Sermon Series
Christmas Long Ago – Part 3
“A Time for Joy”
Pastor Jerry
Luke 2:8-20
(A first person narration/drama – by a shepherd named Jacob)
————————————- Message Synopsis ————————————-
Well, well, well …What do we have here?
Hello, my name is Jacob. I am by trade a shepherd. Oh, do not worry good people I am not a thief or a bandit. I wish to harm no one.
I know, I know—you think shepherds cannot be trusted. That’s what everybody says. Many of my brothers have given surrendered to the views of others. “If they think we’re thieves, then why not live up to their expectations!” Imagine that! Almighty God in his holy scriptures has been called a Shepherd. And now, people hold the profession itself in disdain and discuss.
Even you look quite surprised that a “shepherd” could know holy things of God. Please realize that my heart belongs to my Lord and God. Even though I cannot participate in temple activities, I take great pride in knowing that my work is essential to the functioning of the temple. I help tend the flocks of the Temple.
But good people, I haven’t stopped by here today to justify myself and my profession—I’ve come to give you good news. Last night, the most amazing thing happened. We were out in the fields, taking turns at guarding the sheep throughout the night watches. Suddenly, before us in all of his glory, stood a messenger from God—an angel! A tremendous sense of power and majesty flowed from him.
I do not remember falling to the ground. But there I was—face first in the grass. I knew that my life was over. I had faith in the God of Israel—but I knew that I was unclean. I was so afraid—so unready to meet my God!
And then the angel spoke such a gracious word to us. What did he say? “Stop being afraid!” Somehow I knew in my heart that God was not going to take my life. I knew that God still loved me.
“I bring you good news of great joy for all people! This very day in the city of David, a Savior has been born—Christ the Lord has come. A sign is given to you—you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, all about us, as far as I could see, there appeared a great host of heavenly creatures. They declared with power and love, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
And then, they were gone. I stood there, dumbfounded—unable to fully grasp the wonder of what I had just seen. “Come on now, let’s go into Bethlehem—let’s go find the child!” The Lord has spoken to us, “we must go and search out what he has shown us.”
We quickly penned the flocks,—and then we left for Bethlehem. I have never been so excited in my life. To think, God chose us! The people of Judea might not want us about; but God sent a choir of angels to celebrate the birth of the Messiah—and HE sent them to us to announce Messiah’s birth! Can you imagine—God chose us and my heart was bursting with sheer joy.
Once we got to Bethlehem, we quickly searched through every cave, every stable in town. And then, we found HIM—just as the angel had promised. Outside an inn, lying in the stable, the Christ had come. When we made our way in we were perhaps a little abrupt in our joy. “Where’s the baby, let me see the baby.” When we saw the child, we began to cry tears of joy.
We told them all about what we had seen and heard. Mary and Joseph (those were their names, you know), were surprised, but not unbelieving when we spoke about the angels. It seems that they, too, had been blessed by seeing the holy messengers of God.
We decided that it was time for us to move on. But I am afraid we did not leave so quietly. People were beginning to stir in the small village—and if they came upon my friends and I, they received a burst of praise and celebration—we told everyone we could see what had happened.
We have just now finished delivering the sacrificial lambs to the Temple. And we still cannot be silent. Please, my good people, I know that it seems hard to believe, but it is true. In Bethlehem, the Christ has been born. This my friends is a time of great joy for all people!
Brothers and sisters, do you understand what this means. No one has to be left out! No one has to be left behind! This is even greater joy now that I understand. All of my life, I have been left behind. Raised in a shepherd’s home, I knew what it was to be an outcast.
People walked by and looked at me as though I were some horrible creature. They looked at me as though I were “unclean.” But praise be to God—He saw me through different eyes! God had room in his kingdom for me! A shepherd could be part of the family of God! I know this—for the angel brought tidings of great joy for all people! This, my good people is incredible. No one is too small! No one is too far gone! This is good news of great joy!
I must say good-bye now—others have got to hear the good news! I know that you have been told to distrust shepherds. This time, please believe. The Messiah is born! Go see for yourselves! You can find the Christ, too. An invitation to joy has been given to you. Everyone who would receive this great news is welcome to come. For God has promised through his angels—this is great joy for all people!