First Told: To Lowly Shepherds
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 12/25/2011 AM (Christmas Day) |
Text: | Luke 2:8-12 |
Psalters: | 14, 406, 243, 262 |
- God’s way.
- Shepherds were normally young boys (youngest in the family).
- The work was long and hard: day and night, cold and heat, dealing with the natures of sheep.
- We know very little about these shepherds: no names, not even how many.
- A grand announcement by the most glorious messengers comes to the poor, despised shepherds.
- It is one of the glories of Jesus’ coming that it is announced to shepherds.
- The angel made no mistake to come first to the shepherd boys.
- This is the wisdom of God.
- The Messiah could not be welcomed by the important and mighty, for they did not seek Him.
- They were looking for an earthly king, not One Who came to seek and to save those lost in sin and death.
- Additionally, they would not give the Christ the right welcome.
- The welcome must come from the lowly shepherds.
- They see the Babe to be what the angel declared Him to be: the Savior, Christ (the Messiah) the Lord.
- Those who seek the Savior from sin are not distracted by all that attracts human attention away.
- It is God’s wisdom that not many wise, mighty and noble are called, but God has chosen the foolish, weak, and base.
- This emphasizes that it is of God’s grace, not because of what we are or have done.
- This shows the great love and mercy of our God, that all of salvation is completely in Him.
- God comforts those who know their salvation in Jesus Christ.
- Then we see our unworthiness of such blessing.
- Our comfort is not in our health, strength and might, but in God’s grace and mercy only.
- Let us commemorate His birth properly!