We are told in Luke 2:8, that Shepherds were tending to their flocks on a Judean hillside when, suddenly, they were interrupted by angels who told them they had a sign for them from the Lord. It is not by accident that the sign was given at night. The scriptures tell us the shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks at night. The magi from the East were guided to the place of Christ’s birth by a star at night. The shepherds went to the manger at night.
Night has always played a significant role during the Christmas season. Christmas Eve services and the lighting of candles, which symbolizes that the Christ-child is the Light, which has come into the world to overcome the darkness, surrounding us, all have to do with night. It was a dark world when Christ was born and it is still dark in some respects.
As we prepare once again for Christmas, we can see that there is still unrest in the Middle East and other parts of the world. Will there ever be peace? Darkness, hostility and violence are ever present in our world.
The darkness of the world is dark indeed. Yet, the good news of Christmas is that all that darkness, whatever its cause may be dispelled by the Living Light of Bethlehem’s Baby. The darkness of the world may be overcome. The darkness you and I experience may be overcome.
If you are in the dark, I bring a word to you from the Lord. There is a sign in everybody’s night. It is the Christ-child, the Light of all humanity. God gave that sign at night to remind each of us that in the darkest hour of our lives, the Most High God gives a sign that brings life and light. And it is not by accident that this sign given at night was in a manger. Jesus did not come to the Temple, a synagogue, or the throne room. When Jesus was born, He was placed in a manger, a feeding trough for animals. The manger, in that cattle stall, indicated the lowly state of the birth of this Child and the humble conditions surrounding His birth. In this place of simplicity, God surprised the world with His unexpected appearance. God chose humble shepherds, a lowly maiden, and an ordinary stable to enter among us.
This is who God is. The Bible reveals a God who has always identified with the outcast, the lowly, the poor, the sick, the ordinary, and the needy. We are to remember that God is concerned with the hurting people of this world and we are among that lot because in some way or another, all of us hurt. This is why God came into the world by way of the manger. The shepherds received much joy. Their hearts were filled with joy when the angel of God made the announcement of Messiah’s birth. Did you hear what the angel said? I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10) Our joy is built upon the fact that, in Christ, God is Immanuel (Meaning God is with us.) and He really is. And that is what Christmas is all about.
Pastor Ralph