The First Christmas Carol

I actually happen to agree with them. And I'm thankful that this time of year, in spite of all the crazy things that are going on throughout our society and throughout the world, that this time of year the gospel is still reaching forth into our culture. And that's why I believe it's very important for us to embrace this time of year, because even on secular rock stations you're hearing the gospel proclaimed. in between songs and sometimes through songs. And so I'm very thankful for that. And so let's turn to Luke chapter 2, or you can follow along on the screen with me as we read our text here this evening. And it is a joy to stand before you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and also our fellow laborers in the faith, to mark this special evening as we remember and celebrate the first advent of Jesus Christ.

Following the sermon, there will be a reading of Luke chapter 2, verses 1 through 20. So I'm not going to read the whole passage of Scripture. You'll hear the full context here shortly. So just look in verses 13 and 14 of Luke chapter 2. Verses 13 and 14 of Luke chapter 2. And the Bible says, And suddenly there was with the angel. Now this is the angel that in verse 2 makes the proclamation. about the good tidings of great joy that is going to be to all people. And that is that Jesus Christ was born. A Savior has been born into the world. So suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

I only want to focus on the words of this praise unto God here this evening that was delivered by the multitude of angels. And this is actually the first Christmas carol. And it is what I'd like for us to think about this evening. And what is important about this is, I don't know if you've noticed this, but so many of our carols for the advent of Jesus Christ are so theologically rich. I mean, they are just head and shoulders taller than many of the hymns we find throughout Christendom, especially those hymns that came along later in the early 1900s and so forth. But we find theologically rich hymns this time of year that we sing, and probably should be singing them more than just this time of year. But we find these wonderful expressions.

of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And so I want us to focus here this evening on this first carol that was sung at the announcement of light coming into the world. The birth of Jesus Christ. Because that is the light that has come into the world. Before was utter darkness, of course, the progressive revelation. The coming of Jesus Christ was given in promise, and so there was a little obscure light. But then when Jesus Christ came into the world, that's when the light fully came into this dark world. A world that's been dark ever since the fall of Adam. And so this was to proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ. Now this light begins in the most unusual way with Emmanuel, meaning God with us.

first being revealed as a babe in a manger. Now, it's not a theatrical production that modern Americans would expect for such an occasion as this. This revelation of the God-man takes place in a remote place, Bethlehem, in primitive conditions, a stable, and among insignificant people, a humble virgin and shepherds. It's an interesting place, or it's interesting that the place is not Jerusalem, which was the religious capital of the world and is still significantly the religious capital of the world. Neither was it Rome, which was the civil capital of the world at that time. No, it was in Bethlehem, a small little hill country, meaning house of bread.

Now, it was actually named after the Canaanite fertility god. And so it was in reference to this Canaanite temple in which we find the development of this place called Bethlehem, which goes to show for us today that even pagan places, names, and so forth can be redeemed, not in a salvific way, but in a consecrated manner. However, he was not born in the civil and financial capital of the world, but in a small town in the hill country of Judea. You could say that he was born to a bunch of hillbilly rednecks. The hill country of Bethlehem. Now, Jesus was not born in a temple. He was not born in a palace. He was not even given a room in the local Motel 6. But he was born in a humble manger that was used for livestock. He is not born into royalty, but he's born to a humble virgin. His birth is not announced before the royal court, but it is announced to a bunch of shepherds. But as the old saying goes, little is much when God...

Literally, in this case. Now the God-man came in small and insignificant ways, just as his kingdom began as a mustard seed. Yet by the end of his earthly ministry, it is declared that all power and all authority has been granted unto him in heaven and on earth. In 300 years or so, after his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. The pagan Roman Empire had been toppled, basically, and Christianity had become the official religion of the region. This small mustard seed has continued to grow even to this day, as it was sown the least of all the seeds in the earth and became greater than all other kingdoms in the world, and so too was the birth of Christ. It was a small, insignificant event.

in the eyes of man at least. God does not work according to the wisdom and power of man, but the way that God brings about his purposes are always in ways that are supernatural. Because it's not by might, it's not by power, but it is by the Spirit of the Lord. It's not the mighty and the wise in which God works, but it's the weak and the ignorant. You see, as we look around at the present state of affairs in the West and throughout the world, as we celebrate the advent and birth of Jesus Christ, but as we look around at all the things that are transpiring around us, we should remember this very thing. We should remember the way that Christ came into the world and what he accomplished, how that his kingdom was established and how that it has grown. The angels are making a spectacular statement here.

The angel first tells the shepherds, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And then a multitude of the heavenly hosts joins in perfect harmony to give praise unto God by declaring glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. This glorious proclamation takes place in a remote place in primitive conditions and among insignificant people in the eyes of man. But it is not an insignificant place. These were not insignificant conditions. These were not insignificant people because they were set apart by God for His power and His glory to be made known throughout all of the earth. And this is the first Christmas carol.

