Merry Christmas! Today, we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the miracle of all miracles. As we turn to the familiar words of Luke 2:1-20, we find ourselves drawn into the heart of that miraculous night in Bethlehem, where God’s promise to His people took the most unexpected form – a tiny infant, wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger. This story is not just a piece of history; it’s a narrative that continues to speak, to inspire, and to bring hope to every generation. It’s a story filled with mystery, grace, and a message that changes lives.
So today, let’s step into the shoes of those who were there. Let’s walk the dusty roads of Bethlehem with Joseph and Mary, sit in the fields with the shepherds, and hear the message of the angels as if for the first time. Let’s allow ourselves to be swept up in the wonder and awe of what it means for God to become flesh and dwell among us.
Setting the Scene: A Time of Waiting and Longing
Imagine the scene: it’s been four hundred years since a prophet of God has spoken. The people of Israel are waiting, longing for the promised Messiah, the one who would deliver them and bring peace. They’re living under Roman rule, burdened by oppression, taxation, and a yearning for freedom. Then, out of nowhere, an imperial decree is issued, and all must return to their ancestral towns to register.
Luke 2:1-5: “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”
Joseph, a humble carpenter, and his young wife Mary, who’s nearly due to give birth, set off on a long and gruelling journey to Bethlehem. They walk over rough, rocky terrain, with Mary riding on a donkey as they make their way to the town of David. As they arrive, they find a city crowded beyond capacity. The inns are full, the streets are bustling, and there’s no place for them to stay.
A Humble Birth for a Glorious King
With no room left in the inn, Joseph and Mary find shelter in a stable – a small, humble place where animals are kept.
Luke 2:6-7 “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
This is the Messiah, the promised Saviour, born not in a palace but in a stable, laid in a feeding trough. This birth isn’t what anyone would have expected for a king, let alone the Son of God. Yet this is exactly how God chose to come into the world – not in grandeur but in humility, not in power but in weakness.
Can you imagine what Mary must have felt as she gazed upon her newborn child? She knew that this child was from God, that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. But there in that quiet stable, with animals nearby and hay for bedding, did she fully grasp the magnitude of what was happening? Did she know that her son would one day walk on water, heal the sick, and raise the dead? That He would one day carry the weight of the world’s sins on His shoulders? In that moment, she knew one thing for certain: she held in her arms Emmanuel – God with us.
The Shepherds’ Encounter with the Angels
While Mary and Joseph marvel at their newborn child, out in the fields nearby, shepherds are watching their flocks by night. Shepherds in that day were not well-regarded in society; they were seen as lowly, dirty, and unworthy. They lived on the outskirts, often overlooked and forgotten. Yet, God chooses to reveal the good news to these humble shepherds before anyone else.
Luke 2:8-9 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”
Imagine the scene – the quiet night broken by the sudden appearance of an angel, surrounded by the glory of God. The shepherds are terrified, overcome by the blinding light and the realization that something divine is happening. But the angel reassures them:
Luke 2:10-11: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
This message, good news of great joy for all people, was first shared with shepherds – people society had overlooked. God didn’t send the angel to the religious elite or the powerful rulers. He chose the humble, the ordinary, the forgotten. This choice speaks volumes about the nature of God’s kingdom: He values the lowly, the overlooked, the meek. The shepherds, unworthy by societal standards, were given the greatest message of all time.
The Heavenly Hosts Proclaim Glory
As if the appearance of one angel wasn’t awe-inspiring enough, suddenly a great company of angels appears.
Luke 2:13-14 “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’”
Can you imagine the sight? The sky filled with angelic beings, singing and proclaiming the glory of God, announcing peace to humanity. The shepherds, who moments ago were tending to their sheep in the quiet darkness, are now witnesses to a heavenly choir, celebrating the birth of the Saviour. The message of the angels is one of peace. In a world full of conflict, oppression, and division, the birth of Jesus ushers in a peace that goes beyond understanding. It’s not a temporary ceasefire or the absence of conflict. It’s a peace that resides in the heart, a peace that reconciles us to God. This is the peace that Jesus would later speak of:
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”
The angels sing of God’s glory, and they proclaim peace – a peace that is now available to each of us through Jesus. This peace isn’t something we can achieve on our own; it’s a gift, given freely, wrapped in the love of Christ.
