2020-12-13降临节: 宣布大喜的好消息（路加福音2:1-20）Advent: Announcing Good News of Great Joy

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Steven Lee	李司提反
Luke 2:1–20	路加福音2:1-20
[9:30am] I want to especially greet those watching online, and those tuning in with us for the first time. Thank you for joining us as we study God’s word.	[上午9点半]我想特别问候那些在线观看的观众，以及第一次和我们一起收看敬拜的观众。谢谢你和我们一起来学习神的话语。
[Prayer] Father in Heaven, we live in a world fractured, broken, and full of suffering and heartache. Even this morning, we’re stressed and anxious about the state of our world, state of our family, our health, our own mind and hearts, and so we ask, use these next minutes to break into our lives so that the joy of the Lord is our strength. In Jesus name we pray, amen.	[祷告]天父，我们生活在一个支离破碎，充满苦难和心痛的世界里。即使是今天早上，我们对世界的状态、家庭的状态、健康的状态、自己的心思和心态都感到压力和焦虑，所以我们请求，用接下来的这几分钟来闯入我们的生命，让主的喜乐成为我们的力量。我们奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们！
[Introduction #1: A Charlie Brown Christmas] Some of us are feeling a lot like Charlie in A Charlie Brown Christmas. He says, “I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. And I'm getting presents, and I'm sending Christmas cards, and decorating all the trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.” Can any of you resonate with Charlie Brown? Joy and happiness at Christmas can be elusive.	[引子1：《查理-布朗的圣诞节》]我们有些人感觉很像《查理-布朗的圣诞节》中的查理。他说：“我猜我只是不懂圣诞节。我收到的礼物， 我送圣诞卡， 装饰圣诞树和屋里屋外， 但我仍然不高兴。我最后总觉得很郁闷。”你们有人能和查理-布朗产生共鸣吗？圣诞节的快乐和幸福是难以捉摸的。
[Happiest Time of the Year?] Despite the song lyrics that tell us “It's the most wonderful time of the year” or “Have a holly, jolly Christmas,” Christmas can be one of the more difficult times of the year, especially this year. The weight of the pandemic, from masks to vaccines, the election, and differences and disputes among family and friends, perhaps has us all feeling a little like Charlie Brown.	[一年中最快乐的时间？]尽管歌词唱的是“这是一年中最美妙的时刻”或“过一个欢快的圣诞节，这是一年中最美好的时光”，圣诞节其实可以是一年中最艰难的时光，特别是今年。疫情的重压，从口罩到疫苗，再到大选，以及亲朋好友之间的分歧和争执，或许都让我们觉得有点像查理-布朗。
[Charlie Let Down] Charlie say, “I feel depressed. I know I should be happy, but I'm not…. My trouble's Christmas. I just don't understand it. Instead of feeling unhappy, I feel sort of let down…. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about. Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Charlie articulates a foundational question for us: What is Christmas all about?	[查理失望]查理说：“我觉得很郁闷。我知道我应该高兴才对，但我不....圣诞节是我的烦恼。我就是不明白。我没有觉得不开心，只是觉得有点失望....我想我真的不知道圣诞节是什么意思。难道就没有人知道圣诞节是怎么回事吗？” 查理为我们阐述了一个根本性的问题：圣诞节意味着什么？
[Good News of Great Joy] Linus & Luke gives us the answer this morning. Christmas where “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” finally arrived. In the midst of a world full of poverty, injustice, suffering, exploitation, sadness, brokenness, and death, God came down. [Main Point] Jesus came down to dwell with and among his people in order to give them everlasting joy. The Bible says “they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)” (Matthew 1:23). In a season of quarantining, self-isolation, and social distancing, Jesus broke all the rules and restrictions to break into our world to bring everlasting joy.	[大喜的好消息]莱纳斯和卢克今天早上给了我们答案。圣诞节，是“关乎万民大喜的好消息”终于到来。在这个充满贫穷、不公、苦难、剥削、悲伤、破碎、死亡的世界中，上帝降临了。[要点]耶稣降世与祂的子民同住，住在祂的子民中间，为的是给他们带来永远的喜乐。圣经说：“他的名要叫以马内利。（以马内利就是‘ 神与我们同在’ 的意思。）”（马太福音1:23）在这个到处在隔离、自我孤立、社交距离的季节里，耶稣打破了所有的规则和限制，闯入我们的世界，为我们带来永远的喜乐。
