 1 through 7. where Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out.

from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quabrinius was governor governing Syria.

So all went to be registered, every one to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. To be registered with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child, So it was That while they were there. The days were completed. for her to be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him. in a manger, because there was no room for them. in the end. How do you capture the wind on the water? How do you count all the stars in the sky?

How can you measure the longer? Or how can you write down a baby's first cry? Can't wait firelight and starlight shine on his cradle till. Breaking the god in Jesus' name. Angels are singing, but Christ is born.

Shepherds and wise men will heal and adore him. Seraph and round him their vision will keep. Nations proclaim him their Lord and their Savior. But Mary will hold him and sing him to see the algae. Timelight and starlight shine on his cradle till breaking the dawn angels, angels are singing at Christ on his throne.

Fight him as badly and lay in amaze. Christ our Pretty much in the day God headed for lift and hope of salvation. A child with his mother that first Christmas day can the light angel light by light and skylight shine on his cradle till breaking the dawn angels are singing the Christ is alone Aw, manger for a bed. The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay.

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the head. But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love the Lord Jesus. Look down from the sky. And stay by my prayer till morning is time.

Be near me, Lord Jesus. I ask thee to stay close to. Ah. I be for And love thee, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care and give us forehea there.

Lesson six, Luke two, eight through twenty. The shepherds go to the manger.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the LORD stood before them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior. Who is Christ the Lord?

And this will be assigned to you. you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling claws lying 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, goodwill toward men.

So it was when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another. Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And it came with haste. And they found Mary. And Joseph.

and the babe lying in a manger.

Now, when they had seen him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary, kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen as it was told them. They lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Lord is the king of this world. They looked in home and saw the stars shining in the west made on them fall and to thee with their great heart and. It much in good mind is the King, of this my Emma Welsh. Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord that heaven and earth of And with his time that I had caught mine is the king bell of hell, mine is the king of heaven. No hell.

No worries. Stand, please. God's the place of power of earth, love for every nation. God and one of the seas of glory. All the wonder give the blood, Jesus Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky, with the songs of angels, as the mighty priest of life shall present a single as the standing staring place, shake the heavens, lead the deep from God with breast, all from all the world. Before the man, praising and the glory is amid from distant lands of silas. Lord King is for today, his God is with us. Her head will make the way, light his blood will with us.

Son of Lamb and Son of Man, give us the ramstone. Bread is only God and man, Christ our mighty champion, Father Savior, the one of bread, one of the Lord. Our glorious king was a baby and the man and the Lord is free now, with its single insects. Angels we have sweetly singing o'er the place, and the mountains here reply, and the rain can joy scream. Shepherds by his children by your joyous saved home.

Stay by favor of dying free, which is by your heavy song. Oh, give and shall save. In exhales his name unto that of heaven see, in whose birth we angel single on him with thee, Christ the Lord have given for me. Oh, his name, in exhales his name. Within a major name, Jesus, Lord of heaven and finger rain with a single sail.

In Excelsians, in Excelsior's favorite, Lesson seven. Lamentations three, twenty five, and twenty six. Luke two, twenty. Yeah, yeah. God's promise, Christ, is seen by devout Simeon.

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him. to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. And behold, There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel.

And the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the law, He took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord.

Now you are letting your servant depart in peace. According to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation. which you have prepared before the face of all peoples. a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles?

and the glory of your people Israel. Come on, Lord, expect Jesus, wise to send thy people free. From our faith and sins, Jesus help us by thee. His favourite consolation, Osir of every nation, joy. Every holy part of time and healthy Lord to reign us forever shall thy gracious kingdom free.

I hope he's here who will our hearts hold Ignish heaven raise us to the Lesson eight. 1 John Four. nine through ten. And Philippians two Five through eleven. The love of God is manifest in Christ.

In this the love of God was manifested towards us. that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world. that we might live through him. And this is love, not that we love God, but that he loved us, and he sent his son. to be the propitiation for our sins.

Let this mind be in you. which was also in Christ. Jesus, who? being in the form of God. did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.

but made himself of no reputation. taking the form of a bond servant. and coming in the likeness of man. And being found in the appearance of man. He humbled himself, and became obedient.

to the point of death. Even death on the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted him. and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow. of those in heaven And of those on earth and and of those under the earth.

