THE OLD MAN’S CHRISTMAS STORY
Luke 2:8-20
Randy Bataanon
The seven years old boy asks his grandfather to tell him his most exiting story before he can go to sleep. The old man stare him for a few seconds and then opened his mouth. Alright grandson, I’m going to tell you my most exiting personal story more than 70 years ago in field of Bethlehem. I was only teenager then and we are all shepherds watching our flocks in the fields nearby when suddenly an angel appeared in the midst of us. The presence of angel enlightened the whole vicinity and all of us became so afraid. Wow. That is exciting grandpa!, the boy exclaimed. Tell me more about it. What happened? Did you feel scared? Did you run? What the angel looks s like?
The Old man continued. We were really terrified, but then, the angel said “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
The boy’s eyes sparkled in excitement and ask the old man. You mean a hero of Israel has born. I guess he could be a son of the king and live in a big palace or mansion. Did you ask the angel where you can find the new born hero of Israel?
The angel actually told us where we can find him. The angel said: This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. In a manger? Ask the little boy. I thought he is son of the king. How could it be that he is lying in an animal manger? is there any choir present on the manger grandpa?
Yes there was a choir. But it’s quite different. It’s actually extra ordinary. I remembered… 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.
But grandpa, how did this personal experience become your most exiting story? Because my grandson, this is the first time in my life as a shepherd that I feel so honored and privileged to hear the most wonderful proclamation that even the kings of this world has been denied; the proclamation of good news about the birth of the Savior.
THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRISTMAS
LUKE 2:8-20
What could be the benefits of Christ birth into this world? The proclamation of good news by angels gave us the summary.
1. The birth of Christ fades away all fears (v10 “Angel said to them, Do not be afraid”)
There are many reasons why the angel admonished the shepherds by saying, Do not be afraid. First, it is just natural for the shepherd to feel terrified when they saw the glory of the angels. The shepherd understand that angels are superior being and they are but an ordinary shepherd considered by many as third class citizen. But Aside from that, the angel probably means that all your present fear will be dissolves by the good news that they will eventually proclaim.
The shepherds have many fears; it could be the bears of the field or lawless bandits. They also fear the Roman soldiers who from time to time harassed them. But like every human beings, Shepherd has a fear of death. The Savior, who has been born on Christmas, specialized in vanishing fear in our hearts. He conquered fear by conquering death when he rose again in the third day after they crucified Him.
2. The birth of Christ brings great joy (v10 “I bring you good news of great joy”)
Being a shepherd is one of the loneliest careers in the Middle East. This job denies any one the opportunities to attend many social gatherings and activities. Shepherd cannot even attend the church or any parties. They spend all their time watching their flocks away from the luxury of the city life. Jesus has been called the man of sorrow so that he can give us joy. This is the promise of God in the future;
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
3. The birth of Christ breaks down walls of discrimination (v10 “that will be for all people”)
Shepherd is one of the meanest or lowliest jobs in the Middle East. This work is intended to the least of family members or to servants. David was a shepherd boy when Samuel the prophet has been sent by God to anoint a king from the sons of Jessie. That is why he is not present and has to be called by his father when Samuel required that he should be present during the anointing ceremony.
What a sweet message for the lowly shepherd the word of assurance from angel that the good news of Christ birth is not only for the rich and famous and that it will be for all people hence it includes the lowly shepherds like them. This kind of message has broken down the walls of discrimination.
When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple separating the holy place from the holy of holies has been torn miraculously. This is to illustrate that the wall of discrimination has been broken. The grace of God has been extended from Jews to all gentile people and to all people of the world who will believe Christ. The grace abounds to all people and forgiveness become available to all through the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God.
Gal 3:28 There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male [2] and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
When the first man committed sin in the Garden of Eden, sin breaks the close relationship of God with men. The first man and woman had been cast out from paradise and angel has been charge to guard Eden. But when Christ was born died on the cross and lives again; He brings us back to God and our relationship with God has been reconnected through the redeeming blood of Jesus.
4. The birth of Christ express God’s personal touch (V11 “has been born to you”)
One of the names given to Christ is Immanuel, meaning God is with us. God can send Angel to deliver his people from the bondage of darkness - it is not impossible with Him. But God choose to personally involve Himself in the redemption of mankind.
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Mat 1:23
During the period of Old Testament, God spoke to the people of Israel through prophets like Moses, Isaiah and Jeremiah. But when Christ was born, God communicates his message to the people directly through His Son Jesus Christ. This is the best demonstration of God’s love when the Son of God became man so that man became children of God.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
5. The birth of Christ brings salvation (v11 “a Savior…he is Christ the Lord)
Every Jews are waiting for the coming Messiah or Savior who will sit on the throne of David to liberate their land. Their country is under the Roman rule that required them big taxes that make them become poorer. When Christ was born, he liberates not the world from the Roman’s rule but He freed us from the Kingdom of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of God.
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Gal 4:4-7
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:12
6. The birth of Christ brings glory to God (v14 “Glory to God in the highest”)
There is no other way that the glory of God can be best demonstrated to mankind but through the incarnation of God’s son for the redemption of unworthy people.
Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [[2] possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not [3] think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped [4] or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and [5] rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has [6] freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee [7] should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [[8] frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Php 2:5-11
7. The birth of Christ bring peace and favor (v14 “peace to men on whom his favor rest”)
The result of redemption by the blood of Jesus is not only salvation of our soul but the peace with God through reconciliation. We are no longer enemies of God but his friend, not only friend but his children.
Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Rom 5:8-10
Gal 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
