Peace to brothers and sisters 弟兄姊妹平安 Today we have come to 今天我們進入了 The fourth week of the Christmas season 聖誕季節的第四個禮拜 Christmas is definitely not a one day holiday 聖誕節絕對不是一個一天的節日 Christmas is a holiday season 聖誕節是一個季節 Four weeks before Christmas 從聖誕節之前四個禮拜 We have already lit this candle 我們已經開始點起了這一個蠟燭 We call it the Advent Candles 我們稱它為待降節的蠟燭 I still remember the first week 還記得第一個禮拜的時候 We were starting Christmas holidays with hope 我們說我們是帶著盼望進入聖誕節 The second week we talked about that 第二個我們禮拜說 Christmas brings us faith 聖誕節給我們帶來了信心 Last week we talked about Christmas brings joy 上個禮拜我們說聖誕節是帶著喜樂 And this week we are lighting the fourth candle 而這個禮拜我們在點起第四個蠟燭 This candle is telling the story of Christmas 這個蠟燭在說的是聖誕的故事 Christmas holiday is full of love 聖誕的節日充滿的是愛 Because of Christmas. Because of love. Because of joy 神因為聖誕節因為愛 因為喜樂 Because of faith. Because of hope 因為信心 因為盼望 All of these come into our lives during the whole Christmas 整個聖誕節帶著這一些 All of these come into our lives during the whole Christmas 來到我們的生命裏面 This is what we need 這是我們所需要的 This is what we long for every day in our life 這是我們的生命裏面 This is what we long for every day in our life 每一天所渴望的 Let's pray 我們一起來禱告 Heavenly Father, I thank You for this Christmas season which takes us from hope to faith 天父我謝謝禰藉著聖誕節這個季節 Heavenly Father, I thank You for this Christmas season which takes us from hope to faith 帶我們從盼望進入信心

We receive joy through faith 從信心領取喜樂 With joy, we immerse in your love 而帶著喜樂我們浸泡在你的愛中 Lord, the closer Christmas Day is 主當我們越接近聖誕節的時候 The stronger your love is 你的愛越濃厚 As we enter the hardest and coldest winter of our lives 當我們越進入我們的生命 As we enter the hardest and coldest winter of our lives 最困苦最寒冷的冬天的時候 Your love is there and never leaves 你的愛就在那裡環繞不離去 Lord, we thank You for Christmas 主我們爲聖誕節來感謝禰 Thank You for the love in our lives 也爲在我們生命裏面的愛來謝謝禰 We pray in Jesus' name. Amen 奉耶穌的名禱告 阿們 Hope is in your family 盼望在你的家庭裏面 Christmas keeps bringing 不斷地擁有聖誕所帶來的 Hope, faith, joy and love 盼望 信心 喜樂跟愛 Today let's continue to read 今天接著我們繼續來看 Today's Main Scripture 今天的主題經文 Today's Main Scripture continues to center around the Christmas story 今天的主題經文又是繼續環繞著 Today's Main Scripture continues to center around the Christmas story 我們聖誕節的故事 Let's read it together. Please 我們一起來讀 請

Let's pray again 我們再次一起來禱告 Father, we thank You 天父我們謝謝禰 Through clear Bible records 藉著非常清楚的聖經的記載 Today we enter Christmas with the Bible records 我們今天帶著聖經的記載 Today we enter Christmas with the Bible records 進入了聖誕 As Christmas is approaching this week 快要接近聖誕節的這個禮拜 Lord, speak to our hearts with this story written by Luke once again 主再一次的用路加所寫的 Lord, speak to our hearts with this story written by Luke once again 這一段故事對我們的心說話 Especially with the sign we will see 特別是將我們面前所看到的 Especially with the sign we will see 這一個記號 To help us see more clearly 幫助我們更清楚的看得到 The great peace He brings 祂帶來的是何等的平安 Holy Spirit, I urge You at every branch 聖靈我懇求禰在每一個分播點 On every media platform 在每一個媒體之前 In every time zone, at every moment 在每一個時區 在每一個時刻 When people see this video 當人打開這個影片的時候 May peace be with them 平安就在那裡與他同在 May the Holy Spirit fill that place 聖靈就在那裡充滿那個地方 Thank You, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen 謝謝禰 奉耶穌的名禱告 阿們 Once again, welcome to Banner Church 再一次的歡迎你來到旌旗教會 Let me bless you again 也再一次的來祝福你 The peace of Christmas is in your heart 聖誕的平安在你的心中 What I like the most is 在聖誕節的時候我非常喜歡的是去 To look at these images on Christmas Eve 看著在聖誕夜那個晚上的這些圖案

I really appreciate these quiet and warm images of Jesus' manger 我很欣賞的是這樣子的一個 I really appreciate these quiet and warm images of Jesus' manger 很安靜的 I really appreciate these quiet and warm images of Jesus' manger 很 讓我很溫暖的一個 I really appreciate these quiet and warm images of Jesus' manger 耶穌的馬槽的這些圖像 To me 對我來說 Christmas is a very important holiday 聖誕節是一個很重要的節日 Of course including my past Christmas 當然包括我過去聖誕節 My memory with Him or Christmas since childhood 從小跟祂跟聖誕節連結的這些記憶 And every age in my life 還有在我生命裏面每個年齡 Every stage 我的每個階段 Things happened during the past Christmas 在那個時候的聖誕節所遇到的事情 And where I have stayed in every country 還有在每一個國家我所待過的地方 The city I have been to 我待過的城市 The people I have met 我所去接觸到的人 They brought me many different memories at Christmas 他們在聖誕節 They brought me many different memories at Christmas 帶給我很多不一樣的記憶 But since last year 但是從去年開始 Christmas becomes more profound to me 這個聖誕節對我來說更加的深遠 Because last year the whole world 因為去年整個世界 We were buried under the shadow COVID 19 我們埋葬在COVID-19 We were buried under the shadow COVID 19 新冠肺炎的這個陰影的下面 When we recorded this video 到我們錄影的時候 At the beginning of December this year 今年的十二月初 There were already more than 260 million people in the world 全世界已經有超過2.6億人 265 million people suffered from this disease 兩億六千五百萬人罹了這個病

There were already more than 5 million people 已經有超過五百萬人 5.24 million people died because of this 五百二十四萬人因為這樣子死亡 Unfortunately the total counts of the world 而不幸的是每一天全世界統計起來 700,000 confirmed cases will be added each day 每天還會增加七十萬人新的病歷 7,000 to 8,000 death toll will be added each 每一天有增加 7,000 to 8,000 death toll will be added everyday 七千到八千個人的死亡病歷 Global health, global economy, transportation 全球的健康 全球的經濟 交通 Even politics will be greatly affected 甚至政治 Even politics will be greatly affected 都會受到極大的影響 People live in fear in the past two years 人在這一兩年中間活在恐懼的裏面 Between these two years 人這一兩年中間 Our lives have been greatly threatened 我們的生命被遇到了極大的威脅 Our freedom is restricted 我們的自由被限制 So in this year's Christmas 所以真的在今年聖誕節的時候 Light up the Advent candles in your heart, in your home 真的得在你的心中 在你的家裏面 Light up the Advent candles in your heart, in your home 點起聖誕節待降節的這個蠟燭 Hope, Faith, Joy, Love 盼望 信心 喜樂 愛 And the one we will light up next week 還有下個禮拜所要點的 The light of Jesus has to come into your life 關於耶穌的光明 The light of Jesus has to come into your life 必須進到你的生命裏面來 The second reason why this Christmas is so special 我為什麼我會今年的聖誕節 The second reason why this Christmas is so special 那麼特別的第二個理由 Because in the past year 是因為過去這一年以來 My dear good friend 我的親愛的我的好朋友

