Experience Christmas Part 2

Luke 2:8–20 CSB

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

Not ordinary shepherds

Shepherds forbidden to be this close to civilization

Usually kept out in the wilderness

These shepherds were believed to be priestly shepherds

Raising sheep specifically for sacrifice

This is according to the traditions in the “Mishnah”

Mishnah is collection of traditions in place for jews during the times of the pharisees

Typically, we believe the shepherds have to do with a symbol of humility

This case, their primary job was to examine a newborn lamb for any blemishes and to protect it from blemishes.

hat is why the shepherds were first

They were the always the first ones to witness the birth a lamb prepared for sacrifice.

It makes sense that they would be there to witness the birth of Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial lamb.

The Swaddling clothes

This whole passage is about the shepherds’ experience, down to the swaddling clothes

These clothes, many believe, are the same type of cloth that they would use to wrap up the newborn lambs to protect them

Kept them clean

Kept bugs away

Protected from scratches

It is very possible that they got these cloths from Zacharias, a priest who was married to Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin.

Also known as the father of John the Baptist

The Shepherds’ Experience

As if God was making a point through the shepherds

The first on the scene for the birth of a sacrificial lamb, the first for THE sacrificial lamb

Got to examine a lamb first for blemish, examined Christ first for blemish

They saw many lambs born for the purpose of sacrifice

They got to see the final sacrifice

Christ the Sacrificial lamb

Had to be born without blemish

Had to mature without blemish

Had to be found spotless at the time of sacrifice

Herod and Pilate found no fault during his trial

Had to be sacrificed

Jesus fulfilled them all

But the process began with the shepherds

The shepherds were first and so very important

As they praised and worshiped him, they were declaring him as THE sacrificial lamb

The Power of His Sacrifice

Hebrews 10:11–12 CSB

11 Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. 12 But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.

The countless sacrifices

None could fully satisfy

Thousands and thousands

Jesus did it once and for all

Before Christ it was never enough

He was more than enough

Now we can say: “where sin abounds, grace does much more abound”

That is the power of Christ’s sacrifice

The Wise Men

Matthew 2:9–12 CSB

9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

They Sought Jesus

No big announcement

Revealed through their studies

God often speaks in the not so obvious

We need to dig deeper

Believed to have traveled 400 miles

They Came to Worship

Were overwhelmed with joy

Did not come empty handed

Wasn’t about having something put in their hand

Had a gift of worship to offer

Gold

Frankincense

Myrrh

Each gift had significance

1. Gold

a. Gift for a king

Luke 1:31–33 CSB

31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”

2. Frankincense

a. Gift of a Priest

Hebrews 4:14–16 CSB

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

3. Myrrh

a. Anointed One

Acts 10:38 CSB

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him.

The Worship Experience

Mary and Joseph

Carrying Christ in your life experience

Herod

The life changing Experience

Shepherds

The good news experience

Wise Men

the Worship Experience