For this the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the service began with the Canticle of Mary, the Gloria Patri and the hymn of praise was "It came upon a Midnight Clear." We had words of joy and testimony, and the lighting of the Advent Candle.
The theme of the sermon was "baby pictures" - passages about the birth of Jesus and how we know about it.
Lu 2:22
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Lu 2:23
(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Lu 2:24
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Lu 2:25
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Lu 2:26
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Lu 2:27
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Lu 2:28
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lu 2:29
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Lu 2:30
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Lu 2:31
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Lu 2:32
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Lu 2:33
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Lu 2:34
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
Lu 2:35
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Lu 2:36
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Lu 2:37
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Lu 2:38
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Pastor Robbie talked about how Simeon and Anna recognized the baby Jesus as the Savior even before Mary and Joseph. This was the picture they drew of Jesus - the Savior.
Lu 2:4
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Lu 2:5
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Lu 2:7
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 inn.
Lu 2:8
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Lu 2:9
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Lu 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Lu 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Lu 2:12
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Lu 2:13
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Lu 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Pastor Robbie talked about the way the shepherds took great "snapshots' of the birth of Christ. Their descriptions gave us great images of the scene, and leave lasting impressions in our minds of the coming of the Messiah.
Mt 2:1
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Mt 2:2
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Mt 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
The Maji give us another picture of Jesus - King of the Jews. Pastor Robbie asked the question, "What is missing?" This is not like the normal descriptions of babies - for example, how much the baby weighs, the color of his eyes, etc.
Lu 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Lu 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Joh 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Angel gives us another picture of Jesus, the Savior. Pastor Robbie talked about the important idea: "the Word was made Flesh." In the original Greek, the words "dwelt among us" should really be translated "tabernacled," an even more potent meaning, although not in common use today.
Pastor Robbie said we are not just celebrating the birth of a child, but something far greater - the arrival of the King of Kings!
The closing hymn was "What Child Is This."
