Pre-Season Spirit The Challenge of the Holidays!! Luke 2:8-20 > And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!" 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.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. The Angels Brought: A Spirit of Praise Praise is Spontaneous in Nature 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, The Angels Brought: A Spirit of Praise Praise is Spontaneous in Nature Praise is Specific in its Aim 14 “Glory to God in the highest,…” The Angels Brought: A Spirit of Praise Praise is Spontaneous in Nature Praise is Specific in its Aim Praise is Spreading the News 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. The Angels Brought: A Spirit of Praise A Spirit of Peace Peace is a Person 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The Angels Brought: A Spirit of Praise A Spirit of Peace Peace is a Person Peace is Personal 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” The Angels Brought: A Spirit of Praise A Spirit of Peace Peace is a Person Peace is Personal Peace is Perpetual 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.” The Angels Brought: A Spirit of Praise A Spirit of Peace A Spirit of Providence “Good News” “Great Joy” “Peace” 14 “…among those with whom he is pleased!” Thank you so much for joining us in worship at First Free Will Baptist Church today. We hope your experience has been meaningful and that you will join us again soon!