A carol is simply a praise, usually in the form of a song and in a cheerful manner. This first Christmas carol reveals three fundamental truths of the gospel. First of all, notice the purpose of his coming. We see first Christ's purpose in these words, glory to God in the highest. This grand announcement begins with thanksgiving and praise unto God. Because it is his glory that is being revealed. As Calvin wrote, that this reminds us that we were redeemed from death for this purpose, that we might testify with the tongue, as well as by the actions of the life, our gratitude to God. Let us remember then the final cause why God reconciled us to himself through his only begotten son. It was that he might glorify his name by revealing the riches of his grace and of his boundless mercy. And even now, to whatever extent anyone is excited by his knowledge of grace to celebrate the glory of God, such is the extent of the proficiency in the faith of Christ. Whenever our salvation is mentioned, we should understand.

that a signal has been given to excite us to thanksgiving and to the praises of God, end of quote. You see, this Christmas carol is sung in response to the announcement by the angel in verses 10 through 12 concerning a Savior that is born in the city of David. The coming of the Savior was for the very purpose of giving glory to God because he had visited and redeemed his people. Now Paul expresses this in Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 6 this way, as he declares, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Just in the messianic promise, the psalmist wrote in the 96th psalm, let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, let the sea roar in the fullness thereof, let the field be joyful and all that is therein.

Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord, for He cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness and the people with His truth. In the fulfillment of the exalted Christ, we read in Revelation chapter 5 and verse 3, And every creature which is in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing and honor. and glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever and ever. You see, the redemptive work of God through Jesus Christ is to be celebrated in praise to God for his marvelous works in the promise of Christ, the revelation of Christ, and the exaltation of Christ. Glory to God in the highest, in the promise.

In the execution and the fulfillment, truly Jesus has fulfilled the biblical truth found in the first question of the larger catechism. That is, what is the chief and highest end of man? Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God and to fully enjoy Him forever. The incarnation of Christ is therefore announced by first of all declaring glory to God. Secondly, we see the power of his coming in the line and on earth peace. You see, this declaration is not some mystical fantasy. And we live in a very fantasy-crazed world. Nothing is as it appears to be anymore, is it? I mean, you see people on Facebook and then you meet them and you're like, that's not the person I saw. I mean, everything is just this.

virtual non-reality that we live in. But you see, this declaration, and on earth peace, is not some mystical fantasy as is found in the pagan gods, but it's a reality of the power of God. In Isaiah, God had declared to the wicked that there is no peace, but here is the promise of peace on earth. Human history is filled with violence and murder and tyranny. It is amazing what men will do to each other, isn't it? It is unbelievable the things that man will think up to do to one another. You see, the world is filled with this violence, murder, and tyranny, but the declaration to the world in relation to the coming of Christ is that His coming would bring peace. It would bring peace with God. But notice it says peace on earth. There's peace with God and peace with man.

See, this statement is not the full realization of the peaceful reign of Christ, but the Prince of Peace who is making this earth at peace as he reconciles the world to himself and puts his enemies under his feet. Therefore, the emphasis is not on the earth, but upon the Savior of the earth. Jesus Christ is reconciling sinners by making peace with God through his atoning sacrifice for our sins. The full effect of this in its consummation shall be the lion laying down with the lamb. Peace on earth. The power of his coming is seen in the prophecy of Isaiah chapter 9 and verse 6. For unto us a child is born.

Unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. Upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. You see, this peace is not some hippie pacifism. It's not some secular live and let live philosophy. But it is actually the triumph and dominion of Christ over all things. He is making peace on earth by subduing his enemies. By either bringing them to their knees through the gospel.

bringing them to their knees by toppling the kingdoms of this world and making them His. And how is this going to be accomplished? Paul tells us in Colossians 1, 19-20, For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, talking about Christ, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross. Through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. How is it going to be accomplished? Through the blood of His cross. Through the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ, the death, burial, and resurrection. You see, all power and all authority has been granted unto Christ through the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to the Jew first and also to the Gentiles in order to redeem.

Everything that was lost in Adam. And then third, we see the prophet of his coming in the phrase, goodwill toward men. The effect of Christ's triumphant entry into the world is the good pleasure of God upon his elect, upon his people. His will is good and it is... His goodwill or the goodness of His will, which is to reconcile us from the bondage of sin and to make us heirs in His kingdom. His goodwill is to grant us life and life more abundantly. You see, the coming of Christ has brought salvation and righteousness and wisdom and power and redemption, reconciliation and all the benefits promised unto us by the prophets. The Apostle Paul also speaks.

Of this prophet of Christ coming into the world by declaring in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 4 through 10. But God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us. Even when we were dead in sins he has quickened us together with Christ by grace you are saved. And has raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches. of His grace and His kindness towards us through Jesus Christ. For by grace you are saved through faith, and that is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk therein. See, first, God's love is profitable to us in that we have been saved by His grace.

in that God regenerated us through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ in granting unto us faith. Second, God's love is profitable to us in that we are being recreated in Christ under good works. We were sinners, but God saved us by justifying us through the blood of Christ and is now creating us in the likeness of Christ. You see, it was the Father's pleasure. to predestinate us to the adoptions of sons through Jesus Christ our Lord. So this goodwill is expressed so gloriously by the Apostle Paul as he wrote in the book of Romans, but God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. You see, all of this is entailed and more in that glorious announcement.

Glory be to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. Therefore, as we think about this first Christmas carol, in this Christmas Eve in 2019, may we go home to our families, live among our neighbors, work in our vocations, and serve in our churches in the reality of this carol by living to the glory of God. Dwelling on earth in the peace of God. And declaring His good will that we have graciously received from Him unto all men. May God give you grace to give glory to God in all things. Grace to be at peace. And grace to extend good will. You see, what we have freely received, may we freely give.