Devotional Materials. Week Commencing Sunday 26th December 2021
Call to worship
“But you Bethlehem in the land of Judah are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6)
“We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
When Jesus was given to us as a little baby, born in a manger, it didn’t appear that here was the Son of God, incarnate, yet God He was- ‘Immanuel God with us’. Our first carol reminds us a ‘stable place sufficed’ for ‘the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ’
Carol. “In the bleak midwinter” (MP 337. Piano).
Christina Georgina Rossetti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTzqMi2AQF8
Prayer
Almighty God, we do worship and praise You. You are the Creator of the Universe. You have created us and given us life, You preserve us and we know so many blessings from Your hand. All blessings we enjoy above our deserving, asking or hoping. You are all powerful, great and mighty. You are Sovereign overall and we gladly entrust ourselves to You.
Such is Your greatness and power that nobody or nothing compares with You, no place can restrict You: ‘heaven cannot hold you nor earth sustain’. Yet in Your supreme wisdom You chose to come among us, born as a baby in Bethlehem. You chose the way of Incarnation- God become man- by the virgin birth. We marvel at the wonder of such a powerful miracle. We are grateful that by this means You came to us in the person of Your son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for this immeasurable love- You came to serve us in our greatest need of Salvation. You have been so good to us, despite our ingratitude, thoughtlessness and forgetfulness of You. For Your pity, long-suffering, gentleness and tenderness we bow our heads in humble, thankfulness of heart. We worship you who are infinite love, infinite compassion, and infinite power. Accept our praise and gratitude, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Reading. Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Our next Carol is probably the most gospel orientated of carols: “cast out our sin and enter in” and “in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in.”
Carol “O little town of Bethlehem” (MP 503. Piano)
Phillips Brooks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71ppzuPARXg
Prayers
Christ, for whom there was no room in the inn,
give courage to all who are homeless;
Christ, who fled into Egypt,
give comfort to all refugees;
Christ, who fasted in the desert,
give relief to all who are starving;
Christ, who hung in agony on the cross,
give strength to all who suffer;
Lord of the Church
hear our prayer,
and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.
Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth may we begin to see the world in the light of the understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember those less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving. Amen.
God of compassion,
be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation (pause for quiet)
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross,
but reigns with you in glory,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Reading. Luke 2:8-20
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. But the angel said to them, “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 Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 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.” 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. 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. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Carol. “While shepherds watched their flocks by night” (MP 764. Piano)
Nahum Tate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ecBt7uthC4
Sermon. ‘The Shepherds’
Mary must have been amazed when a group of scruffy shepherds arrived at the stable telling of angelic hosts and already aware of the birth of her son. She would have been exhausted from giving birth, but it’s not surprising she pondered and treasured up all these things as she saw these people worship her son and tell everyone they met about her child. It would have been a reassurance to both her and Joseph. They had both of course had angels explain that Mary’s son was the Saviour, Messiah and Son of God. But it had been a difficult time for them since. They had faced hostility from their own community, a long difficult journey and failure to get decent lodgings. So the shepherds’ testimony about Jesus would be a welcome confirmation.
The shepherds were simple men with simple lives.
We are told there were “shepherds living out in the fields near by” (8) The region surrounding Bethlehem had always been associated with shepherding, it was there that David guarded the flocks of his father Jesse.
It’s also worth noting the sheep that grazed there were no ordinary sheep! Because these fields were relatively close to Jerusalem, most of these sheep were “temple sheep”, they would end up used in the sacrifices offered at the temple. 250,000 were offered annually as sacrifices at the festival of Passover alone! These shepherds were responsible for delivering healthy, unblemished sheep to be offered on the alter for the atonement of sin.
The shepherds were keeping watch. The night was divided into 4 watches: the even, midnight, cock crowing and morning. They wanted to keep the sheep safe from wolves and robbers.
There are biblical references where shepherds provide the picture that best describe what a good ruler should be. David was known as the shepherd king (Psalm 23) The prophets criticised certain leaders because they neglected and took advantage of their people- their God given flock (Ezekiel 34:1-10).
