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A Surprising Christmas 25 DECEMBER 2021 | CHRISTMAS DAY COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICES | REV RAYMOND FONG

A Surprising Christmas

25 DECEMBER 2021 | CHRISTMAS DAY COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICES

Rev Raymond Fong

Scripture Passage: Luke 2:8-20 (NIV)

WATCH | SERMON (VIDEO)

READ | SERMON NOTES

Summary | It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is a time of hope and longing for something surprising. The first Christmas was indeed a surprising one. The song Let It Go from Frozen, sums up the way God activated His plans to fulfill the promise He made to send His Son. However, in ‘letting it go’, God seems to have gone to an extreme in His plans. Here are four surprising things that occurred during that first Christmas:

  1. Shepherds – what a surprise it was that God chose these unknown and unworthy candidates to receive the announcement of Jesus’ birth. The world might have expected a priest or royalty to be the first to be notified, rather than these religious outcasts.
  2. Mary and Joseph – what a surprise it was to have insignificant nobodies selected to be the parents of the Christ Child. Mary, pregnant before marriage, faced a scandalous situation.
  3. No room at the inn – Jesus was born in the most unexpected place – a stable where animals were kept and certainly not the cleanest place to deliver a baby.
  4. Manger – mentioned in Luke 2:7,12,16, this trough which animals ate from was the cradle for baby Jesus. The King of Kings lay in this filthy manger. “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” proclaimed the angels, reminding us that glory belongs to this vulnerable Babe, who would later die for us.

Each Christmas, we claim three surprising gifts from our Lord.

  1. Saving Grace – getting what we do not deserve and not getting what we do deserve. God’s gift of astonishing love gives us forgiveness and grace to replace our guilt and shame. If anxiety and hopelessness represent the filthy manger of our hearts, then grace and redemption are given in that manger. His grace reaches places in our hearts which we think are impossible to get at.
  2. Surrendering Peace – “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14). The wishes of our youth give way to other wishes as we grow older. We desire good health and peace. However, in this life, we will continue to face challenges. Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.” (John 14:27) He gives us peace in the midst of conflict, rather than the absence of struggles. So let us surrender to Jesus, whose peace is given to us as we receive His assurance, guidance and abiding presence.
  3. Sustaining Hope – there is weariness in the world as COVID-19, climate change and trade wars rage on. Many of us may be physically and mentally tired. Why is there hope? Because we have a promise-keeping God! Hope is not dependent on circumstances but rooted in God’s faithfulness. The shepherds were terrified at the angelic announcement, but fear was replaced by men who glorified and worshipped God. This happened because of their encounter with Jesus. Micah 5:2 describes a prophecy made 700 years prior to the first Christmas. Jesus’ birth is proof that God kept His Word.

This Christmas, seek, receive and savour Jesus. As the shepherds went forth and encountered Jesus, so also, allow God to surprise us with such an encounter. Receive Jesus who alone gives us peace and hope. Like Mary, treasure Jesus. Take time to ponder and savour Him, to delight in Him.

Have yourself a surprising Christmas this year!

(Sermon notes by Angela Goh)