And that every tongue shall confess. That Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. All for the sake He gave us fam Stood so long the Saviour's praising remember thy light eternal land Thou Lord God all praising All for the same He came as familiar Savior and King we worship thee Hell Within us, faith make us ae on all savour and thee we worship nine from Colossians. Colossians chapter 1. twelve through nineteen Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, is preeminent in all things.

Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us. to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us. From the power of darkness. and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.

in whom we have redemption through his blood. the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God. the first born over all creation. For by him all things were created that are in heaven.

And that are on earth. visible. and invisible. whether thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers. All things were created through him and for him.

And he is before all things, and in him all things consist. And he is the head of the body. The church. Who is the beginning? The firstborn from the dead.

That in all things he may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father. that in him. All the fulness should dwell. Christ is Lord in the Lord.

Heart the heavenly angels sing, Glory to the Hill Health. Thy highest and adored, Christ beverse Lord. Faith in time before him come, offspring of the virgin's fill in flesh the heart and sea, hail in garnet. Jesus met in men to throw, Jesus of her angels sing, Glory to the new King. Hail the heavenly Prince of Peace, hail the Son of righteousness, light and life to all.

He praised with healing in his grace. My elevates glory thine, Lord Mann the Lord may die. Lord Jesus, Sons of earth, or to give the second word. On the herald angels sing, Glory to the new Lord King. Lord is harmonious come, is in us thy honor.

Why's the Lord's come great sea? Ruis in us as servants in Adam's likeness now. Stand by him is in this place. Send me down from above, we in sage in thy love. I men of angels see more than let's turn in our Bibles for a few minutes tonight to the second chapter of.

Luke. We're going to look at verses 34 and 35. The final words of Simeon, the ones that we didn't deal with this morning. Because I knew we wouldn't have time, so I saved them for tonight. Let me express my deepest gratitude to Greg Phillips and.

Amy and the other Musicians Priscilla, the choir, you have done a A masterful job. in leading us in worship tonight. preparing our hearts for the Season when we celebrate the incarnation of Jesus. To entitle what I have to say tonight, I will call it the blessings and burdens of Christmas. The Blessings and Burdens of Christmas.

We like to focus upon the blessings, don't we? We tend to shy away from the burdens, but both are involved in the coming. of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what we're going to look at tonight is what we might call Simeon's third prophecy about Christ. The first one is not recorded for us, but we're told about it.

We're told that Simeon was a man, a prophet of God, in the city of Jerusalem in the days when Jesus was born. And we are told that he had received a message from God telling him that he would not die until. The Christ was born. That is quite a message. That's the only message that I know of that people.

exact detail, but pinpoints with rather general knowledge when Jesus was going to be born. Before Simeon dies. And Simeon no doubt declared that throughout The city of Jerusalem and beyond.

So that's Simeon's first prophecy. It came to him. and assured him that he would live to see the Christ child. Simeon's second prophecy is actually a prayer raised to God, but in the course of that prayer we find. Prophetic Information about the coming Christ.

He said, Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word, for My eyes have seen your salvation. which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. And it goes on to say that Joseph and his mother marveled at these things which were spoken. by Simeon, And it appears to be that what amazed them was this Message about Christ not only being the Messiah for Israel, but also for the whole world. All peoples.

Plural. Two. the Gentiles. as well as the glory that is brought to Israel. And though the people in Israel, for the most part, had been looking for a Messiah to come and to save them.

Simeon now declares. That the Christ child has come to save. The World And that is amazing information, and it amazed Joseph and Mary, and that is the second prophecy of Simeon. But there is yet a third. because Simeon took up his prophetic utterance.

and spoke a word to Joseph and Mary, and primarily to Mary. When we read in verse thirty-four, then Simeon blessed them. Joseph and Mary and the Christ child. and said to marry his mother, Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel. and for a sign which will be spoken against.

Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also. that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. That's the prophecy, the third prophecy of Simeon. spoken to Mary about her son, and telling us several things about him, what he's going to do when he comes. And we will number them and speak about each one very briefly.

But Simeon says that he, Christ, will cause many to fall. Behold, this child is destined for the fall. of many in Israel. That is a reference to falling to destruction. that many are going to stumble and fall.

at the message of Christ. They are not going to receive it. They are not going to be blessed by it. They are not going to be benefited by it. But instead, they are going to fall to their own destruction because of their unbelief and their rejection.

of that which God has done in such marvellous love and grace. That's not a happy message. of Christmas. That's one of the burdens of Christmas. That in Christ's coming, he is coming to bring judgment upon those who refuse to bow the knee.

