Untitled Sermon (2)

You are very fortunate. We have a place for you tonight. It is a good thing you didn't arrive yesterday. It was a mad house here. You wouldn't believe all that took place here in Bethlehem. It was bedlam. One family even had to stay out back for there was no room for them in the inn.

And the shepherds, the shepherds were everywhere. We kept them and their sheep outside of town. I hope that you aren't offended by the shepherds and the sheep. They have been spreading rumors about the appearance of angels and heavenly hosts. At first we didn't believe them. The story is preposterous, but it is consistent with all that the prophets foretold about the coming of the Messiah. The experience of these past 24 hours fulfills the prophecies of hundreds of years. Having visited the manger myself, I believe that the shepherds are telling the truth. In fact the events of these past 24 hours have changed my life. Would you like to hear the story?

The Shepherds were watching for new lambs to be born

Walking toward the nativity round pen camp fire lighting the area.

According to the shepherds they were merely keeping watch over their flocks by night. We have more sheep here in Bethlehem than we do people. But I don't have to tell you that. Sheep are part of every Jews everyday life. Sheep and shepherds are a part of our culture. It was a lamb skin that covered Adam and Eve back in the Garden of Eden. It was the blood of the lamb that covered the door posts when the death angel passed over the Israelites in Egypt. It was a lamb that is sacrificed on the day of Atonement. And it is a lamb that is slain by every family during the Jewish Passover. And, the Messiah was to be called the Lamb of God. But you already knew all that right?

Indeed this is lambing season here in Bethlehem. That's why the shepherds had to keep watch over their flocks by night. It is lambing season and they couldn't leave their sheep unattended. They were expecting lambs, but last night they received the announcement that the Lamb of God had come into the world as a baby lying in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. (Luke 2:8)

Angels announce Jesus birth to the shepherds

Angel lights up on top of the pavilion – lights go off on shepherds and onto angel on top of pavilion

According to the Shepherds an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around about them and they were terrible frightened. And the angel said to them. Do not be afraid; behold I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there had been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.

Sudden appearance of a Heavenly Host

Lights in all three locust trees come on

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. (Luke 2:9-20)

Follow the Shepherds to Bethlehem

So the shepherds followed the angel's instructions and left their sheep in the pasture and hurried to town to find the baby lying in a manger. Let's follow them to see how their story unfolds.

Quiet reflection of that “One Silent Night” long ago

Approach the Pavilion and see the shepherds with Mary, Joseph and Jesus – lights go off angel and dim lights come up on nativity in pavilion

The Shepherds told us that they found the baby sleeping. Look He is still there and we don’t want to interrupt this special moment of worship between the Shepherd’s and the new born Lamb of God so we ask that everyone remain silent. After all this is “One Silent Night.” We invite you to quietly reflect on what this baby’s birth means to you.

Pause for quiet reflection -

Shepherds hold the baby Jesus and then return to their sheep to tell others about what they have seen and heard.

The Wise men arrive from the East

After a few minutes the inn keeper whispers

About this same time the birth of Jesus must have been announced to magi from the east. Matthew records that they arrived in Jerusalem looking for Jesus. “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him? The prophet Micah had written “And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a ruler, who will shepherd my people Israel.” “And lo the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over where the Child was. (Mat 2:1-12)

Wise men walk in from behind the hay bales bringing gifts and leading llamas – People watch silently as they bow and present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh

Gifts of Gold Frankincense and Myrrh

Traditionally the gifts the Magi brought to worship the King symbolized the three natures of Christ. He was King and rightly deserving of a gift of gold. He was also true God and rightly deserving of the gift of incense which was burned as a sweet offering to God. He was also true man and rightly deserving of the burial ointment used to embalm dead bodies. These provisions for the new born child and his parents paid their way to go to Egypt and flee from evil Herod.

Personal Testimony

Having heard the shepherds and seeing for myself, the Lamb of God, lying there in the manger I believed. It changed my whole perspective. Because the prophets spoke the truth and the truth of their prophecies was fulfilled right here in Bethlehem. I believe. I pray that you too will believe.

The Cross – The Rest of the Story

Lights go off in the pavilion and the group moves to the left to look up the ridge toward the cross.

Our story is not quite finished. In fact, the birth of Jesus was only the beginning. The prophets tell us that He would grow to become a man, live a holy and sinless life, be rejected by the religious leaders of the day, be condemned by the people, be crucified, pierced with a spear to prove that He was dead, be buried in a tomb, and then He would rise again from the dead on Easter Sunday. (Mat 27:33-28:20, Mark 15:22-16:20, Luke 23:33–24:50, John 19:16-21:25)

· This baby who was born one silent night came to offer Himself as a once and for all time sacrifice for our sin. (Eph 5:2, Acts 9:26, Heb 10:12)

· This baby who was born one silent night did not come to condemn the world, but came to save the world. (John 3:17, Luke 19:10)

· This baby who was born one silent night came that you and I might have life and that we might have life more abundantly. (John 10:10)

· This baby who was born one silent night so loved the world that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Light of the cross on the ridge becomes visible

This little baby had an appointment with a Roman cross some thirty years later. And it all happened just as the prophets had foretold. Do you believe?

Directions to your accommodations.

Walking toward the loft of the barn

Please be our guest in the inn. We have prepared a warm place with food and warm accommodations. There is even music to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to reflect on what you have seen tonight - this “One Silent Night.” We also have a special gift for each family to take home with them. Be aware however, that Roman soldiers remain as the governing authority here in Bethlehem. Show them due respect and if they ask to see you credentials, be sure to comply with their requests. You all have paid your taxes right?