- The eyes of the Lord are always upon us. From the beginning of the year, even unto the end. The Lord is gracious unto them that wait for him, to the souls that seek him. From the rising of the sun, until the going down of the same. The Lord's name is to be praised. From the beginning of the year unto the end of the same. The Lord's name is to be praised. Therefore, let us sing to the praise and the glory of God, the Hymn 336. 336. (organ introduction to hymn) (congregation singing indistinct lyrics) Let us offer unto God our unison prayer of confession. Let us pray. Almighty God. Our Heavenly Father, who didst cause light to shine out of darkness in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, to take away the sins of the world, we humbly confess our transgressions, and implore thy forgiveness. We are ashamed of that within us, which make us neither for peace on earth, nor goodwill toward men. We confess to thee our broken vows, our duties left undone, and our proud imaginations. We pray thee to loose us from the yoke of our sins, to pardon our guilt and to cleanse our thoughts, that the spirit of Christ may be born anew within us. Amen. And let us read together the comfortable words of the assurance of sin forgiven, as they are found in the hymnal 654, "By grace you have been saved." Let the congregation remain seated. "By grace you have been saved. And you He made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, and raised us up with Him. And made us sit with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing. It is the gift of God. Not because of works, lest any man should boast, for we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Amen. Be of good courage. (soprano solo from Handel's "Messiah") ♪ How beautiful are the feet ♪ ♪ Of them that preach ♪ ♪ The gospel of peace ♪ ♪ How beautiful are the feet ♪ ♪ How beautiful are the feet ♪ ♪ Of them that preach ♪ ♪ The gospel of peace ♪ ♪ How beautiful are the feet ♪ ♪ Of them that preach ♪ ♪ The gospel of peace ♪ ♪ And bring glad tidings ♪ ♪ And bring glad tidings ♪ ♪ Glad tidings of good things ♪ ♪ And bring glad tidings ♪ ♪ Glad tidings of good things ♪ ♪ And bring glad tidings ♪ ♪ Glad tidings of good things ♪ ♪ Glad tidings of good things ♪ (organ postlude) 

- Let us hear the word of God as it's recorded. First, in the book of the Prophet Isaiah. Three verses from chapter nine. "The people who walked in darkness, have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. For unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given. And the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." And it in the Gospel according to St. Luke, the second chapter, verses eight to 14. "And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy, which will come to all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased." Amen. And may God bless unto us the reading of his Holy Word. (congregation singing indistinct lyrics) The Lord be with you. Let us pray. Our God eternal and unchangeable, Alpha and Omega, Creator, Sustainer and Preserver of life, who will alone abide us, while all by creatures change and pass away, yet in whose appointment our life standeth, to Thee we bow our heads and lift our hearts. As we keep holy time together under the shadows of the closing year, we ask of Thee a Father's blessing and a Father's bounty. That we may face the new year with confidence in the knowledge that it is Thine and we are Thine. And to Thee we shall ascribe the glory. We praise Thee, O God, for great is Thy mercy toward us. Thou hast made us in Thine own image, And has given us minds to know Thee, hearts to love Thee, and wills to serve Thee In goodness art Thou exalted, O Lord. And Thy tender mercies are over all Thy works. We praise Thee for the kindness of others, whereby the path of life has been made more easy for us. For the blessedness of home, For the joy of friendship, and for the tenderness, which links us to our dear ones on earth and in heaven. Most of all do we magnify Thee for Thy greatest gift. And bless Thee that, in the fullness of time, Thou didst give the light of the knowledge of Thy glory, in the face of Jesus Christ. As our hearts turn to Bethlehem, and to the child in the manger, we adore Thee as the Giver of Thine unspeakable gift. And we bless Thee, for Thou has indeed visited and redeemed Thy children. Our Heavenly Father, who's Holy Child, Jesus, is born unto us, we entreat Thee that, in memory of His infancy and of the love He brought unto Thy little ones, all children may be precious in our eyes. Make us heedful and helpful in our dealings with them. Let Thy love be felt in every home. And let our gifts, one to another, be a reminder of Thee, who gavest all. Be with those who at this season are sick or sad or suffering, the poor, the lonely, the homeless, the distressed, and those who are mourning their dear ones. Especially, we commend to Thee our own hospital. Its doctors, its nurses, its aids, its patients, at this time of grave illness. Speak peace to troubled souls, and raise up all who are bowed down. Lord of All Worlds, before Whom stand the living and the departed, we remember before Thee, with thanksgiving, those who have passed within the vale. Especially those dear to us, whom, in the year now ending, though has called home to their rest. Grant that even here we may have true communion of spirit with them. And help us so to live by faith, that we at the last may be gathered with them, beyond the changes and chances of this fleeting world, into the Kingdom of Thy glory. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who has taught us, when we pray, thus to say, "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever." Amen. 