Every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. But only those who bow now are going to be saved. and blessed in the vowing. Those who are forced to bow at the day of judgment are going to fall before him to their own destruction. He will cause many to fall.

Simeon secondly tells Mary that he, Christ, will receive much. Opposition. For a sign we read. in the last part of verse 34, which will be spoken against. The sign is something that is prominent, something that is on display.

That's what sign means to us. We see signs. Along the highway. And that's something that is placed there for the purpose of being prominent, to be seen. It's not much good to put a billboard out and then to Allow trees to grow up in front of it so that it can't be seen.

But if it's going to be effective, if it's going to truly be a sign, that it has to be something that is in public view, that is conspicuous. And Simeon told Mary, Your child is going to be a sign. He's going to be well known. He's going to be conspicuous throughout the nation of Israel. But he is going to be a sign, as we read here.

which will be spoken against. He will receive much opposition. As you read about the life of Christ, you love to read about the miracles He performed, the people that he healed. the wonderful words of life that he spoke, the beautiful beatitudes that he gave. The kindness and love that he demonstrated in his relationship with so many people.

The woman taken in adultery, he said, Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, sin no more. But nevertheless, he was kind and loving, and we love to read about those things. But don't skip too quickly over the parts that talk about The slander. They Hatred.

The Vitriol. The opposition. The attempts by Many in Israel to stop him from what he was doing, to silence him. As I was reading a little bit about that, even just this afternoon, I thought. Cancel culture is nothing new.

That's what they were trying to do to Jesus. They were trying to cancel him. to keep him from proclaiming the message. They They Rose up in anger when he made his claims to being the Son of God because they understood that to mean he was equal to God. On and on it goes, opposition.

And that's exactly what Simeon told Mary in the temple. The Simeon was holding the Christ child and spoke his words of blessing upon the child, but looking down at that child and looking to marry his mother. He said he will receive much opposition. Get ready for that. It's coming.

Third, we're told that he will be the source of much grief. For Simeon goes on to say in verse 35, yes. A sword will pierce through your own soul. Also A sword, Mary. will pierce through your own soul Also We focus upon the anguish that Mary received when she saw the way.

Her son, that she knew was filled with love and grace, was being treated by. the enemies of truth. Right there in his own nation. He was not received of his own. And yet, those who did receive him, those who did believe, became the sons of God.

But so many of them did not, and they opposed him on every every count, every score where they could. And I'm sure every hateful word, every act of opposition, Brought anguish to Mary's heart, but that culminated when she stood at the foot of the cross and saw her own son, the one that she had birthed into the world in that stable in Bethlehem 30-some years before, that precious little child that Simeon is now holding in his arms, now grown, who has poured out his life, poured out his love and grace. in the land of his people, and they have hated him, and now they are crucifying him, and there he hangs. upon the cross and indeed a sword and that Particular Greek word for sword means a broad sword with a broad blade. A sword will pierce your own Heart.

He will. be the source of much Grief, of much intense sorrow. And that word also means that Mary's not the only one. who's going to experience this. She maybe will experienced the grief more than others because she's his mother.

Many of you have watched that demonstrated in the lives of your mother and your. your wife and mother of your children. You've seen How any Problem, any grief, any difficulty that they go through seems to be harder on the mother than it is upon the child. But Mary wasn't the only one who's Heart was squeezed with anguish and grief because of Jesus. Hers was also, but others were as well.

All who loved him. also received much grief and would continue to Experienced much grief in the days to come, even after he was raised from the dead and ascended back to heaven. The opposition to Christ did not stop just because he was no longer present. It continued on. And therefore, all of his people and those who believed in him and were loyal to him experienced much grief and anguish.

even until this day. And God's people today are called upon to do that. This is not the message of Christmas that we like to remember, but it's the part that we need to remember. We need to be prepared for grief and anguish for the cause for the sake for the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. But it will be worth it all.

when we see Jesus. The fourth thing that Simeon said was, he. will force many to be exposed. That, verse thirty-five, the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. All of these things that will take place in his life, including in.

culminating in his death upon the cross. Are going to expose the true thoughts of hearts.

