Sermon Tone Analysis
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The Shepherds Visit Jesus
The Shepherds
Nativity Play
We should not think Shepherding was a glamorous job.
The Shepherds Visit Jesus
Introduction and Acknowledgements
My name is Mark and I am the Pastor here.
Introduction
It is an honour to welcome you all again at this special time of year.
Thank-you children and thank-you to all who have taken part in this special Christmas celebration today.
Thank-you also to all those who have decorated the church.
It is lovely.
Bethlehem
(Same Slide as Nativity Play)
Bethlehem was not the biggest place.
The picture portrays its smallness well.
There was only one Inn.
And on that night, on that so special night, Bethlehem was full to the brim.
Everybody had come home
Literally.
Not home for the holidays.
There was only one Inn.
But home for the Roman censor, to be registered and counted.
It was full too.
It was the modern equivalent of the election role, but without the elections
It was mostly for
Not a room left, even at inflated prices.
That part has not changed.
Mary and Joseph
(Slide)
Mary and Joseph were tired and they desperately needed rest.
They had traveled about 70 Miles over a few days.
It had been a long journey.
From Nazareth in the North, which lies in the region of the Sea of Galilee, traveling south, as the River Jordan flows south, passed Jerusalem, and then on to Bethlehem.
The journey was made even more difficult as Mary was nearing her time to give birth.
Who would have wanted to make this journey at such a time.
But what a nine months it had been for Mary.
Since the visit of the Angel Gabriel.
The one who stands in the very presence of God.
To tell her that the power of the most high will come upon her and she will conceive and have a son.
A son who will change everything.
Mary reflected and treasured all these things in her heart.
With that deep and radiant joy of an expectant mum.
They made it.
No Room in the Inn
(Slide)
They finally arrived at Bethlehem!
The “Are we there yet” were over.
But there was no room in the Inn.
We read it earlier in Luke’s account.
That is Inn, singular.
One Inn.
Of-course, It was full.
Not a room left, even at inflated prices.
They eventually found somewhere to stay
It was not glamorous, it would not even get a 1 star rating today.
The Shepherds
(Slide)
The Shepherds were nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
We should not think of Shepherding as glamorous job.
It was not!
When you thought about careers for your son in first century Israel, shepherding was low on that list.
You know how parents talk about the achievements of their children.
Shepherding was spoken of in a low and soft tone.
What is your son doing these days?
Low tone… “Oh, he is a shepherd”, Higher tone “BUT the flock of sheep is very large”
There were no Land-Rovers or John Deere Tractors or all terrain vehicles.
It was not the case in 1st century Israel when Jesus was born.
(Pause)
It was a clear and starry night.
The fire was lit.
The shepherds were watching over their flocks.
It was just like any other night of shepherding.
Or was it?
The Birth Announcement
(Slide)
Jesus had been born.
There had been no earthy fanfare.
No baby shower.
No party.
No releasing of coloured balons to announce the sex of the baby.
The Saviour of the World had been born.
Unnoticed by mankind.
(Pause)
But now something was going to happen!
Heaven could not just keep quiet over such an event.
so much better was about to happen.
Heaven was about to put on the best possible birth announcement of all
A company of Angels were sent to bring the glad tidings.
To those Shepherds, watching their flocks at night.
We read it earlier in Luke’s account,
What about that for a birth announcement!
But why to Shepherds?
But why to Shepherds?
The Good Shepherd
Yes during his ministry Jesus would liken himself to a shepherd, the good shepherd.
Those were the same lambs that would be sold to be used in the temple in Jerusalem for , only some 5 miles away for slaughter.
And Jesus is the very best of shepherds.
He protects, He cares, He feeds and He tends all who will come to Him and follow Him.
The Lamb of God
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