Sermon Reflections from Remember When... Heaven Sang | Alex Hardt | December 21, 2025
Have you ever been to a presentation of the Messiah with professional singers and an orchestra? It is so moving that the audience always stands for the Hallelujah Chorus at the end. As amazing as that is, it is nothing compared to the choir the shepherds heard that night on a Judean hillside. I have been to the place they believe to be the field area in a valley just outside Bethlehem. It is now surrounded by city but still has a bucolic feel as it is still an open field area. I could envision the shepherds gazing up at the multitude of angels in awe as they listened to the sounds of their voices and received the message God had sent through them.
After hearing the message, the shepherds decided to go and see for themselves this child that was born in Bethlehem. They had been specific about the child, Luke 2:11-12, “ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” When they got there, they found Jesus and knew what the angels had said was true.
What was the result of their encounter with Jesus? Luke 2:17-18 “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” When was the last time you had news that was so great you went about telling all your family and friends and really anyone who would listen? This was that kind of news, the arrival of their long awaited Savior. What joy they had as they spread the good word of His arrival. What joy the must have felt along with awe in his presence with Mary and Joseph. They had joy because God showed up right there. He is the essence of joy and it is contagious when we know Him!!
Their emotion was joy but their actions were those of worship. Their joy at seeing the Messiah, even as a babe, was so overwhelming they bowed in worship. Think about their night as they saw and heard from angels and then visited their savior. The only response to encountering God is true worship.
Their message to the world was one of hope and peace. The angels had proclaimed the child would bring peace to all with whom He was pleased. Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!
How does one please God? Paul writes in Colossians 1:9-10 “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
Paul is telling the Colossian Christians that he has heard of their ministry and works for the Lord and has been praying for them. At this point, Paul has not been able to visit them but wanted them to feel encouraged in their work and faith. He desired that they be filled with knowledge about God and live with spiritual wisdom and understanding. He implied that being filled with knowledge of God leads to wisdom and understanding so that they could walk and live in a manner that is worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him. Paul wanted them to know that bearing fruit for God pleases Him along with their own continued growth.
The concept of bearing fruit is one Jesus spoke of in John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." Knowing Jesus as Savior makes us a branch in His tree, in his vineyard. He desires that we bear fruit and will prune us so we will bear even more fruit. One who just wastes the goodness of God and does nothing with all He has given us will be taken away. Since we know that once we accept Jesus we belong to Him and cannot lose our salvation, this must mean something else. Perhaps consider, those that do not bear fruit are not in the direct pathway of blessings that God gives those who live for Him. The main point here is that bearing fruit requires the plant be fertilized, cared for, watered, etc. God does that for us- He provides for us nourishment from His Word so we can grow, He provides Christian fellowship to surround us and keep us encouraged, loved and walking with Him. We have all felt the pruning of God in our lives. This is not fun but necessary for our growth and development. As we look back on those hard times, we see God's hand guiding us and providing new things for us to learn about walking and serving Him!
To receive that peace from God that Jesus promised in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” We must know and trust Him and live our lives guided by Him. Peace will be ours as His Spirit indwells us and produces good things for God’s glory through us! May His peace and fruit fill your lives this week!
Linda
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Linda is a member of Crossroads church and regularly blogs about her faith.
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