Some were openly hostile to him and did not hold it back, but many. endeavored to remain neutral. And yet, as time went on, They were forced to reveal their attitude toward Christ. Are you for him? or against him.

Do you love him or do you hate him? Do you believe in him or do you reject him? and little by little by little the true thoughts of hearts were drawn out where they may be revealed. That's true even today. It's a sad thing when we see those who seemed to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, but as time goes on and the circumstances intervene in their lives, we begin to see a change.

Begin to see An attitude difference. Begin to see. Less interest in Christ, less loyalty to his people, less interest in his word, more. Antagonism toward his people until eventually the true thoughts of the heart, disguised for sometimes years. are eventually brought out, like Judas.

Oh. Was a disciple of Christ in such a Convincing one that even the other disciples thought he was a true disciple, but Eventually The True Thoughts Of his heart. were exposed. And that's exactly what Simeon said would take place. about the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.

But and I'm glad I can Conclude on this note. I've given you four things that are burdens. not blessings. He will cause many to fall. He will receive much opposition.

He will be the source of much grief. He will force many to be exposed, but he will bring many to salvation. That's the first, the second thing that Simeon said. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is destined for the fall. And Rising.

of many. in Israel. And that rising speaks. of salvation. Those who are Low in the dust because of their realization of their sin.

their guilt before God. They feel the anguish of their sin. They feel the burden of their lost condition. They feel the need of salvation, which they can't. cannot produce within themselves.

They must have divine help. And God sent His Son for people like that. This is why Christ came. This little child in the arms of Simeon has come for not only the fall of many, but for the rising of many. And those who, recognizing their sin and guilt and need, will cast themselves upon Jesus Christ, will be raised to new life.

raised to everlasting life, raised out of the dust with hearts made new by the Spirit of God, hearts filled with joy and gratitude for what God has done, hearts that want to bless and praise the Lord as we have done here tonight. And God's blessing rests upon those who believe His word and stand true because this whole. text begins with these words. Then Simeon Blessed them. That's what he did before he said these words.

Who did he bless? Mary? And Joseph. they were going to experience a lot. Of grief and hardship and misunderstanding and ridicule and slander because of.

what they were called upon to do for the sake of Christ. and for the sake of others. But they are being blessed. By Simeon, blessed, who is a prophet of God, blessed in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God upon Simeon, blessed to be given strength, blessed to be given stronger faith, blessed to have everything they need to carry out the task that God has given to them, and blessed one day to be forever with the Lord in heaven and with the company of his people. And in such a fashion shall all of those be blessed who trust in him.

Oh, I pray. That you, along with all of us, will be so blessed and will be forever and ever. with the Lord. Shall we pray? Father, How we thank you for the giving of your Son.

Father, we thank you that there is a Savior from sin. How we thank you that there's a fountain filled with blood. drawn from Emmanuel's veins. Where sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains. How we thank you that even the dying thief just Short hours, maybe only minutes before the departure of his spirit into the world beyond, believed on Jesus Christ.

And was saved. The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain. in his day. And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away. We praise you for this, Lord God.

We want to thank you for the birth of Katie Scott Isley. the first grandchild of Kevin and Joanna. We want to pray for Carol Shaw, who's in the hospital. As needed, O Lord, to be able to care for her dear sister, and we pray that you will raise her up to health once again. We pray for our dear brother Greg Phillips, who sacrifices so much to be with us and to minister to us week by week.

And as he undergoes surgery this Friday on his knee, we pray, O Lord, that you will give him speedy healing. And Father, we pray for all who are gathered here tonight.

Some, perhaps, we would think most. have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, Have been made alive by the work of your Spirit, have been born again into the family of God. But Father, we know that there are some who are yet outside of Christ. Oh Lord. Come.

In gracious power, Come to show them their sin and need. Come to convict them. Come, O Lord, to humble them in the dust before Jesus Christ. the little babe in the manger, who is in fact king of kings, and Lord of Lords. We ask these things in His name, Amen.

For God's bread, O God, come in. Or the King of Jesus. Oh, come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us admit. In Christ, sing might of angels, sing, sing God's sisters of men. Glory to our Lord, glory in the heart, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore in Christ Lord to God unto Lord thy Almighty turn glory and pours on the earth Son of Father begotten, God created, oh come let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ Lord bear this happy morning, Jesus will be the glory.

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ adore.