The Joy at Christmas
Christmas Series 2024 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 14 viewsShepherd’s Candle symbolizing their joy at hearing of the birth
Notes
Transcript
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace,
Good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Introduction
Introduction
I remember several years ago during the pandemic many people were discouraged. Melody and I were talking about that yesterday. 2020 was probably one of the worst years many people had experienced in a long time. However, I remember during those first few months that people were actually taking out their Christmas decorations and putting them back up. In the midst of their fear and loneliness, people were in need of joy. Every year we put up decorations to remember the joy of Christmas. We find joy in our garlands and lights. We find joy in our nutcrackers and villages. We find joy in our lawn decorations. But where did that joy begin? Where can the joy at Christmas be found?
As we think about the joy at Christmas, let’s look at where we have been. The hope at Christmas was the longing and prophesying of the ancients that someone would come and take away their sins. The peace at Christmas was the fulfillment of the promises of God in the hearts of the people who were struggling in trials and challenges. Both of these pointed to Christ as the source of the remedy for our sins.
For we are sinners! We have all violated the commands and laws of God. Likely, we have even done so today. That sin is not acceptable to God who is perfect and holy.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Because of our sin problem, we deserve eternal punishment in a place called hell. Here, there is no hope of return. There is no joy or peace in hell. Instead there is just punishment for sin.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
How can we say that we have joy if there is sin that keeps us from fellowship eternally with God? Where can joy be found? Where is the joy at Christmas?
In our passage this morning, we focus on a group of people that were not considered the chosen of society. Instead, they were considered unwanted, dishonest, and unclean. Why would Luke focus on them instead of the rich and powerful? Luke takes time to recognize the normal people. He wants to focus on these who were willing to make themselves available to God through humility.
Instead of being “religious” on the outside, the shepherds were “responsive” on the inside. In fact, these responsive men are shepherds that were unable to give witness in a trial. They were considered untruthful. When they told others things, they were disbelieved. This is actually the only time that we see shepherds mentioned as a group by name in the New Testament.
Where can we learn about the joy at Christmas? We can find it through the eyes of the shepherds.
Declaration
Declaration
The announcement of the Saviour's arrival must be met with joy. Until Jesus arrives, there is fear. Without Jesus, there is only wonder. In Jesus, there is eternal salvation. Two commands are found in the message to the shepherds.
1. Reject Fear
1. Reject Fear
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
The shepherds
The shepherds
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Moving out of the first section of verses in Luke, we find a different scene from the stable where Mary and Joseph delivered the Babe. The story brings us to a scene outside of the walls of Bethlehem. Unlike the warm confines of a stable or room, here we have a cold, windy evening. Surrounded by only their sheep, shepherds spent their evenings under the stars and the moon. The word “abiding” indicates that they lived their lives primarily outdoors. They slept there. They ate there. Among these sheep, they were accustomed to spend their days and nights. One person speaking of a pastor has said, “A shepherd smells like sheep.” So it is for the pastor/shepherd of a church and so it was for these men in Luke 2.
In addition to their environment, we see the actions of these men. The shepherds were diligently guarding and providing for their animals. If there was a predator, they would kill it. If there was a thief, they fought him to prevent a loss of even on sheep. It is believed that because Bethlehem was within the specific boundary of Jerusalem, all sheep that were cared for here would have been specific to the religious use of the Temple. Losing only one sheep would have been an obstacle to the worship of God.
The job of the shepherd dates back to almost the beginning of history. Sheep were important in the ancient world, as well as today, for their wool. The job of the shepherd in Israel had even greater worth. He provided a primary means of offering to God according to the law. Here, we see men who are near to the Temple caring for their livestock as they await whichever feast was next to occur. Perhaps, they would take what they had to the capital of Jerusalem to sell it for the sacrifice of some out-of-town Jew.
The arrival of the angel
The arrival of the angel
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
In these fields outside the city, an angel suddenly arrives in the sky above. The “angel of the Lord” comes to these shepherds. Why does he come to them? What could be the purpose of an angelic appearance when there had not been much communication from God for the last 400 years. He comes to bring a message of joy where before was only loneliness and sin.
There is a light that illuminates the entire area around the shepherds. Surely, this must have been a shocking change from the dim light of a dying fire. We see this same word used by Luke on the road to Damascus. Paul is blinded by that light as he speaks with Christ.
At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
But why the shepherds? There have been several suggestions given for the appearance to these shepherds,
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume ποιμήν, ἀρχιποίμην, ποιμαίνω
Theories explaining their presence are (1) that there is similarity to the story of the child Osiris; (2) that they represent the ideal world; (3) that they represent the sinners for whom the gospel is intended; (4) that they carry a reference to David; and (5) that they are the only ones awake at the time.
Whatever the reason, God chose to send this angel to people who were ready to receive the message. Are you ready for the message of the angel? How will you react to the announcement that is about to occur?
Joy over Fear
Joy over Fear
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
The response of the shepherds to this arrival is fear. They were concerned that something was happening. The angel is met with fear by mankind as so many other angels have been before. Why would someone be afraid of an angel? Surely, as we ourselves have never seen one, the sight must be one that points to the holiness of God and the gravity of the angel’s message.