- [Different Speaker] Let us pray. O God, may the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer. Amen. "Unto you." You've heard the words a hundred times, a thousand times, as I have. Heard them as part of the Christmas narrative, of sermons, of the soprano recitative in the "Messiah". "And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not. For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ, the Lord." Quite suddenly one day, however, I realized that these familiar words were out of place. They were spoken to the wrong people. They were not addressed to Joseph and Mary, the parents of the Child, about Whom the angel spoke, but to a group of shepherds, who had nothing to do with the Baby born in their midst. Why say, "Unto you", to the shepherds? Was it because they were relatives of Joseph, and thus able to feel that the baby belonged to their own family? Yes, this would be quite possible in a tightly-knit community, with which Joseph did have family ties; even though for many years he had been living in a distant city. But there's nothing else to show that any of the shepherds had close blood relationship to Joseph, or to the promised Child. Was it because they were Bethlehemites? This is much more likely, for that community had a strong sense of history, and reflected with some pride on their associations with King David of long ago. If what the vision proclaimed were true, then the birth of a new leader in Bethlehem would certainly be something to add to civic pride. Or did the angels say, "Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior," to this handful of shepherds, simply because they were Jews, representatives of the many thousands who were looking and longing for a Messiah, a Savior; not only from the Romans, but from sin and frustration? Maybe this, at last, was the Good News, for which they had been waiting. And it came to them as members of the Jewish people. In that case, this was indeed a red letter day for them. Yet, the context makes it clear that this intimate manner of speaking arose from none of these reasons, but was used simply because they were ordinary people. The message, "Unto you," came to them as human beings. They were the chosen representatives of the whole human race. "I bring you good tidings, which shall be to all people." There is a sense in which the basic events of birth, marriage, death, in some mysterious way, bring all people together as one family. In these events, all are one. Barriers and shynesses are forgotten; differences of race and color and culture and creed. Particularly is this the case, when a baby is born. All the world loves a baby. Yet for the shepherds, this was not mere sentimentality. These men were rough fellows; ready to haggle in the marketplace, to tangle in a brawl, when they had had too much to drink, ready to fight grimly for their right, if anyone encroached on their territory. But they were also men with a warm tenderness for their own children, and protective toward all children; ready to lay down their lives even for their sheep. They were indeed in their changing moods, their strange blend of good and evil, their love of the earth, and their occasional glimpses of heaven, ordinary people. This is what makes their singling out so important. Indeed, you might say that they were not singled out, they were picked blindfold with a pin. The symbol of sacrifice and courage in war, is an unknown soldier. An unknown shepherd is the symbol of God's offer for human need. If indeed that promise, given by the Herald of God to the shepherds, came to them as representatives of the human race, then exactly the same promise would be held out to all people. This Baby born in Bethlehem belonged to them. "Unto you", you nameless shepherds, is born a Child, Who is a Savior. "Unto you", their wives and children and sweethearts in Bethlehem. "Unto you", you innkeeper, who showed the weary mother into the stable; whether in pity, or because of your callous indifference, which was only moved by money. "Unto you", you Eastern astrologers, is a child born; unto you and your people. "Unto you", Herod, fearful of a rival, and unto your Royal Court. "Unto you", baby John, son of aged Zacharias and mystified Elizabeth. "Unto you", Simon Bar-Jonah, playing by the Lakeside of Capernaum. "Unto you", young Pontius Pilate, learning to be dignified in the presence of the household slaves. "Unto you", Caesar Augustus, hoping for an improved financial report from your