Silent Night, It Was Not So Silent After All.

Message : Silent Night – It was not so silent a night!

Dr. Thomas Maxwell,D-Min

Senior Pastor, Lakeview Baptist Church, Anderson S.C.

Intro Passage:

Isa 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

*On this night, the Night of Christ birth, this scripture is fulfilled. An Event that would start to turn the world upside down as God himself came down in the form of a child born of a virgin and start the world singing a new song..

Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

**As we look at the town in which Christ was born and on the night Christ was born, we come to a conclusion that the Silent Night we sing about was not so silent after all.

Luk 2:1-7 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (2) (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

(3) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. (4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) (5) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

(6) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. (7) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

*** The Town was a busy and noisy place as crowds of people were there to meet the Tax command from Caesar. The hustle and bustle of a busy city. The rush of people going about trying to find shelter and provision for the night and the days ahead. People were about their daily lives much like we do today… Merchants were about getting sales done. Sounds a lot like the Christmas rush we have today. It was a noisy town.

**** The Country side was not much better… The hustle and bustle of the busy merchants and people were not there but the business of shepherding was being done. Tending to the sheep, watching out for predators and trying to get some rest in the evening air.

Luk 2:8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

(9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

(10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

(13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, (14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

***** The Country side was stirred it was noised about as the Shepherds reacted to:

the Message of the Birth of Jesus.

the traveling to the place of his birth

the Heavenly host singing.. the skychoir!

Luk 2:15-20 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (17) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. (18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.