Here, God has chosen to interact with the ordinary people of Judea. The wise men showed us that God cares about those who are searching for Him. Mary and Joseph point to the care that God has for His chosen servants as they carry out His will. However, the shepherds are different. They did come out to the fields to look for an angel. They were not there because God had commanded them to be waiting. Instead, the shepherds point to the care that God has for each of us where we are today.
The angel uses the word “behold” in verse 10 to show that they need to consider and pay attention to the announcement. Pay attention! Look and Listen! Realize the significance of this appearance!
Here, God has chosen to show His plan to bring all into fellowship with Him. The message of joy by the angel reveals this plan in the face of fear. When our condition was without remedy, God made a way.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
We see the promise of the angel is one of joy to all people. Here is the joy at Christmas. Joy is the Saviour of the world who came to die for you. What are you going to do about these tidings? One writer said this,
Luke–John Luke 2:8–14
Joy,a recurring Lukan motif, is the proper response to God’s saving deed.
There is an adjective that is used here as well as the promise of joy. The angel says that there is “great joy”. The joy that is offered to the world is superior. There is breadth to this joy. It is at the maximum end of the joy spectrum. Why so “great”? Because this is joy that is connected to eternal redemption.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Spurgeon said it this way,
The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Vol. XVII Joy Born at Bethlehem (No. 1,026)
Earth’s joy is small, her mirth is trivial, but heaven has sent us joy immeasurable, fit for immortal minds.
What is the first command of the angel to the shepherds? What does he say to us today in our sinful condition? Reject Fear. Wherever you are in your life today, reject fear!
Reject Fear
2. Realize Faith
2. Realize Faith
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace,
Good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
In verses 11-14, we find the message of the angel in its full delivery. The angel has commanded the shepherd to reject their fear. He now commands them to Realize Faith.
The Message
The Message
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
The angel announces to the shepherds that Someone is born on that day in the nearby city. Without revealing His name, Jesus is called three titles by the angel in verse 11.
Saviour - Jesus will bring us out of our sinful condition. He will remake us into righteous people because of His righteousness. He has taken us from our sin to His salvation.
He shall receive the blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
Christ - Jesus will rule and protect those who are destined for His kingdom. The entrance into the kingdom is only available to those who will believe on Jesus as Saviour. The coming Messiah would be the Son of God.
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Lord - Jesus is God Himself. This Greek word was used in the LXX to translate the YHWH name of God. As such, calling Jesus “Lord” here is pointing to His Deity even to the shepherds. Jesus is “God with us,” and He will be with the saved for eternity.
I will declare the decree:
The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son;
This day have I begotten thee.
Ask of me,
And I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance,
And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
The message of the angel is that God is now here with mankind. He has arrived in the town of Bethlehem. He has chosen to take on the form of a man. Because He is man, He will die in our place and rise again to give us eternal life. One day, He will reign on earth.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
The Sign
The Sign
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
How will you know that the baby is the right one? Perhaps there were dozens of babies born in the town of Bethlehem that night. What if there was a baby born in luxury to royal parents, would that be Him? The angel tells the shepherds, “You must look for the characteristics that show a Saviour.”
Wrapped in swaddling clothes - There are at least two views about the wrapping of Jesus in swaddling clothes. One points to the presence of the swaddling clothes in the burial of those who have died. Jesus will one day give His life and be buried in a borrowed tomb. The other view is that, because lambs were wrapped in swaddling clothes immediately after birth, this points to Jesus as the perfect Lamb who would die for our sins. Whichever view we take, one of the characteristics of the right Saviour is someone who will give His life willingly for the lost world.
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Lying in a manger - The right babe was in a humble place unlike any other palace or villa. Jesus was in a manger. The Bread of Life was in the feeding trough of the barn animals. Why would the Saviour come to earth like this?
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
The Journey into Town
The Journey into Town
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace,
Good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
As the angels leave the scene, the shepherds came as fast as they could go to find the child. What will be your reaction to the message of salvation? Will you come today to see the Saviour of the world? In the 23rd chapter of his Gospel, Luke tells us the future realization of Jesus as our Saviour.
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Come with haste! Come to Jesus! He offers you the same good will that the shepherds were given. Come to Jesus today!
Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament Luke 2:15–21
The faith of the shepherds is shown by their immediate obedience.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2823 Haydn’s Music
Haydn, the great musician, was once asked why his church music was so cheerful, and he replied: “When I think upon God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes dance and leap, as it were, from my pen, and since God has given me a cheerful heart it will be pardoned me that I serve Him with a cheerful spirit.”
The announcement of the Saviour's arrival must be met with joy. Until Jesus comes, there is fear. Without Jesus as the shepherds see from their testimony, there is only wonder. In Jesus, there is eternal salvation.
Joy is central to the Christmas story. It is used 3 times in Luke 1-2. 1:14, 1:44, 2:10. It is used once in Matt 2:10. Both the wise men and the shepherds experience joy at the birth of Jesus.
Where is your joy at Christmas? Is it in the decorations, time with family or some other tradition? True joy is found in the Saviour of the world born that night. Find your joy in Him today.
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Realize you are a sinner - Rom 3:23
Recognize sin must be paid for - Rom 6:23
Christ has paid for your sin - Rom 5:8
Accept the gift of His salvation today for there is joy at Christmas
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
