The Shepherds and the Angels

Luke 2:8-14

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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. 10 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Shepherds are rough and hardy men who live and work outside of town. They are not well educated but simple hard working people. But they have one distinction that favors them for the privilege to receive the angel’s message. Their ancestor David was a shepherd. He was outside tending the flocks when the prophet Samuel came to his house to appoint the King of Israel. Now the shepherds are out in the open sky and their messengers come from heaven to give them “glad tidings of great joy which shall be for all people. A Savior is born!” 

And these ruddy men will see the wonder with their own eyes. Go out this evening and look into the starry night. See the shining sentinels of heaven and remember that your Savior is born this day in your heart. “O, come, let us adore him. Amen."

Pastor Alan Ford  - 12/20/2011

Abiding Savior Lutheran Church 

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Luke 2:  1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

A bad thing was happening but it all turned out for the best. Emperors don’t ask poor carpenters if it is convenient for them to obey a decree. Even if the wife of the poor carpenter is about to give birth they must go where he commands,. But this decree will put Joseph and Mary and their unborn child right where they need to be, in the historic town where King David was born. Unseen hands were moving the implements of destiny to save the world.

2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

The governor of Syria was not important but he does help to date this crucial event for those who lived in the region at the time Luke was writing this account. Joseph was of the house and lineage of David so they went to the city of David to obey the decree.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

The important historical and spiritual heritage of Joseph was his ancestor David. In our country we trace important ancestors back to those who “came over on the Mayflower” or were descended from George Washington. The Jews of Jesus’s time looked back to David as the inspiration of their people. The prophets said the Savior would be the “Son of David.”

5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

It looked like the most humble and inconvenient of circumstances for the birth. Mary was tired and feeling the urgent need to rest and prepare for the baby to come. All she wanted was a clean and private place for the labor and delivery.

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Where was the family or those who might have assisted with the birth? Where were the warm bed and comforting clothes? What kind of welcome was there for the King of Glory to be born? When we feel that we are being disregared and treated with contempt, consider the birth of Jesus and take comfort. What can God with you in your difficult circumstances? Come and worship the baby born in a stable.

- Pastor Alan Ford ,  Abiding Savior Lutheran Church - 12/19/2011