Renewing Your Mind: "The Birth of Jesus"

Podcast: Renewing Your Mind by Ligonier Ministries
Host: R.C. Sproul
Episode Date: December 21, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, airing in the days leading up to Christmas, centers around R.C. Sproul's theological exploration of Luke's account of the birth of Jesus (Luke 2). Sproul meditates on the historical reality and spiritual significance of Jesus' nativity, emphasizing both its humility and exaltation. A recurring theme is the juxtaposition of Christ's humiliating circumstances at birth with the glory, joy, and proclamation from heaven itself—culminating in the angelic chorus heralding peace and goodwill to humanity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Historical Setting of Christ’s Birth

[01:30–03:56]

• Sproul stresses the historicity of Luke’s narrative, contrasting it with fairy tales.

“This story does not begin with the words ‘once upon a time,’ because this is no fairy tale. This is sober history announcing the entrance into this world of our Savior.” (R.C. Sproul, 02:39)

• He frames the birth story around "three kings":
  • Caesar Augustus: the earthly emperor, called “the supreme, sublime, majestic one”—titles Sproul notes were reserved for God among Jews.
  • Jesus: the true King “wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in the manger,” whom Sproul calls “the king of kings.”
  • Eternal God: the sovereign King over all history—the ultimate Author of the nativity event.

2. God’s Sovereignty Over Earthly Events

[03:56–06:35]

• The census decree by Caesar Augustus, though appearing as a human action, fulfills God's eternal decree for the Messiah to be born in Bethlehem, as foretold by the prophet Micah.
• Sproul unpacks both proximate “reasons” (Joseph journeying for the census, supporting Mary during childbirth) and the “ultimate reason”—divine providence orchestrating every detail.

3. The Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus

[06:35–09:00]

• The “backdrop of humiliation”: Jesus is born in a manger due to there being no room at the inn.
• Simultaneously, Sproul notes, God balances “shame with glory”—not at the manger, but out in the fields where shepherds, among the lowest in society, receive a supernatural visitation.

4. The Angelic Announcement to the Shepherds

[09:00–13:00]

• Vivid recounting of the angel’s appearance, the “glory of the Lord,” and the shepherds’ terror.

“Who wouldn’t be trembling in fear at the manifestation of the glory of God at that moment?” (R.C. Sproul, 10:35)

• The message:
  • “Do not be afraid... I bring you good tidings of great joy...”
  • “Unto you a child is born... a savior... Christ the Lord.”
• Emphasis: The sign is not grandeur, but humility—a child “wrapped in cheap cloth, not on a throne, but in a manger.”

5. The Heavenly Host and the Song of the Angels

[13:00–16:00]

• Upon the angel's proclamation, a “multitude of the heavenly host” appears, delivering the Gloria:

  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men.”

• Sproul frames this as the first singing of the “Gloria in excelsis Deo”—divine exultation complementing earthly humility:

  “That shame must be balanced with glory.” (R.C. Sproul, 08:33)

6. The Shepherds’ Response

[16:00–19:00]

• The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem, not to see Mary or Joseph, but “the babe in the manger.”
• They spontaneously “made widely known” the angelic message:

  “They opened their mouths. They told everyone what they heard and what they saw.” (R.C. Sproul, 17:27)

• Onlookers “marveled”; Sproul wonders at the longevity of that wonder.

7. Mary’s Pondering and Lasting Reflection

[19:00–21:00]

• Mary’s role is introspective:

  “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (citing Luke 2:19)

• Sproul traces Mary’s lifelong meditation—from the nativity through Jesus’ circumcision, teaching in the temple, and ultimately to the cross and resurrection.

8. The Purpose of Praise

[21:00–24:00]

• The shepherds return “glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.”
• Sproul closes with a call:

  “That’s the lot of the Christian—to give glory, honor, dominion, power and praise. We join the angels saying, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive the fullness of the glory of God.’ That’s Christmas.” (R.C. Sproul, 23:25)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On History vs. Fairy Tale:
  “This is sober history announcing the entrance into this world of our Savior.” — R.C. Sproul (02:39)
• On the Kingship of Christ:
  “This little king is the king of kings. He rules over the king in Rome.” — R.C. Sproul (03:02)
• On Divine Sovereignty:
  “This decree is done in obedience to a decree that took place much earlier, even in eternity, when God decreed that his son would come into this world...” — R.C. Sproul (04:25)
• On the Shepherds’ Fear:
  “I like the old King James. They were sore afraid. ... You are afraid like you've never been afraid in your whole life.” — R.C. Sproul (10:12)
• On the Message to Shepherds:
  “Today your Savior is born. Today the Messiah is born. Today your Lord is born in Bethlehem.” — R.C. Sproul (11:25)
• On Evangelism:
  “They didn’t just do evangelism by example. They opened their mouths. They told everyone what they heard and what they saw.” — R.C. Sproul (17:27)
• On Christmas:
  “We join the angels saying, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive the fullness of the glory of God.’ That’s Christmas.” — R.C. Sproul (23:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Historical context and three kings: 02:39 – 04:30
• Prophetic and sovereign fulfillment: 04:30 – 06:45
• Nativity and its humility: 06:45 – 08:40
• Shepherds and angelic message: 09:00 – 13:00
• Heavenly host and Gloria: 13:00 – 16:00
• Shepherds’ proclamation & community response: 16:00 – 19:00
• Mary's pondering and significance: 19:00 – 21:00
• Shepherds’ glorifying and Christian praise: 21:00 – 24:00

Overall Tone & Takeaway

R.C. Sproul’s preaching is both scholarly and pastoral, blending reverence for Scripture’s historical veracity with meditative wonder--ideal for the Christmas season. The message underscores that Christ’s birth was both an act of deepest humility and of cosmic glory, meant to bring joy, promote praise, and deepen faith.

Key takeaway: Christmas is about the incarnation of the King of Kings, a real event in history, modest in its earthly trappings but surrounded by heavenly praise, calling all believers to join in doxology and joy.