"In the Aftermath of an Angelic Visit"

Christmas may be the most nostalgic celebrated holiday in America.

Think about it. The Federal Government recognizes 12 national holidays once you include the 2021 addition of Juneteenth National Independence Day, a holiday celebrating the emancipation of slaves in in the Confederates states and announced in the state of Texas. National holidays have been proposed and introduced in Congress since 1870 as indicated in the “Federal Holidays: Evolution and Current Practices” document from July of 2021.

But few holidays have been met with the resounding support and impact as Christmas. It has been celebrated by followers of Christ and secularists alike. Consumerist and Christian; old and young; wealthy and poor… it seems all have gravitated toward this holy day whether they see it for it’s truly Holy value or not.

Christmas is about the Advent (coming) of the Savior of mankind. One of the most precious facets of this coming, revolves around the people who received the announcement of his arrival.

Now, perhaps culture has long abased the true meaning of Christmas. But, let us pause a moment and remember the glorious Christmas lyrics that ring out with how Christ reunites sinful man to God through His saving grace…

Consider this Christmas Hymn: “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night”

While shepherds watched their flocks by night All seated on the ground The angel of the Lord came down And glory shone around

"Fear not", said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind"

"To you, in David's town this day Is born of David's line The Savior who is Christ the Lord And this shall be the sign"

"The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed All meanly wrapped in swathing bands And in a manger laid"

Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God, who thus Addressed their joyful song

"All glory be to God on high And on the earth be peace Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men Begin and never cease"

Source: Musixmatch - Songwriters: Daryl Coley

The Gospel is what saves ALL MANKIND. Dare we forget at this tender time of year what Paul encouraged Titus to hold in mind as he taught and reminded the believers in Crete:

Titus 3:1-5 “1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”

Today, as we walk through the birth narrative of Jesus Christ in Luke chapter 2, I want us to ask this question… “How should I respond to the Christ-child’s birth?” Our natural response is influenced by such a wide variety of life experiences, cultural influences, and personal history. But, we have at least two biblical responses we can learn from. As We read through Luke 2:1-20 and then focus on verses 8-20, it’s my prayer that we will walk away discovering fresh meaning in Jesus birth. How we then respond, will remain personal and unique… But it must include two things - praising and glorifying God for all He has done.

I want to lead you through Luke 2:1-20.

Luke 2:1–20 (ESV)

1 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.

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.

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.

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.”

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!”

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.

Now that we have a feel for the passage, let’s look a little more closely at this narrative and the experience of the Shepherds.

AT THIS POINT - WALK THROUGH THE TEXT FROM VERSES 8-20 AND HIGHLIGHT THESE FEW POINTS TO BUILD AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE SHEPHERD’S EXPERIENCE.

Luke 2:8 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Now, for Westerners, the birth of Jesus is surrounded by something. Some of our most beloved songwriters have CROONED for it in their warmest rhythm and rhyme… Do you know what glistening element it is?! IT’S SNOW!

Yes! Snow is what we long for in our Christmas experience. But, it’s not at all the reality into which Jesus was born. The Jews operate on a lunar calendar and Shepherds would not have been watching over flocks at night “in the bleak mid-winter”. Instead, it’s late summer, perhaps early fall. The late rains are in season and shepherds can tend to their flocks comfortably as the graze in fallowed grounds from harvest time. If necessary, they can find shelter from a quick rain in a cave. But, the night-time temperatures are accommodating to the shepherds and their flock. In this case, only a few family animals would remain within the home later in the evening.

We’ll come back to that point about keeping animals within the home in a moment.

Comment now on Luke 2:9-14 - Focus words/phrases are:

“great fear” vs. “Fear not”

“swaddling cloths”

Luke 2:9–14 (ESV)

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.”

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!”

Now the shepherds have received the news… what is their reaction?

“they went with haste”

“all who heard it (their news) ‘wondered’” -

Luke 2:15–18 (ESV)

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.

The shepherds WASTED NOT TIME!

Awe! Amazement! BUT IT WAS THE FAMILY that had gathered together in the house! They were the ones who were struck with wonder! It wasn’t all the people in Bethlehem… at least not yet! The reason all the folks are so excited is likely because FAMILY is hearing this glorious news! And the shepherds, meek, lowly, and mild as they are… they’re an extremely trustworthy crew!

Let’s continue with the final, and focal, points of the passage. Make note of the CONTRAST between Mary’s response and the shepherds...

Luke 2:19–20 ESV

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.

The shepherd’s news put everyone in the house in WONDER/AWE, AMAZEMENT AND EXCITEMENT…

Mary heard those words and experienced a different response… she “treasured” (preserved them and defended them) and she “pondered” (conversed or conferred) to herself. See, the news from the shepherds hit her very differently than the rest of the audience. Mary knew she would give birth to the savior… but in the moment of his arrival, it becomes real. Instead of exclamation… she needed to step back, pause, and protect what she knew to be true. Sometimes, that’s precisely what we need to do during this time of year. Mary’s approach is one we can share in.

Let me quickly illustrate… Chromatic scale.

Both the response of the shepherds and the response of Mary are right! They are simply different!

Both of them HAD TO TAKE A MOMENT to REFLECT!

Remember, the shepherds moment to reflect was when the angel appeared and scared them to death! Mary’s moment to reflect followed the news from the shepherds.

That pause. The break. That momentary silence. In the long run… it is what gave meaning to the moment!

And how does this section end?

Luke 2:20 (ESV)

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Closing:

Today, let’s remember that every Christmas, SO MUCH OF THE WORLD is SINGING THE SAVIOR’S BIRTH! Whether it is their intention or not, they feel merciful because Christmas beckons the message of mercy. They feel peace, because Christ is the bringer of peace! The still exists a sense of hope and salvation, because you CANNOT UN-TETHER THE MESSAGE FROM THE MESSIAH!

So what is that happens in the aftermath of an angelic visit? RESPONSE! For the shepherds, the response is proclamation! For Mary, the response is wonder, consideration, protection of such indescribable truth. But BOTH experienced a moment of silence - Pause - A BREAK INTO the clamor.

Today, let’s each one of us SHARE in the response, especially, of the Shepherds… Let’s HURRY AND TELL… LET’S HELP THE WORLD FIND MEANING TO THIS WONDERFUL NEWS BY GLORIFYING AND PRAISING GOD FOR ALL WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD. Let’s be sure that while we still yet celebrate so many holidays as a country, we are sure to express the reason undergirding this season...

"All glory be to God on high And on the earth be peace Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men Begin and never cease".

Communion

Reflection and silence.

Prayer for bread and follow the order on “the sheet”.