But we know that shepherds themselves were poor and despised. One early source commenting on Psalm 23 writes “No position in the world, is as despised as that of the shepherd” Shepherds were poor, they were also lonely. Their work involved hard manual labour and it was dangerous. But above all these, shepherds were treated with contempt because they were considered to be ceremonially unclean. Their work, among other things, required their hands-on participation in the birthing of lambs- this in itself would bring them into contact with blood. They would also have to dispose of dead lambs, so they had contact with dead bodies; this also made them ceremonially unclean. The shepherds were spiritual outcasts. It’s ironic that the very people who provided the sacrificial lambs for the temple were excluded from the temple because they were considered ceremonially unclean. And because they had to stay constantly with their flocks, this in itself prevented them from going anywhere near the temple for weeks at a time. That’s what happens in highly legalistic systems of thought:
I read the story of Hamid, a Christian convert in Iran. Islam is the official religion of Iran. Previously Hamid had been a devout Muslim and instructed others in Islamic studies. After he became a Christian, his parents and brothers were very angry, and Hamid was beaten and tortured. He was a manager at a well known company. But when it became known he was a Christian, Hamid was removed from his position and given the lowest paid and most junior job. An official letter was issued to all staff stating why he had been demoted and that he was “unclean” No one was allowed to talk to him or have contact with him.
But the legalistic spirit can be found any where:
Parents who try to fit their offspring into their own image/expectations. Who have certain life choices mapped out for them; perhaps a suitable spouse or career? Parents who will only accept their children when they behave; who belittle or ostracise or drive them out when they fall short, who cannot care for or forgive or show kindness to the one who has deviated.
Companies where success/economic profit is the standard, the be all and end all- then employees become easily expendable.
Legalism is in evidence where the law or “the standard” becomes all important at the expense of the person. There’s no love for the person involved, the person is only valued or measured as having worth if they fit the Law. Jesus exposes this perversion when he heals people on the Sabbath, and says “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” God loves people! God gave the Law to benefit people, to restrain the influence of sin/evil in their lives/relationships. God’s Law was given to benefit us because He loves us. It was never given as a measuring rod by which some who in their pride, could think they had arrived and treat with disdain others who didn’t measure up. Popular fiction and films sometimes portray Christians in this way. No doubt this is often a pre emptive strike to try and distance the person from Christ. But sadly the people who make these accusations have also come into contact with hypocrites or others who profess to be Christians but aren’t- that is people who do not realise they can only be saved by God’s mercy and grace, they still think they are good people, that their good desert makes them acceptable and who look down on others who they consider beneath them. But genuine Christians are warm and accepting and care for people as they are. They are not practising one up man ship any more. They have been humbled before the cross of Christ and see their own sin clearly. They now show Christ’s love to others. They work to benefit and care for others rather than be dismissive of them. They have a heart for people.
Well, we certainly see God’s heart for these despised shepherds. He gives them a glorious revelation: “An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them” (9)
First there was something glorious about the messenger.
This angel, accompanied by the glory of the Lord shone in such a way as to terrify the shepherds. They were completely unequipped for such a sight.
The glory of the Lord is referred to in the bible as the “Shekinah” glory. It is a visual expression of all the attributes of God combined together to create brilliant, perfect light. This is what the shepherds saw.
We see it in the Old Testament. Exodus 24:16,17 “The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai…To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain” The people of Israel had gathered at Sinai to either accept or reject God’s rule over them as a nation. God’s shining glory displayed His power and might. It also showed God was present among his people. The Old Testament also describes how God’s glory blazed in the temple and the tabernacle.
We see it in the New Testament. The glory of the Lord is not housed in a temple or tabernacle, but is Christ himself: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and only, who came form the Father full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). Jesus went to a high mountain, taking his closest disciples, and was transfigured. His glorious divine nature, literally shone through, out of his inner being: “His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them” (Mark 9:3) The visual expression of all the attributes of God creating brilliant perfect light- the glory of the Lord
It is also a glorious message.