My best friend Pastor Samuel is sick 我最好的朋友修哥 他生病 Of course, many of us are praying for him 當然在疾病的裏面 Of course, many of us are praying for him 我們許多人為他禱告 We saw God listened to his prayers 我們看到他 上帝聽他的禱告 Yet let's continue to pray for God to protect him and his family 但是我們繼續用禱告來圍護著他 Yet let's continue to pray for God to protect him and his family 圍護了他的家庭 Or even to protect our entire church 甚至圍護了我們整個教會 Our whole church was affected by this disease 我們整個教會 Our whole church was affected by this disease 受到了這個疾病的一些的影響 We are constantly praying to God 我們不斷地在祈求神 May God let us see 求神讓我們看到 From Pastor Samuel 真的在修哥的身上 Indeed, from Pastor Samuel 的確 在修哥的身上 We saw his hope and his faith 我們看到了好多他的盼望他的信心 We saw the joy in his life has not reduced a bit 我們發現他生命裏面的喜樂 We saw the joy in his life has not reduced a bit 沒有減少 We found the love in his heart for human souls has not disappeared at all 我們發現他心裏面對人的靈魂的愛 We found the love in his heart for human souls has not disappeared at all 完全都沒有消失 Everyone, this is exactly what we need 各位這正是我們所需要的 As for me, what Christmas brings 而對我來說 聖誕節所帶來的 In addition to the traditional meaning 除了傳統的意義之外 In fact, every Christmas 事實上每一年的聖誕節 I remind myself 是我提醒我自己 God has given me something inside of me 神賜在我裏面的有一個東西 That no one can take it away from me 別人沒有辦法拿走 Because of the peace that Christmas brings 就是因為聖誕節所帶來的平安

No one can take this peace away from my heart 這個平安沒有人可以從我心裏面 No one can take this peace away from my heart 把它拿走 This peace surpasses every so called peace of this world 這個平安超過世人所謂的 This peace surpasses every so called peace of this world 所有的平安 This peace is deep 這個平安是深深的 Because of Christmas 因為聖誕節的關係 It is deep in my heart 沉浸在我的心裏面 Although there are many signs, many images 雖然有很多的記號 很多的圖騰 Many material things that represent Christmas 很多的物品都在代表聖誕節 The most important sign of Christmas is peace 但是聖誕節的記號最重要的是平安 In the marketplace 你可以在市面上看到了 When talking about Christmas, people talk about gifts 關於聖誕節 人就講到了禮物 When people think about Christmas, they think about Christmas trees 想到聖誕節 人就想到了聖誕樹 When people think about Christmas 想到聖誕節 They think about a Christmas party 人就想到了一個聖誕派對 Sometimes, they will also 甚至有時候你也 Not sometimes, most of the time 不是有時候 大部分的時候 There will be someone who is not even relevant to Christmas 會有一個 There will be someone who is not even relevant to Christmas 跟聖誕節一點關係都沒有的人 An old man with a large stomach and white beard 一個老老的肚子大大的人 An old man with a large stomach and white beard 留著白鬍子的人 Wearing a red suit 穿著紅色衣服的人 He often says, "Ho, ho, ho" 他只會在那邊 呵呵呵 He has a flying sleigh 然後開著他的雪橇在天上飛來飛去 That seems to occupy our Christmas sky 這些似乎都讓我們的聖誕的天空 That seems to occupy our Christmas sky 被占據了

But today I once again stand at this podium 但是今天當我再一次站到這個講台 Today, as you watch this video 今天你再次打開這一個影片的時候 Please allow me to once again 容許我再一次的 To bring back the purity of Christmas 把聖誕節的乾淨還給你 To bring back the purity of Christmas 把聖誕節的純淨還給你 That is, what we have seen today 這就是我們今天所要看的 What we have seen in this Scripture that we have just read 我們剛所看的這段經文 This Scripture is not an advertisement 這段經文這不是人所設計的廣告 It is not the result of some business method 這不是商業手法 It is not the result of some business method 所産生出來的一個結果 This sign 這個記號 This sign that is described in this Scripture 這個經文裏面所說的記號 This was announced by an angel 這是天使他所公告的 Within this sign 在這個記號的裏面 He said there are three elements to this sign 他說這個記號有三個元素 The first element is a baby 第一個元素是一個嬰孩 The second element is wrapped in swaddling cloths 第二個元素是包著布 The third element is lying in a manger 第三個元素是祂臥在馬槽裡 These elements of Christmas 聖誕節的這三個元素 Refer to three very important things 講三件很重要的事情 The first is that the baby refers to 第一件嬰孩在講的是 God came in the form of a human who had just been born 上帝成爲一個剛剛出生的人 The second is wrapped in swaddling cloths 第二件包著布 God came in the form of a human who had just been born 是上帝成爲一個剛剛出生的人 Vulnerable to cold and harm like you and me 而且是那麼的易受寒冷易受傷害

Vulnerable to cold and harm like you and me 跟你我一樣的人 The third is lying in a manger 第三個祂躺在馬槽裡 This talks about God who came in the form of a human who had just been born 講的是上帝成爲一個剛剛出生的 A baby vulnerable to cold and harm 易受寒冷易受傷害的小嬰孩 Born into a poor family 而且是在一個窮人家的家裏 Into a family without even a proper cradle 連一個適當的孩子的搖籃都沒有的 Into a family without even a proper cradle 一個家庭 But this child, this baby had an extraordinary identity 但是這個孩子這個嬰孩 But this child, this baby had an extraordinary identity 帶著極不尋常的身分 This Scripture mentions His three identities 在這段經文裏面提到了 This Scripture mentions His three identities 祂的三個身分 Savior, Lord and Christ 祂是救主 祂是主 然後祂是基督 The birth of this baby 這個嬰孩的誕生 Was accompanied by two very important messages 帶來了兩個很重要的信息 This is good news of great joy 這個信息是大喜的信息 And this good news will be for all the people 而且這個信息是關乎萬民的信息 This news, this sign brings us the greatest peace 而這個信息這整個記號 This news, this sign brings us the greatest peace 要帶給我們最大最大的一個平安 This peace, this sign, is mentioned in the first sentence 這個平安是這個記號的第一句話 And the angel said to them, "Fear not" 天使說 不要懼怕 The angel was speaking to some shepherds 天使對當時的牧羊人 When proclaiming this sign 當時這樣宣告這個記號的時候 The angel said to them, "Fear not" 天使告訴他們說 不要懼怕

Today, let's understand this sign 今天我們要來好好的來 Today, let's understand this sign 瞭解這個記號 Let's see what this sign represents based on three aspects 我們要好好的從三個方向 Let's see what this sign represents based on three aspects 我們來看這個記號所要代表的 The first is 首先第一個 This sign, this baby 這個記號 這個嬰孩 Is a sign of God's sovereignty 是上帝祂掌權的一個記號 This story is recorded in the Bible 聖經記載的這一段故事 This was not something that happened by accident 不是偶然出現的偶發事件 Or for no reason 不是沒有原因 Or happened in a place no one knew about 發生在某個不知道在哪裡的 An unknown place 某個不知道在什麼的地方的 A place that people don't know 某一些不知道是誰的這種地方 Not like the fairytales our grandmother told when we were children 就像我們小時候在聽奶奶講故事 When I was little my grandmother would start her stories with "Long, long ago" 小時候奶奶講故事會說很久很久 When we tell stories we say 我們講故事都會說 "Once upon a time there was a person" 從前從前有一個誰有一個誰 We are not given any clues about this person 沒憑沒據不知道他是誰 But this Scripture tells us 但是這一段經文告訴我們 This baby is God's sign of sovereignty in human history 這個嬰孩是上帝 This baby is God's sign of sovereignty in human history 在人類歷史上面掌權的記號 It is recorded here 講的是這一段記載 This did not come out of thin air 不是憑空而來的 For this, permit me to use the 2019 Today's Chinese version 這段記載容許我用2019年 For this, permit me to use the 2019 Today's Chinese version 現代中文譯本 Let's read this story, shall we? 我們來讀這個故事好嗎 For this story we 這段故事我們 You can read this very beautiful story together 你可以一起來讀非常美麗的故事

Let's read it together. Please 我們一起讀 來 This Biblical history 這個聖經的歷史 Was not fabricated out of thin air 不是憑空捏造 It is not an anecdote 不是稗官野史 It is not a folk legend 不是民間傳說 This actually happened 這個是實際發生在歷史時代 This was a real place 真的一個地理位置 This was a real person 真的一個真實的人 This was a real time 真實的時代 This story happened in a real place 真實的地方所產生的真實的故事

