Christmas Eve: A Time to Behold
Dave Gustavsen
Luke 2:8-11
When is the last time you used the word ''behold'' in a sentence? When you were getting ready to come to church today, did anybody say to a family member, ''Behold: my Christmas sweater''? It's not a word we use much anymore. But it's a good word. It's a word that shows up a lot in the Bible, especially around the life of Jesus. So what does ''behold'' actually mean?
Well, it basically means, ''Look.'' As in, check this out; pay attention; observe. And usually, the word ''behold'' isn't used for everyday things. You wouldn't poke your head into your co-worker's cubicle at lunchtime and say, ''Behold, my peanut butter and jelly sandwich.'' It's reserved for more special things-like when I'm standing with a groom at the front of the church, and the back doors swing open, and for the first time, the groom beholds his bride in her wedding dress. And lots of times, it's used for things that seem very unlikely or impossible, and yet they happen. Like, ''My kids never get along, but I came home from work on Friday, and they were peacefully playing Xbox together. It was a sight to-everyone?...behold.'' A sight to behold. Aaa-aah! Angels were singing.
So ''behold'' means this is something so important, or so unusual, that you should stop whatever else you're doing, and look. And here's what I want to say today: this Christmas, the God who created you is inviting you to come and behold. So let's take a few minutes to think about The Invitation, The Challenge, and The Gifts of beholding. The invitation, the challenge, and the gifts of beholding.
First: The Invitation. Look with me at the Gospel of Luke, chapter two, beginning in verse 8: 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, ' ...
Dave Gustavsen
Luke 2:8-11
When is the last time you used the word ''behold'' in a sentence? When you were getting ready to come to church today, did anybody say to a family member, ''Behold: my Christmas sweater''? It's not a word we use much anymore. But it's a good word. It's a word that shows up a lot in the Bible, especially around the life of Jesus. So what does ''behold'' actually mean?
Well, it basically means, ''Look.'' As in, check this out; pay attention; observe. And usually, the word ''behold'' isn't used for everyday things. You wouldn't poke your head into your co-worker's cubicle at lunchtime and say, ''Behold, my peanut butter and jelly sandwich.'' It's reserved for more special things-like when I'm standing with a groom at the front of the church, and the back doors swing open, and for the first time, the groom beholds his bride in her wedding dress. And lots of times, it's used for things that seem very unlikely or impossible, and yet they happen. Like, ''My kids never get along, but I came home from work on Friday, and they were peacefully playing Xbox together. It was a sight to-everyone?...behold.'' A sight to behold. Aaa-aah! Angels were singing.
So ''behold'' means this is something so important, or so unusual, that you should stop whatever else you're doing, and look. And here's what I want to say today: this Christmas, the God who created you is inviting you to come and behold. So let's take a few minutes to think about The Invitation, The Challenge, and The Gifts of beholding. The invitation, the challenge, and the gifts of beholding.
First: The Invitation. Look with me at the Gospel of Luke, chapter two, beginning in verse 8: 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, ' ...
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