Christ the Saviour is Born (Luke 2:8-20)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
27 December 2020
Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ. To miss this point leads to all sorts of diversions such as Christmas shopping and partying and Santa Claus.
Luke 2:8-20 lends itself to three sections: the announcement of Christ’s birth, the response to this announcement and the result of the response.
First, the announcement of Christ’s birth.
It was announced to humble shepherds and no wonder for God rejects the proud but gives grace to humble, child-like people. Not to religious dignitaries or mighty political leaders but to simple shepherds came the announcement of Christ’s birth. You cannot receive Christ unless you be humble.
The announcement was sudden. God sometimes does things suddenly, as with Noah’s flood, as with Daniel’s writing on the wall, as with the Day of Pentecost and here, as in the angelic announcement.
The announcement was through an angel sent from heaven thereby indicating that the initiative is with the Lord God. He sent the angel. The angel carried out his task then returned to heaven.
It was an announcement of good tidings of great joy. Christ did not come to condemn people. He came to bless. Condemnation, to be sure, will come, but presently we live in the age of God’s grace and mercy. Always remember that Christ came to save. Note his salvation is for all people. The Christian faith is for everyone.
The sign given to the shepherds of Christ’s birth was a baby in a manger. Shepherds were familiar with feeding troughs. These shepherds would consider it strange indeed to find a baby in a manger. This is why it was a sign. A sign must be unusual, something out of the ordinary. A baby in a trough was something the shepherds had never seen before.
This baby was the Saviour who is Christ the Lord. This was at the heart of the angelic announcement. Jesus Christ has come to save us from our sins. We are all separated from God our Creator because of sin. Christ has come to reconcile us to our Creator.
Consider secondly the response to the announcement.
The first response was from heaven. A multitude of the heavenly host praised God. When once the announcement was made angels in heaven burst forth in joyous praise to God. Angels watched on and at the appropriate time the heavenly host burst forth in praise. Jesus taught that when one sinner repents there is joy in the presence of the angels in heaven.
Then there was an earthly response. It was the response of the shepherds. Their response is summed up in their own words, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see the thing that has come to pass which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:15). The shepherds left immediately. Theirs was a heart-response. So ours should also be if we are told about Christ Jesus.
Finally, consider the result of the shepherds’ response.
They found and saw baby Jesus. The shepherds were rewarded for their faith. They who watched over sacrificial lambs for the temple were the first to see the sacrificial lamb of God who gave his life for the sin of the world. Rest assured that those who seek Jesus will find him.
The shepherds were glorifying and praising God. They joined the angels in doing this. At the birth of Jesus heaven and earth were united in praise and adoration. The entire universe will one day acknowledge Christ Jesus the King of kings and Lord of lords.
The shepherds bore witness to what they had heard and seen for they made widely known the revelation given to them. Everyone who heard the shepherds’ testimony marvelled.
The lesson for us is that God has revealed himself in the Lord Jesus Christ and those who seek him will find him and have inexpressible joy.
How do we seek and find Jesus today? Do not expect angelic visits. Do not expect to see Jesus visibly. He has been revealed to us in the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit will teach us from the Bible about Jesus.
Therefore spend time reading and meditating over the Bible and pray the Lord to show you Christ from the Scriptures. The Lord hears prayer. You will rejoice with unspeakable joy when the Holy Spirit reveals things to you and you gladly believe what is revealed.