The Shepherds’ Journey to Bethlehem
As the angels return to heaven, the shepherds are left in awe.
Luke 2:15-16 “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”
The shepherds didn’t hesitate. They left their flocks and hurried to Bethlehem, eager to see this child, the Messiah. These men, who were considered unclean and unworthy, were among the first to worship the Saviour. They came as they were, with no pretence, no offerings – only a heart ready to receive. When they arrived, they found everything just as the angel had said. There in the manger, they saw the child, the promised Saviour, lying in the most humble of settings. Their hearts must have overflowed with wonder and gratitude as they realized that God had chosen them to witness this holy moment.
Sharing the Good News
After seeing Jesus, the shepherds couldn’t keep the news to themselves.
Luke 2:17-18 “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
These shepherds, who had been outcasts and outsiders, became the first evangelists, sharing the good news of Jesus’ birth. They didn’t have theological training, eloquent words, or high status. All they had was a firsthand encounter with Jesus, and that was enough. They spread the word with joy, and all who heard were amazed. What a powerful example for us today. Like the shepherds, we may feel unworthy or unequipped to share our faith. But the shepherds remind us that the gospel isn’t about us; it’s about Jesus. When we encounter Christ, His love compels us to share it with others. Our testimonies don’t have to be polished or profound – they just have to be true.
Mary Treasured These Things in Her Heart
Amid all the excitement, Mary remained reflective.
Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Mary’s response is one of quiet reflection. While the shepherds are eager to share the news, Mary takes it all in, treasuring and pondering each moment. She had experienced a whirlwind of emotions – from the angel’s announcement to the journey to Bethlehem, from the humble birth to the visit from shepherds. Mary’s heart must have been filled with awe, humility, and wonder at what God was doing through her and in her. In treasuring these things, Mary teaches us something important about faith. Faith isn’t always about action; sometimes, it’s about reflection, about making space in our hearts for God to reveal His purpose and presence. Mary could have been overwhelmed by the circumstances, but instead, she chose to hold each moment close, reflecting on the miracle of what God was doing.
Today, we are invited to take a cue from Mary. Christmas can be filled with distractions and busyness, but Mary reminds us to pause, to treasure, and to ponder the gift of Jesus. What if, in this season, we took time each day to reflect on the love and grace God has shown us through Christ?
The Shepherds Return, Glorifying and Praising God
The story closes with the shepherds returning to their fields:
Luke 2:20 “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
These men, who had experienced such a miraculous encounter, went back to their ordinary lives, but they were forever changed. They returned to their work, but they carried with them a newfound joy, a joy that came from witnessing the Messiah. The shepherds’ response is a reminder that encountering Jesus doesn’t always mean our external circumstances change. Their day-to-day lives likely remained the same; they returned to their sheep and the same routine. But internally, they were transformed. They had experienced the Savior, and that experience filled them with praise and gratitude.
For us today, the Christmas story invites us to let the joy of Christ’s birth change us from the inside out. Like the shepherds, we can return to our lives with a new perspective, a perspective shaped by the knowledge that God is with us. The Good News doesn’t mean life will be free from challenges, but it does mean that we can face those challenges with peace and hope.
The Gift of Christmas: Emmanuel, God With Us
At the heart of this story is the truth of Emmanuel – God with us. Jesus didn’t come to remain distant or to reign from afar. He came to be with us, to walk alongside us, to know our sorrows and joys. In Jesus, God’s presence entered into the messiness of human life, bringing light to our darkness and peace to our turmoil. This truth is more than a comforting thought; it’s a life-changing reality. Because of Emmanuel, we are never alone. Because of Emmanuel, we have hope beyond our circumstances. Because of Emmanuel, we can find peace, even in a broken world. The birth of Jesus is a reminder that God’s love pursues us, that His grace reaches us, and that His presence sustains us.
Conclusion: Embracing the Miracle of Christmas
As we celebrate this Christmas, may we be like the shepherds, filled with awe, eager to share the Good News. May we be like Mary, treasuring and pondering the miracle of Christ in our hearts. And may we carry the message of Emmanuel with us, letting it transform our lives and inspire our faith. This Christmas let’s not only celebrate the season but the Saviour. Let’s remember that the same God who was born in a manger is with us now, walking with us, guiding us, and loving us. Merry Christmas to you and yours, and may the joy and peace of Christ fill your hearts today and always.