census. "Unto you", Tiberius, austere student at Rhodes. "Unto you", Drusus, subduing barbarian tribes in Northern Europe. "Unto you", you lake-dwellers at Glastonbury, you skin-clad inhabitants of caves and hillside camps in ancient Britannia. "Unto you", you Belgi, invading their island with your iron swords, and bringing your Mediterranean plow to revolutionize English agriculture. "Unto you", you Hohokam Indians, playing with rubber balls, etching your pictures on seashells, and building canals, dams, to irrigate your land in Arizona. "Unto you", you Indians of Ohio and Kentucky and Western Virginia; simpler in your culture, yet erecting mounds filled with grave offerings for your revered dead. "Unto you", you nameless people of 2000 years ago in every continent. Most of you linked, with the thinnest of family ties, to every American now living. "Unto you" was a Child born. A Child who was the Son of God, the Savior of all mankind, Nor was the promise limited in time, any more than in space. Not only to the shepherds around Bethlehem 2000 years ago, but to the shepherd boy, David, who roamed those same hills a thousand years earlier, and to his descendants, who have watched their flock around Bethlehem through each succeeding century, was the Child given. Given, likewise, to those who today build a new Israel with spade and sometimes rifle, replacing the shepherd's rod and staff. Not only to the Magi from Iran, but to Abraham, another wise man who made pilgrimage from the East to Palestine. And to the moon worshipers whom he left behind, and to all men, wise men of today, in east and west and north and south, was the Child promised. To the leaders of every nation Jesus is born. As he was born to Herod and to Augustus Caesar long ago. To you, Queen Elizabeth II. To you, Mao Tse-Tung. To you Lyndon Baines Johnson, and to Richard Nixon, breathing hotly down your neck. "Unto you", Mr. Carl Sagan, whether you wish it or acknowledge it or not. Unto you is the Christ Child born. "Unto you", Captain Frank Borman and your colleagues, James Lovell and William Anders, just returned from the moon, wiser in the law of the heavens than all the astrologers of old, unto you is a Savior come. "Unto you", Commander Bucher, and to all the members of the crew of your lost Pueblo, and to all their parents and wives and children, unto you a Child is born. "Unto you", you leaders of the Black Solidarity committee. "Unto you", you members of the DARM Merchants Association. "Unto you", you leaders of the KU Klux Klan. "Unto you", tiny baby, just born in Duke Hospital. "Unto you", Marie Hill, awaiting execution for a brutal murder. "Unto you." "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." "Unto you." Well, we've heard the Good News. All of us. So what? What do we do now? Having heard the news, do we switch to another channel? One which interests us rather more? Surely not. If we are responsible and responsive beings, we do three things. First, we try to find out if the news is true. The shepherds went to Bethlehem to see this thing, which had come to pass, which the Lord had made known unto them. In our turn, we study the beginnings of the Christian religion; the worldwide impact of the Christian faith during the centuries, its effect on those whom we know and respect. We make our own experiments in prayerful communication with God, our own ventures into the unknown, guided only by the flimsy chart of an experimental belief in Christ. And hopefully we find, as millions have found before us, that it works. Christianity is true. Second, we thank God for the fulfillment of his prophecy. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had seen and heard, as it was told unto them. We in our turn read the old story, look back wishfully on memories of childhood, try to escape for a time from the tinsel and glitter of material prosperity, stretch out a helping hand to the multitudes far less fortunate than we. In our better moments, we are joyful, with the confidence of those who believe in a saving God. We realize where true joy comes from. We try to ensure both the extension of our own joy to others and its continuance into the future. We wish each other a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. But if these highest hopes and hearty greetings are not to fade in the thin and frosty air, we must do a third thing: We must adjust our lives to new circumstances. Something has happened, which should change our thoughts and feelings, change