Christmas tells us that God is real 聖誕節告訴我們上帝是真實的 God created heaven and earth 上帝祂創造天地 He reigns over history 祂掌管歷史 But He does not leave us or ignore us 祂沒有因爲這樣就丟著我們不管 He does not just leave us to happenstance 或者放著自然率 To make us fend for ourselves, carrying out natural selection 讓我們在那邊自生自滅 物競天擇 He is always 祂隨時隨地的 He surpasses time and space 祂在超越時空的 He surpasses all that is possible 超越所有可能的 He comes to be with you 祂來到你的身邊 He pays attention to you 祂去關注的是真實的你 He pays attention to this world 關注的是這個真實的世界 He gives you real love 祂給你的是真實的愛 He actively participates in every detail of our lives 祂主動的去參與在 He actively participates in every detail of our lives 我們生活裏面的每一個小細節 He is able to create the universe 祂可以創造宇宙 He can maintain the workings of the universe 祂可以維護宇宙的運行 But He also comes into your life 但是祂又進到你的生命裏面來 Into every little detail of your life 在你生命裏面最微細的小地方 He is there with you 在那裡與你同在 Christmas happened at a point in history 聖誕節發生在歷史上面的一個時間 In a place, among a group of people 一個地點的一群人的身上 Christmas surpasses the influence of time and space 聖誕節超越時空的影響 From that time on, all people 在那個時候的以後的所有的人

Christmas is definitely not an accident 聖誕節絕對不是偶然出現的 Christmas was meticulously planned by God 聖誕節是神經過精心企劃 Over thousands of years of history 跨越千年的歷史 Through patient waiting 經過耐心的等候 Waiting for the conditions to be right 等待各樣的條件滿足的時候 Until the timing was right 直到時候滿足 This is what Paul said 這是保羅所說的話 When the fullness of time has come 直到時候滿足完整的成全的 The story of Christmas is presented to us 將聖誕的故事呈現在我們的面前 About 800 years before the birth of Jesus 耶穌誕生之前大概八百年 If this point represents the birth of Jesus 如果這個地方是代表耶穌的誕生 About 800 years before the birth of Jesus 耶穌誕生之前的 About 800 years before the birth of Jesus 八百年的時候的以賽亞 Isaiah said this 那個時候的以賽亞他這麼說 He said 他說

This was 800 years before 這是八百年前 Eight hundred years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah said 耶穌誕生之前八百年以賽亞所說的 In almost the same era 在他幾乎同一時代 Slightly later 稍微晚一點點 About 700 years 到了七百年的時候 Another prophet named Micah 另外一個先知叫彌迦 He said this 他也這麼說 He said 他說 After Isaiah he said 然後以賽亞最後他說 He shall be their peace 祂要帶來和平 This meaning is peace 和平就是平安的意思 So no matter if Isaiah or Micah 以賽亞也好

So no matter if Isaiah or Micah 彌迦也好 Actually, their prophecies 其實他們的預言 If we look back even earlier 是在回顧更早的時候 To the Book of Genesis, chapter three 是在創世紀第3章的時候 In chapter three of the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve 在創世紀第3章當亞當 夏娃 Due to sin, before God 因爲犯了罪在上帝面前 Due to that sin 因為那個罪的關係 There was a separation from God 跟神隔離開來的時候 God cursed that serpent 上帝去咒詛那一條蛇 God said to that serpent 上帝跟那一條蛇說 "I will put enmity between you and the woman" 我要使你跟那女人彼此仇恨 "And between your offspring and her offspring" 她的後代跟你的後代互相敵對 "He shall bruise your head" 她要打碎你的頭 "And you shall bruise his heal" 你要咬傷她的腳跟 After that sin in chapter three of the Book of Genesis 從創世紀第3章人犯罪之後不久 God laid plans for the future 神就設下了未來的 For the process of redemption in the future 未來的贖罪的過程 The future Salvation, the Salvation process 未來的救贖的救恩的過程 It began at that time 從那個時候開始 People waited in expectation 人就不斷地在期待在等候 They waited until when? 等候到什麼時候 Until this happened 這一件事情要發生 So, these prophets over generations 所以歷世累代以來的這些先知 These prophets continued to look forward 這些先知他不斷地往前看 They continued to look upward 不斷地往上看 They looked forward, they hoped to see this happen 往前看他們盼望能夠看到什麼時候 They looked forward, they hoped to see this happen 這個事情要發生 They looked up 他們往上看 And continued to ask God, "When will You come?" 不斷地說神 禰什麼時候要來到 But God has His schedule 但是神有祂的時間表

When God felt that His time had come 一直到上帝覺得祂的時間到了 Based on His schedule 照著祂的時間表 Based on His plan 照著祂的企劃 God entered this time and this space 神就介入在這個時空的裏面 Later, Paul wrote this 保羅後來這樣子寫 Let's read this Scripture together 我們一起來讀這段經文 Paul wrote this 保羅寫說 In this Scripture, Paul 保羅的這一段話 In this Scripture from the Book of Galatians 在加拉太書的這一段話 He gave a very important conclusion about Christmas 給聖誕節下了一個很重要的結論 Paul's meaning was that 保羅的意思是 Through Christmas, God 上帝藉著聖誕節 His ultimate purpose for entering human history 介入人類歷史的終極目的 Was for us to receive our identify as His children 是要我們得著兒子的名分 We just talked about Adam and Eve 亞當 夏娃剛剛我們說的 They sinned 他們犯了罪了 Adam and Eve sinned 亞當 夏娃犯了罪 So that there was a gap between them and God 使得他們跟神中間有罪的鴻溝 God prepared Salvation for everyone 神爲人預備了救恩 And He left His fingerprint in every moment of the history 為歷史的每一個時刻

And He left His fingerprint in every moment of the history 留下祂的指紋 So that people can go after the finger print 讓人可以照著那個指紋去追尋 God waited in the eternity 神在永恒的裏面等候 He waited till one day, when the time comes 等候一直到有一天時間到了 He sees human beings in the world are ready 祂在看到這個人類的世界 He sees human beings in the world are ready 已經預備好的時候 And He sent His Son Jesus to the world on Christmas 就在聖誕節將祂的兒子耶穌 And He sent His Son Jesus to the world on Christmas 命令祂下來到人間 He became a baby 成為一個剛剛所說那個嬰孩 A baby that was vulnerable 一個易受傷害的嬰孩 A baby in a poor family 一個在窮人家的嬰孩 Because of this 因為這樣子 Jesus grew in the environment 祂耶穌在那個環境裏面長大 Jesus tells us in that environment 耶穌在那個環境裏面告訴我們 How should a person live his life 一個人活著該是什麼樣子 Over there, Jesus told us 耶穌在那個地方告訴我們亞當 What Adam failed to do 那時候沒有做成功的 Now the second Adam is on Jesus 現在在第二個亞當耶穌身上 It was like that 是這樣子的行 He acted in God's will 行神的旨意 Base on what He received from the Heavenly Father 祂照著祂從天父所領受的 With the teaching from the Heavenly Father 帶著天父給祂的教導 He taught the world 教導這個世界 He told us how to treat each other 告訴我們人該怎麼樣互相對待 He told us how to treat God 告訴我們怎麼樣去對待神 He told us how to treat our land 告訴我們怎麼去對待土地 And treat others and ourselves 對待別人 對待自己 And He did the one last thing for us 然後祂爲了我們進行最後一件事情 He gave up His body on the Cross 祂在十字架上面捨了祂的身體 He shed His blood on the Cross 祂在十字架上面流了祂的血

He died, He was buried, and He was resurrected 祂死 祂埋葬 祂復活 He destroyed the threat death has for us 祂打死了死亡對我們人的威脅 So, He built up the cover for the gap 於是祂建造起那 So, He built up the cover for the gap 把那條鴻溝給蓋起來 Because of this 我們因為這樣子 We can come boldly to God 可以坦然無懼來到上帝的面前 Everyone, this is absolutely not only on Christmas 各位這不是絕對聖誕節 Not only for one day 絕對不是一天 Christmas is not just one season 聖誕節不是一個季節 Christmas is throughout generations 聖誕節是歷世累代 A great sign in eternity 永恒裏面一個偉大的記號 Through Christmas 神藉著聖誕節 God gave us sonship 叫我們得著兒子的名分 The second thing 第二件事情 The sign of the manger on Christmas 聖誕節這個馬槽的記號 It is the sign of God's care 是上帝祂關顧我們的記號 God's care means that He looks after us 關顧的意思就是祂照顧我們 He cares about us 祂關懷我們 In each era in the history 上帝在歷史的每一個時代 And every class 每一個階層 In every detail in history 上帝在歷史的每一個細節 God cares about us 祂去關顧他 Manger is the sign of the child 馬槽的嬰孩這個記號 It is the sign that God cares for us 是上帝關顧我們的記號

