Scripture referenced
The passage this message was preached from, in full, with every other passage it reached for.
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Isaiah 9 read aloud as a prophecy about the coming messiah, including the virgin birth and names of the child
1 But there shall be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time he has made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, on them the light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the plunder.
4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian.
5 For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.
8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it falls on Israel.
9 All the people will know, including Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart,
10 “The bricks have fallen, but we will build with cut stone. The sycamore fig trees have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.”
11 Therefore Yahweh will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies,
12 The Syrians in front, and the Philistines behind; and they will devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13 Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought Yahweh of Armies.
14 Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day.
15 The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.
16 For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed.
17 Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18 For wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.
19 Through Yahweh of Armies’ wrath, the land is burned up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother.
20 One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry; and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied. Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm:
21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
World English Bible · Read it in another translation
Keep this verse
Luke 2
read aloud as the nativity account, from Mary giving birth through the shepherds visiting the feeding trough
1 Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;
5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6 While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.
7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
11 For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
15 When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
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.”
25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,
34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.
38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,
43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,
44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.
47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
49 He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
50 They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
World English Bible · Read it in another translation
John 3:16
quoted without chapter and verse attribution as 'the bible tells us that God so loved the world' to explain the gift of salvation for all
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
World English Bible · Read it in another translation
Recap
The message in order, in a few minutes of reading.
Tribe fam gathered on Town Square on a rainy Christmas Eve for an outdoor service open to the whole community. Pastor Brian walked through the story of Christmas from its roots in the garden all the way to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, and closed with a prayer of blessing over everyone present.
What was said
Pastor Brian opened by saying the story of Christmas does not begin with Saint Nicholas or even with the manger in Bethlehem. It begins in a garden, where God created mankind for relationship and gave humanity the gift of free will. That gift was used to eat from the tree of independence apart from God, and the result was sin entering the human race, bringing with it war, sickness, death, and a separation from God's family that no person can escape on their own.
Even in that moment of failure, God already had a plan. He told Adam that from him would come one whose heel would crush the head of evil. God then formed a nation through whom that promised gift would arrive, and for generations the people of Israel cried out for their messiah while their prophets caught only glimpses of what was coming.
Pastor Brian read from Isaiah chapter nine, which described a child to be born who would carry the names Wonderful One, Extraordinary Strategist, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, and Prince of Peace. The passage promised that this one would rule on David's throne, uphold justice and righteousness, and bring immeasurable peace. Pastor Brian noted that the same passage declares the Lord Yahweh's passion for his people will ensure that it is finished.
Then, at just the right time, the promise arrived. Pastor Brian read the account from Luke chapter two: Mary giving birth in Bethlehem, the baby laid in a feeding trough, angels filling the night sky over shepherds in a field, and the announcement that a rescuer had been born, the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah.
Pastor Brian drew a line between all of that and what Christmas is actually about. The story is not primarily about material gifts. It is about God giving the messiah first to Israel and then, going one step further than expected, to the whole world. Jesus lived without sin, died a criminal's death, shed his blood to pay for sin, and rose again, making it possible for God and mankind to be reunited as family.
He closed by pointing forward. Jesus came once to redeem and will come again to establish his rule on earth, renewing a planet marked by violence and destruction. The hallmarks of that coming kingdom, Pastor Brian said, are justice, righteousness, and peace. That is why, he said, we still sing Silent Night, and why the line that matters is the last one: Jesus, Lord at thy birth.
Touch points
Things you could actually do this week.
- If you heard the Christmas story tonight and want to know more, pick up one of the free Bibles that were available at the service.
- Take a few minutes this week to actually read the words of 'Silent Night' and think about what they mean rather than just singing along.
- If you are carrying something heavy right now, find someone you trust and ask them to pray with you about it.
- If you are in Jackson and looking for more of this, visit tribejh.com and come to the Sunday service at 10AM this week.
- Ask Jesus to forgive your sin, invite him into your life, and make him the leader of it, which is the gift Pastor Brian said is available to anyone who will receive it.
Doing a Bible study?
Here is a guide we have prepared for you: the passages in order, questions for the group, and room to write.
- Brian traced the story of Christmas all the way back to the garden, saying God gave mankind the gift of free will and that mankind used it to eat from the tree of independence apart from God. What does it mean to you personally that the Christmas story starts there rather than in Bethlehem?
- Brian read from Isaiah 9 and described generations of people who 'only caught a glimpse of the coming savior.' What do you think it would have felt like to live in that long season of waiting, and where do you see that kind of waiting in your own life?
and 3 more questions in the guide
Resumen en español
El mensaje resumido, en español.
La noche de Navidad, Tribe celebró su servicio anual al aire libre en Town Square, Jackson Hole, bajo la lluvia. Pastor Brian comenzó explicando que la historia de la Navidad no empieza con San Nicolás ni con el pesebre de Belén, sino mucho antes, en el jardín del Edén. Allí Dios creó a la humanidad para disfrutar de su presencia, le dio el libre albedrío, y cuando el ser humano lo usó para separarse de Dios, la raza humana quedó infectada por el pecado. Pero desde ese mismo momento, Dios ya tenía en mente su respuesta: prometió que vendría alguien que aplastaría el mal.
Con esa promesa como punto de partida, Pastor Brian recorrió la historia del pueblo de Israel, que esperó por generaciones al Mesías prometido. Leyó la profecía de Isaías y luego el relato del nacimiento en Lucas, mostrando cómo Dios cumplió exactamente lo que había prometido. El regalo de Navidad no fue para Israel solamente, sino para todo el mundo: Jesús vivió sin pecado, murió en la cruz pagando el precio del pecado de toda la humanidad, y resucitó. Todo esto para abrir el camino de regreso a la familia de Dios, disponible para cualquiera que quiera recibirlo.
Al cerrar, Pastor Brian invitó a quienes quisieran recibir ese regalo a pedirle a Jesús que perdonara sus pecados y tomara el control de su vida. También recordó que Jesús vendrá de nuevo para establecer su reino de justicia, rectitud y paz en la tierra. Hubo oración por los presentes, se ofrecieron biblias de forma gratuita, y se animó a todos a visitar Tribe los domingos.
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Pasajes bíblicos mencionados:
- Isaías 9 (la profecía del Mesías que trae luz, rompe cadenas y reina en justicia y paz)
- Lucas 2 (el nacimiento de Jesús, los ángeles y los pastores en Belén)
- Juan 3:16 ("De tal manera amó Dios al mundo...")
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