Hope Fulfilled in Unexpected Places

St Timothy Presbyterian Church

Scripture Passage

Luke 2:1-12, Luke 2:13-20, Luke 2:25-38

Worship Video

Worship Audio

Sermon Script

Merry Christmas!

The birth of Jesus represents the fulfillment of God's promise. Christmas is the climax and result of hopeful waiting. But somehow, the birth of Jesus was anticlimactic. He did not arrive with great fanfare. There were no loud trumpets proclaiming his arrival. He was not even born in a regular home or inn. He was born quietly in a manger. God's promise was not fulfilled in a way we would expect.

Our experience is like that. We have great expectations and hopes. We wait patiently and eagerly for our hopes to be fulfilled. But often, the results are not what we expect. In fact, the results are often a letdown or disappointment. They seem so ordinary or even worse than ordinary. Jesus' birth was like that.

But somehow, there were people who saw something in his birth. Some people saw something extraordinary in this very ordinary birth. The shepherds received a revelation from an angel.

Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:10)

Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple, just like any other Jewish baby. But somehow, Simeon saw something extraordinary in this ordinary baby. This was his response to holding Jesus in his arms:

Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32)

Anna, who had spent her whole adult life in the temple, saw many many babies there. But somehow, when Jesus came, she began to praise God and speak about the child to everyone.

How did these people see something so extraordinary in what appeared so ordinary? What did these people have that others didn't? That is a great mystery. I believe that is a spiritual gift and blessing. One thing we can see clearly: these people were not the elite of society. God chose to reveal his extraordinary work to shepherds, an old man and an old widow. Seeing God's work in something ordinary does not require great education. It is a spiritual gift and blessing.

We see that God's promise is not necessary fulfilled through great and extraordinary results. Rather: The fulfillment of God's promise is hidden in the ordinary or even undesired results of our expectations. It is hidden to most people, but to those who see it, they have great joy.

Christmas represents the fulfillment of God's promise. It is hidden in the humble birth of Jesus in the manger. But for those who can see it, there is hope. That hope brings peace and joy. Finding the hidden fulfillment of God's promise is the true meaning of Christmas.

Pray that God will reveal the fulfillment of his promise to you in the ordinary events of your life. Cherish your family and your friends. Don't despair at your difficulties. God's work might be hidden in them. May God bless you with hope, peace and joy this Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

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