Luke 2:8-9 “And there were shepherds
living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over
their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared
to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified.”
It’s funny how the Christmas Story played out.
Mary was terrified as well when she saw the angel. Joseph was a
carpenter, who didn’t have much. The shepherds were the people who
broke the silence. That’s how God has always worked. The world had
been full of darkness since the curse. But, God has been using
people in the darkness, and bringing people out of darkness ever
since!
Luke 2:10-11 “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring
you good news 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.”
Jesus came from a family line full of darkness. The news was
delivered in an unexpected, lowly area. The shepherds, who were
looked down upon, delivered the message. So, I want to remind you of
something you probably already know. It doesn’t matter where you
came from; it matters where you are going!
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In a world full of darkness, Christmas is a time when we remember
that the solution to this darkness has already been offered. First
came the light! Then the reason to not live in fear any longer. I
bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people…a
Savior has been born to YOU!!!
Light offers forgiveness to the sinner. Light offers love to lonely.
Light offers hope to the broken. And light offers eternity to all.
Jesus lived in the darkest areas, choosing to spend
time with people who were most rejected. Jesus spent much of his
life assuring us that this joy is for all people, not just some.
This birth of Jesus is a reminder that we too can be reborn,
becoming children of God!
That’s how we will experience this great JOY OFFERED TO ALL PEOPLE!
Jesus didn’t save us while sitting somewhere far away. He lived a
life. He chose to feel what we feel, suffer how we suffer, and have
the same pain that we have. Just as Jesus became the light of the
world, let us follow His lead, by choosing to be light in the
darkness.
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