He tells us that we are not orphans 告訴我們 我們不是孤兒 He tells us that we are not abandoned 告訴我們 我們沒有被丟在那一邊 Suffering from the cold and persecution 受寒冷被逼迫 No one cares 沒有人管 He tells us 告訴我們 We are not stranded in poverty 我們沒有被圍困在貧窮裏面 Without rescues 沒有人來救助 In the Book of Luke, chapter two, verse eight 路加第2章的第8節 It talks about a very beautiful part of the story 講到這個故事裏面很漂亮的一段 Let's take a look 我們來看 God's care is for everyone 上帝的關顧在每一個人 Especially in every commoner 特別是在每一個平民百姓的身上 Such an important history of mankind 這麼重要的人類歷史 Such an important plan God has in eternity 這麽重要的上帝在永恒裏面的計劃 The first person that God reveals to is a group of unknown shepherds 竟然第一個揭露的對象 The first person that God reveals to is a group of unknown shepherds 是一個一群默默無聞的牧羊人 This group of shepherds 這一群牧羊人 At that time, they were at the bottom of the society 當時在那個社會上面是最底層

At that time, they had the most humble work 當時他們做的是最卑微的工作 The most stinky job 最臭的工作 No one wants to get close to their job 沒有人願意靠近他們的工作 Everyone, you are the same 各位你也是這樣 God is also paying attention to you like this 上帝也是這樣在關注你 Maybe you think you are not important at all 也許你認為你自己一點都不重要 But God says, you are important 但是上帝說你非常重要 You don't know how important you are in His eyes 你不知道在祂的眼中 You don't know how important you are in His eyes 你有多麼的重要 In your life 祂在你的生命的裏面 He put into blessings you cannot imagine 祂放進去的你想不到的祝福 And around you 而在你的四周圍 He also put people you cannot imagine 祂放進去了你想不到的人 You will take the blessing beyond imagination 你要帶著這個想不到的祝福 To bless those who aren't on your mind 去祝福那些想不到的人 This is a very important responsibility you have 這是你極重要的一個責任 The shepherds can take up 牧羊人他們可以負擔 The good news that Jesus was born 耶穌誕生的好消息 Everyone, you can be the same 各位你也一樣 You can also take up a responsibility 你也可以負擔一個責任 That is to tell the world 這個責任是去跟世人報告 About the good news that Jesus was born 耶穌誕生的這個好消息 A place that others cannot go to 一個別人沒有辦法去的地方 A person that others cannot talk to 一個別人沒有辦法去談話的對象 A factory that others cannot deliver the message to 一個別人永遠沒有辦法把信息 A factory that others cannot deliver the message to 送達的一個工廠

A company, a school, a family 一個公司 一個學校 一個家庭 You are just like the shepherd in those days 只有你就像當時那個牧羊人一樣 Although you feel that you cannot do anything 雖然你覺得自己好像什麼都不會 Although you feel that you cannot do anything 什麼都不行 But God says 但是神說 If I can use those shepherds 如果我可以使用牧羊人 To proclaim the story of Jesus' birth 去傳揚耶穌誕生的故事 I can definitely use you 我絕對可以使用你 Go and tell them 去告訴他們 Tell them that 告訴他們說 God didn't leave us alone 上帝沒有丟下我們不管 Go tell them 去告訴他們說 For tens of thousands of years 我們千百萬年來 What we've been expecting 在期待的事情 It has already happened 現在已經發生了 God told the shepherds 上帝對牧羊人說 Fear not 不要懼怕 Today, God wants to tell you, fear not 今天神要對你說 不要懼怕 Just go 只管去 Tell the good news to everyone 去把這個消息告訴眾人 Maybe in your life 也許各位你在生命裏面 You've been through some sorrows 你經歷過一些的哀傷 You've been through many difficulties 你經歷了很多的不容易 But God says He wants to us these difficulties 但是神說祂就要用你這個不容易 He wants to use your sorrow 使用你的哀傷 And the scars in your life 使用你生命裏面的一些傷痕 Some harm 一些受傷

Through these, God will deliver the message of Christmas 神要藉著這個來傳揚聖誕節的信息 Your life will become a vessel that delivers the message to the world 你的生命要成為對這個世界 Your life will become a vessel that delivers the message to the world 傳遞信息的一個載具 So, the angel told the shepherds 所以天使對牧羊人這麼說 He said, "This day, in the city of David" 他說今天在大衛的城裡 "A Savior has been born for you" 爲你們生了救主 "Who is Christ the Lord" 就是主基督 Why was the angel especially pointed at the city of David? 為什麼天使特別要指著大衛的城 And not calling it Bethlehem 而不直接講伯利恆 The city of David is Bethlehem 大衛的城就是伯利恆 But Bethlehem is only seen as Bethlehem 但是伯利恒被理解的是只是伯利恒 It is the so called the house of bread 就是所謂的麵包之屋 But it has a deeper meaning 可是它的背後更深層的意義 It is the city of David 它是大衛的城 The city is the most important city of mankind 這個城市是人類最重要的一個城市 The city 這個城市 It was a website for God to enter the human world 是神進入人類世界的一個網站 It was an entrance 一個入口站 But for this city 但是這個城市 If we looked at its history 如果我們看它的歷史 There was all kinds of stories 充滿了各式各樣的故事 First we see that the city 這個城市第一個我們看到的 It was a place to suffer death 它是一個承受死亡

A place to suffer sorrow 承受哀傷的一個地方 And this happened before Christ 那這個事情發生在紀元之前 One thousand and nine hundred years ago before Jesus was born 耶穌誕生之前的一千九百年 One thousand and nine hundred years ago 在一千九百年的時候 At that time, there was a woman 那個時候有一個人 She also gave birth to a child there 也是在那個地方生小孩 That person was Rachel 那個人叫做拉結 Rachel was the wife that Jacob loved 拉結是雅各所愛的太太 Jacob brought his family 雅各帶著他的家族 They came to Bethlehem 來到伯利恆這個地方的時候 Rachel was about to give birth to a baby 拉結在那裏也是産期近了 And Rachel gave birth to a baby there 然後拉結在那裡生產 The youngest son born was called Benjamin 生下那個最小的兒子叫做便雅憫 But Rachel wasn't so lucky like Mary 但是拉結沒有像馬利亞 She didn't give birth to her child successfully 這麽幸運的順産 One thousand and nine hundred years ago 拉結在那時候一千九百年前 After Rachel gave birth to Benjamin 拉結她生下便雅憫之後 She passed away 她就死了 Jacob carried great grief 雅各帶著極大的哀傷 He found a piece of land there, in Bethlehem 在那個地方找到一塊地就在伯利恆 He dug a grave and buried his beloved wife there 弄了一個墳墓 He dug a grave and buried his beloved wife there 把他心愛的太太埋葬在那裡 Bethlehem appeared on the stage of history 伯利恒出現在歷史的舞臺上 This is a city that suffered death and sorrow 這是一個承受死亡 This is a city that suffered death and sorrow 承受哀傷的一個城市 Maybe in your life 也許在你的生命裏面

You also suffered death 你也曾經承受了死亡 You suffered sorrow 承受了哀傷 In your life 在你的生命裏面 Maybe there were many unbearable marks 也許有很多不堪回首的記號 But God sees those marks as precious 但是神看這些記號 Your sorrow were precious to Him 很寶貝你的哀傷 God treasures the tears you shed 神看這些記號 God treasures the tears you shed 非常珍惜你所流的眼淚 God let the good news of Jesus Christ 上帝叫耶穌基督的福音 Through the city of sorrow 藉著那個哀傷的城市 Or the city of death, Bethlehem, it was widespread 死亡的城市伯利恆傳揚開來 Through you, God will also use you 上帝也要藉著你 Although there are sorrows in your life 即使你的生命裏面有哀傷 There are grief in your life 你生命裏面有傷痛 There are regrets in your life 你的生命裏面有遺憾 Let His will be done 要成就祂的旨意 Everyone, maybe in your life 各位也許是在你生命裏面 It may be a disease 也許是一個疾病 Maybe it is an unexpected death 也許是一個不預期的死亡 Maybe a disappointment 也許是一個失落 A broken relationship 一個關係的破裂 Or a mistake or a disaster 或一個錯誤或是一個災害 But God says, through you 但是神說我要藉著你 You will become the entrance of blessing 成為祝福的入口站

