That Night

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“That night” - The night one of the most incredible things ever to happen in the course of history. The night that would forever change the trajectory of heaven and earth. The night that God had chosen before the foundation of the earth. The night God decided that it was time. The night when God did what only He could do.

It was the night recorded in

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God

he did not think of equality with God

It was the night recorded in

as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God

7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God

(NLT)

he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God

It was the night recorded in

(NLT)

he humbled himself in obedience to God

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

It was the night when Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, the Savior of the world. Scripture tells us that “she wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”

And we pick it up at That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them...

And that night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them...

- - What an unexpected time for such news; Usually at night things are winding down; relaxing from a hard day with the sheep; Kick your sandals off; Grab a snack before hitting the hay; Maybe starting to doze off a little after saying your bedtime prayers.

- - And then… from out of nowhere, Scripture tells us “Suddenly” in their midst is an angel of the Lord. Not your everyday experience. Not something that they were prepared for or even expected to happen.

…and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.

- - Can you imagine what it would have been like? Imagine it being dark. The only light you can see are the stars in the sky and the light coming off the fire that’s been built keeping the coffee pot warm and the smores gooey. And then the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.

- - But I thought it was an angel that appeared to these shepherds. Well, it was, but as a messenger of the Lord, the angel was there on behalf of the Lord, and spoke on behalf of the Lord. So it is with the full authority from heaven - as the angel appears to these shepherds - so shines the radiance of God’s glory.

- - Where God’s messenger goes, so goes the manifestation of His glory.

And as you can imagine… They were terrified

- - Wouldn’t that be a natural response to not just seeing the radiance of God’s glory, but being in the midst of it. It was shining all around them. What was about to happen? No one had said anything yet. Did we do something wrong? Was this the end? They didn’t know what was going on or what was about to happen.

but the angel reassured them. Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

- - And so I can imagine at this point a collective sigh from the shepherds. Whew! It’s good news. In the midst of great fear there we find the greatest of joy. Sometimes the greatest risks develop the greatest rewards. Often times the road may seem narrow and dimly lit, but as long as it’s the one God has marked for you, the destination is worth it.

And so we must ask the question: What’s so special about the shepherds? What’s with the shepherds? Why would God choose the shepherds to be some of the first to hear of this baby in a manger?

- - Why in the world would lowly, simple shepherds out in the fields be the first to be told what had happened that night? They were just shepherds. They were guarding & watching over sheep. They were sleeping in the field.

- - Why didn’t the angel show up to the religious leaders? Why didn’t the angel show up to the highly educated? Why didn’t the angel show up to the popular & prominent? Why didn’t the angel show up to the important or the wealthy?

Why in the world would lowly, simple shepherds out in the fields be the first to be told what had happened that night? They were just shepherds. They were guarding sheep. They were sleeping in fields.

- - Let me ask another question. Why me? Why would God choose to reveal His son to me? Have you ever asked that question?

- - For the Bible tells us in that there is no one righteous, no not one. No one seeks God.

- - In Jesus has this conversation with Nicodemus, a religious leader, “unless you are born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God. The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

6 For a child is born to us,

a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

Isaiah 9:6 NLT

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isn’t it interesting that this message is first revealed to a young bride-to-be, and from there it’s shared with a group of shepherds

Isn’t it interesting that this message is first revealed to a young bride-to-be, and from there it’s shared with a group of shepherds

This is the real meaning of Christmas. That God sends His one and only Son to redeem fallen humanity. That on this particular night there was an inbreaking of the Kingdom of heaven in this little town of Bethlehem. And it’s not a message for only an exclusive group of people, but ultimately for all people. And this should bring us great joy!

This should bring us great joy!

-

- Wait a minute… I thought it was an angel that appeared to these shepherds.

Can you imagine what that would have been like? Can you imagine what it would be like at night? Imagine it being dark. The only light you can see are the stars in the sky and the light coming off the fire that’s been built keeping the coffee pot warm and the smores gooey.

The angel had a posse. As so the angel goes as a representative of the Lord; as an ambassador of the Lord; as a spokesman of the Lord - so goes them the radiance and the glory of the Lord.

They were terrified

- Wouldn’t that be a natural response to seeing the radiance of the Lord’s glory?

Offertory

but the angel reassured them. Don’t be afraid!

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Martin Luther penned these words, “All the angels in heaven, not excluding one, sang, “Glory to God in the highest.” What a shame that all men should not preach this word when all the angels in heaven play it on organs and pipes in eternity! The angels had no bigger congregation than two shepherds in a field. They were filled with too great of joy for words. And we who hear this message, “Behold, I bring you good tidings,” never feel one spark of joy. I hate myself because when I see him laid in a manger, in the lap of his mother, and hear the angels sing, my heart does not leap into flame. With what good reason should we all despise ourselves that we remain so cold when this word is spoken to us over which all men should dance and leap and burn for joy! We act as though it were a frigid, historical fact that does not smite our hearts, as if someone were merely relating that the sultan has a crown of gold.”

- Luther has a poetic boldness with his words.

to all people

- A foreshadowing of things to come that Jesus didn’t just come for Jews, but also for Gentiles.