[Aim] Joy isn’t elusive when you have Jesus. My aim for us is to redirect our eyes off of everything else, and get them back on Jesus. It’s like driving on a country road and you see roadkill after roadkill on the side of the road, but you lose sight of the sunset, fall leaves, or sky and horizon that sits before you. Get your eyes off the roadkill and get them on Jesus. This morning I want to invite you to marvel at the magnificence of the birth of the Messiah.	[目的]当你拥有耶稣时，喜乐并不是难以捉摸的。我今天的目标是让你们的目光从其他一切事物上移开，重新定睛耶稣。就像行驶在乡间的公路上，你只看到了路边一个又一个被撞死的动物，却看不到你面前的夕阳、秋叶或天空和地平线。把你的眼睛从那些死动物上移开，把目光投向耶稣。今天早上，我想邀请你来惊叹弥赛亚诞生的辉煌。
[Plan]	[计划]
1.The Birth: A Contrast of Kings & Prophetic Fulfillment (1–7)	1. 诞生：君王的对比与预言的应验（第1-7节）
2.Heaven’s Response: The Angelic Announcement & Song (8–14)	2. 天上的回应：天使的宣告与歌唱（第8-14节）
3.Earth’s Response: The Shepherds Witness & Worship (15–21)	3. 地上的回应：牧羊人的见证和崇拜(第15-21节)
[Context: Deep Darkness] Jesus was born into a broken world; it was less than ideal. We can sometimes idealize the birth of Jesus: fat cherub-like angels flittering about, animals talking to each other preparing the manger, and warm gathering of this Silent Night. But if you’ve witnessed a birth you know it’s not silent or peaceful or calm. Songwriter Andrew Peterson, in his song Labor of Love, puts it this way:	[背景：深沉的黑暗]耶稣降生在一个破碎的世界里，这是很不理想的世界。我们有时会把耶稣的诞生理想化：胖乎乎的小天使飞来飞去，动物们在彼此交谈准备马槽，温暖的聚集在这个寂静的夜晚。但如果你目睹过分娩，你就会知道这不是安静、和平或平静的。词曲作家安德鲁-彼得森在他的歌曲《爱的分娩》中这样说：
It was not a silent night	这不是一个寂静的夜晚
There was blood on the ground	地上有血迹
You could hear a woman cry	你能听到一个女人的哭声
In the alleyways that night	在那晚的小巷里
On the streets of David's town	在大卫镇的街道上
And the stable was not clean	马厩不干净
And the cobblestones were cold	鹅卵石冰冷
And little Mary full of grace	小马利亚蒙了大恩
With the tears upon her face	脸上挂着泪水
Had no mother's hand to hold	却没有母亲的手牵着
That night was filled with blood, cries of pain, cold, and no mother’s hand to hold. Jesus came into a world of deep darkness.	那个夜晚，充满了血腥、痛哭、寒冷，没有母亲的手可以牵。耶稣来到一个深沉黑暗的世界。
The Birth: A Contrast of Kings & Prophetic Fulfillment (1–7)	1. 诞生：君王的对比与预言的应验（第1-7节）
A Contrast of Kings (1–2)	君王的对比（第1-2节）
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. (Luke 2:1–2)	那时，有谕旨从凯撒奥古士督颁发下来，叫普天下的人登记户口。2 这是第一次户口登记，是在居里纽作叙利亚总督的时候举行的。（路加福音2:1-2）
[Under Roman Rule] Luke tells us of the darkness of the political climate that Jesus would be born into. Israel is under the oppressive rule of the Romans. Our passage opens by telling us “a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered” (2:1). Israel dwells in the deep darkness of Roman occupation. In Luke 1:5, he tells us that Gabriel appeared to Zechariah “In the days of Herod, king of Judea.” Herod the Great, a foreign king, is ruling, and his son, Herod Antipas, or Herod the tetrarch, would decapitate John the Baptist (Luke 3:19–20; 9:7–9). Jesus is born into a world of deep darkness: occupation, taxation, and a foreign king on the throne.	[在罗马统治之下]路加告诉我们，耶稣出生在黑暗的政治环境中。以色列处于罗马人的高压统治之下。我们这段经文的开头也是如此，告诉我们“有谕旨从凯撒奥古士督颁发下来，叫普天下的人登记户口。”（2:1）以色列生活在罗马占领的深沉黑暗中。在路加福音1章5节中，他告诉我们，加百列向撒迦利亚显现，是“犹太王希律在位的日子”。希律大帝，一个外族国王，正在统治以色列，他的儿子希律安提帕，或称希律分封王，后来砍了施洗约翰的头（路加福音3:19-20；9:7-9）。耶稣出生在一个深陷黑暗的世界里：占领、税收，还有一个外族国王坐在宝座上。
[Caesar’s Decree] Caesar makes a decree that would call for all citizens to register for the purpose of assessing taxes. Some things never change: death and taxes. The government wants its money, and Caesar flexes his power. The decree follows Jewish custom that would require citizens to return to their hometowns.	[凯撒的谕旨]凯撒颁布谕旨，要求所有人民登记户口，以便评估税收。有些事情永远不会改变：死亡和税收。政府想要它的钱，凯撒就运用他的权力。该谕旨遵循了犹太人要求人民回乡登记的习俗。
