Can You Hear the Angels Singing?

Christmas and the ‘Other World’

Luke 2:8-14

Angels seem to have a knack for scaring people Matthew 1:20 ~ Joseph Luke 1:30 ~ Mary Luke 2:10 ~ the shepherds

Angels are truly ‘out of this world’

Can you hear the Angels Singing?

‘Everything that is empty is full of the angels of God.’ Hillary 2 Kings 6:16-17 The angels were always there The servant simply didn’t see them until

God opened his eyes to their presence

Can you hear the Angels Singing?

Richard Dawkins ‘You won’t find any intelligent person

who feels the need for the supernatural.’

Can you hear the Angels Singing?

It is impossible to miss the supernatural element in the birth of Jesus Christ An angel informs Mary she will give birth to

Jesus An angel tells Joseph to name the child Jesus An angel warns Joseph and Mary to flee to

Egypt An angel tells the couple when it is safe to

return to Israel An angel announces the birth of Christ to the

shepherds An angelic choir joins him in praising God

Can you hear the Angels Singing?

It is impossible to miss the supernatural element in the birth of Jesus Christ A mysterious star leads the Magi to the Christ

child A dream warns the Magi to return home another

route

Can you hear the Angels Singing?

As Christians, we believe that the world we live in is not the real world, but just ‘temporary’

We believe in another world that is ‘real’ where God and the angels live

We live in this world, but our citizenship is in another world (Philippians 3:20)

The world around us will not last forever (1 John 2:17)

Everything that man builds will collapse before his eyes

Can you hear the Angels Singing?

Elegy in a Country Churchyard The boast of heraldry, the pomp of

power And all that beauty, all the wealth e’er

gave Awaits alike the inevitable hour

The paths of glory lead but to the grave

Thomas Gray

New Testament Christianity

J.B. Phillips

Angels, the star, the dreams, the prophecies and the virgin birth

The greatest miracle: that we were visited by Someone from the ‘other world’

Someone from heaven came to live with us on earth (John 1:1,14)

The Miracles of Christmas

‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten’ (John 3:16 KJV)

‘The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people’ (Titus 2:11 ESV)

‘But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman’ (Galatians 4:4 ESV)

The Miracles of Christmas

‘Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of man’ (Philippians 2:6-7)

‘God was manifest in the flesh’ (1 Timothy 3:15)

‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us’ (John 1:14 ESV)

The Miracles of Christmas

The Incarnation ~ the birth of Christ The infinite became finite The immortal became mortal The Creator became the created The omnipotent lived inside a young girl’s

womb The Almighty became a helpless baby The Deity was wrapped in rags The King of the Universe was born in a stable

The Miracles of Christmas

‘He whom the world could not unwrap, yonder lies in Mary’s lap.’

Martin Luther

‘Everything that seems empty is full of the angels of God.’ Hillary

Sometimes the world around us may seem empty and we may feel completely alone

Suddenly when we least expect it, God breaks through and the Angels start to sing

Jesus, we kneel before you in silent amazement.

Thank you that, because of your birth, we know that our Father is with us.

May we welcome you, not in a cold manger of a heart, but in a heart so pure, a heart warm with love for one another.

Final Prayer

Jesus, you are ~~ The tender holy Babe; The Shepherd of your flock; The Healing Person; The Christ of the people; The world-pervading God; Emmanuel, God with us.

Final Prayer

Jesus, you are ~~ The Glory of eternity who now shines

among us; Son of the High King of the Universe; Splendor of the Father; Source of life; Prince of Peace; Wonderful Counselor; Son of Mary;

Final Prayer

Pattern of goodness; Friend of all; Brother of the poor; Champion of Justice; Joy of the angels.

Final Prayer

Jesus, in you we see God’s face ~~ Gentle; Smiling; Strong; Loving; Obedient.

Final Prayer

Jesus, you radiate what the world so needs today ~~ Gentleness, tenderness, light and hope.

In you, may we find ~~ Gentleness as the answer to violence; Tenderness as the answer to ill-will; Light as the answer to lies; Hope as the answer to despair.

Final Prayer

Your mercy brings forgiveness. Have mercy on us; bring us to true

sorrow for our sins. Give us eternal life. For your glory fills eternity; Your glory fills the universe. Amen.

Final Prayer