Joy That Lasts Beyond The Holidays

Luke 2:8-20 JOY THAT LASTS BEYOND THE HOLIDAYS

Luke 2:8-20 CHRISTMAS JOY THAT LASTS BEYOND THE HOLIDAYS

There once was a small group of people – separate from the rest of the world. While the rest of the world was gathering together with family and friends, having a good time, eating and drinking, laughing and talking with music in the background – while the rest of the world did this, there was a small group of people off by themselves – thing were quiet – and they heard the Word of God.

Who is this small group of people – is it you? Sounds like you, doesn’t it? Right now the rest of the world is gathering together with family and friends – there’s a party going on right now and you’re missing out. Here you are, off by yourself, things are quieter here, and you’re hearing the Word of God.

But I’m not talking about you – I’m talking about the shepherds that first Christmas Eve, a small group of people off by themselves. The rest of the world was having quite a party. It was tax time in Judea – everyone had gone to their hometown to register, just as people today go to their hometowns for Christmas. I’m sure there were all kinds of family gatherings as people returned to their hometowns.

But not for the shepherds. They were off by themselves, in the hills with their sheep, missing the party in Bethlehem. Everything was quiet out there, and then they heard the Word of God. And by the time that night was over, we are told in Luke chapter two that they “returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” The shepherds were filled with joy. Wouldn’t you like to have that kind of joy tonight? Did you know that you don’t need to be at a Christmas party to experience Christmas joy? You don’t need to eat until you can’t eat anymore, and sit around with the presents and the tree and the Christmas music, in order to experience Christmas joy. Those things to make people happy – but it’s a very temporary kind of happiness. Wouldn’t you like to feel a kind of joy this Christmas that lasts beyond the holidays?

Tonight, let’s spend some time with the shepherds, and see where their joy came from. In verse 8 we are introduced to them, “shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” When we think of shepherds, we might think of the clean-cut, respectable altar boys we see at the manger scene every year. But if you were a shepherd in Palestine, at that time, you would laugh at that sort of description. “I’m no altar boy,” a shepherd would say to you. “The priests consider me unclean because I live in the fields and don’t attend services at the temple. I’m not allowed to give testimony in court, because no one trusts me.” The shepherds at that time were the wanderers, the drifters of society. People didn’t trust them – they had shady reputations.

And so there they were, out in the fields, missing the big party in Bethlehem. Things were quiet. But then everything changed. In verse 9, we are told that “an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” Terrified, we are told, scared out of their minds. It’s not every day that an angel of God appears to you.

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.’” And what was that good news? “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ, the Lord.” I wonder what the shepherds were thinking as they heard those words: “A Savior, has been born to US? We are lowly shepherds. Why would God us a Savior?”

“This will be a sign to you,” the angel said, “you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” How strange! You would think that the Messiah would be born in a palace. You would think that kings, and pious priests, and all the high class members of society would be invited to see the Messiah. Things were upside down that first Christmas – The Christ is lying in a manger, and the only people in the world, besides Mary and Joseph, that know that the Christ had been born were shepherds.

“Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men, on whom his favor rests.” The angels told the shepherds, you can feel peace, because God has shown favor to you.