DECEMBER 19TH,
2004
I.
Angels are watching over the
shepherds while the shepherds are watching over the sheep. (8-9)
A.
They were tending sheep
somewhere outside
1.
Verse 8 verifies again that
the Christmas Story occurred at night.
2.
The shepherds were staying
with the sheep for the night – “abiding.”
B.
The shepherds were suddenly
made aware that an angel of God was near (9).
1.
They saw the angel and they
saw “the glory of the Lord.”
2.
This “glory” was in the form
of a light because it “shone round about them.”
3.
The shepherds were afraid
because of the unexpected sights and noises.
II. What did this heavenly messenger say to
the shepherds? (10-12)
A.
Fear not (10)
-
This is not a reference to
fearing God, but the angels.
B.
I bring you good tidings of great joy
(10)
1.
This is a message from
Heaven.
2.
This is a message of joy.
C.
which shall be to all people
(10)
-
This message is for
everyone, everywhere, and in all every time.
D.
For unto you is born this day in the City of
1.
This birth is for you (unto
you)
2.
The angels appeared to the
shepherds on the same night that the Lord Jesus was a born.
3.
Luke emphasizes that
Bethlehem is the City of David the King.
E.
Which is Christ the Lord (11)
-
“Lord” being a reference to
God.
F.
The new-born King is to be
identified by the swaddling clothes and the manger (11).
III.
A multitude of angels
suddenly appear with the solitary messenger. (13-14)
A.
We should note, in passing,
that a multitude of angels can SUDDENLY appear. (13)
B.
It should further be noted
that these angels are praising God for His presence in Heaven, and the results
of His presence on Earth. (14)
IV. What did the shepherds do? (15-17)
A.
They made a decision to see
the Son of God for themselves. (15)
1.
A message from angels is not
enough.
2.
They acted on what God had
revealed to them.
B.
They wanted to enter His
presence quickly.
-
They found what the messenger
of God told them they would find.
C.
The shepherds became the
first human proclaimers that Christ had come to earth. (17)
V. The news of Jesus’ birth
gave people much to think about.
(18-20).
A.
In Bethlehem, the birth of
Jesus was not an announced event.
1.
There was no parade in the
streets, no bells rang, and no public crier stood in a tower and announced the
birth of the king.
2.
The shepherds found three
solitary figures in a city full of people.
B.
Mary pondered these things
in her heart. (19).
C.
The shepherds returned to their fields “glorifying and praising
God.” (20).
-
This is what the angels were
doing when they left in verses 13 and 14.
CONCLUSION – This Christmas,
we should make haste, and come into His presence.