Underdogs Welcome

Luke 2:8-14 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

While we were on vacation for the last couple weeks, Pastor JJ started a new Advent Sermon series titled “Wonder: putting the awe back into the Christmas story”. He told us that God loves an “underdog”. The young shepherd boy David was the least significant brother, yet this less-likely candidate trusted God to take on a giant warrior and lead his people. A stuttering fugitive Moses, filled with excuses, took on the most powerful Ruler in the known world and led his people out of Egypt. Fearful Gideon hid in a hole, but God called him, with a limited and under-manned army, to go up against the over-powering Philistine forces using only lanterns and clay pots and won despite the odds. Zealous Paul killed Christians and disqualified himself, but God chooses him as his instrument to save the gentile world. Then, who did God choose to be the first to receive the message of the arrival of the Savior of the world? Not the Royals, the Rulers nor the Religious leaders, but the lowly shepherds in the field, the underdogs of Israel, who had the menial task of watching the sheep go by.

What is the story all about? The good news of great joy is that our lives have been invaded by God in Christ Immanuel; God with us, among us. There is a God in heaven and He loves us, sent His Son to us for the redemption of all people, that forgiveness and salvation may come for those who believe because we were all “behind the eight ball” of sins penalty. This is all by His love and grace, to His glory. Those underdog shepherds received a glimpse into eternity with and vision of heaven by a multitude of angels with a message of redemption and God’s presence with us; the One that they heard about their whole lives, for all people, was here. And they didn’t keep it to themselves.

Luke 2:17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

The shepherd told everyone about the promised Messiah’s arrival. They didn’t just come to Jesus and worship Hi, but went and told all as God’s called Messengers. It wasn’t the powerful, nor the religious leaders, but the underdog with nothing to lose. Normal and ordinary faithful people to carry the message of how good God is and what He is doing, because He showed up to change our life and our future destination. If he can use lowly people, like underdog shepherds, then He can use you and I as a light in the midst of our dark, unknowing neighborhoods to bring the gospel message to a sin sick lost and dying culture, using our voice and actions to bring people back to God because He loves and underdog to touch peoples lives by His will and his passion. The angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and good will toward men.” Jesus’ message is of the peace of God and peace with God, as sins are forgiven and lives redeemed though faith in Christ. We are weak, but He is strong. Though our weakness, His strength is shown in our story. He came to us to share His message of hope and offers a relationship that brings life. This is the real Christmas story. We are all underdogs loved by God. Underdogs welcome.

In Christ, Brian