[Quirinius’ Census] Verse two tells us this took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria, but records show that Quirinius’ census took place at a later date (A.D. 6–7). Either Quirinius served as governor twice (or two separate governors had the same name), or the word “first” could be translated as “before,” as some of your Bibles have a footnote that would read: “This was the registration before Quirinius was governor of Syria” (2:2).	[居里纽的户口登记]第二节告诉我们这是发生在居里纽任叙利亚总督期间，但历史记录显示居里纽的人口普查发生在较晚的时候（公元6-7年）。要么是居里纽两次担任总督（或两个不同的总督却有相同的名字），要么是“第一次”这个词可以翻译成“之前”，因为你们手上有些圣经会有一个脚注，写着：“这是居里纽任叙利亚总督之前的登记”（2:2）。
[Why Does This Matter?] Why does Luke include these details? Two reasons: (1) these things really happened, and (2) Luke wants to contrast two kings.	[这为什么很重要？]路加为什么要写进这些细节？两个原因：(1)这些事情是真实发生的， (2)路加想把两个君王进行对比。
[(1) It Really Happened] Luke is not making things up on the fly, but doing his best to give us certainty about what has happened. The birth of Jesus is only good news if it’s historical fact. Superhero movies are feel-good movies, but they don’t ultimately solve our problems or give us lasting joy. Superman, Batman, Captain America, and Spiderman don’t help me navigate life in this world. They don’t give me hope for the future. Fictional characters do nothing for me. But some of you approach Jesus and the Christmas story as fiction, rather than historical fact. Luke tells us this is fact: Christ broke into time and space in our world. God wrote himself into the very story of redemptive history.	[（1）真实发生了]路加不会凭空捏造，而是尽自己最大的努力给我们确定已经发生的事情。耶稣的诞生，只有当它是历史事实时，才是好消息。超级英雄电影是让人感觉良好的电影，但它们并不能最终解决我们的问题，也不能给我们带来永久的快乐。超人、蝙蝠侠、美国队长和蜘蛛侠并不能帮我驾驭这个世界的生活。他们没有给我带来对未来的希望。虚构的人物对我来说毫无作用。但你们中的一些人把耶稣和圣诞故事当作虚构，而不是历史事实。路加告诉我们这是事实：基督闯入了我们世界的时空里。上帝把自己写进了救赎历史的故事中。
[(2) A Contrast of Kings] Luke contrasts Caesar with the coming reign of Jesus. Caesar Augustus was considered Rome’s greatest emperor. He established the first police force, fire fighting force, built extensive roads, and ushered in what would perhaps be his greatest achievement, Pax Romana. This was an era marked by unprecedented peace. Caesar’s rule is contrasted with a baby who would usher in something even better than Pax Romana, eternal peace and joy. Caesar brings temporary peace through tyranny and power, while Jesus brings spiritual peace by laying down his life for his people.	[（2）君王的对比]路加将凯撒与耶稣即将到来的统治进行对比。凯撒-奥古斯都被认为是罗马最伟大的皇帝。他建立了第一支警察部队、消防部队，修建了四通八达的道路，并迎来了可能是他最伟大的成就—罗马和平。这是一个以前所未有的和平为标志的时代。凯撒的统治与一个婴儿形成了鲜明的对比，祂将带来比罗马和平更好的东西，永恒的和平与欢乐。凯撒通过独裁和权力带来暂时的和平，而耶稣则通过为祂的百姓舍命带来属灵的平安。
[Transition: Born in Bethlehem] Caesar’s decree would unknowingly serve God’s purposes so that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem as was prophesied. This drives home that though Caesar’s in charge, God’s really in charge; “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).	[过渡：生于伯利恒]凯撒的法令在不知不觉中达到上帝的目的，使耶稣如预言的那样在伯利恒诞生。这就使人明白，虽然凯撒掌权，但真正掌权的是神；“君王的心在耶和华手中，好像水沟的水，他可以随意转移。”（箴言21:1）。
Prophetic Fulfillment (3–5)	先知的应验（第3-5节）
3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. (Luke 2:3–5)	3 众人各归各城去登记户口，4 约瑟本是大卫家族的人，也从加利利的拿撒勒上犹太去，到了大卫的城伯利恒，5 与所聘之妻马利亚一同登记户口。那时马利亚的身孕已经重了。（路加福音2:3-5）
[Fulfillment of Davidic King] Joseph and Mary go from Nazareth to Bethlehem, about a 70 mile journey on foot so that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. The repeated mentions of “the city of David” and the “house and lineage of David” (2:4), is to fulfill the promise made to King David in 2 Samuel 7 to establish his kingdom forever.	[大卫王的实现]约瑟和马利亚从拿撒勒步行到伯利恒，大约70英里的路程，这就使耶稣出生在伯利恒。反复提到“大卫的城”和“大卫的家族”（2:4），是为了实现撒母耳记下7章对大卫王的应许，建立祂永远的国度。
