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Following the classic narrative of the birth of Jesus (see notes
from the sermon “Time”), Luke tells us of the announcement of
the birth to the shepherds. It is commonly assumed the shepherds were guarding
the flocks used in Temple sacrifice. Perhaps symbolically the shepherds, who
guarded the sacrificial sheep, were some of the first to behold the sacrificial
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
This story is rich in language. Important words can be found
to help clarify the dynamics of the narrative, giving color to the story of
the announcement to the shepherds. Appeared (2:9) implies the meaning of suddenness,
instantly, without warning. Glory (2:9) implies a sense of the presence and
image of the divine. Shone (2:9) serves as a contrast to the darkness of the
night. Terrified (2:9) literally means they feared a great fear or they were
afraid with intense fear. The Greek language intensifies the fear the shepherds
felt as they encountered the angels. Good news (2:10) is the word used for
gospel and evangelize. Joy (2:10) is coupled with the Greek word for great
or big (megalen). This serves to contrast the emotions of great fear and joy.
All (2:10) is a very small and common word, yet its significance cannot be
measured in this context as it includes all people in God’s plan. Christ
the Lord (2:11) is the only place in the New Testament where these words are
directly connected. Luke often uses the Kurios (Lord) in his accounts, but
here he has Christ (the Messiah) and the Lord. Heavenly host (2:13) is a interesting
choice in this story. Host is a military term referring to an army. The army
of heaven announces peace on earth. Peace (2:14) is given to those who are
the direct recipients of the grace of God. The receivers of this divine favor
have already been identified as “all people.” Also, peace maybe
tied to the Hebrew concept of shalom. See (2:15) has a deeper meaning than
just observe. It implies experiential knowledge. “Let’s go experience
this so we will know completely.” This is also used in 2:17, indicating
they truly experienced the entrance of the Christ child into their world.
Spread the word (2:17) shows that those who had heard the good news and experienced
the entrance of Christ into their lives, became the tellers of the good news
to others. They told others what had been told to them and what they experienced.
With these words in mind, look again at the story. The shepherds
are watching the sheep during the night, when suddenly the darkness was abruptly
interrupted by the brilliance of heavenly light. This is exactly what God
has done in Christ Jesus. He has interrupted the dark sorrow of our lives
with the brilliance of joy.
The angelic greeting was the typical greeting of God’s
messengers in the Scriptures: “Do not be afraid.” Our sin-permeated
world and lives cause us to be intrinsically afraid of the purity of God.
God understands this and addresses it first as He sends His messengers to
us. Angels announced the birth of the Savior of the world. Notice the angels
were sent to a poor, rag-tag, band of common, hard-working shepherds, who
were going about their normal routine night-shift work. No matter where we
are, it is not out of the way for God to visit us with His presence.
As this story is read and examined, the sense of the joy the
angels felt being able to announce the birth of Christ is obvious. The army
of heaven was delighted to tell the story of the birth. You get the sense
they could not wait to tell the good news of grace and peace of God in Christ
Jesus. They seemed to be excited about telling the world God’s presence
had entered the world for the purpose of delivering all people from the bondage
in which we find ourselves. This contagious sense of joy is caught by the
shepherds and is expressed to the world as they leave the place where they
found the Christ child.
The shepherd’s joy is then caught by those who heard them.
Everyone who heard the incredible story was amazed. There is a sense of positive
emotions at the good news of the Messiah. In addition, there is implied joy
in Mary and Joseph that the good news of Jesus is already being told and already
changing lives.
Joy can be a real challenge in life—finding joy is very
difficult. Ironically our culture seems to be in a continual pursuit of joy.
Perhaps that’s why the malls are full, the parking lots at bars are
rarely empty, and Christmas parties are bountiful. People are looking for
joy, but they’re striking out.
What is more of an anomaly is many believers in Jesus do not
live in the joy of Jesus. There are people who attend church each week who
have not experienced real joy inside, or at least have not in a long time.
One reason why people are often so devoid of joy is that real
joy is not self-induced. As many people learn this time of year you can’t
have joy by fighting the crowds (or even beating the rush) each December evening
in a shopping mall. You can’t turn on joy with a Yuletide TV Christmas
special. The gift you just had to have doesn’t produce eternal joy.
How long does it last, fifteen minutes? You’d have to feel sorry for
the person who claimed to feel real, deep, abiding joy after receiving a “Salad
Shooter” on Christmas morning. In a world given to the pursuit of joy
through materialism and entertainment, it is ironic people are so devoid of
real joy.
God’s answer is seen in the Christmas narrative: Jesus
is born. Christ the Lord arrived in the flesh. His very appearance is the
cause for real joy. People who work the third shift at the factory are filled
with real joy. People on the streets of life who hear the good news of Jesus
are suddenly permeated with real joy.
Joy is a byproduct; it is the result of another event. Joy is
not found by looking for joy. God wants us to experience real joy, and He
understands what real joy is. Therefore, God became flesh. He sent His one
and only Son into the world. Christ the Lord is born to us. Now joy comes.
Our response, as is the case so often in the biblical narratives,
is modeled by the main characters. The shepherds heard the good news and then
chose to go and see for themselves. They decided to take a risk (leaving the
sheep unguarded) in order to know for themselves the Messiah had come.
We, too, must take a risk and experience the birth of Jesus
in us. This occurs not only on an individual level, but also on a corporate
level. We are called to see the Christ child. We are called to experience
Jesus in our lives and to truly know Him. This is done individually and communally.
We will know Christ best and experience Him most when we see Jesus in the
lives of the Body of Christ around us. The shepherds heard in community, they
experienced the birth in community, and they told it in community.
Take a risk. Come and see. Experience and know: Christ the Lord
is born to you.
(For the full manuscript
of this sermon go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons.”)
It is not difficult for people to identify the absence of joy in their lives, especially during the season that advertises “Joy to the World.” The atmosphere for preaching this story must be joyous. Preach with joy, energy, and passion. It is difficult to convince people they can have joy if the messenger is less than joyful. As the preacher, be authentically joyful. Seek the Christ child yourself before you tell others about His birth.