INTRODUCTION:
How are we celebrating Christmas
today? New dress, good food ... in a worldly way with pomp and pride! How did the poor shepherds' celebrate the first
Christmas? If we compare and contrast our way of celebrating Christmas with
that of the shepherds' then we can know how hypocritical are and lost the true
meaning of Christmas.
Today so many children are born
in our private and government hospitals. Unless they are related to us (friends
or relatives) we will not go and visit them. We are not at all concerned about
the numerous children born every day in the-nearby
hospitals. The shepherds are commendable because the child born was not at all
related to them in any way. They went and paid their respect. When a child
is born it was customary in those days for the local singers and musicians to
congregate in the house of the new born babe to greet the child. Jesus born in
a stable in Bethlehem and therefore that ceremony could not be carried out. It
was a lovely thought for the heavenly host who took that place and sang for
Jesus that the earthly singers could not sing. Further it was not a human
announcement but rather by the angels who were busy in the birth of Jesus
(Messengers to Mary, Elizabeth, Zachariah, Joseph and Shepherds).
First a single angel (v. 9)
appeared to do the announcement, then a host of angels appeared to sing (v. 13)
happy birthday. When we sing it, we sing it for the concerned person; but
Jesus' happy birthday song was different from ours which is for the whole
universe. This doxology was related to the heaven and earth. Today we have the
privilege and responsibility of sharing the good news to the world and angels
cannot take our place. The angels were not sent to the chief priests or elders
but to the shepherds. Why did God choose the shepherds to receive the message
first? It was from Old Testament we know that it was the shepherds (Abraham, Jacob, Moses,
David) who responded positively and obeyed to God. A brief outline about the
shepherds can be highlighted as follows. The shepherds in the birth of Christ:
1.Heard. 2. Believed. 3. Obeyed. 4. Received. 5.
Testified. 6. Rejoiced. 7. Praised.
A king worried his court by often
disappearing and walking incognito among his people. When he was asked not to
do so for security reason, he answered; I cannot rule my people unless I know
how they live". We have a God who knows the life
we live because he too lived it and claimed no special advantage over common
men. In Matthew God used the star to guide the Magi and in Luke we see the
angels in relation to the shepherds. To
each, God chose to speak in the language they were most conversant with.
1. SIMPLE
SHEPHERDS: On the
night of the incarnation the shepherds received the message first how fitting
it was. The birth of the GOOD SHEPHERD, GREAT SHEPHERD, CHIEF SHEPHERD, LAMB OF
GOD, was announced to poor shepherds whose minds were prepared by the Holy
Spirit. The Light of the World was born in the
night. When Christ was born, the good news was not announced to the parents or
relatives or friends of Joseph and Mary. It was not revealed to the
self-righteous Pharisees or priests Instead the first announcement was to the
shepherds who were despised by the orthodox people of the day. They were not
able to keep the details of the ceremonial law; they could not observe the
meticulous hand washings and rules and regulations. 'The
flocks made far too constant demands on them and so looked down by the people.
It was to these simple men who were at the lowest rank of the social order.
God's message was a "Super message of Fear Not, Joy and Peace".
2. SPECIAL
SHEPHERDS: In the
temple every morning and evening an unblemished lamb was
offered as sacrifice to God. To see that supply of perfect offering was always
available, the Temple authorities had their own private flocks which were
pastured near Bethlehem. It was likely to these shepherds who looked after the
Temple lambs, the first announcement was
made about the Lamb of God who takes the sins of the world. They were
privileged and first to see the Lamb of God.
3. SLEEPLESS
(WATCHFUL) SHEPHERDS (V.8): They were on duty and devoted to their work to protect the sheep
from the wild animals and thieves. Though sleep is a blessing from God (Ps.
127:3), we have to be agile and keep awake at times to fulfill God's role. The
three disciples were sleeping in the garden of Gethsemane when they were
expected to keep awake. Love not too much sleep (Prov. 20:13); be awaken (Rom.
13:11, 12).
4. SURPRISED
SHEPHERDS: (v.18): The
appearance of an angel surprised them. So far in their lives they had been in
the field many days and no angel appeared to them. This was the first time in
their life seeing an angel while on duty. The annunciation message also
surprised them. The glory of God (shekinah) represented the holiness and
visible blessing of God's presence in the Old Testament (Ex. 24:16; Isa. 6:1-3;
Rom. 9:4). It was the glory which filled the
tabernacle (Ex. 40:34, 35) the temple (I Kings 8:11). At the mount of
Transfiguration (Mt. 17) and during the martyrdom, Stephen (Acts. 7:55) and
Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:6-11) had seen this light or Glory. It
was the same glory. It was the same glory which encompassed the shepherds and
they were surprised. Today promotion in work, good result in exams, large
amount in lottery etc may surprise us; but not God's
message. But it was God's message which
surprised the shepherds.
