Sounding Joy, Part 2: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Hark! The herald angels sing,

The story of Jesus begins with a heavenly interruption:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
      the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
    where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1–4

Luke 2:4–14
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
      ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
      ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
      ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
                and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

“Glory to the newborn King!”

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
      and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

“Peace on earth and mercy mild…”

“God and sinners reconciled.”

2 Corinthians 5:17–20
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King.”

Small Group Questions

1. What is your favorite Christmas song?
2. Read Luke 2 out loud. What stands out to you? Why?
3. How do Communion and Christmas connect in your heart?
4. How can you interrupt your Christmas angst with worship and a spiritual redirect?
5. What does peace look like to you? How can you find more of it this Christmas season?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?