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Obsessed with shiny stuff, deep thirst revealed As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Psalm 42:1 The unexpected reality of Christmas: 1. God’s glory revealed An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them… Luke 2:9 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 2. To the weak and powerless And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Luke 2:8 • Outsiders, poor, despised, low-class, outcasts …they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. Luke 2:9-10a God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 3. It’s Good News! I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10b-11 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 4. Through a child This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12 [Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing…being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:6-7 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 Responding to the unexpected Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14 Curiosity When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:15 Praise The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:20 Christmas shines: Lord, I need you! All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24