Let Heaven And Nature Sing! 12/25/20

Carson Village, Birmingham, Alabama

… and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ~ Luke 2:7a; Isaiah 9:6

It’s Christmas!

I looked up why we celebrate Christmas on December 25^th, and found an article on whychristmas.com.  It’s a pretty long and involved list of reasons, so you can check it out yourself, if you feel so inclined.  😊  Here’s a very small snippet I chose to share:  The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25^th was in 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (he was the first Christian Roman Emperor).  But it wasn’t an official Roman state festival at that time.  The name ‘Christmas’ comes from the Mass of Christ.  A Mass service (which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist) is where Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life.  The ‘Christ-Mass’ service was the only one that was allowed to take place after sunset and before sunrise the next day, so people held it at Midnight.  That’s where we get the name Christ-Mass, shortened to Christmas.

For the first time in our 61 years, we didn’t celebrate with our flock of Ohio people.  We really missed them!  But we had a splendid celebration with my brother, David here in Alabama!  Such a blessing! It was freezing cold today – high of only 34⁰, just as the weather man predicted!  But we were toasty warm inside David’s apartment. 

We ate exceedingly well (of course!) and I forced the boys to play with me since I didn’t have any grandchildren around.  Poor guys!  😊

We exchanged gifts – a year’s supply of Crack for David, and a smaller, foldable table for us. 

At least they enjoyed the Christmas Pong game.  (no alcohol!) 

We also made a Christmas craft. 

Other games included, Cat and Mouse (I think that one’ll be really fun with the grandkids!), Crazy Eights, Pigs, and a short round of Black Jack. 

We talked with my mom and baby brother (10 years younger than me – born two days before my birthday. Another questionable gift from my parents!😊) and a couple of friends, and about mid-afternoon, we did a Zoom call with Blaine’s family, all which were really nice.

It was a wonderful day! 

Today, I’d like to talk about those shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks at night.  The plural form indicates there was more than one.  There were most likely men and sheep from different ‘owners’, who came together at night for safety.  The sheep were corralled in pens or caves and the shepherds stayed close by to protect them so the shepherds could get some rest.  (sheep only take short naps throughout the day and night)

What was the job of the shepherds in Judea?  Were they considered important? Were they outcasts?  I’ve discovered two schools of thought.  1.  They were near the bottom of the social hierarchy – considered ‘unclean’ because they didn’t adhere to the Pharisitical laws of cleanliness and other rituals.  2.  They were considered important because these shepherds watched over the sheep/lambs/goats to be used for sacrifice at the temple in Bethlehem.  I don’t know what to think, but God has a habit of reaching out to, and then using the lowly and humble amongst us.  I also knew that God and Jesus must consider the job of shepherding important – – many prominent men in the OT were shepherds, including David who was the only shepherd in Jesse’s family – – – and Jesus is referred to as our shepherd.  He used many analogies of shepherd/sheep in His teachings and parables.

So there they are, minding their business, when “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around the, and they were terrified (‘Sore afraid’, ‘greatly afraid’, ‘terribly frightened’, ‘absolutely terrified’.  I’d go with the last one!).” (Luke 2:9)  Well, wouldn’t you be?

And here’s this angel bringing Good News of great joy for ALL people!  Telling them!  Which is why I lean towards them being considered the lowliest of people.  Outcasts.  Some of them may not have even been Jews.  This Good News is that nearby, in Bethlehem, a Savior has been born.  He is Christ the Lord (Christ is the Greek word; it’s Messiah in Hebrew, and both mean ‘Anointed One’).  Many Jews wanted a political leader to deliver them from Rome.  Many Jews wanted a savior to deliver them from sickness and physical hardship.  This baby is the Savior who will deliver them from sin and death.

And here’s the proof – a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.  I think the fact that the angel mentions being wrapped in cloth indicates the age.  A newborn, not a pre-formed man.  And he’s lying in a manger, which would also be unexpected for the Savior of the world. 

And then, because just one angel isn’t enough, it’s joined by a great company (multitude) of the Heavenly Host and they’re praising God, SAYING (not singing 😊) ‘Glory (honor) to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom His favor rests.’  Not peace to ALL men, but only those on whom His favor rests.

Who are those men?  How do we obtain God’s favor?  Through faith (believing) in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.  Romans 5:1-2 says, Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

And then, the angels headed back, and the shepherds headed out.  In a hurry.  They wanted to see ‘this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’  Do you ever wonder if they all went running?  Did they leave some behind to keep an eye on the sheep?  If they all left, it would put the sheep in potential danger, but I’m thinking after what they just witnessed, they weren’t too concerned about the sheep.  And I’m certain that God would watch out for them.

So they ran to Bethlehem (how ever far that was for them), took in the sight, and what did they do?  Did they head back to work and sit around and talk amongst themselves? 

No-sir-ree-bob!  First, they ran around excitedly telling everyone they saw!  And everyone who heard it was amazed!  (to be filled with wonder, admiration, or astonishment, at something surprising or extraordinary)

And then they returned to their sheep.  Still glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

When was the last time we talked about our Savior excitedly?  Even on Christmas Day?

May this year be different – for all of us!