[Fulfillment of Micah 5:2] Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is vital to fulfill the prophecy from Micah 5:2 that says, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” What’s the point of all this? Jesus entrance into the world is not an afterthought or backup plan. Jesus comes in exactly the way it was prophesied. God has done precisely what he said he would do.	[弥迦书5:2的应验]耶稣出生在伯利恒，对于实现弥迦书5:2的预言至关重要：“伯利恒 以法他啊！ 你在犹大诸城中虽然细小， 必有一位从你那里出来，为我作以色列的统治者； 他的根源从太初， 从亙古就有了。”这些有什么意义？耶稣降世并不是后知后觉或后备计划。耶稣的降临正如圣经所预言的那样。上帝正是按照祂自己所说的去做。
The Birth of Jesus (6–7)	耶稣的出生（第6-7节）
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6–7)	6 他们在那里的时候，马利亚的产期到了，7 生了头胎儿子，用布包着，放在马槽里，因为客店里没有地方。（路加福音2:6-7）
[Most Humble of Births] Jesus birth is incredibly humble: wrapped in swaddling cloths, laid in a manger, with no room in the inn. The manger is likely a feeding trough of some sort, where animals would come to feed. If you’ve been around farm animals, you know that this image is not idyllic, but it’s fragrant, and not the good kind of fragrant. The reference to an inn is not referring to Motel 6, but rather a two story guest house where the animals are kept on the first floor and the main room and sleeping quarters were on the second floor, or perhaps three separate rooms on the same floor with animals in one, a main room, and then a guest room for sleeping. Someone else was in the guest room so Jesus would be born among the animals.	[最卑微的诞生]耶稣的出生是令人难以置信的卑微：用布包着，躺在马槽里，没有旅馆的房间。这个“马槽”很可能是某种喂食槽，用来喂食牲口。如果你接触过农场里的牲畜，你就知道这个画面不是田园风光，而是有气味，而且不是那种好气味。所谓客店并不是指汽车旅馆6，而是指一个两层楼的客栈，一楼是饲养动物的地方，主房和卧室在二楼，也可能是同一层楼有三个独立的房间，动物在一个房间里，主房，然后是睡觉的客房。有别人在客房里，所以耶稣只好出生在动物中间。
[Point Humble Beginnings] Jesus breaks into the deep darkness of our world as a humble servant, not as a demanding dictator. Jesus says to you this morning—no matter how weighed down you feel—“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29). Jesus is not sitting in heaven like the Grinch or the Elf on the Shelf, seeing if you’ve been naughty or nice. He’s not trying to figure out how to punish you, levy higher taxes to line his pockets, or to get something out of you. Jesus came, clothed in humility, to give you joy through his death and sacrifice. O what a precious Savior we have in Jesus!	[卑微的起点]耶稣是作为一个谦卑的仆人，而不是苛求的独裁者，闯入我们世界的深沉黑暗中。今天早上，耶稣对你说—无论你感到多么沉重—“你们所有劳苦担重担的人哪，到我这里来吧！ 我必使你们得安息。我心里柔和谦卑，你们应当负我的轭，向我学习，你们就必得着心灵的安息”（马太福音11:28-29）耶稣不会像神话中的鬼灵精Grinch或架子上的精灵Elf一样坐在天上，低头看着你是调皮还是善良。祂不是在想办法惩罚你，征收更多的税款来填补祂的口袋，或者从你身上搜刮一些东西。耶稣来了，取了谦卑的形像，通过祂的死和牺牲给你带来喜乐。我们在耶稣里有一位多么宝贵的救主啊!
[Rejoice!] Behold the glory and humility and love of our Savior, Christ the Lord! Jesus came down to bring true peace, in fulfillment of all of God’s promises and prophecies, and entered into our dark and broken world in order to give us everlasting joy.	[欢呼！]看哪，我们救主基督的荣耀、谦卑和爱。耶稣降世带来了真正的平安，实现了上帝所有的应许和预言，进入了我们这个黑暗而破碎的世界，为的是给我们永远的喜乐。
[Transition] This birth leads to the heaven’s announcement.	[过渡]这个诞生带来了天上的宣告。
Heaven’s Response: The Angelic Announcement & Song (8–14)	2. 天上的回应：天使的宣告与歌唱（第8-14节）
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8–12)	8 在伯利恒的郊外，有一些牧人在夜间看守羊群。9 主的一位使者站在他们旁边，主的荣光四面照着他们，他们就非常害怕。10 天使说：“不要怕！ 看哪！ 我报给你们大喜的信息，是关于万民的：11 今天在大卫的城里，为你们生了救主，就是主基督。12 你们要找到一个婴孩，包着布，卧在马槽里，那就是记号了。”（路加福音2:8-12）
[Glory of the Lord Appears] The announcement first comes to shepherds, who represent the lowly and humble. The “glory of the Lord shone around them,” referring to the bright, majestic, and blinding light and glory of God. It’s the same word used at Jesus’ transfiguration (Luke 9:30), Paul’s conversion (Acts 26:13), and Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 7:55). We are to visualize a blinding light that pierces the darkness of the night, and then recall Isaiah 9:2, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” It’s happening; light has come.	[主的荣耀显现]好消息的宣告首先来到牧羊人面前，牧羊人代表着卑微的人。“主的荣光四面照着他们”，指的是上帝明亮、威荣的光明和荣耀。在耶稣登山变相（路加福音9:30）、保罗信主（使徒行传26:13）和司提反殉道（使徒行传7:55）时，都用了同样的词。我们要仿佛看到有刺瞎人眼的光，刺破黑夜的黑暗，然后想起以赛亚书9:2，“行在黑暗中的人民，看见了大光； 住在死荫之地的人， 有光照耀他们。”它正在发生，光明已经到来。
