Wonder

The Night

Luke 2:8 HCSB

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.

lk 2

1. It was just Any Ordinary Night

2. Something Out of the Ordinary

Luke 2:9–10 HCSB

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:

Luke 2:9 HCSB

9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

2. Something Out of the Ordinary

The Message

Luke 2:10–12 HCSB

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 a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

luke 2 10 -1 12

1. Good News

They

2. Great Joy

3. Unlimited Reach

4. Interesting And Unusual Sign

This is not what was expected. They would be looking for someone to reveal himself in the context of and adult. Not a vulnerable baby.

Message to us. God does not follow the guidelines we use to reveal his will and Plans. we need to have our eye

The Reaction

1. Of The Heavens

Luke 2:13–14 HCSB

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!

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What do we learn from the Angels reaction?

a. God will Be Glorified

b. God’s People are offered Peace

2. Of the Shepherds

Luke 2:15–16 HCSB

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 feeding trough.

-16

They got together and went to Bethlehem to check it out.

luke 2

This may not seem like a big deal, or it might seem obvious. But how often do we act on what opportunities present themselves to us? Important note, they reacted immediately. The longer you wait to react to God’s prompting the less likely you are to do so.

1. They Did not Keep it Secret

Luke 2:17 HCSB

17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child,

2. People were engaged in their story

Luke 2:17 HCSB

17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child,

luke 2

Luke 2:18 HCSB

18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

What they believed they saw was enough. The testimony going forward is not based on some great appearance it’s based on the convincing testamony of those who carry it forward.

Seeing God at Work during Christmas

At the End of the Grinch Story, there is a revelation. The easily observed aspects of the holiday are not where the secret of Christmas lies at all.

1. Be Alert God might show up at any moment.

for the wise men, they searched long and hard in the stars, for the shepherds it was pretty obvious. they were not looking for it.

2. Be Open to the Unconventional

Even the baby born today carries the miracle Of God at work.

3. React appropriate to the revelation God Gives you

Not all of us have full understanding the shepherds had what story to tell? But they told what they knew, and people were amazed.

4. Live a convincing life.

Don’t be one who is kinda doing the thing one is supposed to. Work to engage the gospel and look for God acting in the world among the ordinary in an extra ordinary way. The world is full of shiny distractions. And oddly those distractions for us can also be a distraction to those watching us as well. God’s message to us is simple, it’s challenging, it’s against the cultural grain, and it comes with the responsibility to carry it forward. So each year there is a present we need to all be faithful to give. Jesus.