4 QUESTIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS – Does the World Know It’s Christmas?
Luke 2:1-20 (p. 715) December 21, 2014
Introduction:
30 years ago I was fresh out of college, a brand new dad, and involved deeply in youth ministry...So, when Bob Geldof and Midge Ure wrote a song called, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in 1984 to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia it got my attention. Geldof put together a group called “Band Aid” made up of the most popular British and musicians...like Bono, Sting (the Police), George Michael, Boy George. This song became the biggest selling single in UK chart history...selling a million copies in it’s first week alone. It stayed at Number 1 for 5 weeks and sold worldwide 3.7 million copies.
Geldof decided to give it another shot this year...it was recorded in 2014 by Band Aid 30 to raise funds for the ongoing Ebola crisis in West Africa...every penny of each purchase goes toward this crisis.
In case you didn’t catch the words...here they are:
SHOW THE LYRICS TO “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” ON SCREEN
It’s Christmastime; there’s no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime
But say a prayer to pray for the other ones
At Christmastime
It’s hard, but when you’re having fun
There’s a world outside your window
And it’s a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you
And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life
Oh, where nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
Here’s to you, raise a glass for ev’ryone
Here’s to them, underneath that burning sun
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
There’s an echoing question in that song...DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMASTIME AT ALL?
[We were sitting in a staff meeting a couple of months ago...planning, praying...preparing together and Tony said, “What day is Christmas on this year?” And I laughed out loud and said December 25th...Tony, Christmas is always on December 25. To be fair I believe Tony was asking...Is Christmas on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday etc... But in our staff meetings if you ask a question like that someone’s gonna call you on it. LOL]
But the question Band Aid asked 30 years ago...and then revisited this year still rings true...“DOES THE WORLD KNOW IT’S CHRISTMASTIME?”
We know it’s Christmas because we always celebrate it on December 25th (write that down Tony). We kick into gear with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday....right after Thanksgiving....Christmas trees are purchased, lights, yard figures, and decoration start to go up, stations play Christmas music. It’s the season. Did you know it’s an absolute myth that more suicide happens during the Holidays than any other time? In fact December is the lowest month...April is the highest. Why? There are probably a million answers, but maybe Christmas is a time of hope...and the new life of spring accentuates depression. At least that’s what really smart people have presented as a theory.
It’s the hope of Christmas this world needs, even more than the cure for Ebola, and food for the starving. And I hope that these messages help us as believers not miss the opportunity to share it! It’s easy to miss what’s really important!
On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk NC. On their 5th attempt, the plane under the control of Orville, embarked on a 12 second flight. Wilbur rushed to the local telegraph office and sent the following message – WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 12 SECONDS – WE WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! Upon receiving the telegram their sister, Katherine, went to the newspaper office, told the editor of her brother’s new flying machine, and informed him, they would be home for Christmas, if he would like to set up an interview. He told her that was nice, and he would be sure to put something in the paper regarding the boys. On December 19th, the local paper placed the following headline on the 6th page of the paper: “WRIGHT BROTHERS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.” The most important story of the year – man’s first flight – and the editor missed it!
Sometimes we’re just like this editor, or the people of the world who are too distracted and busy to know it’s Christmas.
I. THE BUSY AND DISTRACTED WORLD
Verse 7 informs us that Mary and Joseph couldn’t find a guest room in Bethlehem to have their baby.
An innkeeper is never mentioned despite the million times he has appeared in Christmas programs. It never says Mary rode in on a donkey, or that 3 kings came to the manger. The Magi probably showed up when Jesus was walking and talking as a child in Jerusalem. It never says Jesus was born in a stable or cave. Just that he was laid in a manger. And it probably wasn’t December when he was born...but the real truth of the Savior of the world being born is absolutely brought forth...amazingly announced to shepherds by a great company of Heaven’s host.
“Do not be afraid....I bring you good news (our word for the Gospel) 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.” (Luke 2:11)
What we do know is Joseph must have searched for an appropriate labor delivery room. He must have knocked on doors, asked....probably even begged for a place. “Fathers, how hard would you have tried if it was your wife...and it’s your first child?”
But Caesar Augustus has issued a decree! A census will be taken...And everyone is to go to their hometown for the registration. Just imagine everyone whose alive bein required to head to their town of birth. Everyone ever born in Lexington, comes home on April 15. How crowded would New Circle Road be? How many hotels would have open rooms? How many cousins can you fit in your house?
On this night most of the world couldn’t have cared less that a little Jewish baby was being born. The Roman World of Ceasar Augustus...and Quirinius was trying to figure out how big it was so they could get taxes, the Government was the big issue everyone was talking about. Rome’s power was what told everyone to jump and how high.
Everyone was rushing to get home...trying to figure out where they would stay, how much it would cost. How long it would take. This was urgent...busy...important stuff!
The world didn’t know it was Christmas...nor did it really care with urgent, busy, stressful stuff going on in their world.