[Good News of Great Joy for All] The good news of great joy that will be for all the people is that a Savior is born, Christ the Lord. The word Lord appears 25 times in Luke 1–2. 23 times it refers to God, and twice is refers to Jesus, once by Elizabeth that we saw last week, and the other here, spoken by the angel. Right at the heart of the Christmas story is the announcement that Jesus Christ the Lord, our Savior and Messiah, is born! This is no mere mortal but the divine Sovereign has come to dwell among his people.	[关乎万民大喜的好消息]对所有的人来说，大喜的好消息就是救主，主基督诞生了。“主”这个词在路加福音1-2章中出现了25次，其中23次是指神，两次是指耶稣。其中一次是我们上周看到的以利沙伯说的，另一次是天使说的。圣诞节故事的核心是宣布主耶稣基督，我们的救主和弥赛亚，已经诞生了。这不是普通的凡人，而是神圣的主宰来到祂的子民中间居住。
[Fullness of Joy] And why did he come? Jesus spoke this to his disciples: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11). What things did Jesus speak of? He said “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love” (John 15:9), and the way you do that is by keeping my commandments. Jesus tells us to not be consumed by everything else, but rather to remember that we are loved by God, that we are to abide or hold onto and trust Jesus, and listen to him.	[喜乐充满]祂为什么而来？耶稣这样对祂的门徒说： “我把这些事告诉了你们，好让我的喜乐存在你们心里，并且使你们的喜乐满溢。”（约翰福音15:11）耶稣说的是什么事？祂说：“父怎样爱我，我也怎样爱你们； 你们要住在我的爱里。”（约翰福音15:9）而你们做到这一点的方法就是遵守我的诫命。耶稣告诉我们，不要被其他的一切所吞噬，而是要记住我们是被上帝所爱的，我们要遵守或紧紧抓住并信靠耶稣，并听从祂。
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13–14)	13 忽然有一大队天兵，同那天使一起赞美 神说：14 “在至高之处，荣耀归与 神！ 在地上，平安归与他所喜悦的人！”（路加福音2:13-14）
[Response of Heaven] Perhaps hundreds, maybe thousands, of angels appear out of nowhere to sing and declare the glories of what has happened. This is God the Father singing over the Son because he is so pleased with him. What a sight this must have been? This multitude appearing to the shepherds is for our benefit. God didn’t need it, the angels could have remained in heaven to sing, but they appeared so that the shepherds could see and tell others. God is announcing the birth of his Son so that the shepherds, and by extension, each one of us today, wouldn’t just walk by glory unknowingly.	[天上的反应]也许是几百个，也许是几千个天使突然出现，唱着歌，宣告着所发生的荣耀。这是父神为儿子歌唱，因为祂对儿子很满意。这一定是多么壮观的景象？这众天使出现在牧羊人面前，是为了我们的益处。上帝不需要，天使可以留在天上唱歌，但他们的出现是为了让牧羊人看到并告诉别人。神在宣告祂儿子的降生，让牧羊人，乃至于我们今天的每一个人，都不会只是路过荣耀而不自知。
[We Walk Past Glory] The Washington Post had an experiment back in 2007 where they had famous violinist Joshua Bell play is multi-million dollar violin in the D.C. subway. About 1,000 people walk by him, only seven stopping to listen to hear him play, and he collected $52.17, with one person recognizing him. The Michael Jordan of violinists, with sold out shows costing hundreds of dollars, in plain sight but no one can recognize his glory. So it is with Jesus who came in such humility, such lowliness, such gentleness, that if it were not for the angels, none of us would recognize him. The world would have missed the Messiah, and the greatest news in all the world.	[我们路过荣耀而不知]《华盛顿邮报》在2007年曾做过一个实验，他们让著名小提琴家约书亚-贝尔在华盛顿特区的地铁里演奏一把价值数百万美元的小提琴。大约有1000人从他身边走过，只有7人停下来听他演奏，他共收了52.17元，只有一个人认出了他。在你眼前的是小提琴家中的迈克尔-乔丹，演出票价数百美元，还一票难求，却明摆着没人能认出他的才华。耶稣来的时候是那样的谦卑，那样的卑微，那样的温柔，如果不是天使报信，我们都认不出祂来。世界会错过弥赛亚，也会错过世界上最伟大的消息。
