Luke 2:8-20 / Sign of Christmas
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· 5 viewsThis the last day to celebrate advent. Done on the Christmas service and uses the only white candle.
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As the first Christmas came and went, we see some
unexpected participants in the shepherds. Their encounter, as well as their response, should lead us to consider own participation in the advent of Jesus.
Everyone should be able to relate to the Shepherds story of Christmas, because every Christian as been invited to experience the miraculous birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
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.
Chapter 2 Matthew tells the story of Jesus birth. If this were a movie, you might see the scenes following Mary and Joseph, to the town of Nazareth, as you hear the narrator explaining what you are seeing.
Now in verse, the scene changes a (possibly unlikely) group, the shepherds. It’s night time, and they are our in the field tending sheep, completely unaware of the events that have happened so near to them.
The Sign of Christmas
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
“In the same region...”
Near Christmas but not there.
Nativity Scene is very recognizable in our culture
We see it and know exactly what it is pointing to.
Could you imagine being near the exact location of the actual Nativity.... WHILE IT WAS HAPPENING and yet being unaware of it?!!!!
This was the experience of the Shepard
It just another day. (Doing what shepards do)
Do you remember when you were in the “same region” as Christmas but still not there.
Maybe you couldn’t get off work
Maybe you missed home (or a loved one)
Maybe you just stayed too busy with your daily chores
“It doesn’t feel like Christmas.”
Luke 2:9–10 (ESV)
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.
“I bring you good news of great joy...”
One minute completely disconnected from Christmas
The next minute .... surrounded by the reality of Jesus’ arrival.
Wouldn’t it be great if we all got visited by an angel of the Lord to announce Christmas is here?
The announce is not the same but the message hasn’t changed.
“…GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY that will be FOR ALL THE PEOPLE.”
Joy - more than a FEELING … a REALITY of hope and contentment.
The promise of God about the arrival of a baby that would change the world.
We know Him as Jesus but he has many names
Emmanuel (God with us), King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Christ the Lord.
On this day the Shepards heard the news that this baby is here
AND THIS BABY WILL CHANGE THE WORLD!!!!!
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
“And this will be a sign for you...”
If I got a sign like an angelic being to announce Christmas to me, I would never miss it!
But the angel was actually this sign.
What was the sign that caused you to experience Christmas?
How did God get your attention to the incredible story of love and grace that was happening so close to you.
The Response to Christmas
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.”
When the angles went away...
The excitement of your call will eventually end, then what?
Then you have a decision to make.
Do you pursue this call to participate in the arrival of Christ.
or do you say, “That was cool.” And go back to your normal routine.
16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
They went with haste...
They decided they want to be a part of it
They went with haste.
If we all had that same heart to follow Christ like when we first heard the news.
The excitement of the call has gone but your excitement hasn’t!!!
Because your passion isn’t about cercumstance.
It based on your overwhelming desire to be bear your saviour Jesus
Luke 2:17–18 (ESV)
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.
They made known the saying that they had been told concerning this child.
The story of Christmas is not our story
Just tell them what you know.
This is typical of those who recognize the call to Christmas and respond with passion.
They tell the story of what Christmas is all about.
They talk about Jesus.
I don’t mean in that cold, legalistic way you see some Christians do.
I mean they simply experience joy, and tell others why.
I used to live completely for my self, then I heard the call to follow Christ Jesus. So now Christmas is a yearly reminder of how much God loves me and that I am a part of something so extraordinary.
The Day after Christmas
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
“The Shepherds returned...”
I pray that all of us have and will experience the joy of Christmas.
But we will also need to contend with another experience...
The Day AFTER CHRISTMAS
Glorifying and praising God
Yes, the effects of an experience like that certainly would last awhile.
But could you imagine how tragic it would be for the shepherd to just leave there and go on with life l as if nothing happened?