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (11)
The shepherds were essentially told three things about the baby to be born:
He was their Saviour. They knew that word. It was on their lips when they prayed and asked God to help them in times of difficulty. God had saved them from dangers and disasters. It had another meaning, and the next name the angel mentions shows it is this other meaning in view. This Saviour to be born was the Christ or Messiah (“Christ” is the Greek term, Messiah is the Hebrew). Both expressions mean “The Anointed One” We would best understand it as referring to a king. The shepherds knew what Messiah meant. Their country was under Roman rule. Before that they had been under foreign rulers. They had not had a real king of their own for about 500 years. Their prophets had told them why. They had forgotten God and broken his Law. The prophets had also told them that one day God would anoint another to be their king. Remember those words of the prophet Isaiah read to us earlier: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders…of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom” (Isaiah 9: 6a 7). This Messiah would be like David the best king they had ever had. He would save them from their enemies. For the Shepherds, indeed all the Jews, this was their great hope, they prayed for the Christ, the King, to come.
The third thing the angel told the shepherds was that the one to be born would be their Lord. This was no mere term of deference or respect for another human being. The Jews knew that the name of God was so holy that they should not even say it. They made up another word that they felt they could say. It was translated into Greek as Lord. This is the word used here. The force of the angel’s statement, which the shepherds could hardly believe was “Today in Bethlehem a baby has been born, who is your Saviour and Messiah and who is also God himself” It’s not surprising that all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
But again this is what Isaiah prophesied hundreds of years before: “He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6b). Now that is a puzzling phrase “Everlasting Father” Could it really be referring to Jesus? Actually Isaiah refers to the Messiah as a Son and a Father, and that the word for Father here- Everlasting Father- is “possessor of”- in other words the coming Messiah is the possessor of eternity or the Father of eternity. This phrase then also speaks of the coming Messiah’s divinity. That he is eternal is a divine attribute. Notice too this Messiah will reign on David’s throne forever says Isaiah.
What a glorious message given by the angel, about the identity of this extraordinary baby to be born: the divine Saviour and King.
This, this glorious revelation was truly one of great joy for the shepherds.
Remember the shepherds were separated from the very religious system they helped to fuel. But notice it’s the shepherds who receive first notice of Christ’s birth. Not princes and chief priests. Not the learned men at Jerusalem, but to weak, common, and illiterate men.
The wise and prudent sometimes miss out on hearing from God because of their pride (not always of course; the visit of the kings to the manger shows the Lord is for all kinds of people). But the wise and those of high social standing often think they have everything they need, and just rely on their own ingenuity and thinking. That attitude doesn’t leave much room for faith and humble dependence on the Lord. Paul writes of this in 1 Corinthians 1:18ff. The Jews demand miraculous signs, the Greeks look for wisdom. God therefore chooses to reveal his secrets to the weak and despised, and hides his wisdom from those who are wise in their own eyes. “God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise...the weak… to shame the strong” (1 Cor.1:27)
Do you feel insignificant, weak, social outcast? A spiritual reject? Well the birth of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord is good news of great joy for you. Whatever your past, whatever your failures, he knows you intimately- He is your Creator and Saviour. Regardless of the verdict of other people over you, He loves you and has purposes for your life that he wants to bring to fruition. Purposes to give you a hope and a future. Purposes that will bring blessing into the lives of others as well as your own experience. Purposes that will bring glory to Him.
I mentioned about the persecution Hamid faces in Iran because he became a Christian. Now he is a social outcast and made to feel like a spiritual reject. But the Lord is clearly with him and using him. His colleagues respect and admire him and many ask questions about his faith, even if they do not take the risk of speaking up for him. He has also started a house church, which is filled with believers, although he says “We have to worship very quietly, because we need to be careful” Christ has given him great courage. Although he has been arrested 5 times this year alone, he remains loyal to Christ: “The secret police want to know who comes to the house churches, where we meet, and all kinds of other things. They offered to restore my position and salary; that I would be free and without any record of arrests. But I have refused to tell them anything, since I only trust my Lord Jesus” Hamid hasn’t prospered materially or in terms of social status, in fact he lost these when he became a Christian. But he is blessed. Christ is his joy- his good new of great joy. He is full of hope and life because he has Christ, Christ has made him strong and made him a blessing to others regardless of his outward circumstance.