About 600 years after Rachel died 在拉結之後大概六百年 One thousand three hundred years ago before Jesus was born 耶穌出生之前的一千三百年 Another thing happened 另外一件事情發生了 In the same place in Bethlehem 一樣在伯利恆這個地方 There was a single parent family 來了一對單親的家庭 A mother with her daughter in law from a foreign country 那是一個婆婆帶著她的外邦的媳婦 The mother's name was Naomi 婆婆名字叫拿俄米 Her daughter in law from a foreign country was Ruth 外邦的媳婦叫做路得 They went away because of famine 她們因為逃難因為饑荒的關係 They went to a far place 到遠方去了 And now when they came back 現在他們回來的時候 They got nothing with them 兩個人孓然一身什麼都沒有 The mother lost her husband 婆婆失去了他的丈夫 She also lost her son 失去了他的兒子 And Ruth lost her husband 這個路得失去了他的丈夫 She could only follow her mother in law 只能跟著這個婆婆 The two poor people 他們兩個貧窮的人 At the bottom of the society 社會最底層的人 The two single parents 兩個單親的人 They came to the city of Bethlehem 他們進入到伯利恆這個城市來 They lost everything 他們失去了所有 They could only stay in the field in Bethlehem 他們只能在伯利恒的野地裏面 To collect the leftover wheat after the harvest 藉著去撿拾人家收割之後 To collect the leftover wheat after the harvest 留下來的稻穗來過日子 But God didn't leave them on their own 但是上帝沒有把她們丟在那裏不管 God didn't just put them there 上帝沒有把她們放在那邊

And let them fend for themselves 就讓她們自生自滅 God entered their lives 神在那裏介入在她們的生命裏面 And God fashioned a very beautiful story there 神在那裏成就了一個 And God fashioned a very beautiful story there 非常美麗的故事 At the time of Judges, the world was in chaos 在士師的時代 全世界混亂的時候 In which it was accomplished 在那個地方成就了 The Book of Ruth in the Bible 在聖經裏面路得記 The most beautiful story there 最漂亮的故事在那裡 Of course, later you could see in the Book of Ruth 當然路得記你後來你可以看得到 Boaz and Ruth met each other there 波阿斯跟路得在那個地方相識 In Bethlehem 就在伯利恆 In which, the most important lineage of human history has begun 在那個地方開始一個人類歷史上面 In which, the most important lineage of human history has begun 最重要的血統家族 The bloodline later became the bloodline of David 這個血統家族後來成爲大衛的血統 So, later the city was called the city of David 所以後來這個城市 So, later the city was called the city of David 被稱為大衛的城市就是這樣來的 And Jesus was born there 而耶穌就出生在這個 In David's blood line 大衛的血統裏面 He was born in the city 出生在這個城市 Everyone, let me stop here for a moment 各位我再停一下或許 Maybe you are in a difficult situation 或許現在你在處在一個 Maybe you are in a difficult situation 很不容易的狀況 Maybe your finance is not ideal 或許你的經濟不理想 Maybe your marriage is awkward 或許你的婚姻很尷尬 Maybe your relationship is ambiguous 或許你的關係很曖昧 Maybe you're persecuted in the society 或許你在目前你在社會上面被迫

You're in the most vulnerable corner in the society 待在社會裏面一個最無力的角落 And you're trying to climb up 你試著想要往上爬 But you need people to give you help 但是你需要有人給你一些的幫助 Today, God says, He sees it all 今天神說祂都看到了 He sees you 祂看到了你 How He sees Naomi 祂怎麼看到拿俄米 He also sees you 祂也看到你 How He helped Ruth 祂怎麼幫助路得 He will also help you 祂也要幫助你 He wants you in your current situation 祂要你在你現在的景况裏面 To experience His grace 去經歷祂的恩典 He will turn around your current situation 祂要在你的景况裏面 He will turn around your current situation 去翻轉你的現况 He will bless your future 祂要在祝福你的未來 He will even bless your generations to come 祂甚至要祝福你的子子孫孫 Just like He blessed Naomi and Ruth 就像祂祝福拿俄米跟路得 And also Boaz 跟波阿斯一樣 Everyone, this city 各位這個城市 The city of Bethlehem 伯利恆這個城市 It is not an ordinary city 不是一個簡單的城市 It is called the City of David 它被稱呼為大衛的城市 Because it is so relevant to David 因爲它跟大衛太有關係了 David was born in this city 大衛在這個城裏面出生 Some people even think 甚至有人認為大衛在這個地方 David spent a part of his childhood here 有一段童年在這邊長大 David's shepherding skills was probably horned 大衛的所謂的那些牧羊人的技巧 David's shepherding skills was probably horned 有可能就是在

In the same field as all the shepherds 後來一千多年以後的牧羊人 Who shepherded their sheep after David 1000 years later 在牧羊的那個同樣那個曠野 Who shepherded their sheep after David 1000 years later 練習出來的 Most importantly 而最重要一件事情是 David call Bethlehem his hometown 大衛稱呼這個為他的故鄉 Later 而大衛後來 This is also the place that David was anointed by Samuel as king 也是被撒母耳在這個地方 This is also the place that David was anointed by Samuel as king 按立他為君王 The Bible has recorded an interesting and meaningful story 聖經裏面記載一個很有趣 The Bible has recorded an interesting and meaningful story 很有意義的故事 When David was fighting against his enemy country 大衛他當他為他的 When David was fighting against his enemy country 跟他的敵國正在打仗的時候 His army was surrounded by his enemy 他的軍隊被敵國所環繞所圍困 Under extreme hardship 在那個極爲困苦之下 David began to miss his hometown 大衛忽然之間想念家鄉 He said something unintentionally 大衛順口講了一句話說 "How I miss the water from the well of Bethlehem" 我好想念伯利恒那一口井裏面的水 His warriors heard it 他的勇士聽到了 Some of them broke through the enemy's line 有幾個勇士就衝破敵軍的防線 They risked their lives to Bethlehem 冒著生命危險衝回伯利恒去 They drew some water from that well 去那個井裏面舀了幾桶水 And carried it back to the king 帶著它又衝回來 And carried it back to the king 拿到國王的面前 They said to David 大衛的面前跟大衛說 "David, this is what you want" 大衛這是你所要的 "The water from your hometown Bethlehem" 你的家鄉伯利恒的水

"Here you go" 請你喝 Of course the Bible says 當然聖經裏面寫說 David said that this water is the blood of his men" 大衛說這個水是我的勇士他們的血 Far be it from me 我怎能可以喝 So David poured the water on the ground 所以大衛就將那個水 And offer to God as a sacrifice 澆濺在地上獻給神 The Gospel of Luke says this 路加福音這樣子說 "Fear not" 它說不要害怕 "I bring you good news of great joy" 我報給你大喜的消息 "That will be for all the people" 這是關乎萬民的 Everyone, in your lives 各位在你的生命裏面 You are a well 你是一口井 Even like we said, in your life 即使我們剛剛說你的生命裏面 You've been through many difficulties 經歷過很多的不容易 You are facing difficulties right now 你現在遇到很多的困難 But there is a well in your life 但是在你的生命裏面有一口井 It has been put there by the Holy Spirit 那一口井是聖靈是放進去的 The well of living water 活水的江河的泉源的井 Many people, because they go to you 有許多的人要因為接近你 Their thirst will be quenched 而他們的口渴要得到解決 Many people will go to you 有很多人要接近你 Their hunger will be satisfied 他們的飢餓要得到飽足 Many people will go to you 有很多人會來到你的身邊 Because you have the living water 因為你得到活水 Because you have been comforted 因為你得到安慰 Because you have been encouraged 因爲你得到了勸勉 Because you have been strengthened 因爲你得到了造就

