Luke 2:1-20
Christmas:
During Christmas some go to their mother church, some others go to their mother-in-law church. For some Christmas means lots eatables and going to good restaurants. Some Christmas means bonus, means New Dress. Christmas is beyond all but Christ is exalted, worshiped and congregation has assembled for Christ.
Introduction:
The passage we just heard reading the first part vividly explains the worst scenario of the world. It’s one of the scenes of the world for ever, scenes of the world at all times.
1. Worst scenario of the world
Ceaser Augustus ruled Roman Empire from 27BC to 14 AD, the period was known as “Era of Peace”. He was known as “Savour” or “god”, “Saviour of the world”. But Luke show the real Saviour, God and Saviour of the World.
God used Augustus to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem to city of David, so Jesus would be known as the Son of David. He has to come from Bethlehem (Mic.5:1). Census was taken in 28 BC, 8 BC and 14 BC.
The night on Dec 24th in BC 1, was very dark, gloomy. People were living in great hopelessness under the tyrant rule of the Romans. The descendants of Abraham were so discouraged and lived a life of Slavery.
How many times this people have to become a nation less people, leaders less people, what a pathetic situation to this special Chosen people, redeemed people, and called out community. Probably this is the only nation which was always under watch and punishment. All other nations were either let out or wiped out of the face.
The narration of Luke about Birth of Jesus has the glimpse of the dreadful governments, Policies of the nations, rulers and people in power. People in power always forget about the problems faced by common citizens.
We had gone through these problems during demonetization, producing life certificates for pensions. Governments’ policy implementer never worried about the difficulties; problems faced by people. They talk about time limit without heart. Only they say this is the order and have to obey.
If the democratically elected governments, leaders behave violently, inhuman ways then think of the kings who had occupied the ruling seats by birth as royal right, how dreadful they were. They had lost their hearts. No place for compassion, mercy, grace etc.,
Not only Mary and Joseph, there were many elderly people, many pregnant women, many children would have suffered without boarding and lodging. People could have stood in a long queue for registration; like how we are running shelter after shelter, pillar to post to get our ID cards and any other documents.
Often, we live these realities. Some curse the rulers, some curse the God, some curse the governments, some say its fate, some accept as it is, live as it is and die.
The hopeless community was looking for some messiah, some good News. So, God sent the best Good News from Heaven.
2. Best Good news of the Heaven
At this juncture, one of the arch-angel great Gabriel brought the Good news of the birth of Messiah, the Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World, to the Shepherds of Jerusalem with three-fold blessings or triune blessings:
“Glory to God in the Highest,
And on earth peace
To men on whom His favour rests” (Lk.2:14).
What a soothing statement to the dreadful and terrified communities. People were living without love, without favour for one another, without graceful heart, without peaceful mind, without hope. Are you in this night live like one of them? God sends his Good news to you.
FIRST BLESSING is Glory to God in the Highest. What is “glory” Glory means heavenly bliss, absolute happiness, adoring praise, sources of honour, fame and admiration, great beauty and splendour. There is a Glory of God (Is.42;8, 48:11, Ac 7:2, Lk.2:9,19:38). Glories of the dreadful, tyrant rulers will vanish. God’s glory is seen.
SECOND BLESSING is on earth Peace. The peace on earth was lost in Garden of Eden after a dirty conversation between Satan and Eve (Gen.3:1-2).
The conversation was against the faith, against word of God and against God. Bad company corrupts good Character, an unwanted talk brings indiscipline (1Cor.15:33). It leads to backbiting, slandering, accusing and non-acceptance of brethren, not acceptance of fellow being and hatred.
The absence of the Prince of peace means the presence of pandemonium (chaos), upheaval. Relationship with God is peace (Rom.5:1). Submission to God gives Peace, and Peace brings prosperity (Job22:21).
Peace gives completeness, welfare and shalom. When Jesus is in you, you become an agent of Peace, a Peace maker, a symbol of Peace. People will look for your entry, your friendship, your fellowship and your involvement bring peace on the Earth.
THIRD BLESSING is to men on whom His favour resting upon men. Favour also means Grace. In our day-to-day life context, it means kindness, friendly regards shown by the superior to the junior. The sin brought ego, selfish attitude and hatred, hostility among men. The birth of Jesus brought favour upon men. The favour of men is relative to beauty (Gen 29:17-18, 30-31), to status, to power, to pleasing to eyes, to possession, to position, to class, to language, to caste, to colour. Most of the times these kinds of favours are artificial and not a natural outcome. But Christ’s love takes us beyond all these.
The favour of God was found in Noah because he was just, righteous and walked with God in His generation (Gen.6:8-9) Joseph had the favour of God for his holiness (Gen 39:9-10). God’s favour was upon David because of his heart and he did the ministry as per the will of God (1 Sam 13:14 & Ac 13:36).
But the favour of God came to you and me in spite of our sinful behaviour, unworthiness. The understanding of it is the Christmas. The goodness the favour of leads you to evangelism.
3. Trusted believers for Evangelism
Shepherds were known as thieves and sinners by the rabbinic teachings. The shepherds were camped at Migdal Eder (Tower of Eder built by Jacob- Gen 35:21), an idea Israelites had was that the coming of the Messiah and the Saviour would be pronounced from the Tower of Eder. So, God sent the angel to inform the shepherds. But Mic.4:8- shifted that tower from Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
The ordinary, common people of country were given the good news of Saviour. They went, saw the child, and worshipped the child, witnessed about the child Jesus. They were grateful to the message came to them. They never had so much of fun, functions. So, it was very exciting.
They saw the glorious face of the child, the face of God, the radiant rays from this infant. This child neither reflects the face of Mary or Joseph or forefathers but reflects the glory of God. So, they worshipped the child and the God of this child, glorified God, enjoyed in God and returned with this joy of salvation.
Though the angel was not able to give exact address but he gave them a sign. That sign was “wrapped in the cloths” meant for the Kingly children, when they were born, they were given care and wrapped with cloth bands (Wisd.7:4-5). His identity was very simple. But today he gave all of us an identity and an address of great measure. We are known by his name as Christians.
They sang (Dt.31:21). Songs are testimonials; songs are expressions of our redemption, expressions of God’s love. Songs are testimonials for God’s existence. God gives new songs after our redemption (Ps 40:2-3).
That’s why all other songs become immaterial to us. We don’t find great joy singing cine songs, secular songs. You can’t repeat them and enjoy. They give temporary joy. Singing about this child is evergreen and ever growing.
They Witnessed: witness is nothing but saying what you enjoy in life. Lepers were healed but only one leper testified to God means glorifying God (Lk.17:15-18). Tell your life changing experiences like that Samaritan Woman (Jn.4:39).
If you touch Jesus every day, if you experience his presence every day you can’t keep quiet. You smile at people; you are kind to people. You are good to your own and to all. God calls for silent evangelism through our simple, holy and acceptable life by all.
Evangelism is no more a talk but exhibition and experience of others through us. Jesus can’t be seen by people. They can read about him but only they can see Jesus and experience him only through you and me.
Let’s live Christmas.
Lets’ share Christmas.
Let’s Enjoy Christmas.
