Do Not Be Made Afraid
This is an outline of my sermon text, as well as the video for the Christmas Eve Service , on December 24, 2019 . My focus was primarily Matthew 1:18-21 , and parts of Luke 2:8-14. + pBRC Grace, Mercy & Peace from God the Father & Christ Jesus, God’s Son, our Lord & Savior. AMEN. · I want to talk about the birth announcements more so than about the actual birth. o The Gospels provide us with the angels of heaven announcing the coming of God’s Son, the Messiah three times. § We hear the final one in tonight’s Gospel reading, where an angel, then a host of angels declare the Good News of Great Joy to shepherds. § Before this, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary to say she “ ha(s) found favor with God .” [1] § Joseph is also visited by an angel who said, “ Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy...