Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas Day
Luke 2:8-12 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
CHRIST ANNOUNCED TO DIRTY SHEPHERDS?
Shepherds, huddling in the chilly night, out in the fields. Why do we see the messengers from Almighty God appearing to these blue-collar working-men? No doubt they were dirty. No doubt they were smelly. No doubt they were sinners. Ask yourself: Were these men worthy of the news that they received that night? Were they worthy of hearing the message that the Savior of sinners had been born in Bethlehem? Were they worthy of having this message brought to them by angels?
No.
But God sent the angels anyway. This message was for all people because this Savior had come to save all people. Those with dirty hands, and those with sin-dirtied hearts.
Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard th'angelic herald's voice, Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Savior's birth
To you and all the nations upon earth;
This day hath God fulfilled His promised word;
This day is born a Savior, Christ the Lord!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 84:2)
