Luke 2: 8-20
On that ordinary night the shepherds began to watch over their sheep.
Many travelled to their respective hometowns to register for census.
Many came to Bethlehem for census and the town was packed with tourists.
For the people of Judea It was just another ordinary cold winter night to survive.
That ordinary night in Bethlehem was transformed into an extra-ordinary night because of an extra-ordinary birth of a baby boy.
The Creator God chose to become a human at a precise time in the human history.
That is why it will always remain an extra-ordinary night in human history.
Christ’s birth was not only extra-ordinary but also very strange for multiple reasons.
God chose a virgin teenager around 16-17 years to become the mother of HIS incarnation.
God chose a cattle shed to become His birth place.
God chose a manger to become His cradle.
God chose only one group of people the shepherds to announce His birth.
Shepherd played an important role in our Lord’s birth because they were the first to announce HIS birth to others.
So they are called the first evangelists so to speak.
We come across the Scripture learning about shepherds – for some reason God like them.
People of Israelites were shepherds – King David was a shepherd boy who wrote Psalm 23 describing God as Shepherd.
Sheep was used as the sacrificial lamb for the sins at the Jerusalem temple.
Lord Jesus became the Lamb of God to take away the sin.
HE describes Himself as the Good Shepherd – we are HIS sheep.
God’s ways are mysterious and beyond human comprehension.
God intentionally chose the foolish shepherds to announce the Lord’s birth.
Eternal God, Infinite God, Almighty God, breaks into human realm and time in the most humble circumstances possible.
So that HE could include all humanity in HIS eternal plan of salvation.
When God became man, He emptied His glory so that Mary could hold a human baby.
The glory of God is a visible, concentrated manifestation of the nature or presence of God.
Always glory of God associated with shining, brilliant, and extra-ordinarily bright.
In Exodus 33:18-23 we read about God’s glory which no human can see and live.
Glory of God produces awe who perceives it.
When people “see” the glory of God they have heightened, acute awareness of the presence and power of God, the majesty and authority of God Almighty.
Verses 10 to 13 describe 4 things:
1. Good news that causes great joy to all people – birth of Lord is good news
2. A Savior is born – HE is Messiah – the Lord – the Anointed ONE – the Deliverer
3. HE is a little baby boy in a manger
4. Multitude of angels proclaims peace on earth.
The idea of Savior is the extension of the Old Testament for the Deliverer who saves His people
Salvation applies to all areas of life – physical, psychic, and spiritual.
Verb “save” is always used in conjunction with the Lord Jesus Christ – no one else.
To call Jesus Savior is to relate to HIM to God.
The phrase ‘Jesus saves from sin’ is unique to Christian faith.
No other god or goddess is associated with this phrase “who saves from sin”
Verse 14 talks about peace - Peace that comes only thru the Lord Jesus Christ because the sinner is reconciled with a Holy God forever.
From the shepherd’s involvement in Christmas story we learn that:
First the shepherds were willing to take the risk to leave everything behind to visit the new born King.
Secondly, the shepherd understood the importance of the good news of great joy which came to them directly from heaven.
Thirdly, they shared the good news of great joy with everybody.
Fourthly, they themselves were filled with great joy of good news and praised God.
Good news of great joy is for all people of the world and we have to share with those who did not know about it.
On that ordinary night the shepherds began to watch over their sheep.
Many travelled to their respective hometowns to register for census.
Many came to Bethlehem for census and the town was packed with tourists.
For the people of Judea It was just another ordinary cold winter night to survive.
That ordinary night in Bethlehem was transformed into an extra-ordinary night because of an extra-ordinary birth of a baby boy.
The Creator God chose to become a human at a precise time in the human history.
That is why it will always remain an extra-ordinary night in human history.
Christ’s birth was not only extra-ordinary but also very strange for multiple reasons.
God chose a virgin teenager around 16-17 years to become the mother of HIS incarnation.
God chose a cattle shed to become His birth place.
God chose a manger to become His cradle.
God chose only one group of people the shepherds to announce His birth.
Shepherd played an important role in our Lord’s birth because they were the first to announce HIS birth to others.
So they are called the first evangelists so to speak.
We come across the Scripture learning about shepherds – for some reason God like them.
People of Israelites were shepherds – King David was a shepherd boy who wrote Psalm 23 describing God as Shepherd.
Sheep was used as the sacrificial lamb for the sins at the Jerusalem temple.
Lord Jesus became the Lamb of God to take away the sin.
HE describes Himself as the Good Shepherd – we are HIS sheep.
God’s ways are mysterious and beyond human comprehension.
God intentionally chose the foolish shepherds to announce the Lord’s birth.
Eternal God, Infinite God, Almighty God, breaks into human realm and time in the most humble circumstances possible.
So that HE could include all humanity in HIS eternal plan of salvation.
When God became man, He emptied His glory so that Mary could hold a human baby.
The glory of God is a visible, concentrated manifestation of the nature or presence of God.
Always glory of God associated with shining, brilliant, and extra-ordinarily bright.
In Exodus 33:18-23 we read about God’s glory which no human can see and live.
Glory of God produces awe who perceives it.
When people “see” the glory of God they have heightened, acute awareness of the presence and power of God, the majesty and authority of God Almighty.
Verses 10 to 13 describe 4 things:
1. Good news that causes great joy to all people – birth of Lord is good news
2. A Savior is born – HE is Messiah – the Lord – the Anointed ONE – the Deliverer
3. HE is a little baby boy in a manger
4. Multitude of angels proclaims peace on earth.
The idea of Savior is the extension of the Old Testament for the Deliverer who saves His people
Salvation applies to all areas of life – physical, psychic, and spiritual.
Verb “save” is always used in conjunction with the Lord Jesus Christ – no one else.
To call Jesus Savior is to relate to HIM to God.
The phrase ‘Jesus saves from sin’ is unique to Christian faith.
No other god or goddess is associated with this phrase “who saves from sin”
Verse 14 talks about peace - Peace that comes only thru the Lord Jesus Christ because the sinner is reconciled with a Holy God forever.
From the shepherd’s involvement in Christmas story we learn that:
First the shepherds were willing to take the risk to leave everything behind to visit the new born King.
Secondly, the shepherd understood the importance of the good news of great joy which came to them directly from heaven.
Thirdly, they shared the good news of great joy with everybody.
Fourthly, they themselves were filled with great joy of good news and praised God.
Good news of great joy is for all people of the world and we have to share with those who did not know about it.
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