Happy Christmas Eve, everyone, and thanks for listening to the Ask Pastor John podcast

earlier in the week.

We talked about the the historicity of the birth of Christ and some of the events there.

Then we talked about the relevance of Santa, and today we ask what is the meaning of Christmas?

In this Christmas sermon in 2011, John Piper explained not only the history of the incarnation,

but its meaning for us.

Here's what he said from Luke chapter 2.

On a day in real history, in a city, in a real world, the Savior to take away all guilt,

the Christ to fulfill all hopes, the Lord to defeat all enemies and make us safe and satisfied

forever was born.

So I want to exalt with you this Christmas that a great Savior Jesus the Christ the Lord

on a day in a city was born to save us from our sins.

When the angel had announced this news to the shepherds, verse 11, and pointed them to

the place where the baby would be found, that angel was joined by an army.

That's the meaning of a word, host, an army of angels.

Evidently, to deliver the news, an angel can do that.

To respond to the meaning of the news, the implication of the news takes an army of angels

to do that.

And suddenly, verse 13, and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly

hosts, the heavenly army praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest and on earth

he, among those with whom he's pleased.

So the joyful news that on a day in the perfect fullness of time, perfectly prophesied city,

...