Christmas Eve

WELCOME

Today I want us to reflect on the words of the angels, spoken to the shepherds,

announcing the arrival of Christ, the new-born King:

A baby, lying in a manger. We have become so familiar with this story that sometimes we forget to be shocked by it.

‘This is the staggering message of Christ’s incarnation: God’s glory became poor so that we might become the very glory of God.

IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR

READING ISAIAH 9:2-7 (LIAM)

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

READING PSALM 96 (CAROL)

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.

4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Splendour and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. 9 Worship the Lord in the splendour of his[a] holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns.’ The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.

11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. 12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. 13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.

JOY TO THE WORLD

READING TITUS 2: 11-14 (PATRICIA)

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

COME THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS

READING LUKE 2: 1-20 (KARON)

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS BY NIGHT

SHORT TALK AND VIDEO

Perhaps you have not noticed this, but shepherds were a big part of the Christmas story. They are not just some extras in the “movie” of Christmas. They are not like the unnamed storm-troopers in a Star Wars movie, who appear and disappear as the hero, Luke Skywalker vaporised them with his trusty light sabre. Luke 2:8-20 tells us the shepherds were taking the starring role. So, let’s take some time today and examine the shepherds’ Christmas. Have you considered how they might have felt when they heard of the Christ child being born? What were they thinking? I wonder how that night would alter their lives as the angels appeared to them?

I would like you to imagine and, go back in time to that first Christmas day … think time travel and put yourself into the shoes of the shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks at night. … if I were a shepherd. … I would be part of a despised group.

Why am I despised? Shepherds, you see, they have a bad reputation. We are not superheroes, who would save one sheep at the expense of ninety-nine others. No, we would save 99 over one! If one sheep is missing, it is already more than likely served as a wolf’s dinner.

If I were a shepherd… I would be rough, unshaven, unfashionable, bad haircut or no haircut, no comments please, I would be uneducated, in the company of questionable, who typically keep long hours at work (bad shift work), you know like keeping watch over the flock by night). Which means, I am not a church-going type of guy. Decent folk would avoid me!

My time is spent searching for grass and water in a dry and stony and sometimes in a hot and hostile climate. Sometimes I must travel far from human civilisation, far from cities, just to get those sheep food and shelter from the climate. So, I must sleep outside, in tents. And if you think camping is fun, Then try stepping on sheep droppings, yuck! no hot showers, no deodorant stick for my underarms, bad body odour, no comments So if you see me, a little out of touch with hygiene, grouchy and a little stressed, weary, it’s not because the wife was mean to me. You just be glad to have a wife and a bed to go home to! All I have is smelly sheep 24/7 who don’t care about me!

Given our reputation, one amazing night, something awesome happened. It was out of this world - an angel of the Lord appeared to us, a group of shepherds (v.9). I’m not crazy, it really happened, just as the Bible recorded it.

The angel said this; "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Then we shepherds witnessed another remarkable sight. There was a band of angels praising God. I am not kidding you. These angels showed up, saying things that were out of this world.

Whoa, God brings peace to people. The Lord of the universe is speaking to me, a dirty smelly shepherd??? Wow! It certainly sounds good! It is Good News!

So we went over to Bethlehem, to check things out. And after a while of looking around, we finally found Mary and Joseph and the baby wrapped in the common cloths of the day. Let me tell you, it wasn’t a silent night. The baby was crying, the animals were making a racket, as we shepherds came in like fools drunk on wine.

Perhaps you need to go to Bethlehem just as the shepherds did and check out this rather fantastic story. Could it be true, that the Messiah is Jesus? Feel free to check the whole thing out. Don’t let this message be crowded out by jingle bells and the sounds of commercialism and let it just be another bah humbug holiday.

The Messiah has come, and He came with a specific purpose – for you and me to draw near to God by a gift… the baby that was born the most humble of circumstances, revealed to a bunch of nobodies. Isn’t it a thrill, to know that the best thing about Christmas is – that when God initiated a rather ridiculous plan to save the world, His plan included dirty shepherds, living in a dirty world? Does it not give you and I lots of hope, lots of peace, to know God’s favour is on us this day? Does it not change our view of God to know His will is give us and to bless us with the best Christmas gift ever, Himself? Will you let Christ, Messiah, Saviour, God with us, be the chief reason you celebrate this Christmas? So, I say, let every heart prepare Him room, joy to the world!

SILENT NIGHT HOLY NIGHT

PRAYERS (KENNEDY)

OFFERING

ONCE IN ROYAL DAVIDS CITY

MARY DID YOU KNOW

BLESSING