Everyone, you are to become 各位你要成為 Like a well of Bethlehem 像伯利恆一樣的那一口井 To be a blessing to all 成為眾人的祝福 The angle said, "Fear not" 天使說不要怕 The difficulties in your life 你的生命裏面這些不容易 They want to make you afraid 它們本來就是想要叫你怕 But you must say to the difficulties, "I'm not afraid" 可是不容你對著這不容易說我不怕 Because my life has the good news of great joy 因爲在我生命裏面帶著大喜的信息 Because my life has the good news of great joy that will be for all the people 因爲在我生命裏面帶著關乎萬民的 Because my life has the good news of great joy that will be for all the people 大喜的信息 Brothers and sisters 各位弟兄 各位姊妹 Whatever your situation might be 不管你現在今天的景况如何 This baby that the Bible says 今天聖經所說的這一位嬰孩 What He represents is 祂所代表的是 God is constantly watching over you 上帝不斷地在關注你 And lastly 而最後一個 The sign that this baby represents 這個嬰孩祂所代表的記號 Is God's Salvation 是上帝祂的救贖 This baby not only brings peace 這個嬰孩不僅僅帶來平安 Brings God's sovereignty 帶來上帝掌權 Brings God's care 帶來上帝關懷 All the reasons for 所有的理由是因為 Through this baby 藉著這個嬰孩 God brings His Salvation 上帝帶來祂的救贖

Let's look at Luke chapter two 我們來看路加第2章的 Verse 11 to 12 11節到第12節 Let's read it. Please 我們一起讀 來 These three we just said 我特別把這三個我們剛所說的 This baby's identity 這個嬰孩祂的身分 I specifically marked it in red 把它用紅字標起來 This baby wrapped in swaddling clothes 這個嬰孩用布包著 Every baby is wrapped in swaddling clothes 每個嬰孩都麽用布包著 This baby didn't have a cradle 這個嬰孩也許沒有搖籃 Many of the poor may not have a cradle either 很多的窮人家也許沒有搖籃 Their parents hold the baby 爸爸媽媽抱著 Or they put the baby in a horse's feed box temporarily 或是放在一個暫時用來餵養 Or they put the baby in a horse's feed box temporarily 喂養馬的那個飼料盒子裏面 把他放在那裡 I think there is nothing special about it 我想這個也沒有什麼特別 But what made this baby special was 可是特別的是這個嬰孩 He was born in the City of David 祂誕生在大衛的城裡 David represents 而這個大衛所代表的是 The bloodline of royalty 祂的君王的血統 And this royal bloodline 而這個君王的血統 It didn't start from David 不是從大衛開始而已 But it can be traced back to the tribe of Judah 而是往上從猶大的支派 And the royal bloodline after that 開始下來的君王的血統 A prophecy of 1000 years ago 一個千百年來的預言 It was fulfilled on this baby 出現在這個孩子的身上

And this prophecy was talking about this baby 而這個預言在講的就是這個孩子 He is is the Lord, our Savior 祂是一個主 祂是一個救主 He is Christ 祂是一個基督 He is the Messiah 祂是一個救主 When all the people are deceived by sin 當世人被罪所迷惑 Oppressed by the environment 被環境所壓迫 Threatened by diseases 被疾病所威脅 At your most dangerous moment 祂在你最危及的時候 When you cannot save yourself 在你沒辦法救你自己的時候 This Savior 這個救主 He comes to be with you 出現在你的身邊 He becomes your peace 祂成為你的平安 He comes to save you 祂來救你 And after He saved you 而祂救了你以後 He didn't just leave you alone 祂不是只有救你就離開 He wants to be your Lord 祂要成為你的主 It means 意思是 He wants to lead you the path ahead 祂接著祂要帶領你走前面的道路 He wants to give you guidance 祂要給你指引 He wants to be your Lord 祂要成為你的主宰 He tells you the best choice 告訴你選擇 He tells you which direction to go 告訴你往哪個方向去 He provides the grace you need everyday 提供你每一天 提供你必要的恩典 He provides 提供你 So that you can continue in your destiny 讓你可以繼續走上你生命的命定 He is also Christ 而祂是基督 Christ means 所謂的基督指的是 He is the Anointed One 祂是那個受膏者 The word, Christ the Anointed One 受膏者基督這個字 It has a deep meaning 就非常深遠的意義 Anointed One or Christ is Greek 受膏者 或是基督這是希臘文 Anointed One means the person who's head is anointed with oil 表示受膏者就是被油抹頭的那個人

The expression in Greek 的希臘文的表達 His Hebrews expression is called Messiah 祂的希伯來文的表達叫做彌賽亞 Messiah, Christ, Anointed One 彌賽亞 基督 受膏者 They mean the same 這是同一個意義 What does that mean? 同一個意義在講什麼 It means that a person 在講說有一個人 Oil are poured on his head 他被油倒到他的頭上 In that age, there were three types of people 在那個年代有三種人 That people poured oil on their heads 用油倒在他的頭上 When they were appointed to a position 當他就立在那個位子上的時候 Priest, king and prophet 祭司 君王 還有先知 But historically 而在當 When we talk about the Messiah 可是在歷史上面當我們講到彌賽亞 When we talk about Christ 講到基督的時候 We are talking about the same person 我們在指的是有一個人 He is the Prophet and the Priest 祂同時是先知 同時是祭司 And also the King 同時又是君王 Later, slowly 而這後來慢慢慢慢的 Every time when we mention Messiah 每次講到彌賽亞 We are talking about the same person 我們就講到一個人 They were expecting a person 他們期待一個人 Today, the angle said 而今天天使他說 A baby lying in a manger 馬槽裏面的嬰孩 A sign of peace 帶來平安的記號 Because of His birth 因爲祂的出生 Mankind's expectation 人類的期待 Was finally fulfilled 終於成就 This baby 這個嬰孩 What kind of expectation will he fulfill for mankind 要成就什麼樣人類的期待呢 Let's read the Scripture in the Book of Hebrews 我們一起讀希伯來書所寫的這段話 Its author wrote 希伯來書作者這樣寫

This Scripture says 這段經文提到了 A group of people 有一群人 When they were first created 他們本來被創造的時候 They were created as God's children 他們被創造為神的兒女 These children of God 可是這群神的兒女 Because of sin 因為罪的關係 They departed from God 離開了神 They are people of flesh and blood 他們是有血有肉的人 Because of sin 可是因為罪 They are confined by flesh and blood 他們就被血肉所限制 Because of sin, they are confined by the power of death 因爲罪他們就被死亡權勢所挾制住 Because of sin, they fear death 也因為罪 他們怕死亡 Because they fear death 但是因為怕死亡 They did things that they didn't want to do 他們做了很多他們自己不想做的 Things of slavery 被奴隸的事情 Everyone, is this you before you got saved? 各位這是在信耶穌之前的你嗎 Is this you before you know Jesus? 這是在 Is this you before you know Jesus? 在還沒有認識耶穌之前的你嗎 Or this is you right now? 或是這是現在的你

Because you fear death 你因為怕死 All your life 所以你一生就在 You are subject to death's slavery 就在死亡的奴隸之下嗎 You might say, "I don't fear death" 你說 我哪有怕死 "I am very free" 我豁達的很 Let me tell you 讓我告訴你 Every time when see some food 每一次你看到一個食物 You think it is not good to your health 你覺得吃了對你身體不好 You are afraid to die, right? 那個時候你就在怕死 對嗎 Every time when you drive your car cautiously 每一次你開車你很小心 You are afraid to die 你就是在怕死 I'm not saying you can drive a car carelessly 我不是說 你 你開車不用小心 I am saying 我是說每一次 Our protection to our bodies 我們對我們的生命的保護 Every time when we take care of our physiological reaction 每一次我們對于我們生理現象的 Every time when we take care of our physiological reaction 那些照顧的時候 Behind it 其實那個背後 Of course we all want to live longer 當然你說我要活久一點 But in the end 但是到最終 What are you afraid of? 你在怕什麼 Death? 怕死 Because the fear of death, you don't dare to do this or that 因為怕死 所以你這個不敢 Because the fear of death, you don't dare to do this or that 那個不行 Because the fear of death, you can only do this 因爲怕死所以你這個只好這樣子做 Because the fear of death, many of your dreams you don't dare to do 因為怕死所以你很多你的夢想 Because the fear of death, many of your dreams you don't dare to do 你不敢去做 Jesus 耶穌祂 In order to save those who fear death 祂爲了要救出這些怕死的人 His method is very radical 祂的方法非常的激烈 His method is very thorough 祂的方法非常的徹底 This Scripture says 這段聖經說