[Respond to Good News] While this great joy is for all the people, the angels make clear that this peace is for “those whom he is pleased” (2:14). This is a technical phrase that points to God’s election, and confirms Mary’s words that God’s “mercy is for those who fear him” (1:50). Good news is only good news of great joy when you respond rightly to the good news. This good news demands a response of believing and receiving this good news.	[回应好消息]虽然这大喜是给所有的人的，但天使明确指出，这平安是给“他所喜悦的人”（2:14）。这是一个技术性的短语，指的是神的拣选，并确认了马利亚所说的神“的怜悯世世代代归与敬畏他的人”（1:50）。正确回应好消息，才是大喜的好消息。这个好消息需要我们相信并接受这个好消息。
[Respond] But the sad news is that some of us still walk by the glory and majesty of Christ paying no attention at all. Does Jesus make any difference to your life? Have you received the good news of great joy personally? The good news has come: Jesus has broken into the deep darkness to bring light, life, peace, and joy for anyone and everyone who will come to him and believe and receive this good news. It’s a free offer to all.	[回应]但可悲的消息是，我们中的一些人仍然路过基督的荣耀和威荣，却丝毫不觉。耶稣给你的生命带来什么改变吗？你自己是否接受了这大喜的好消息？好消息已经来临：耶稣闯入了黑暗的深渊，为每一个来到祂身边，相信并接受这个好消息的人带来了光明、生命、和平与喜乐。这是白白提供给所有人的。
Earth’s Response: The Shepherds Witness & Worship (15–21)	3. 地上的回应：牧羊人的见证和崇拜(第15-21节)
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:15–20)	15 众天使离开他们升天去了，那些牧人彼此说：“我们往伯利恒去，看看主所指示我们已经成就的事。” 16 他们急忙去了，找到马利亚、约瑟和那卧在马槽里的婴孩。17 他们见过以后，就把天使对他们论这孩子的话传开了。18 听见的人，都希奇牧人所说的事。19 马利亚把这一切放在心里，反覆思想。20 牧人因为听见的和看见的，正像天使对他们所说的一样，就回去了，把荣耀赞美归与 神。（路加福音2:15-20）
[Shepherds Go] The shepherds go with haste, going from fearful witnesses to being worshippers. They are even given the privilege of telling Mary all that happened. They become heralds of good news, carrying around in them this joy that gives birth to praising God for all that they had heard and seen. A true understanding of good news brings about this type of transformation.	[牧羊人去了]牧羊人急忙而去，从害怕的目击者变成了崇拜者。他们甚至享有殊荣告诉马利亚发生了什么事。他们成了好消息的信使，在他们身上带着这种喜乐，为他们所听到和看到的一切生出赞美上帝的心。对好消息的真正理解会带来这种转变。
[Shepherds’ Fear to Praise] This good news turns their fear to worship. This morning this account invites us to rest in and receive the good news that Jesus has come. The Christmas story reminds us that God came to rescue us from our sins, failures, and the broken world in which we live, so that we could be reconciled to God, and receive joy everlasting.	[牧羊人从恐惧到赞美]这个好消息让他们的恐惧变成了崇拜。今早这段记述邀请我们安息，接受耶稣已来的好消息。圣诞故事提醒我们，神来拯救我们脱离我们的罪、失败和我们所处的破碎世界，使我们能与神和好，得到永远的喜乐。
[Mary Cherishes] Mary treasures, ponders, and cherishes these things; thinking upon them, holding onto them, and rolling them over in her mind again and again. Do you ponder these things in your heart and mind? Qre you marinating in social media spats about masks and vaccines, restrictions, elections, or the ups and downs of the stock market, or are you marinating your soul in the greatest news in all the world: Christ has come, Christ will come again.	[马利亚珍藏在心]马利亚珍视、思索、珍惜这些事情，思索着、品味着，在脑海中一遍又一遍地思想。你是否在心里和脑海中反复思想这些事情？你是浸泡在社交媒体的口水战中争论口罩和疫苗、限制、选举，还是在股市的起伏中浸泡自己的灵魂，还是在全世界最伟大的消息中浸泡自己的灵魂：基督已经来了，基督会再来。
Conclusion & Application	结语和应用
[Jesus Came in Fulfillment of Promises] Jesus has come to dwell with and among his people in order to give them everlasting joy. He did this to fulfill the prophecies and promises that were written centuries beforehand. These truths are verifiable facts that have changed and transformed the world. And these truths change and transform our lives right now. For some, you come to the Christmas story as mythology—a made up feel good story. Others come and think “Yes, the birth of Jesus is great, but I need some real help right now to feel that God loves me, sees me, and cares for me.” God came exactly the way that was prophesied and promised, fulfilling his word, which means he will continue to be true to his word.	[耶稣为实现应许而来]耶稣降世与祂的子民同住，住在祂的子民中间，为的是给他们带来永远的喜乐。祂这样做是为了实现几个世纪前所写的预言和应许。这些真理都是可以验证的事实，已经改变和转化了整个世界。而这些真相改变和转化了我们当下的生命。对有些人来说，你把圣诞故事当成神话故事—一个人为编造的感觉良好的故事。还有的人过来，想：“是的，耶稣的降生是伟大的，但我现在需要一些切实的帮助，让我感受到神爱我、看顾我、关心我。”神正是按照预言和应许的方式来的。祂已经实现了祂的话语，这意味着祂将继续信守祂的话语。
