Searching For Christ in Christmas

Welcome

Opening Scripture

Luke 2:8–20 (ESV) — 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

What Was The Immediate Response

Now after the shepherds heard the message from the angel, and witnessed heaven celebrating the announcement of the birth of Jesus the Messiah, what was their immediate response? “the shepherds said to one another 15 “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us””

The shepherds encouraged each other about going to the place where Jesus the Messiah was supposed to be, in Bethlehem, right?

Let me bring it home for us today. Jesus is supposed to be wherever his followers are, Right! wherever Christians are; In my hometown of Drogheda, in Ireland, in College Park, the city I live in at present, in your city of Silver Spring, in Laurel, in Capital Heights, in Hyattsville, in Lanham, fill in the blank ___________ with the name of your city. Now it comes to me that the shepherds would most likely not have made a beeline to where Jesus was, they would probably have knocked on a few doors inquiring if a baby named Jesus was staying there.

Now in case you might think that because the shepherds were told that because they would find the Baby lying in a manger/feeding-trough for animals, that they would be looking in farms and barns, our equivalent of where animals are kept, but that was not the case in Jesus’s day. In that time period, homes, and other buildings, such as inns, our equivalent of a Bed and Breakfast, had a room at the lower level where the animals would be kept, in the case of an Inn/Bed and Breakfast this would be the equivalent of our present-day parking garage; if you came by car or donkey this is where your transportation would be kept.

Back to our shepherds.

I would think that these shepherds would have knocked on quiet a few doors looking for Jesus. If they came to your town or city today and knocked on your door would they find who they are looking for?

Well, we don’t really have Jesus, BUT, we have Turkey, Ham, Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans, and Mac and Cheese, no, the shepherds would say, that’s not what we are looking for, well hold on now, we also have gifts to give to each other, and we might even have gifts for you, no, the Wise Men would say, we already have gifts, but they are not for us, they are for Jesus; well just a minute, we are about to sing songs about Jesus, surely you will join us for that? No, they would say, we are wanting to be in presence of the Savior of the human race, the King of kings, and Lord of Lords, we are looking for Jesus the Son of God.

Is he in your house this Christmas Day?

17 And when they found him, the went and told everyone that Jesus is in Hyattsville, Jesus is in Silver Spring, Jesus is in College Park, Jesus is in Laurel, Jesus is in Lanham, Jesus is in Drogheda, Jesus is in your house.

18 And all who heard it wondered at what they were told. They may not be instantly saved, but Something will have been deposited in their soul that will cause them to wonder/marvel at the story of Christmas at your house.

Glorifying and Praising God

Verse 20 tells us that the shepherds went back to where they came from, they were glorifying and praising God for what they had heard and seen.

In what condition will people leave your house today?

Will they be full of the Christmas cheer (alcohol) and indigestion from too much food?

Or will they be giving praise and glory to God, and wonder at what they have heard and seen?

Represent Him Well Today

Brothers and sisters in Christ, represent Him well today, on His Christmas Day

ALTAR CALL (prayer, because

1. you might be thinking that your home on this Christmas Day will be nothing like that which will bring honor and glory to Jesus the Son of God)

2. You may need courage to initiate something that will show us of why we are celebrating this Christmas Day)

Well, if you are watching this Christmas Day service, you are off to a good start.

LET’S PRAY

Benediction