The Sign of Great Joy (Luke 2:1-20)

Luke 2:1–20 NLT

1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Song “Happy all the Time”

I’m inright [point in], outright [point out], upright [point up], downright [point down] Happy(JOYFUL) all the time [clap with each word]

I’m inright [point in], outright [point out], upright [point up], downright [point down] Happy (JOYFUL)) all the time [clap with each word]

Since Jesus Christ came in To take away my sin I’m…

I’m inright [point in], outright [point out], upright [point up], downright [point down] Happy (JOYFUL) all the time [clap with each word]

True Joy Comes from Salvation

True joy comes from knowing, and better yet, experiencing salvation...

Psalm 51:12 NLT

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

The Shepherds are Examples for What joy is as they come face to face with SALVATION

Luke 2:9–10 NLT

9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

But, why shepherds?

Of all the people that could be heralded the birth of Jesus, why shepherds?

I can think of a few reasons as to maybe why...

Shepherds were outcasts

Dirty. Their testimony wouldn’t be considered valid in court. A necessary job, but nothing most people would aspire to do when they “grew up.”

YET…

Moses was a shepherd when God called him back to Egypt

Exodus 3:1–2“1 One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up.”

David was a shepherd when he was anointed to be king and when he defeated Goliath and . Oh, and he even came from BETHLEHEM!

1 Samuel 16:10–13“10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” 12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” 13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.”

1 Samuel 17:15 “15 but David went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.”

1 Samuel 17:28 “28 But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!””

And like shepherds, we are all "outcasts" and forgotten in a way...

Our city is often forgotten…

Most of us go through the ebb and flow of life without really being recognized...

Reminding us of the forgotten shepherds and the small city of Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 “2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.”

And yet God is often described as being a shepherd

Genesis 49:24 “24 But his bow remained taut, and his arms were strengthened by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.”

Psalm 23:1 “1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.”

Isaiah 40:11 “11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”

John 10:11 “11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”

But, I REALLY think the angels appeared to these shepherds because they would understand the “SIGN”

Luke 2:12 “12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.””

Signs are symbols that point to a greater reality.

The angel did NOT say, you will recognize the child dressed this way. The angel said you will recognize this child by this SIGN. The way the child is treated, dressed, placed to sleep, and cared for, point to a greater reality beyond that moment - it is a SIGN and SYMBOL...

So, what is that SIGN pointing too...

The "Christmas story shepherds" had an important role; they tended the lambs meant for sacrifice!

The fields around Bethlehem are grain fields. When the grain is harvested shepherds are allowed to bring their sheep to eat the leftover grain and the stalks; the sheep, in turn fertilize the field for the next planting season.

Although considered outcasts, these shepherds had an important task to care for the sheep that would be used for sacrifices in Jerusalem (about 5-6 miles away).

It is their job to keep these lambs and sheep from becoming blemished so that they could be offered as the needed sacrifice for sins as well as for other offerings.

Because these lambs that would be born in these fields would be used in sacrifice, great care would be taken with their birth. When a lamb was born, the shepherd would wrap the lamb in strips of linen (swaddle it) and place it in the manger for its safety until it would be strong enough to return to the field with its mother and the rest of the flock.

This is EXACTLY how the angel told them they would recognize the child - the savior of the world.

The child would be treated like a lamb meant for sacrifice… hmm...

These shepherds would understand this.

They would understand that the lambs for sacrifice provided the ritual sacrifice for sins and reminded the people of the passover from slavery to freedom.

And, as the angels declared that this child is the SAVIOR of the WORLD - and as the sign is that this child is treated as a sacrificial lamb - these shepherds could understand that sign and recognize that this child would save the WORLD like a Passover lamb saved the people.

The birth of this child becomes the foreshadow of the death of the man the child would grow to be.

This one provides salvation in the same way a slaughtered lamb purchased freedom - by his sacrificial death and spilled blood.

Of ALL the people that could celebrate the birth of the Messiah and Savior, it is the shepherds in the field, the outcasts from society, that would understand this SIGN and know what it meant.

It is NO WONDER they were compelled to go and see because not only did angels announce this birth (which is odd) but also that this child is treated like a lamb! There’s something odd about this baby; he’s treated like a lamb and heaven rejoices! Let’s go see!

To these forgotten outcasts JOY came…

Joy is NOT dependent upon our circumstances

Joy, true joy, is based in our salvation that God provides through Jesus Christ. It is rooted in the ultimate salvation from sin and death NO MATTER WHAT MAY COME OUR WAY NOW. How can we NOT know joy when our FUTURE is secure in the SALVATION provided in, by, and through Jesus Christ!!??

The shepherds heard the message of Joy - that a savior was born, the messiah. And, as they heard and observed the sign the Good News of Joy was spelled out clearly. This child would provide salvation by being the sacrificial lamb who would take away the sin of the world and redeem us from bondage to slavery to sin.

There is JOY that even though they are lowly shepherd they were told the message of salvation and provided the opportunity to respond in worship.

And so it is for the world!

We have heard the joyous news that there is SALVATION for the world in Jesus Christ. But, not only is there salvation for the world - there is SALVATION for YOU because of the lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

Have you accepted this gift and message of JOY for yourself? Have you responded to the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ?

Benediction

As you go, go like the shepherds. Go having heard about the good news of Jesus Christ. Go having witnessed the good news fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Go knowing there is salvation in, by, and through Jesus Christ. AND, like the shepherds, spread this message of JOY and SALVATION with all whom you encounter!!