[Trust in Christ] So when Jesus promises “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5), he really means it. Never will he leave or forsake us. He came that we might have joy to the full! Or when Paul writes, “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39) he really means it. We are gloriously loved by God, and this is the source of our everlasting joy. Sins forgiven, Christ our treasure, and he paid the ultimate cost for us to have joy everlasting.	[信靠基督]所以，当耶稣应许“我决不撇下你，也不离弃你” （希伯来书13:5）时，祂是说真的。祂永远不会离开或抛弃我们。祂来了，使我们可以得着满满的喜乐!或如保罗写的：“无论是死、是生，是天使、是掌权的，是现在的事，是将来的事，是有能力的，是高天的、是深渊的，或是任何别的被造之物，都不能叫我们与 神的爱隔绝，这爱是在我们的主耶稣基督里的。”（罗马书8:38-39）他说的是真的。我们被神荣耀地爱着，这是我们永远喜乐的源头。罪得赦免，基督是我们的至宝，祂为我们付出了最终的代价，使我们得着永远的喜乐。
[Jesus Gives Us Joy] When I was growing up, on year the in demand Christmas toy was Tickle Me Elmo. This creepy red animal that talks and squeals with laughter as if you were tickling it. People would buy as many as they could and resell them to desperate parents hoping to make their child happy on Christmas morning. Some parents spent two, three, or even ten times the retail cost to get this toy. Why? Parents want their children to be happy! And so it is with our heavenly Father, he wants you to experience eternal joy! But Jesus came into the world and paid not two, not three, and not even ten times the cost to bring us joy. Jesus paid the ultimate cost with his life! While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! He did this so that we would not be enemies of God, but that we would be loved with a sacrificial love, and given an everlasting joy rooted in Christ.	[耶稣赐我们喜乐]在我成长的过程中，有一年最抢手的圣诞节玩具是“挠痒痒Elmo”。这个怪模怪样的红色动物，当你给它挠痒痒时，它就会说话，又笑又叫。人们会尽可能多地囤购，然后转卖给迫不及待的父母，他们希望在圣诞节早上让孩子快乐。有的家长为了买到这个玩具，花了两三倍甚至十倍于零售价的钱。为什么？家长们都希望自己的孩子能快乐!我们的天父也是如此，祂要你经历永远的喜乐!但耶稣来到世界上，为了给我们带来喜乐，付出的代价不止二倍，不止三倍，甚至不止十倍。耶稣用自己的生命付出了最终的代价当我们还是罪人的时候，基督就为我们死了!祂这样做是为了使我们不再与神为敌，而是用牺牲的爱爱我们，给我们根植于基督里的永恒喜乐。
[Durable Joy] The measure of whether something is good news of great joy is whether it remains good news of great joy when everything else falls apart. Is it good news if I get sick, is it good news if I’m unemployed, is it good news if I’m lonely, is it good news if I just miscarried, is it good news if my marriage is strained to the point of breaking, is it good news if my mental health is suffering, is it good news if I’m estranged from those around me, is it good news if we just totaled our car, is it good news if I’m away from family, and is it good news if I’m on hospice and dying? The measure of true joy is whether it still matters if everything in life falls apart. The shininess of a new car with a big red bow means nothing if I’m on my death bed—which some of you are right now. The good news that Jesus brings is not a shallow and fleeting joy, but deep everlasting joy so that out of our hearts will flow rivers of living water, and fountains of everlasting joy. Let’s rejoice in this good news of great joy that will be for all the people.	[可持久的喜乐]衡量一件事是否是大喜的好消息，就是当其他一切都崩溃的时候，它是否仍然是大喜的好消息。我生病了是好消息吗，我失业了是好消息吗，我孤独寂寞了是好消息吗，我刚刚流产了是好消息吗，我的婚姻紧张到破裂了是好消息吗，我的心理健康状况不好是好消息吗，我和身边的人疏远了是好消息吗，我们的车刚刚报废了是好消息吗，我离开了家人是好消息吗，我正在接受临终关怀是好消息吗？衡量真正快乐的标准是，如果生活中的一切都崩塌了，是否还重要。如果我死了—我知道你们中的一些人死了—那么新车的闪亮和大红的蝴蝶结就毫无意义了。耶稣所带来的好消息，不是浅浅的、短暂的喜乐，而是深深的、永远的喜乐，使我们的心里会流出活水的江河，流出永远喜乐的泉源。让我们为这个大喜的好消息而欢欣鼓舞，这将是所有的人都能得到的。
Sermon Discussion Questions	讲道讨论问题
