Gifts That Are Not Soon Forgotten"

“Gifts That Are Not Soon Forgotten”

Luke 2:8-20

The Birth of Christ is about God gift of salvation in the person of Jesus, His only begotten Son. Gifts that we give and receive at Christmas are often forgotten, but the gifts that surround the birth of Jesus are gifts that cannot be forgotten.

Bill Adler recorded in his book about Christmas several letter by children to Santa Claus. One thing about children they are honest and tell their true feelings.

Dear Santa Claus,

Last year you didn’t leave me anything. Good. The year before last year you didn’t leave me anything good. This year is your last chance.

Alfred

Dear Santa,

In my house there are three little boys. There is Richard. He is 2. There is Jeffrey. He is 4. There is Norman. He is 7. Richard is good sometime. Jeffrey is good sometime. Norman is good all the time. I am Norman.

Gift to Lowly Shepherds

Angels of the Lord gave lowly Shepherds a special gift that they did not forget all their lives. Luke 2:18-11 “That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them, “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone. The savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David.”

Why was this gift of good news of great joy given to lowly shepherds and not to kings, or the wealthy, or Priests or Levites or rulers of the Synagogue or the Jewish Sanhedrin?

God often chooses to do his greatest work through ordinary people. The Apostle Paul stated it well in I Corinthians 1:26-29: “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world; things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.”

Michael and Story Omartian in their Christmas Musical, “Child of the Promise” gives a somewhat humorous view of Shepherds in the song: “Nothing Ever Happens to a Shepherd.”

It’s cold outside in this God-forsaken place and we’re stuck here with a thousand sheep. While life is exciting everywhere else, the highlight of our day is sleep. Shepherds are notorious for making little profit we garner just enough for room and board. While everyone else wallows in their wealth we’re financially ignored. Cause nothing ever happens to a shepherd. Life is boring as can be. While exciting things occur all over the world, nothing ever happens to me. It’s lonely out here in this isolated job. Our position is without esteem. We’re socially challenged. We’re society’s scourged. We’re not exactly every woman’s dream. Shepherds have a humble purpose. Of our fate few people care. Sometimes I wonder if God knows we exist. If he does he’s forgotten where. Cause, nothing ever happens to a shepherd I’m common as common can be. While exciting things occur all over the world, nothing ever happens to me. Shepherds are the lowest of the low. Our lives are void of mystery except for David killing Goliath no shepherd will go down in history.

After the birth of Christ and the gift of good news of great joy to the Shepherds the song changed. Shepherds had a special gift that would not soon be forgotten.

#Video Clip – Story of Shepherds as told by children

You may not feel you are a person of significance. In the eyes of God you have great significance. Jesus came as God’s gift to you. Jesus is a gift of good news to you this Christmas.

Gifts of Love cannot soon be forgotten

The gifts that parents give to their children are more important than material gifts. The gift of love is a gift that cannot be soon forgotten.

I read about a 26 year old mother in Phoenix, Arizona that gave her son a gift that made a difference in his life.

The mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible...The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son’s dreams to come true. She took her son’s hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?" Mommy, "I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let’s see if we can make your wish come true."