Luke 2:8-20 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” 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.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Never before have we seen the world in need of deliverance quite dramatically as we are seeing today. Other past generations have endured great conflicts, hardships and pandemics, but 2020 has affects every life histrionically with such a negative impact. Yet, there are inspiring examples of first-responders and frontline workers performing unselfish and heroic acts as light in the darkness. But deep down in their heart, this world is waiting for something ... a shot of hope.
We’ve all learned to long, hope and wait for something in a way that we probably never have before. As in the time of the first Christmas, we might be catching a glimpse of the hope that Israel felt in the coming of the Messiah, the Savior of the world. The classic Christian Advent hymn states: “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny; from depths of hell Thy people save, and give them victory o'er the grave. O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high, and cheer us by Thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Isn’t that a little like what we are praying for the Lord to do this Christmas? The redeeming Rescuer, the Victor over death and Satan, and the Savior of the world. The storm-calming Light ... the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Whenever angels appeared to people in the Bible, great fear was the reaction of the supernatural spiritual realm visiting the natural physical realm, and the angelic heralds beginning their message by saying “fear not”. This announcement was not about a baby being born, but about the birth of the Christ, arrival of the long-awaited prophesied, promised Messiah, the day of the Lord’s visitation, God incarnate; God with us.
Let's continue Pastor Kyle's Christmas message in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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