First, He himself likewise partook of the same thing 首先 祂取了同樣的人性 To become a person just like us 成為跟我們完全一樣的人 Which is what we just said 就是我們剛所說的 He partook of the same thing 祂取了同樣的人性 And went through the same process of growing up 跟我們經歷過一樣的成長過程 Just like us 祂跟我們一樣 Started from a baby 從小baby開始 Started from vulnerable to cold 從怕冷開始 Started from being needed to be protected by family 從必須要被人家保護開始 Started from 從開始 Maybe, I believe Jesus has a period of time 也許我相信耶穌有段時間 Maybe for a year or longer 很長的 也許一年多的時間 He needed Mary to put on dipper for Him 祂需要馬利亞幫祂包尿布 Jesus needed Mary and Joseph to feed Him food 耶穌祂需要馬利亞跟約瑟 Jesus needed Mary and Joseph to feed Him food 喂養祂東西給祂吃 Jesus was like us 耶穌跟我們一樣 He came to people's world 進入到人的世界 He entered a person's lifecycle 人的循環的裏面 And all of human's daily routine 人的 人的生活的這些的 And all of human's daily routine 這些的流程的裏面 Then He lived out an example of life for us 然後祂活出一個 Then He lived out an example of life for us 生活的典範 He teaches us with his life 用祂的生命來教導我們 How life should be lived 生命應該怎麼活 Then for the sins we committed 然後祂為我們所犯的罪 He died on the Cross 去死在那個十字架上 After he died for our sins 然後祂爲了我們所犯的罪死了以後 For the sake of our lives 爲了我們的生命 He was raised from the dead 祂從死裏面復活起來 So the Bible says 所以聖經說 "He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil" 祂就毀壞那掌握死亡權勢的魔鬼

The devil's main way to control you is 魔鬼能夠掌握你的最主要方法是 He says that I will kill you 牠說我要把你搞死 You will die 你會死 But when you no longer fear death 當死亡你不再怕的時候 But when you no longer fear death 當你不再怕死的時候 You are set free 你就得到自由了 Jesus says 耶穌說藉著 The Bible says through Jesus 聖經說藉著耶穌 For your sake, He was resurrected 祂爲了你從死裏復活這件事情 We no longer fear death 我們不再怕死 For this purpose 爲了這個目的 He redeemed us 祂替代我們 He used His own life to redeem us 祂用祂自己的生命 He used His own life to redeem us 替代我們 Not only that 而且不僅這樣 The Bible says He even becomes our friend 聖經說祂還成為我們的朋友 And He will take us with Him 帶著我們一起走 This is from the Gospel of John 這是約翰聖經所說的 That Jesus Himself says 這是耶穌祂自己說的 Jesus Himself says 耶穌祂自己說 He says 祂說

Jesus means that not only did I die for you 耶穌祂的意思是不僅僅我替你死 I broke the anxiety or slavery that death has on you 我打破你對死亡的憂慮 挾制 I rescued you 我把你救出來 To make you God's children 讓你成為神的兒女 And also, I become your friend 而且我成為你的朋友 Everyone, this baby in the manger 各位馬槽裏面這嬰孩 He became a sign of peace 成為平安的記號 This sign tells you 這個記號告訴我們說 God has not forgotten you 上帝沒有忘記你 Even though human waited a few thousand years 就算人類歷史等了幾千年 God has not forgotten you 但是上帝沒有忘記你 My favorite Scripture is in Isiah, chapter 49 我最喜歡的經文 My favorite Scripture is in Isiah, chapter 49 是在以賽亞書49章 Let's read it together. Please 這經文我們一起來讀 來 請 When I read this Scripture 當我看著這個經文的時候 The more I read, the more my heart is drawn 我越看 我的心就越被吸引 God says 上帝說

"I will not forget you" 我不會忘記你 He even says, "Behold," 祂甚至說 我爲了不忘記你 "I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" 我把你的名字刻在我的手掌上 How does He engrave? 用什麼方法刻 Generally, you engrave with a thin needle 在一般的市面上你刻了 Generally, you engrave with a thin needle 大概用很細的針 Like a tattoo, you carve a name in your palm 用刺青的方法寫個名字在你手掌 Or on the back of your hand 或是手背上看到那個名字 Then you will remember and love this person 你就記得這個人 你就愛這個人 But God says that's not enough 但上帝說那個不夠 God used the nails of the Cross 上帝讓釘十字架的那個釘子 To penetrate through Jesus' palms 刺過耶穌的手掌 耶穌的手腕 It has left a giant scar 留下一個很大的傷痕 That scar 用那個傷痕 Becomes the engraving here 成為這裡所謂的銘刻 This is my interpretation 我把這個解讀是 Every time when Jesus raises His hands 耶穌每一次當祂舉起祂的手 When He works or blesses this world 祂的工作 祂在祝福世界的時候 He sees the scars on His palms 祂就看到祂的手掌上面 The scars that the cross had left him 祂在十字架上面所留下的那個傷痕 Then He remember you 祂就想起你 Then He blesses you 祂就祝福你 Then He loves you 祂就愛你 He says, "Your walls are continually before me" 而且祂說你的牆垣常在我眼前 It means that in your life 說的是你的生命裏面

All big and smalls things 所有的大大小小事情 They are all before His eyes under His care 都在祂的眼前被祂關顧 Brothers and sisters 各位弟兄各位姊妹 This is such a great sign of peace 這是一個何等大的平安的記號 God has saved you 上帝祂救贖你 He remembers you 祂紀念你 God cares about you 上帝祂關懷你 In every aspect of your life 上帝祂在你的生命的裏面 In every aspect of your life 的每一個階層 He is your King 做祂的王 He reigns with authority 做王掌權 Before we end today 在今天結束以前 Let me take you 讓我 讓我帶你來認識 To know this very important person in the Bible 這個聖經 這段聖經故事裏面 To know this very important person in the Bible 一個很重要的人 In fact we all know her 其實這個人我們都認識她 But we often neglect her among the Bible stories 可是我們常常在聖經故事裏面 But we often neglect her among the Bible stories 把她忽略 Her name is Mary 這個人叫馬利亞 When the angel told her 當天使去對她講到說 The message of Christmas 聖誕節的信息的時候 Which was ten months before Christmas 就是聖誕節之前十個月 When the angel appeared right before her eyes 天使出現在她的眼前 And spoke to her 跟她講話的時候 Mary's attitude determined 馬利亞的態度 Where the story was heading 决定了這個故事將來發展的方向 At the time Mary was only 17 or 18 years old 馬利亞當下大概只有十七 八歲

It is an general estimation 一般人這樣推算 But at that moment 可這個馬利亞在當下 She made a crucial decision 她做了一個極重要的選擇 Let's use the Biblical way 我們還是用 用讀聖經的方法 To understand this story 我們來瞭解這個故事 To understand this story 最後來瞭解故事 Let's read it together. Please 我們一起來讀 來

