Sermon Tone Analysis

A Christmas Confession from an Angel

Luke 2:8–18

It is just like God to announce the greatest news to those whom society has overlooked.

Shepherds were considered the lowest of the low in first-century Judea.

Yet in spite of their low standing in the eyes of man, God favored and blessed them by including them in the unfolding events of the very first Christmas.

For the shepherds, the first Christmas was simply another day

and night.

Yet in the midst of the ordinary, God broke through in supernatural glory.

Luke puts it this way: “And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid” (2:9).

Now notice what the angel said in his Christmas confession to the shepherds of Bethlehem.

First, “Do not be afraid” (v.

10).

Fear seemed to be a common response to an angel’s appearance.

Yet at the same time, we need to understand that fear was also a common experience in this first Christmas.

Mary no doubt feared the ostracism of those who did not understand her special circumstances; Joseph perhaps feared the responsibility of caring for both a wife and a child; Herod feared being displaced; all Jerusalem feared Herod and his cruelty; the wise men feared Herod’s wrath; and here, the shepherds feared the angel of the Lord.

From whatever source fear came, the declaration from the angel was, “Do not be afraid!”

Secondly, he proclaimed the good tidings (news) of great joy for all people (v.

10).

This message, this good news, would result in great joy for everyone.

The extent of this good news is to every member of the human race.

The point is that this event producing great joy is for the entire human race, not a predetermined, select few.

Third, he announced that a Savior had been born that very day in Bethlehem (the city of David), and that He is “Christ the Lord” (v.

11).

The angel was specific in his announced confession.

The who of the confession is Christ the Lord.

The where of the confession is Bethlehem.

The when of the confession is today!

The what of the confession is that a Savior has been born!

Notice that the angel was clear that He is Christ—this word means the pronounced Messiah—and Lord—a term in context reserved for deity!

He is God invading planet Earth and the human race in the form of a baby!

Fourth, here is how you can identify Him! (v.

12).

And the angel

described the unique circumstances of Jesus’ first hours and days as an infant.

“You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Luke tells us that this was a “sign” to the shepherds.

In short,

God was giving the shepherds a ringside seat at the most phenomenal event to date in human history.

After a great finale of praise, the shepherds acted on their newfound knowledge.

Luke relates their resolve—“Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us” (v.

15).

And he concluded, “And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger” (v.

16).

Luke noted that upon their return to Bethlehem, “they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child” (v.

17).

Then he recorded the reaction of those who heard: they “marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”

Now, in light of this confession, this angelic announcement to the shepherds, what is the angel saying to and for us?

First, God cares for the overlooked, the dispossessed, the outcasts, and the nobodies of this world.

Whereas the world may have assessed these shepherds as of no value, God thought enough of them to invite them to the Savior’s birthday!

Here are people, created in the image of God, for whom Christ would die.

Perhaps we’re all reminded that God gives grace to the humble!

Second, the angel’s announcement is for all people.

All have sinned, all are lost, and all are separated from God because of their sin.

And the good news is that now all people have the hope of a Savior available to them!

This gospel is good news for everyone!

Third, we see here that God keeps His promises.

Scripture contains numerous prophecies and promises concerning a coming Messiah.

Micah 5:2 is fulfilled here.

What is true for this one prophesy is true for hundreds of others.

God keeps His promises, and He will keep His promises to you!

And finally, if you want to know God, He will help you find Him.

When the shepherds heard the good news, they wanted to see and know Jesus.

And the Father gave them specific instructions on how to find the Savior.

AND He will do the same for you!

A Christmas Confession from an Angel

Luke 2:8–18