The shepherds went back to their humdrum existence as far as we know. They were still treated with contempt and looked down on as ceremonially unclean. Their encounter with Christ and there being used by God in this wonderful way didn’t change their outer condition- but they still knew God was valued them and was willing to use them and was now with them. So too with these Iranian believers: One Iranian who emigrated and became a Christian, returned to Iran to visit his family. He shared his faith. Within a month 50 of his extended family had become Christians. One year later that house church had 250 members. A burglar stole a satellite dish. Testing it out on his TV he came across a sermon preached in Farsi. He found Jesus, and told his fellow burglars about him. And so a house church of 12 former crooks was started. The house churches are growing and now number over 100,000 believers. Although in terms of numbers and influence the Iranian church is small, God is still using them- the weak and insignificant- to confound the supposedly strong:
However weak or insignificant you feel, how ever overwhelming your circumstances, the Lord still use you in your own distinctive way. Think of the shepherds. What was it about these despised people that God could use for His purposes in a wonderful way? Well consider this. Consider that the Saviour lying in that obscure, poor manger was to be the Lamb of God. And as the Lamb he was destined to die for the sins of the World. To die for these very shepherds as their Saviour. Now think about those shepherds. These shepherds knew what it was to care for young lambs. They knew what it was to sit through cold, dark nights in the fields, guarding and protecting their flocks. Can you see how God in his wisdom used their experience to show them His shepherd’s heart. In complete contrast to the religious legalists who had no heart for people. The Shepherds had been given an insight into God’s own shepherd heart for his people, they would understand more than anyone what it meant for the Father to give His one Lamb for all.
Out of their own distinctive understanding about Christ the Shepherds can now bless others. Having seen the baby we are told they now spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child (17)
That’s what the Carol “God rest you merry, gentlemen” is all about. It’s about a group of Carollers who are “spreading the word” proclaiming the good news of Jesus birth. “God rest you merry” is an old English phrase that basically means “rest assured”. They are singing that we can be rest assured, we don’t need to let anything dismay us because “Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day” We may all “rest merry” because God’s rescue plan comes into being quite literally through the birth of His Son. The main body of the Carol gives the account of the Shepherds. The chorus repeatedly states “tidings of comfort and joy” So is it the angels, the shepherds or the Carollers proclaiming these good tidings? It is all of these!! We must all declare this message to others. Everyone must be given opportunity to receive it for themselves and so come to know peace with God through His Son. It’s a message of great joy and comfort that needs to be shared with all. Just as the Angel shared it with the shepherds and the shepherds shared the news with all they came into contact, so all Carollers today are to proclaim the joyful news of the gospel. Having declared the message just as the shepherds did, the Carollers in the final verse express their mutual joy: “with Christian love and fellowship each other now embrace”
Like most of us, the shepherds were just ordinary people going about their daily business. They had no special status, no great wealth, no outstanding skills to equip them to pass on the message, but it was to them that God first chose to bring the good news of the divine Saviour and king. And this is now our privilege. How good it is when we too, are equally bursting with the good news of Jesus.
Remember this really is a message of great joy and hope to all the world, for the child born in Bethlehem would become:
- The Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John10:11)
- The Great Shepherd who purchased the sheep by the blood of the covenant (Hebrews 13:20)
- The Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25) and
- The Chief Shepherd who comes again for His own with the reward of a crown of unfading glory (1 Peter 5:4).
Praise God for the wonderful gift of His Son. He is our peace. All Glory to God!!
……………………………………….
Carol. “God rest you merry gentlemen” (Separate sheet. Piano)
Anon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDcSyaW-tTI
Benediction
May the God of peace provide you with every good thing you need in order to do His will and may He, through Jesus Christ, do in us what pleases Him. And to Christ be glory for ever and ever.
David Barnes 22/12/21