Sermon Central
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Following The Example Of Shepherds
Contributed by Steve Pearman on Dec 9, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: Let’s move beyond the surface of festive traditions and embrace the deeper meaning of the season. Like the shepherds, let’s seek and encounter the living Christ.
Introduction
Christmas is a season of joy, light, and celebration, but it’s also a time of profound reflection. As we revisit the familiar story of the shepherds who encountered the newborn Christ, we find not just a historical account, but a pattern for how we too can respond to the reality of Christmas.
Luke 2:8-20 brings us to a group of shepherds—ordinary people doing their ordinary work—who are suddenly caught up in an extraordinary event. Their experience mirrors what Christmas can be for each of us: a moment to hear, seek, and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
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1. The Shepherds Heard the Good News (Luke 2:8-14)
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."
The shepherds were not expecting anything remarkable. They were simply doing their job, perhaps enduring a cold night and wondering what the future might hold. Suddenly, an angel appeared, bringing a message that broke into their ordinary lives:
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
Application:
Just as the shepherds heard the good news of Jesus, we are invited to hear it anew each Christmas. Amid the noise of the season—shopping lists, family gatherings, and traditions—God speaks. The question is: Are we listening? The shepherds remind us that the good news of Christmas isn’t reserved for the powerful or perfect. It’s for the humble, the weary, and the overlooked—for you and me.
2. The Shepherds Sought the Savior (Luke 2:15-16)
"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’"
The shepherds didn’t just hear the message and stay where they were. They acted. They left their flocks and journeyed to Bethlehem to see the Christ child for themselves.
Application:
Christmas invites us not only to hear about Jesus but to seek Him. In a world full of distractions, it’s easy to let the message of Christmas remain a story rather than a reality. What might it look like for you to seek Christ this season? Perhaps it’s setting aside time for prayer, opening your Bible to reflect on the nativity story, or attending a Christmas service with an open heart. Like the shepherds, we are called to respond actively to God’s invitation.
3. The Shepherds Shared the Joy (Luke 2:17-20)
"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them."
The shepherds didn’t keep the good news to themselves. Their encounter with Jesus compelled them to share it with others. They became the first evangelists of the gospel, spreading the joy of Christmas far and wide.
Application:
As we experience the wonder of Christmas, we too are called to share it. This might mean telling a friend or family member about the hope we have in Christ or reflecting His love through acts of kindness and generosity. The message of Christmas isn’t just for us—it’s for the world.
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Conclusion: Living the Shepherds’ Journey
The shepherds’ journey in Luke 2 is more than a beautiful story; it’s a model for our Christmas experience:
1. Hear the good news with open hearts.
2. Seek the Savior through intentional action.
3. Share the joy of Christ with others.
This Christmas, let’s not settle for the surface-level festivities. Instead, let’s follow the shepherds’ example and encounter the living Christ. When we do, we’ll find that the true wonder of Christmas isn’t just in what happened in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago—it’s in how Jesus continues to transform lives today.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the example of the shepherds who heard, sought, and shared the good news of Your Son. This Christmas, open our ears to hear Your voice, our hearts to seek Your presence, and our hands to share Your love with the world. May we experience the wonder of Christmas not just as a season, but as a Savior. Amen.
