NOT SO SILENT NIGHT
Luke 2:8-20
LK 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
LK 2:13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
LK 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
LK 2:15 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."
LK 2:16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Illustration: On December 24, 1818 in the little village of Oberndorf, Austria, the whole town was preparing for the Christmas service, the highlight of the season. But Father Joseph Mohr was worried. The chapel organ was broken, and heavy snowfall kept the repairman from the next village from being able to get there. The Christmas service would be devoid of the beloved Christmas music.
For months Father Mohr had wanted to write a new song for Christmas. But the words had eluded him. As he sat at his desk pondering, he saw someone struggling through the snow toward his cabin. He opened the door and saw a woman, she explained to him that a family from over the mountain had asked that he come and bless their first born child who had just been born.
Bundling up the priest made his way to their home. Upon his arrival he saw the most beautiful scene. There lay the new mother in her bed smiling as she and the father were looking in the little wooden crib beside the bed that held their newborn son.
The priest admired the baby and blessed him and his parents. Then as he trudged home through the silent snow, he thought of how this family reminded him of the same scene in Bethlehem centuries before on the first Christmas night.
The words of the song came pouring in as joy filled Mohr’s heart, as he arrived home he wrote them down. That morning he asked his friend Franz Gruber to compose the tune to the song. This little congregation in Oberndorf heard that evening “Silent Night” for the first time. Gruber accompanied Mohr as they both sang. Silent Nigh Holy Night, all is calm all is bright Ron yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in Heavenly peace.
That night these words refer to though was anything but Silent and calm. On that night Luke records for us “A multitude of heavenly hosts praising God saying Glory to God in the highest peace on earth among men with whom he is pleased. This is similar to the cry of the people upon Jesus entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. In Revelation, the heavenly host and all those who stand before the throne sing similar praise. On that night the message spoken first through the prophets for hundreds of years was now spoken by Angels to a group of shepherds. This message is spoken today in His word to His people. The message has three actions the first is
Hear the Message: Luke 2:9-12
1. Good News
2. The Long awaited Savior had come
3. Here is how you will find him.
4. Isaiah tells us in Is. 9:6-7
ISA 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.ISA 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
With justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
We have heard the Message found in his word now we must:
Act on the Message
1. Let us go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing the Lord has made known to us.
2. John 4:29 The woman at the well 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
3. We see similar in Andrew and Philip in John 2: 40-41, 45
a. Andrew went and found his brother Peter and brought him to Jesus
b. Philip went and found his friend Nathaniel and did the same
c. The Shepherds heard the message and went.
d. Acts 17:11 The Bereans heard the message and checked it out.
4. All of these heard the message and acted on it, unlike Herod and his court.
5. We have heard the Message and acted on it by giving Him our lives
But hearing and acting is not all they did they also;
Spread the Message: Luke 2:17-20
1. In the previous examples we see men and women who heard the message and spread it
2. In Hebrews 1:1-2 the writer does the same HEB 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe
3. Jesus tells us in Matt. 28:19,20 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
4. He tells the disciples, which we are also; Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
5. It is now our turn.
We have heard the message, we have acted on the message, and now we spread the message
But you say How can we spread that message?
1. Tract attacks
a. Leave in rest stops
b. Restaurants
c. Counters anywhere.
d. Put church name and address on it.
2. Nativity scenes on front lawns or on windows in house
3. Christmas Caroling
4. Invite people to the programs at church
a. Kids Christmas programs are probably the easiest to get people to come to.
b. Some love the Cantata’s
c. Follow-up
5. Store line witnessing
6. Visit shut-ins open studies in their home if possible with other family members.
That night was not so Silent, and neither should we be
Take the time this Christmas to share the Good News
If you had not taken the opportunity to give your life to the Savior, today is your chance to act on the message and give him the best gift you can give him. He will give you eternal Life.
