Christmas Sermon

 

 

Luke 2:8-20 The Shepherds and the Angels

            “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!  Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing”. This song was written in 1719 by Isaac Watts, but the message of the song happened more than 2000 years ago. The Christmas season comes every year. But, due to its annual celebration, can you still sing Joy to the World like you never sung it before or can you still continue to prepare your heart and keep singing this joyful song of praise? Luke 2:8-20 made us see how good news was revealed to the Shepherds by the Angel and how the Angels and the Shepherds received this news.

Joy to the World, the Lord is Come.  The shepherds received a message from an angel. At first, the shepherds were terrified because the glory of the Lord shone around them. What were the shepherds doing at that time? In verse 8 said the “shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” It was night when the Angel appeared and at night only the moon and stars give light. So the appearance of the angel of the Lord giving them great light was unusual and terrifying. The great light is the glory of the Lord. The mere presence of the angel of the Lord taught us about how mighty the news is to be proclaimed. It means the news carries divine power.

Verses 10-12 is the annunciation of the angel of the Lord on the birth of Jesus. Verse 10 says, But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” The birth of Jesus in the New Testament was the fulfillment of the messianic prophecy in Isaiah. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is the joy of all people. Jesus brings joy to all mankind by freeing each one of us from the bondage of sin and guilt so that we can experience God’s abundant love. Oh! how joyful it is to know that God loves us all. 

Let Earth receive her King. Jesus was born in a manger. Practically, a king is born in a very conducive environment but Jesus was not. Jesus was wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger (v. 12). Jesus came in a very humble way even though he was described in the book of Isaiah chapter 9 as a Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace with great authority. Jesus was born on earth but his kingship is not in earth but in heaven. The king that the world should receive is not of the earthly kings. There is only one King who becomes King of kings, and that is Jesus. In John18:36 “Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” In Revelation 1: 5-6 says ”5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Jesus is the King of the earth.

Verses 13-14 says, “13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” The angels had praised God first when the revelation of the good news happened, followed by rejoicing in the earth. We can observe that the celebration of receiving the good news is both in heaven and earth. When Jesus was born, he brought peace and God’s love to earth. The shepherds’ reaction after the angel revealed Jesus was no hesitation. They received the good news and went to Bethlehem to see what had happened there according to what the angel of the Lord said to them. (verses 15 to 16).

 Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing. Verses 16-17 say, “16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child.” What was told to them by the angel of the Lord was true and they become witnesses of it. Seeing and hearing it made an impact on the life of these shepherds. Their hearts were touched. Verses 18-19 say “and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, 19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” The good news that was proclaimed should be put to heart. That was what Mary did upon hearing the testimony of the shepherds. The good news was not ordinary but an extraordinary one that brings eternal life to all people. The final response of the shepherds was praising God and becoming witnesses of what they had seen and heard. Let every person who hears the message of the Lord make room in their hearts and sing the song of salvation in Jesus Christ. In verse 20 says, “the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.”

            For so many years we have been told about the Christmas story. Year by year, we should testify that it is a sweet and joyful sound to hear that Jesus Christ was born, crucified, died, buried, rose again, and seated at the right hand of the Father who become our Savior to whom we have God’s love, hope, peace, and salvation. Let us keep proclaiming Joy to the World Jesus has come, receive our King, make room in our hearts, and let heaven and nature sing. Let us join the angels as they praise God saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! (verse 14)”

Merry Christmas everyone and Joy to the World!