The Flame of Christmas 3 – Shepherds a Flame of Joy
Work has been a part of our lives since man was first created. I remember when I was 12 or 13 and started to mow lawns to make money. I needed money to buy baseball gloves and cards. I have worked all my life since I was 12. I have worked in movie theaters, construction, restaurants, a factory, scrubbing toilets and churches and some days work was good and some days it was just work. We all can understand how work can just become a boring tedious thing we have to endure to be able to have the joy of everything else.
I wonder what the conversation was like on the hill side that night the angels showed up. Were they talking about what all they were missing working the night shift? How they wished they didn’t have to sleep through the day to work at night? What about just the monotony of waiting around for a wolf or thief to show up to make the night exciting. The find themselves staring at the same old stars, watching the same old sheep and eating the same tuna fish sandwich every night wondering if it will ever change. Plus the Romans come and tax, take sheep and walk over them. When will this ever be better, when will they be able to feel joy again?
Then the angel showed up with this amazing story. Of course they are scared, but reassured that they are ok. They are told that Jesus has been born… Well let Luke lay out the story for you. “That night, some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and they became very frightened. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people. Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord. This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.” Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying: “Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.“ When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem. Let’s see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.“ So the shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a feeding box. When they had seen him, they told what the angels had said about this child. Everyone was amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured these things and continued to think about them. Then the shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard. It had been just as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:8-20 (NCV)
The angel tells about a baby being born who will be the Savior of the world. He is known as Christ, the Lord and he will bring joy to the world. Talk about a boring night suddenly going nuclear. The shepherds are shocked but then the next thing happens. The heavens are filled with angels and they praise God and promise that those who follow him will have peace. Can you imagine your night is all quiet and calm then angels show up and the shepherds can’t wait to go see if what the angels said was true? They head to Bethlehem to find out the truth.
When they find Mary and Joseph with the baby they tell everyone about the angels and what they said. Everyone is amazed, but Mary just listens and looks into the eyes of her baby and treasures who he is and will become. The shepherds leave thankful and praising returning to the fields with their sheep. Their stories and lives will be changed forever. They have been told this great news. Not the king, the rich or religious. The angels tell simple shepherds which brings me great joy. The great news is shared with normal people like us. This baby was born for everyone not the powerful, rich or beautiful. Just the way John 3:16 says that whoever believes will be saved.
That is a true reason to believe that joy can be found. Maybe not in the day to day boring stuff or when life throws a curve our way, but in the fact that God is for everyone. There is not an insider’s club anymore. Jesus opened up the opportunities to find our joy in a relationship with God. When we trust that the message to the shepherds was a message to us then our joy can be based not on things or wants but on our God.
I wonder what the angels thought of this news. Well, we can pick that up next week.