Luke 2:8-20
Christians today lost the wonder and amazement of the Christmas story completely.
My effort is to recapture that wonder & amazement associated with the supernatural element in every Christmas story.
In the first century, shepherds were generally deemed as dishonest people.
The honesty and integrity of shepherds in those days was so questionable that they were not even allowed to testify in a court of law.
The angel of God came to the most despised of people on earth in Israel.
He came to the people who were outcasts from all respectable society in Israel.
That night was just an ordinary night by any stretch of imagination in and around Bethlehem.
Ordinary winter night in Bethlehem was transformed into an extra-ordinary night because of the supernatural way an angel came to announce the birth of Lord Jesus.
I. THE SUPERNATURAL MESSENGER (8-9)
The supernatural messenger came in the darkness of night.
We know that the Glory of the Lord is always associated with brilliant powerful light.
When people “see” the glory of God, they have heightened acute awareness of the presence & power, the majesty & authority of the holy God.
Manifestation of the ‘glory of God’ reflects the greatness of Almighty God.
God intentionally chose the foolish shepherds to see that Shekinah glory.
Immediate response of these shepherds was nothing but sheer terror & panic.
II. THE SUPERNATURAL MESSAGE (10-12)
In the annals of human history no religious Scriptures ever recorded a message like “good news of great joy for all people”.
First the angel calms the fears of the shepherds, which is foremost in angel’s agenda.
After calming the nerves of the poor shepherds the angel delivers the supernatural message.
It’s good news that will cause great joy for all people.
The emphasis is on the effect on hearer – such good news will have a definite affect.
So what is the good news? (11-12)
“Savior” in Greek is soter applied to Jesus, is an extension of the Old Testament idea of God saving & delivering His people.
Salvation applies to all areas of life physical & spiritual – God saving the physical life for the eternal existence – saved from sin – fit for eternity.
As Savior Jesus is the Christ or Messiah – the anointed One designated for saving the humankind from their sin.
The supernatural message has the markings of the physical – so the message is authentic.
It’s not making us to believe- it has physical proof to support – not a myth or fairy tale.
III. THE SUPERNATURAL MOMENT (13-14)
Now we have multitude of angels surrounding them and singing.
This is even more terrifying than the first angel.
We don’t know how many angels came to join the first.
A great company of thousands of angels was making it absolutely supernatural.
Just imagine thousands of white robed angels appeared and singing praises to God.
The humble shepherds had a glimpse of heaven for a brief supernatural moment.
Again we hear the echo of “glory to God” – the authority & power of Holy God.
IV. THE SUPERNATURAL MISSION (15-17)
Angels never told them to go and see the baby.
The impact of the visit of angels and the good news was so great on their mind that they left the flock for a brief moment to run to Bethlehem to see the baby.
They found exactly as it was described to them.
The humble shepherds were the first evangelists to go on the supernatural mission to share the good news of a Savior to the whole world.
Today we are given a privilege and great opportunity to share the great news with others.
The good news whoever receives it has great joy of knowing that a Savior is born for them.
Our joy is in sharing the good news of great joy with others about a Savior in Lord Jesus Christ.
This supernatural message will have a great effect on the hearer every time they hear.
Christians today lost the wonder and amazement of the Christmas story completely.
My effort is to recapture that wonder & amazement associated with the supernatural element in every Christmas story.
In the first century, shepherds were generally deemed as dishonest people.
The honesty and integrity of shepherds in those days was so questionable that they were not even allowed to testify in a court of law.
The angel of God came to the most despised of people on earth in Israel.
He came to the people who were outcasts from all respectable society in Israel.
That night was just an ordinary night by any stretch of imagination in and around Bethlehem.
Ordinary winter night in Bethlehem was transformed into an extra-ordinary night because of the supernatural way an angel came to announce the birth of Lord Jesus.
I. THE SUPERNATURAL MESSENGER (8-9)
The supernatural messenger came in the darkness of night.
We know that the Glory of the Lord is always associated with brilliant powerful light.
When people “see” the glory of God, they have heightened acute awareness of the presence & power, the majesty & authority of the holy God.
Manifestation of the ‘glory of God’ reflects the greatness of Almighty God.
God intentionally chose the foolish shepherds to see that Shekinah glory.
Immediate response of these shepherds was nothing but sheer terror & panic.
II. THE SUPERNATURAL MESSAGE (10-12)
In the annals of human history no religious Scriptures ever recorded a message like “good news of great joy for all people”.
First the angel calms the fears of the shepherds, which is foremost in angel’s agenda.
After calming the nerves of the poor shepherds the angel delivers the supernatural message.
It’s good news that will cause great joy for all people.
The emphasis is on the effect on hearer – such good news will have a definite affect.
So what is the good news? (11-12)
“Savior” in Greek is soter applied to Jesus, is an extension of the Old Testament idea of God saving & delivering His people.
Salvation applies to all areas of life physical & spiritual – God saving the physical life for the eternal existence – saved from sin – fit for eternity.
As Savior Jesus is the Christ or Messiah – the anointed One designated for saving the humankind from their sin.
The supernatural message has the markings of the physical – so the message is authentic.
It’s not making us to believe- it has physical proof to support – not a myth or fairy tale.
III. THE SUPERNATURAL MOMENT (13-14)
Now we have multitude of angels surrounding them and singing.
This is even more terrifying than the first angel.
We don’t know how many angels came to join the first.
A great company of thousands of angels was making it absolutely supernatural.
Just imagine thousands of white robed angels appeared and singing praises to God.
The humble shepherds had a glimpse of heaven for a brief supernatural moment.
Again we hear the echo of “glory to God” – the authority & power of Holy God.
IV. THE SUPERNATURAL MISSION (15-17)
Angels never told them to go and see the baby.
The impact of the visit of angels and the good news was so great on their mind that they left the flock for a brief moment to run to Bethlehem to see the baby.
They found exactly as it was described to them.
The humble shepherds were the first evangelists to go on the supernatural mission to share the good news of a Savior to the whole world.
Today we are given a privilege and great opportunity to share the great news with others.
The good news whoever receives it has great joy of knowing that a Savior is born for them.
Our joy is in sharing the good news of great joy with others about a Savior in Lord Jesus Christ.
This supernatural message will have a great effect on the hearer every time they hear.
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