A Shepherd’s Perspective on Christmas
Luke 2:1-20
Good morning.
I read an attorney’s website about eyewitnesses to an auto accident that said…
“Eyewitness testimony is valuable evidence in a car accident case. It can provide critical insights into the circumstances surrounding the collision.”
“Don't limit yourself to just one eyewitness account. If other people were present at the scene who saw the accident, try to collect their information as well.
Multiple credible witnesses can strengthen your case and provide a more well-rounded understanding of the events leading to the collision.”
But one former trooper said this about multiple eyewitnesses to an accident, “People usually want to tell the truth.
But, when they really don’t know the whole truth, they try to fill in the blanks as they make up details, which can be problematic.
Although all the witnesses saw thew same accident, they tell the story of what took place differently, which makes the reporting officer have to discern the truth of what really happened.”
Please open your Bibles to the Gospel of Luke, as we take a break, out of our Mark study for a Christmas mini-series.
I. Travel during pregnancy.
Read Luke 2:1-7
Caesar Agustus ordered a census to be taken of all the people, so Joseph and his pregnant fiancé traveled back to the town of his original family linage.
This census was issued in order to count the people for taxes.
The historian Kenneth Latourette said, “Augustus and his successors had not solved the basic problems of the Mediterranean world.
What appeared to be a failure in government they had substituted more government and government was not the answer.”
Because of the failures of man’s governing for years and years, the world was ripe for a Savior to be born.
The journey for Joseph and Mary was about 80 miles distance, which would have taken a lot of time and money to accomplish during those days.
Roman Law did not require Mary to make the journey with Joseph, but I am sure he was concerned for Mary’s safety and for the unborn child she was carrying, so she went with Joseph.
When Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, they were in for a big surprise, a baby was going to arrive that very evening.
“Her firstborn son”, seems to indicate that Mary had other children later, contrary to some religions that teach she was a perpetual virgin for life.
Then we are told they, “Wrapped Him in swaddling cloths”.
The Savior of the world was wrapped in strips of cloth, and He was laid in a manger, which was a feeding trough for animals.
John Trapp said, “The word translated swaddling cloths comes from the ancient Greek word meaning “to tear,” meaning they were torn strips of cloth wrapped around Jesus”.
The Lord had planned this very day to occur from eons past; this would be the day God the Son was going to appear to mankind.
Galatians 4:4 when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
Galatians 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. NKJV
Notice, there was no room for them in the Inn. God the Father foreknew there would be no room in the Inn for His Son.
William Barclay said, “That there was no room in the inn was symbolic of what was to happen to Jesus. The only place where there was room for him was on a cross.”
The question for every person ever born is this: Will you make room for Jesus in your heart and life?
II. A not so silent night for the Shepherds.
Read Luke 2:8-9
I want to give a have a proper picture of a shepherd from biblical times.
How do you picture these shepherds. Do you picture a cute little boy out in a field somewhere with some docile sheep?
Think back to the story of David when Goliath was challenging the army of Israel and blaspheming the name of God.
1 Samuel 17:32 David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."
1 Samuel 17:33 And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth."
1 Samuel 17:34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
1 Samuel 17:35 I went out after it and struck it and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
1 Samuel 17:36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God."
1 Samuel 17:37 Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." NKJV
When we think about a shepherd, we can also look to the Gospel of John 10, where Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd. We know Jesus possesses all of the power of the Godhead bodily.
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. NKJV
A shepherd during biblical times was not a mild, weak little boy but, rather he would have been a burly, rugged outdoors person.
Here in our history lesson in the Gospel of Luke, these men are alone at night watching over the flock, where they could possibly have to fight off wild animals in the wilderness.
David Guzik said, “Bethlehem’s shepherds were known to care for the temple flock. These men may have also protected and cared for the lambs used in temple sacrifice.”
When an angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, the shepherds were shocked and afraid.
In the original language this means these men were greatly terrified, as they were shaking in their sandals.
The whole Christmas story should shock and amaze us as well.
The fact that a Holy, Creator God, gave Himself as a sacrifice for the people who rebelled against Him, should be shocking.
If we are not amazed by the Christmas narrative, then we have not fully understood it yet!
III. The shepherds were promised great joy.
Read Luke 2:10-14
The angel brought good tidings of great joy to these shepherds.
According to vocabulary.com, “Tidings is an old-fashioned word for recent news.
“If someone says, "I bring you good tidings!" it means they have information to share that you'll probably like” (vocabulary.com)
We live in such a negative world that wants us to concentrate on fear and bad news but the words good tidings, has a very similar meaning to the word Gospel, which means good news.
It is good news that Jesus Christ came to the earth He created in order to save us from our sin and sin’s penalty.
John 3:16 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 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. NKJV
We were all condemned under sin’s bondage but Jesus, took our condemnation upon Himself on the Cross so, whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Condemnation is reserved for those who refuse the free gift of salvation. Unfortunately, that is the truth, there will be those who will refuse Jesus, but He came to give good news.
Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? NKJV
The Lord desires a real relationship with His people, not as robots without a choice or brain but, a relationship with a loving, caring Father, who loves us.
As we read through the Gospels and hear the narratives of Jesus, it was only the religious leaders and the self-righteous, holier than thou people, Jesus got angry with.
The repentant sinners were always welcomed by Jesus, as He showed them compassion.
Matthew 9:10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.
Matthew 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
Matthew 9:12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." NKJV
The very mission of Jesus was to come to the earth He created and seek and save those who were lost, and His mission began to unfold that night in Bethlehem.
The joy the angel told the shepherds about was for all who would receive Jesus.
What a wake-up call this should be for all of us who are running around this holiday season and making Christmas about everything except Jesus.
Jesus came to give us great joy and peace.