How do we share the “good news” or a Savior with a world that is too distracted and busy to see God’s plan? Well, it won’t happen unless we have...
II. A SHEPHERD’S HEART
Verses 4 through 7 in Luke 2 tell us Joseph went from Galilee to Judea (Nazareth) to Bethlehem. It’s the town of David, because both Mary and Joseph were descendants of David. He went to Bethlehem to register for the census. It’s about an 80 mile trip. And Mary is VERY pregnant. It could have taken them a week or two to get there, and by the time they do, the town is full up....but while there she gives birth, wraps him in cloths and places him in a manger (the only clue we have about where they are staying...mangers are around feeding troughs.) Because the Inn had no room.
But then Dr. Luke does a scene change....Verse 8 takes us to some nearby fields, and hones in on some shepherds...they’re watching their sheep, and it’s night...suddenly things change!
LUKE 2:8-14 (p. 715)
An angel bringing the glory of the Lord into the darkness of a shepherd’s night is TERRIFYING! It’s why the angel first words are “Don’t be afraid.” It’s what the angel told Zachariah when he appeared to him (Zachariah is John the Baptist’s dad). It’s what the angel told Mary, when he appeared to her...and it’s what the angel said to the shepherds.
I think it’s terrifying for most of us when God invades our lives when we’re planning for a wedding, minding our own business at work, or even serving in church like Zachariah.
[“C’mon God I’m trying to live my life, and now you want my attention?”]
We may believe in God but get very uncomfortable when He invades our world. Looking into what God is trying to show us can be inconvenient...unless we have a shepherd’s heart.
LUKE 2:15-16 (p. 715)
After the angels leave...there’s a shepherd confab...They say to each other “Let’s go...Let’s see this thing the Lord has told us about.” And they hurry into town.”
I’m not sure who stayed with the sheep (LOL) but every shepherd that hadn’t drawn the short straw heads for Bethlehem. The message had been delivered. Now it was being obeyed.
The Greek word for Angel is “Angollos” (Messenger). We get our word evangelist from it.
The shepherd’s receive the first Gospel birth announcement. It’s “good news” of great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born.” (Has been born...It’s happened.) But these shepherds reveal their hearts by confirming the message’s truth...and then “sharing” it.
“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 the them.”
God’s revealed word is always the powerful truth that convicts, pierces, motivates, and moves us to action. “Faith comes by hearing the Word.” (Romans 10)
I want to encourage you to do something this holiday season...and it will take a shepherd’s heart for you to do it. “Write down your testimony...Your story.
If you haven’t surrendered your life to God through His son Jesus Christ then it won’t be of much eternal help to anyone else...but if you have...surrendered your life to God because you heard His calling and answered it. Write it down...be honest and transparent. Try to see God’s plan for you, even through the terrifying times. Testify to when He’s said “Do not be afraid” and how He’s provided a Savior and plan.
Here is an essential truth for every single Christian to understand. He didn’t just call you and save you for you. He called you, saved you, so that in your baptism...your death, burial and resurrection...His gift of the Holy Spirit would give you and urgency to share your story with others...so they can be amazed at what they hear.
C.S. Lewis understood how our testimony works....Why it’s so essential we get over our own pride and become transparent and hones with God’s grace. He said “Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself...” – C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
The Apostle Paul had a “Shepherd’s Heart.” He wrote to the Corinthians, his second letter to them...and in the opening verses says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of compassion and the God of all comfort.”
Paul says God gave birth to compassion. He’s it’s Dad. He’s the God of ALL comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles.
Do we believe that? Does the world know that? Our Father, God knows what trouble we go through and He comforts us...Why? So we can be comfortable? So we can have an easy life? So we’re happy? Not by a long shot.
2 Corinthians 1:4 says God does this so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we received from God.
How will the world know about our God. How will those who are starving, hurting, broken, know there is a comforter for all their troubles. It’s the good news of Jesus Christ our Savior shared the content of our testimony.
[This last year the owner of an African Restaurant names Sav was badly burned...I went to see him as soon as I could at UK and have even taken the staff to eat and meet him down at his restaurant. Why? Because I wanted him to see the God who was with me in the burn unit...and the God who has taken the scars and used them for His glory.]
God doesn’t put us in the fire to be destroyed. He asks us to be tested like silver and gold...purified for His use.
If you will not write down your story...open your heart to be honest and true about the God who saved you, and the circumstances He’s allowed you to go through, even severe testing, then you cannot be an instrument He will use for the comfort and salvation of others. And you do not have a shepherd’s heart.
Why was the news first announced to Shepherds...probably because the Savior, Jesus, was the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of all people...Shepherds understood...Lambs...They understood sacrifice...and shepherds smelled like sheep.
Isn’t it time that we started smelling like sheep because we love the flock so much we get close?
God got close...Immanuel God with us...the Word which became flesh...The Great Shepherd who knows His sheep...and died for them.
He had the greatest shepherd’s heart!
Let’s pray.
