"Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign"

Introduction

It has been a year of signs, hasn’t it.

Signs that tell us we must wear masks

Signs that tell us that black lives matter, that blue lives matter, that all lives matter,

Signs that tell us that

What do signs do? They point us to something else. A sign is never the end in itself.

Billboards point us to a store where we can buy goodies,

Road signs tell us that an exit is coming,

Closed signs tell us that a business isn’t open for our patronage.

The shepherds were told that there was sign born for them. Let’s look again at verse 8-12 of Luke chapter 2.

Transition: The sign of a baby wrapped in strips of linen and laying in a manger is our salvation.

This Baby Is the Sign of Our Salvation

I wonder how in touch the shepherds were with the roots of the Jewish faith?

These men were rugged individualist who had made it on their own. They could fight the fiercest predators, in fact, that was what they were do that night. They had a different worldview than mainstream Judaism.

They had to make it on their own. What you probably didn’t know is that in the religious life of the Jews shepherds were considered sinners. They were in the same category as tax collectors and prostitutes.

No wonder they were terrified when the angel of the Lord appeared to them, maybe even the same angel that had appeared to their forefathers in the Old Testament. They are enveloped in glory of the Lord. Think of the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem.

The beauty of the story is that the angel puts the shepherds first. They were on the bottom rung of society, but it is to them that good news is proclaimed. Then the angel announces that this salvation is for all people.

Let’s talk about this idea of salvation. If there was one group of people who probably didn’t need salvation it was the shepherds. They could handle anything that would come their way. Or could they?

They were always keenly aware of their position.

Shepherds were banned by the religious leaders to the deserts.

In official Jewish writings it was stated that no one should feel obligated to rescue a shepherd if they fell into a pit.

You were not to buy anything from a shepherd because there was a good chance it was stolen

Whether they talked about it or not, I have a feeling these shepherds longed for salvation.

In your hearts, are you identifying with the shepherds? Do you envy the shepherds? The good news is for you also. This baby is a sign to you of your salvation.

This baby already points to the day when he will die and rise again.

Transition: This sign of a baby wrapped in strips of linen and laying in a manger is proof that God fulfills his promises and is Lord over all.

This Baby is the Sign of God’s Promises Fulfilled and Lord of Creation

It is the Christ who is first announced to the shepherds.

Do you remember a time in your life when you were the first person to hear some good news? Our oldest son. First one’s to hear that it was boy. It matter to us whether it was a girl or a boy. It’s a boy or it’s a girl stands for more than the babies Gender. It’s about their person. Good news that causes tears.

The shepherds are first to hear the good news. With the glory of God engulfing them they are immerse in the good news. They drink the good news, Their salvation has drawn near.

We are then wrapped in this glory of God when we hear that the good news is not just for the shepherds but for all people.

All means all.

This baby is the one born for every human who came before his birth.

This baby is the one born for every human after his birth.

This baby is born as the fulfillment of all of God’s promises. He is the fulfillment of God’s promise to save you.

This baby is Lord of all.

Conclusion

The sign of God’s salvation in our lives once again comes to us wrapped in strips of linen and laying in a manger. Let’s take a long look at this baby as he points us to God’s love. Amen