HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2013-12-23, Page 44 Lucknow Sentinel • Monday, December 23, 2013
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There were Shepherds...
Pastor Ken deBoer
Lucknow Community Christian Reformed Church
Sometime during this Christmas season, all of us
will hear the familiar story of the angels and the
shepherds. The picture of the shepherds living in
the fields with their flocks, and the visit of the angels
to bring them the good news of the birth of the
Christ child, brings with it a sense of romance, of
excitement, of the unexpected.
We need to wonder though, why God decided to
let the shepherds be the first to hear this good news.
It might be because Jesus was born in the middle of
the night, and they were the only ones awake. It
might be because they wandered from place to
place and would provide the best social network to
since the internet had not yet been invented. It
could be that the angels, like some of the angels we
see in movies, got their directions mixed up, and
ended up in the fields, rather than downtown
Bethlehem, but, told their story anyway. All of these
things could be, but I don't think they are.
God chose these shepherds to hear this news, this
good news, very deliberately. Shepherds were likely
on the lowest rung of society's ladder. They had the
hopeless, dead end job, of watching sheep while the
owners of those sheep slept soundly in their warm
beds. They worked the midnight shift seven days a
week, with little chance of ever actually owning a
sheep themselves. They were out in all weather, and
when they did get to town, they were not welcomed
into the more prosperous homes; they had no place
in the more upright, deserving parts of society. Their
lives were hard, they were looked down on, they had
little hope and virtually no way to better
themselves.
It is to these folks, on the edge of society, God
sends his angelic messengers with words of hope.
"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." For centuries the people of
Israel had waited for, longed for, the coming of the
Messiah, and now, when he has finally come, God
chooses to announce the news to undeserving poor
Troy Patterson Kincardine News
Lucknow Christian Reformed Church pastor Ken deBoer is seen speaking at the recent
Lucknow Carolfest.
shepherds, first. It happens this way
to let everyone know that this good
news really is for all people, and not
just for those who seem to deserve it.
God has come to earth as a child and
is turning everything upside down,
beginning with the announcement of
his birth.
This good news first shared with the
shepherds is good news for us today
as well. We want to somehow bring
our sense of deserving into the pic-
ture at Christmas time. We tell our
children about Santa keeping lists of
who has been naughty or nice and
warn them that their place on those
lists will affect how Santa rewards
them on Christmas Day. Christ's
coming into the world, has nothing to
do with our be entitled to anything.
He comes as a free gift, the first Christ-
mas gift, a gift of love to a world wit-
hout hope.
The shepherds went to see if the
wonderful news was true and they
found a baby, wrapped in a few rags,
lying in a feed bunk. This news of
hope, of love, is as alive today as it was
on that first Christmas. Do not be
afraid, there is good news, a Savoir
has been born to us, the Messiah has
come!
The Birth of a Saviour —Our hope for the world
Lucknow Presbyterian Church
Once again we have come to the season
of Advent in our Christian lives and it is
during this time that we celebrate the
Hope, Peace, Joy and Love that comes to
all who believe.
We love the Christmas story and every
year we re -visit it - a precious part of our
Christian faith. Several dramatic events
surround the birth of Jesus: the divine con-
ception of the virgin, Mary, and in strict
Jewish tradition, the turmoil and dilemma
that would have caused having been
betrothed to Joseph; the magi from the far
east on a long trek across a desert, follo-
wing the brightest star in search of the
long-awaited King; the timing of the
Roman census, forcing the arduous jour-
ney to Bethlehem; no room at the inn and
settling into the humble abode of a stable;
the actual birth of the Messiah; shepherds
terrified by the sudden glory of the Lord
appearing, but then given the Good News,
and seeing a host of heavenly angels prai-
sing God ; the magi commissioned by the
evil intentions of Herod to report back to
him (which they didn't), and then a sud-
den flight to Egypt... a considerable drama,
but nothing at all compared to the reason
Jesus was born.
The life of Jesus is the most profound
and priceless gift God offers to everyone -
a Saviour , the ultimate reason why Jesus
was born. Jesus means "Saviour" , "Emma-
nuel" or "God with us" and through Him
we are forgiven of our sins and promised
eternal life. Our deepest need is to be
reconciled to God . In a stable over 2000
years ago, God gave us the reason for
Christmas. He gave us His Son. John 3:16
says "For God so loved the world that He
gave His one and only Son, that whosoever
believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life." As we celebrate the birth of
Christ , let us not forget the reason for it -
to save His people from their sins.
It is this message that brings us hope ,
peace, joy and love in this troubled and
suffering world. So at this special time of
year may we draw our strength from these
words and continue in faith to follow the
star. We pray for peace around the world
and in our daily lives as well. Reach out to
others so that they may know that we truly
do love one another as He requested.
May you be truly blessed and find a
place of worship at this wonderful season
in your life. Let Him share in your festivi-
ties too