Sermon Title: Advent: Announcing Good News of Great Joy	讲道标题：降临节: 宣布大喜的好消息
Sermon Text: Luke 2:1–20	讲道经文：路加福音2:1-20
Main Point: God comes down to dwell with and among his people and to give us everlasting joy in Jesus.	要点：上帝降卑与祂的子民同住，住在祂的子民中间，并在耶稣里带给我们永恒的喜乐。
Outline:	纲要：
1. The Birth: A Contrast of Kings & Prophetic Fulfillment (1–7)	1. 诞生：君王的对比与预言的应验（第1-7节）
2. Heaven’s Response: The Angelic Announcement & Song (8–14)	2. 天上的回应：天使的宣告与歌唱（第8-14节）
3. Earth’s Response: The Shepherds Witness & Worship (15–21)	3. 地上的回应：牧羊人的见证和崇拜(第15-21节)
Intro Question: What are some ways you feel like Charlie Brown at Christmas—sad, depressed, frazzled, or just not sure the meaning of it all?	引言中的问题：在圣诞节，你有哪些感觉像查理-布朗一样—悲伤、沮丧、焦躁，或者只是不知道这一切的意义？
Discussion Questions:	讨论问题：
1. What is the significance of mentioning Caesar Augustus or Quirinius, governor of Syria? How is Caesar contrasted with Jesus?	1. 提到凯撒-奥古斯都或叙利亚总督居里纽的意义是什么？凯撒与耶稣的对比如何？
2. Why is there mention of the city of David, house and lineage of David, and Mary’s betrothal? Why is it significant for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem?	2. 为什么会提到大卫的城、大卫的家族和血统，以及马利亚的订婚？为什么耶稣在伯利恒出生有重要意义？
3. What should we take away from the manner and circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus? How do the other gospel accounts add to our understanding of Jesus’ birth?	3. 我们应该从耶稣诞生的方式和环境中得到什么？其他福音书的记载如何增加我们对耶稣出生的理解？
4. How does “heaven” respond to the birth of Jesus (2:8–14)? Why do angels appear to shepherds?	4. “天上”如何回应耶稣的诞生（2:8-14）？为什么天使要向牧羊人显现？
5. How does “earth” respond to the birth of Jesus (2:15–20)? What do you think it was like to be shepherds who received this revelation? What would it be like to be Mary to hear this account?	5. “地上”如何回应耶稣的诞生（2:15-20）？你觉得作为牧羊人接受这个启示是什么样子的？听了这段描述，马利亚是什么反应？
Application Questions:	应用问题：
1. If we lack joy in Jesus at Christmas, how does this story and account reignite and reorient our hearts to what God has done in saving sinners?	1. 如果我们在圣诞节缺乏在耶稣里的喜乐，这个故事和记述如何重新点燃和调整我们的心，让我们知道神在拯救罪人方面所做的事？
2. If we are filled with awe, wonder, praise, and joy, how can we spread this joy into the lives of others, particularly unbelievers?	2. 如果我们充满了敬畏、惊奇、赞美和喜乐，那么我们如何将这种喜乐传播到别人的生活中，尤其是不信的人？
3. Spend some time each day reading and rereading Luke 1–2 and marvel at what is being accomplished by God in the lives of his people.	3. 每天花一些时间阅读和重温路加福音第1-2章，为神在祂的子民生命中所成就的事而惊叹。
4. If we have received good news of great joy that will be for all the people, how does this change how we live, think, speak, and interact with others? How does this challenge us to be conduits of God’s grace into the lives of others?	4. 如果我们得到了大喜的好消息，将为所有的人带来喜乐，这将如何改变我们的生活、思想、言语和与他人交往的方式？这如何挑战我们成为神的恩典进入他人生命的管道？
5. Take some time to write out a prayer of thanksgiving to God for what he is done in sending Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.	5. 花一些时间写出一篇感谢神的祷告，感谢祂差遣我们的救主耶稣基督所做的一切。
Prayer Focus:	祷告焦点：
Thank God for breaking into the deep darkness of our world with the Light and life of Jesus Christ. Confess any sins of indifference, skepticism, cynicism, callousness, or anxiety as you approach Jesus. Thank God for forgiveness of sins, relationship with Jesus, and new life in Christ. Ask God to give you the joy of the Lord this Christmas—overflowing in your heart, mind, actions, and interactions—and opportunities to share this good news of great joy that will be for all the people.	感谢上帝用耶稣基督的光和生命闯入我们世界的深沉黑暗中。走向耶稣，承认任何冷漠、怀疑、消极厌世、顽梗麻木或焦虑的罪。感谢神赦免了我们的罪，赐我们与耶稣的关系，以及在基督里的新生命。求神在这个圣诞节将主的喜乐赐给你—洋溢在你的心思、意念、行动和交往中，并赐给你机会分享这个大喜的好消息，让所有的人都能得到。

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