At the time Mary made a decision 馬利亞在當下做了一個决定 She said, "Ok, I'm willing" 她說 好 我願意 "I am the Lord's servant" 我是神的使女 "May God's will be upon me" 我願神的旨意行在我的身上 Of course later on in the Bible 當然後來的聖經故事是 Mary left her hometown Nazareth 馬利亞就離開她的家鄉拿撒勒 She went up to the hill country to visit Elizabeth 到了山上地區去找到伊利莎伯 At the time 當時伊利莎伯肚子裏面 Elizabeth was six months pregnant 有六個月的身孕 That was John the Baptist in her womb 那是施洗約翰在她肚子裏面 When Mary and Elizabeth greeted one another 當馬利亞跟伊利莎伯問安的時候 John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit 施洗約翰就被聖靈充滿 He leaped in Elizabeth's womb 在伊利莎伯的肚子裏面 He leaped in Elizabeth's womb 開始跳躍起來 Then the cousins were having a conversation 然後那個她們這一對表姊妹 Then the cousins were having a conversation 就開始在那邊對話 At the end of their conversation 對話完以後 Elizabeth said the most sincere words 馬利亞就講了這一句 Throughout the ages 歷世累代以來 Throughout the ages 最真誠的一句話 Mary then began to sing 馬利亞她就開始唱起歌來 Right there in Elizabeth's house 就在伊利莎伯的家裏面 As she was pregnant 就在她懷孕 懷孕之後 Ten months before she gave birth to Jesus 在她生耶穌之前十個月 She sang this song 她就唱起這首歌 Let's read 我們一起來 Mary's Song 來讀馬利亞這首所謂的 Ok? 尊主頌 好嗎 Mary said 馬利亞說

Mary was only around 18 or 19 years old at the time 這位馬利亞 Mary was only around 18 or 19 years old at the time 在當時只有十八 九歲的馬利亞 She said to God, "Lord, I'm willing" 她跟神說 主啊 我願意 And because of her willingness 也就因為她的願意 It has fulfilled our theme today 成就了我們今天所說的 The sign of peace 這個平安的記號 Everyone, perhaps in your life 各位也許在你的生命裏面 You are also facing some pressures 你也在面對一些的壓力 Sickness or difficulties 病痛 困難 But through today's message 但是神今天藉著我這個信息 God wants to tell you 要告訴你 This peace will not leave you 平安不會離開你 On the surface 表面上看起來 It may look like your body or emotions 你的身體 你的情緒 Are experiencing much disturbances 或許有很多的這些的擾動 However in the deepest part of your spirit 但是在你最深 最深的靈裏面 God says, "Peace is right there" 神說 平安就在那裡 He will not leave 祂不會離開 That peace 那個平安 No matter what happens to this world 不管這個世界發生什麽事情 It will not leave 不會離開 Christmas 聖誕節 Every time when we have Christmas 當我們 當我們每一次 Every time when we have Christmas 我們聖誕節 In the past few weeks when we lit up the candles 這幾個禮拜我們每次點燈 We are constantly repeating 我們就不斷地重述那些 The messages of Advent 待降節那幾個信息 Hope, faith, joy, love, and light 盼望 信心 喜樂 愛 光明

These shall never leave you 這些永遠不會離開你 This promise of peace 這個平安的應許 It began from the manger of Bethlehem 從伯利恆的馬槽開始 And that promise of the manger in Bethlehem 而伯利恆那個馬槽的應許 It was from ancient time 是從亙古以前 It began from Genesis, chapter 3 從創世記第3章開始 Through history 經歷過這些歷史 It is presented before your eyes 這些歷史呈現在你的眼前 This promise has been fulfilled before your eyes 這個應許實現在你的眼前 All the way into your heart 一路來到你的心裡 All the way into the deepest part of your heart 一路進到你心的最深的地方 In that place there is profound peace 就在那裡帶來極深極深的平安 Before we end today 在今天我們要結束的時候 I would like to invite you 我想邀請你 To stand up from your seats 來離開你的座位 Let's have some responsive motions 我們一起來有一些回應的動作 First of all, I would like to invite you 我首先我要邀請你 When this peace comes into your heart 當這個平安來到你心裏面的時候 Please say, "Lord, thank You so much" 你說 主啊 我非常感謝禰 "This Christmas" 我要在聖誕節 "I want to offer a gift of my life before You" 獻上我的生命的一個禮物 "I want to offer a gift of my life before You" 來到禰的面前

Perhaps that gift is not something very classy 也許那個禮物 Perhaps that gift is not something very classy 不是一個什麼高貴的東西 That gift in your life 那個禮物是你生命裏面 It could be a pain 也許是個傷痛 It could be a loss 也許是個失落 It could be a threat of death 也許是一個死亡的威脅 It could be a disease 也許是一個疾病 You go before God 你來到上帝的面前 Tell Him, "Lord" 你跟神說 神啊 "I want to offer this to You" 我把這個獻給禰 "Just like Bethlehem used to be a lost place" 就像伯利恆曾經是一個失落的地方 "Bethlehem used to be a place of death" 伯利恆曾經是一個死亡的地方 "But I offer this to You" 可是我把這個獻給禰 "To Naomi and Ruth" 伯利恆曾經是拿俄米跟路得 "Bethlehem used to be a very disappointed place" 她們非常失望 失敗的地方 "I offer this to You" 我把這個獻給禰 "Lord, may my heart become Bethlehem" 主 願我的心成為伯利恆 "May much peace" 願許許多多的平安 "Issue from my heart" 從我的心發出來 Perhaps you want to take your heart to Jesus 也許你要帶著你的心 Perhaps you want to take your heart to Jesus 來到耶穌的面前 And tell Him, "Jesus" 來跟耶穌說 耶穌 "There is a vacancy in my heart" 我這個心裏面有個空位 "No one can satisfy it" 沒有任何人可以把它滿足 "Jesus, please come into my heart" 耶穌請禰來 "Jesus, please come into my heart" 到我的心裏面來 "Make it Your Bethlehem" 把它當作禰的伯利恒 "Make it Your manger" 當作你的馬槽

"Please come and live in here" 請你住進來 "Be my Lord" 做我的主人 Now I invite you 這時我邀請你 No matter which church branch 不管你在哪一個分播點哪一個分堂 Or type of media you are at 或是哪個媒體之前 Please stand up 站起來 Leave your seats and move forward 離開你的座位往前 Walk towards this screen 走向這個螢幕 Walk towards what you see here 走向你所看到的 If it's inconvenient for you 也許如果你的地方不方便 You may raise your hand 也許你就是舉手 If it is convenient, please leave your seats 如果你方便就離開你的座位 Move forward 往前 To this vacant spot in front of the church 到教會前面這個空的地方來 Move forward and say 往前來說 "Lord, I want to offer my life before You" 主啊 我把我的生命獻在禰的面前 "I take my hardships and offer them before You" 我把我的苦境 獻在禰的面前 "I offer my heart before You" 我把我的心獻在禰的面前 Please move forward, let's pray 請你往前我們一起來禱告 Please move forward 請你往前 When you move forward 當你往前的時候 Let's say this prayer 我們要一起來做今天的這個禱告 Please say along with me 請你跟我一起禱告說 Dear Jesus 親愛的耶穌 I offer my heart to You 我把我的心 I offer my heart to You 獻給禰 To become Your Bethlehem 成爲禰的伯利恒 To become Your manger 成爲禰的馬槽

Perhaps there are some sorrow 也許裏面有些哀傷 Perhaps there are some difficulties 也許裏面有些不容易 But Lord, I offer them to You 但是神我把它獻給禰 Make them to become Bethlehem 幫助它成為伯利恆 Become a help for people 成為人的幫助 Become an outlet for Your Gospel 成爲禰的福音的出口 Become a well of living water 成為一口活水泉 To quench the thirst 讓飢渴的人 To satisfy the hungry 可以得到飽足 I handover the authority of my life 我把我生命主權 Into Your hands 交在禰手裏 Be my Lord 做我的主人 Be my Savior 做我的救主 Be my Christ and Messiah 做我的基督彌賽亞 I pray in Jesus name 奉耶穌的名禱告 Amen 阿們 Lastly, in Jesus' name 今天我最後我要奉耶穌的名 I want to proclaim peace in your life 要宣告平安在你的生命裏面 In Jesus' name 我要奉耶穌的名 I proclaim a profound peace will enter your life 宣告極深的平安進到你的生命裏面

Every time you see an image of the manger 每一次你在看到 Every time you see an image of the manger 馬槽的那個圖像的時候 The peace that was brought from the baby in the manger will enter your life 馬槽裏面那個嬰孩所帶來的平安 The peace that was brought from the baby in the manger will enter your life 要進到你裏面 It shall enter your family 進到你的家庭裏面 Enter everywhere you are at 進到你所在的每個地方 Not just for you 不僅僅在你 But also for the people around you 也在你四周圍所有的人 You shall become a blessing to everyone 你要成為眾人的祝福 I bless you in Jesus name 奉耶穌的名祝福你 Amen 阿們