No matter what life is throwing at you, “turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
We said a few weeks ago in our sermon on rejoicing always…
“Rejoicing in any situation comes from a supernatural joy, which is only made possible by the Holy Spirit.”
Happiness comes from happenings, or because something happens our way. But the Lord instructs us to rejoice in all circumstances, in afflictions, as well as times of blessing.
Joy comes from the assurance of knowing Jesus is in charge and He has good plans for us.
If we are not filled with joy about the Christmas narrative, we probably have not fully understood the full meaning of Christmas yet.
Notice, “Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.”
After the angel told the shepherd the good news, a large group of angels appeared.
A heavenly host is a picture of an angel army proclaiming peace on earth and goodwill toward men.
Once the shepherds receive good tidings of great joy, notice what they do…
IV. The shepherds spread the Gospel.
Read Luke 2:15-18
The shepherds demonstrated great faith by taking the word of the angel and immediately acted on their faith, by going to see.
Faith is taking the Lord at His Word and then acting upon it, because Faith is not just an intellectual belief, faith is an action word.
When the shepherds arrive, they find Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus just as the angel said they would.
After they found the family, they made widely known that which was told to them by the heavenly hosts.
Just like the shepherds, when we come to realize who this baby is and how He grew up to take the sin of the world, we will also share the Good News of the Gospel which we have received.
Imagine finding the fountain of youth or hitting the lottery, you would probably shout about it. If you have found Jesus, shout about it. When Phillip was found by Jesus, he told others.
John 1:43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."
John 1:44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote — Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." NKJV
If we truly believe that Jesus is who He said He is and that all people have to make a choice about eternity here on earth before they die, then we should tell everybody about the Gospel.
Hey everybody, I have found the One who forgives my sin, who saves me from sin’s wrath, and gives me purpose and meaning, here and now as well.
Sharing our testimony and the Gospel should become second nature to us.
If we will not share the Gospel and the Christmas story with others, we probably haven’t fully understood it yet.
Then, after sharing the Good News of Christmas…
V. The Shepherds return praising and glorifying God.
Read Luke 2:19-20
Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Mary meditated over all the things which took place in her heart, trying to understand the meaning of it all.
She had previously been promised by the angel in Luke 1:30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Luke 1:31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name JESUS. NKJV
Mary was probably meditating knowing this was the Lord’s doing. Even as people back in Nazareth were probably gossiping about her and Joseph, Mary knew the truth about Jesus.
God works through all kinds of events to accomplish His plan.
And then we are told that the shepherds returned to the flock.
Remember what the shepherds were doing prior to the visit from the angel; they were keeping watch over the flock and going about the everyday busyness of life.
Now as the shepherds return to the field, they were instantly and forever changed, because of their encounter with Jesus.
When a person has a genuine encounter with the Living God, Jesus Christ, they will be instantly and forever changed.
When a person has a genuine encounter, they are not perfect but, changed, none the less.
Think back to the story of Moses and the burning bush. He was instantly and forever changed in that moment.
Think back to the story of Isaiah and his encounter with the Lord at the altar. He was instantly and forever changed in that moment.
Think back to the story of Abraham when the Lord visited him. He was instantly and forever changed in that moment.
Every person who had a genuine encounter with Jesus were quick to repent and quick to respond to His call for their life.
The Lord is quick to forgive all who by faith will receive His free gift of eternal life in Christ. So, the shepherds go back to the field as they go back to doing what they were called to do.
But the shepherds go back to their lives, as they continually praise and worship the Lord, for showing them special favor at the sight of the baby Jesus.
If we have not been changed by the reality of Christ, we probably have not fully understood Christmas yet.
(You see) Jesus will accept us right where we are in life, no doubt about it. We don’t try to be good to get God, we get God in order to be good.
However, once we belong to Jesus, He loves us way too much to leave us in the filth of our sin lifestyles any longer.
Again, we do not gain perfection but, we certainly grow and mature as He conforms us into His image, day by day.
In Luke 15, we are told a familiar parable by Jesus about a man who had two sons and the younger of the two asked his father for his inheritance, he left home and wasted all of his money.
Once he was out of money, he came to his senses and went home to ask his father if he could become one of his servants.
Luke 15:20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
Luke 15:21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
Luke 15:22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
Luke 15:23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;
Luke 15:24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. NKJV
Notice the things that happened after the son repented and returned home to the father:
• The father clothed him with a new robe which signified royalty and privilege.
• The father placed a ring on his finger to identify him as a son.
• The father prepared a special feast in order to celebrate the return of his son.
When we repent from our wasteful lifestyles, the Lord does the same things for us.
• Jesus clothes us in His righteousness so, that the Father only sees the perfection of the Son when He sees us.
• Jesus gives us His Holy Spirit as a seal, a down payment, and promise as we are identified in the family of God.
• Jesus left us His Word as a love letter to feed us spiritually and someday we will join Jesus at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.
Once we come to grips with the true meaning of Christmas and accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation, we will be positionally changed instantly and we will constantly mature in Christ.
VI. Practical Application.
Re-read Luke 2:11-12
They were promised a Savior. What does a Savior do?
The main function of a Savior is to save people from their sins. The only people who need a Savior are people who have sinned.
Since we know every person ever born has sinned, we know all people need a Savior.
Romans 3:23 is very clear that all have sinned and fallen short f the glory of God and Romans 6:23 is clear that the penalty for sin is death but, the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ.
The demand of scripture is perfection but, we are all sinners.
We are all in need of a Savior. I need a Savior, my neighbors need a Savior, my family needs a Savior.
The Great news of Christ is Luke 2:11 there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. NKJV
This is the real Christmas story and meaning. We needed a Savior and God sent his only Son as Savior to the world.
If we don’t see ourselves as people in need of a Savior, we probably haven’t fully understood Christmas yet.
