The First Christmas Carol: A Sermon
by the REV. C.H. SPURGEON (December 20, 1857)
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Well, what next? Another emotion is that of confidence. I am not sure that I am right in calling that an emotion, but still in me it is so much akin to it, that I will venture to be wrong if I be so. Now, if when Christ came on this earth God had sent some dark creature down from heaven, (if there be such creatures there) to tell us, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,” and if with a frowning brow and a stammering tongue he delivered his message, if I had been there and heard it, I should have scrupled to believe him, for I should have said, “You don’t look like the messenger that God would send—stammering fellow as you are—with such glad news as this.” But when the angels came there was no doubting the truth of what they said, because it was quite certain that the angels believed it; they told it as if they did, for they told it with singing, with joy and gladness.
If some friend, having heard that a legacy was left you, and should come to you with a solemn countenance, and a tongue like a funeral bell, saying, “Do you know so-and-so has left you £10,000!” Why you would say, “Ah! I dare say,” and laugh in his face. But if your brother should suddenly burst into your room, and exclaim, “I say, what do you think? You are a rich man; So-and-so has left you £10,000!” Why you would say, “I think it is very likely to be true, for he looks so happy over it.” Well, when these angels came from heaven they told the news just as if they believed it; and though I have often wickedly doubted my Lord’s good will, I think I never could have doubted it while I heard those angels singing. No, I should say, “The messengers themselves are proof of the truth, for it seems they have heard it from God’s lips; they have no doubt about it, for see how joyously they tell the news.”
Now, poor soul, thou that art afraid lest God should destroy thee, and thou thinkest that God will never have mercy upon thee, look at the singing angels and doubt if thou darest. Do not go to the synagogue of long-faced hypocrites to hear the minister who preaches with a nasal twang, with misery in his face, whilst he tells you that God has good will towards men; I know you won’t believe what he says, for he does not preach with joy in his countenance; he is telling you good news with a grunt, and you are not likely to receive it. But go straightway to the plain where Bethlehem shepherds sat by night, and when you hear the angels singing out the gospel, by the grace of God upon you, you cannot help believing that they manifestly feel the preciousness of telling. Blessed Christmas, that brings such creatures as angels to confirm our faith in God’s good will to men!
“By the grace of God upon you, you cannot help believing that they manifestly feel the preciousness of telling.” By the grace of God the hearer believes! You might think, ‘but by the grace of God the hearer will believe, no matter…’ Yes, but can’t you see the immenseness of God’s grace and good will? God’s highest glory caused His angels to burst with glad tidings! Why would God’s highest glory not also bring the lowest sinner saved the deepest joy and surest faith?
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy…”
I can’t even begin to rightly imagine this scene, let alone what happens next!
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, good will toward men.”
No wonder the shepherds “came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe… And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” I believe their hearts were quite convinced!
And to the heart that confides in Christ, the story hasn’t changed–hasn’t lost its splendor– still brings God the highest glory and the lasting peace of salvation with deepest faith-filled joy!
Tomorrow we will read how this first carol affects the world we now live in, in spite of the realities that stare us in the face and all the Christmas lights that try to drown them but can‘t… Hope you’ll join us!
Thank you for reading!
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 1
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 2
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 3
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 4
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 5
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 6
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 7
(Nativity Scene Photos by Chris Jagers, Flickr)