5.
SHARING SHEPHERDS (V.17):
1. They would have shared to Joseph
and Mary the whole incident and how they came to that place to see baby
Jesus.
That
news would have encouraged Joseph
and Mary to understand the supernatural savior.
2. They spread the word and became the
first evangelists of the Christian era. They believed the words of the angels and therefore spoke. If we were in that situation how would have we responded?
6.
RESPONDING SHEPHERDS: While Herod the King, the Jewish priests
rejected the information about the birth of Jesus, the shepherds
responded positively. Their response sets a precedent for us.
a. THEY SPOKE
EXCITEDLY: It was not the appearance and seeing of the
angels that excited them, but the good news of Jesus' birth. It amazed
them. What is the good news that excites you? Money, work, business, sports, pleasure etc? Christ is born for
you.
Does
this excite you? If yes, then you will be sharing it with others.
b.
THEY SPOKE RECIPROCALLY: They began to talk about the
good news to one another. Birth of a child, purchase of a new house, getting new job etc- we share with others since we
are social beings. We love to talk
about things we love and enjoy. The passage highlights the one another needs and responsibilities because "no
man is an island". I need you and you need me. What do men talk with one another? Politics,
finance, cinema, our problems, work or evil about a third person. Have you spoken about Christ to your roommate,
colleague and your family members (if they are non-Christians?). They spread the
word and told others about the
child (vv.17, 18). When God speaks we should receive His message with right earnestness and
share with others (Cf: Samaritan woman who shared the message with her villagers; scattered early Christians
preached the gospel Acts 8:4). Do you have the compulsion to tell others the good news of Christ?
c. THEY SPOKE EXHORTATIONALLY: “Let us” hortatory clause which calls
others to join us in action. They interacted with each other about the course of action in response to the message received.
We need exhortation, comfort, and encouragement. "Let us" exhortation occur 56 times in the New Testament and with over 30 of these in
the epistles. Do not ignore others; join hand with others in action. The shepherds did not doubt
the message of the angel; instead they acted together.
d.
THEY ACTED
PURPOSEFULLY: After receiving the message they responded to it in faith.
Their goal was to go and see the newly born babe; their priority was not to watch the sheep. Without goal in life based
on biblical values (Bible is the
compass for the life) people never go straight; they chase one thing after another or wander
around. Today many people are like small corked bottles that are carried by the tides and waves of
life rather than a ship that is being guided. What are your goals for the New Year? Do you have any? Do they go beyond
self-centered desires?
e. THEY ACTED
IMMEDIATELY: The shepherds’ did not linger on but rushed
off to see the
baby. They lost no time but
came with haste to the place not side tracked by the occupation, family, laziness, indifference or any other host of things.
f. THEY
ACTED SEARCHINGLY: The Greek word used for "found" in v.16 means "to find after a search". The Magi had a star to guide them but these
shepherds did not have any. They were not given any address to search (today we may ask which hospital? Where is it? How to get there?), except for the sign that the child was born in a stable. (Generally
a child will be born inside the house and
dressed up in robes and not in manger with swaddling clothes). When sending the disciples to fetch the donkey for triumphal
entry to Jerusalem, no address was given to the disciples as well. When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, no road map (blue
print) was given. It’s the biblical way of leading people who will obey and follow in faith. Take the first step
and God will lead the rest. Will you get this message deep down in to your heart?
g. THEY ACTED
INSIGHTFULLY: The shepherds who came searching to see and know the babe was rewarded for
their efforts. They did not see him with their eyes, but went away with spiritual insight having seen the Lord, the
Saviour of the world. Simeon also saw the child from eschatological perspective. Those who have eyes of faith
can have many insights about God in this world.
h.
THEY ACTED
FAITHFULLY: They went back to the work, returned joyfully. Their profession did not change. But their hearts were
changed. They returned to their work filled with joy.
You had celebrated so many Christmases in your life so far. But this Christmas, think about the shepherds as you go to bed and evaluate how they
celebrated Christmas and how you observe it today. May Our Good Lord continue to speak to you to be a good
messenger for Him.
(This Sermon Was Preached by Rev. V. C. Selwyn,
Kambong Kaboor Methodist Church)
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