our homes, change our relationships with other people, with God. The shepherds couldn't keep what had happened to themselves, but made known abroad the saying which was told them, concerning this Child. A child in the home makes a big difference. Especially the first child, but each later one, too. Even when a child who belongs to everybody comes into our home, it should make a big difference. And those of us who yet have no children of our own, or whose children have long grown up, or who can never hope to have children, even we have a Child born unto us this Christmas. Surely we cannot any longer neglect the one who has been entrusted to us. No longer put off making the sacrifices that are necessary, that he may grow in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. He relies upon us. And more than we can imagine, depends upon our being faithful to our trust. "Unto you is born," said the angel. Christians through the long centuries, however, have linked with these the words of the Prophet Isaiah, with a change of the second person to the first person: "Unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Son is given." And many generations of Christians have enthusiastically affirmed that, in personal life, in national life, in international life, all that God-inspired Isaiah said about the coming One, was true. Gloriously true. "The government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Let us hear the testimony of one of these later Christians, who insisted that "Unto you" meant "Unto us". Charles Wesley wrote a poem based on the nativity story. And especially upon the angel's message in Luke chapter two verse 11. "Unto you is born this day". It was found in manuscript after his death and first published in a supplement to the Methodist hymn book in 1830. He speaks as a shepherd who has heard the universal message. And also as a Christian, who gladly welcomes the Child and Savior to his own heart and home. "To us a child of royal birth, Heir of the promises, is given; the Invisible appears on earth, The Son of Man, the God of heaven. A Savior born, in love supreme He comes our fallen souls to raise; He comes his people to redeem with all his plenitude of grace. The Christ by raptured seers foretold, Filled with the eternal Spirit's power, Prophet, and Priest, and King behold, And Lord of all the worlds adore. The Lord of hosts, the God most high, Who quits his throne on earth to live, With joy we welcome from the sky, With faith into our hearts receive." Let us, also, this day return to our homes, glorifying and praising God for all that we have seen and heard. Let us resolve that the promised Savior is indeed to be our Lord, the Lord of our jobs, of our recreation, of our hearts. Of every molecule, every moment, every memory, every motive. Let us give Him the first place in our household, and make all the adjustments necessary for living with a Holy Child in the center of our lives. Then indeed it will be a happy new year for each of us and for many, many more. Amen. Let us pray. O Almighty God, who by the birth of Thy Holy Child, Jesus, hast given us a great light to dawn upon our darkness, grant, we pray Thee, that in His light, we may see light to the end of our days. Bestow upon us, we beseech Thee, that most excellent Christmas Gift of charity to all men, that so the likeness of the Son may be formed in us, and grant that Thy disciples, in this and every land, may so lift Him up before men, that they may see His glory, and be drawn unto Him, whom to know, is life eternal. Amen. (organ introduction) (congregation singing indistinct lyrics) (solemn organ music) (soprano sings "Panis Angelicus" by César Franck in English) (organ plays introduction) ("Praise God, from whom all blessings flow" by congregation) ♪ Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ♪ ♪ Praise Him, all creatures here below ♪ ♪ Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host ♪ ♪ Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ All things come of the, oh God. Our silver and our gold, and of Thine own do we give Thee, as the symbol of ourselves. In the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

- Now unto God's gracious mercy and protection do I convict you. May the blessing of God come upon you abundantly. May it keep you strong and tranquil in the truth of His promises through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (soft organ music) (church bell tolls three times) (majestic organ music)