The Awe of Christmas

Learning from Shepherds

Explain the commercial. This Christmas was going bad, so bad that even the Llamas were sad, until a speaker came on sale and they got their blue tooth speaker delivered at the door. Hasn’t Amazon made Christmas easy. You do not even have to go out to shop anymore.

Christmas I remember it as a kid, one of my favorite memories is getting a Nintendo for Christmas it was amazing.

Mike Tyson’s Punch out

There was this track game

Duck Hunt

Techmo bowl

Now kids and even adults if you get a nice gift that is great. But in our commercialization of Christmas have we missed the baby. Have we missed the very thing it was started for. Have we missed the wonder of Christmas.

I mean this is what Christmas is about.

The very holiday that we have because of Jesus leaves him out.

Christmas, a time that is supposed to be about Jesus, has no room for Jesus.

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Exposition)

“There is no room for God, and that which is of God, in this world.”

What is Christmas really about for you?

Are you caught up in the commercialization of it?

Today I want us to slow down and not forget the AWE of a baby being born, who was coming for the world.

Let us recapture the AWE of Christmas.

It is time to remember what the season is really about.

And who better to learn it from then a couple of shepherds.

1. The first thing that the shepherds teach us about Christmas is that: We need to fear God. (2:8-12).

In this time there were a lot of uncertainties. They were having to take a census, was the government looking at them, were they going to take the babies.

A decree had been ordered, government over reach.

They had to register

Don't we have a lot of things we can be afraid if.

Luke 2:8 (NASB95)

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

These shepherds were just ordinary people doing their job. They had the night shift. This did not seem like a glamorous job.

We forget the glory of the Lord!

Luke 2:9 (NASB95)

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

Then all of the sudden the glory of the Lord is there.

In the Bible if you read about the glory of the Lord is a big deal: the very presence of God is right in front of them.

Moses could not even enter the church building at one point because of the glory of the Lord, Exodus 40:34-35.

And right here and now the glory of the Lord is right in front of them.

Sometimes in church we get so casual about God, that we forget the greatness of God, the glory of the Lords was before them. This was the bigness of God right here and right now in the form of a baby.

How big is you god?

Notice they were frightened!

What will you fear!

Luke 2:10 (NASB95)

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

When God shows up it is easy to be afraid, I mean this is huge. God was there.

Aren’t their a lot of things to be afraid of?

Some things that I get afraid of is are my kids going to be okay, something else I have feared before is am I going to be able to provide for a family. I sometimes fear if things are going to be okay with the church. There is a lot of stuff to fear, just turn on the news.

Now we have two options: we can fear God or we can fear other things.

What are some things you are fearful of right now?

The Bible tells us that we are to fear God.

Proverbs 1:7 NASB95

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Having this fear of God is not the norm anymore, we just have this tiny God that does not need to be feared. The God of the bible is great, he spoke the world into existence. One time in the Bible their was a rebellion and God swallowed people up, read about it. This God now left his throne and became a baby, and we have the opportunity to fear him.

When we fear God we do not have to be afraid of anything.

Why do we not need to be afraid-He brings good news.

Gospel-Good News

When my parents gave me that Nintendo that was good news, but the news only impacted me for a year or so, but it was good news. Why do we not need to be afraid. Because God is bringing good news. That the God of the universe came to us and as John tells us he tabernacled among us. He was completely God and completely man and he lived a sinless life for us so that he could die on the cross for our sins and that we can have a relationship with him for eternity. That Nintendo was good news for a couple of years, this is good news for eternity. He defeated death and you will too if you receive him into your life. The Bible does not teach Karma wher ewe can merit the very favor of God, it teaches us about the unconditional love of God, who loved us while we were still sinners and who wants to have a relationship with you.

We have to receive Good News. I did this in 1998 and began a relationship with God.

Great Joy-

Our culture tells us that Christianity is boring. This good news brings great joy, and the two are inter linked. The Nintendo brought joy, but Jesus brings eternal joy, Christianity is not a boring religion it is a living relationship.

This news is not only for you it is for all people’s

There are people here in this city who need this good news and great joy

There are people all around the world who need this hope right now.

During this time where we think about all the hurting in the world, isn’t this the real answer people need.

Luke 2:11–12 NASB95

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

God’s word came true in a baby!

As early as Gen 3-We see that God predicts that he is going to send his son and defeat sin once and for all.

Micah 5:2 (NASB95)

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Too little to be among the clans of Judah,

From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.

His goings forth are from long ago,

From the days of eternity.”

Isaiah 7:14 (NASB95)

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Luke 2:12 NASB95

“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Are you fearing God this Christmas?

Let’s not miss the Awe of Christmas!

2. The next thing that the shepherds teach us about Christmas is that: Worship is the priority. (2:13-14).

Luke 2:13 (NASB95)

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible Exposition

“… when a child was born the local musicians congregated at the house to greet him with simple music.”

When a child is born this is a time to celebrate. Every child is worth celebrating, but this was not any child. A multitude appeared with the Angel.

There were a lot of angels and heavenly hosts praising God.

Can you picture the biggest concert, biggest event that you have ever participated in, whatever that event is, that would be so miniscule compared to this.

It would be nothing in comparison to this

Luke 2:14 NASB95

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible Exposition

Only once before had a human heard angelic praise, according to biblical revelation (Isa. 6:3).

Isaiah 6:3 (NASB95)

And one called out to another and said,

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts,

The whole earth is full of His glory.”

Why are they praising because the Saviour of the world is here as a baby.

“I can’t wait for eternity, join the song that they are already singing. Holy, Holy are you Lord”

We get to be a part of the greatest thing that has ever taken place.

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible Exposition

“The angels are speaking objectively of the peace that has been won for the whole earth and is intended for all men.”

3. The last thing that the shepherds teach us about Christmas is that: we should live in great anticipation. (2:15-20).

Expect great things, attempt great things. -William Cary

Many times we don’t expect God to move.

Maybe there was a time when you expected God to move in a great way.

Maybe this year you have been so busy that God moving is the furthest thing on your radar.

Are you expecting God to move in 2024.

William Cary was a great missionary who expected God to move in India, a place at the time was basically unreached.

The shepherds were living in anticipation of this Baby.

God wants us to anticipate that not only can he do great things this year but that he will do great things.

Luke 2:15 (NASB95)

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

They wanted to go because they were anticipating God was going to do things.

Remember they had just seen the presence of God. What I have realized the more time I spend with God the more I anticipate that he is going to move, the more I say, God I not only believe he is going to do something, I am like let’s go.

Luke 2:16 (NASB95)

So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

Are you ready to go?

What about in your:

Personal life

Family

Work

What about at the church this upcoming year

Could you picture if we came to church each week saying I can’t wait to go to church because God is going to move.

Luke 2:17 (NASB95)

When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

They believed this was the one.

Isn’t this true, Jesus really is the reason for the season.

They told others with expectation

Luke 2:18–20 (NASB95)

And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.