And it came to pass....

Luke 2:1-20
    And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) [3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. [6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. [8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. [10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. [12] And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men. [15] And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. [16] And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. [17] And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. [18] And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. [19] But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

     I have preached many a sermon in the last 10 years on this text.  There is a whole lot to preach on in it.  You can approach this text from many different angles.  Good thing too.  It can be difficult to give a fresh new message each year when you are telling the same story basically.  But the thing about the birth of Christ is that it never gets old. 
     I would have to say that my favorite angle to take is probably that of the shepherds.  Here they are, minding their own business, watching their sheep at night, and all of a sudden their whole world is changed in an instant.  They have no idea what is in store for them that night as they lay on the ground trying to catch a few z's. 
    Just a few lowly unsuspecting guys tending some smelly, dirty sheep in a field outside of Bethlehem.  And what to thier wandering eyes should appear?  No, not jolly old Saint Nick and 8 reindeer.  But an angel.  Actually The Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord showed  around them.
     And thier reaction?  A typical reaction to angels....they were filled with great fear.  But also typical of angel sightings in the Bible--they are bringing Good News!  And that good news of great joy was for all people.  And the angel said that "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord."
     And these shepherds who were filled with fear just a moment before, were now filled with joy and excitement at the news.  And then at that moment a multitude of angels appeared praising God in the crisp night sky.  Can you imagine?
     And the response of the shepherds was to stay frozen in fear right there in their tracks in that field....NO!  Their response was "Let us go and see this thing which HAS HAPPENED."  It's important to note that they believed what the angels told them, and did not say "to see IF this thing has happened." 
     And they went to see this Christ child and worshiped him.  "Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King!"  And then they left, and WITNESSED to everyone they saw about what had been told to them.
     We have the same opportunity as the shepherds you know!  I think that's what draws me to the shepherds in this story.  We are not unlike them.  We are told about Christ.  We have the opportunity to GO and experience Him and celebrate His birth.  And we have the opportunity to worship Christ and to tell others about the salvation that the Lord sent down to us in human flesh.
   I pray that you would find a place tonight or tomorrow to go and worship the Savior who is Christ the Lord, born to save us from our sin.  Celebrate the gift that God has given to you in His only Son Jesus!  And the peace of Christ be with you all!
Thank you for reading and God bless us every one!