Homilies based on Luke 2:8–14
I. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (Luke 2:8–9)
The stones around Bethlehem still shake with memory from this wonderful night! Quiet, peaceful, calm—these are all words that come to mind as we think about the night of our Savior’s birth. Yet, these lowly shepherds would have certainly recalled this event differently— “and suddenly there was the angel of the Lord, and the glory of the Lord shone all around! Shepherd school didn’t prepare us for this!”
Our lesson says they were sore afraid. A more literal translation would be–“They were afraid—a great fear!” Who wouldn’t be! This was the angel of the Lord—not a cute little cherub that we think of. What’s more the angel was accompanied by the glory of the Lord. In the Old Testament when people witnessed the “glory of the Lord,” they trembled at the power of God and fell before him (Exodus 24:16, Leviticus 9:24, II Chronicles 7:1). The Glory of the Lord was revealed on Mount Sinai, the Tabernacle, and the Temple. Moses describes that the appearance of his glory on Mount Sinai, “was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel” (Exodus 24:17).
But God didn’t create us to be afraid of his glory. Yet this all changed with Adam and Eve’s fall into sin. They went from being in perfect harmony and union with God to being afraid of him, which is why they hid in the garden. You see, Adam and Eve’s sin, which spread to all people, brings fear and death. Sinners can’t stand in the presence of a holy God. Our sin separates us from God.
Here lies the great miracle and comfort of Christmas. Jesus came with a different glory. The Son of God did not come to earth to reveal his majesty and glory, but to humble himself, coming in the form of a servant. The glory of the Lord was hidden in human flesh, so that we might approach God the Father through Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Our Savior became our brother so that we could have peace with God and the promise of paradise. In the manger, we don’t find a frightening Savior, but a Child, meek and mild.
Hymn #139: 1–3 – “Once in Royal David’s City”
II. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
When the Lord gives us a command, he always gives a reason. The angel said, “Fear not.” Why? Because I have good news for you and all people. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” In Romans Paul tells us that these historical accounts are recorded so that through the endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures, “we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
The angel’s message for the shepherds is just as true for them as it is for you and me. “Fear not.” While there are many joys this Christmas time, there can also be a lot of things on our minds that may be troubling us. Maybe we are missing someone important to us this year or weighed down with worry for someone who is going through sickness, injury, financial trouble, or family strife. Maybe we have been facing some challenges that we hadn’t expected during this season of life.
But here stands the angel’s message to you this Christmas Eve: “Fear not.” You are worried and troubled, but I have a truly life changing message. A Savior was born for you. Notice that the angel didn’t just say “I bring good news,” “a baby was born!” No. He says, “I bring you good tidings… unto you is born this day… a Savior.” Jesus didn’t just come for some people, he came for all people. He is your Savior. The shepherds had no reason to be afraid and neither do you! The Christmas story is not just history; it’s the greatest story in all history. It’s God’s story of his love for you, that he would give his only Son for you. Jesus came from heaven to win your salvation. He was born in a manger, lived a holy life, suffered and died for your sins on the cross, and rose triumphant Easter morning. He promises you forgiveness and eternal life. Fear not!
Scripture says, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” If God showed you this great love, don’t you think he is going to be with you in all the other troubles of life? The Savior’s birth is proof of God’s love for you! So, yes you can be confident of his continued care for you. He sees your troubles, your needs, and hears your prayers. While he may not always work in the way or timing we expect, God works all things for good to those who love him. He is with you and for you! Our Savior’s birth is proof!
Hymn #119 – “Away in the Manger”
III. “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
God’s people had been waiting for this Child since Adam and Eve. God condemned the serpent and promised in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” The Messiah of woman’s Seed would crush Satan’s head. As his coming drew nearer, the prophesies became more and more vivid: he would be born of a virgin in Bethlehem from the line of David.
Yet, who was this long-awaited birth first announced to? Shepherds! Have you ever wondered why? I am sure they did too. They weren’t significant, powerful, or wealthy people. You would think that the most important event in all of history would have been announced to kings and queens, religious leaders, or someone else, but certainly not shepherds.
Yet, it was lowly shepherds, who were considered nobodies, that received such great honor from heaven. What a comfort that is for you and me! The message that the angel brings is not dependent on our worthiness before God—for he is the one who came to make the unworthy, worthy; the weak, strong; the dead, alive; the poor in spirit, eternally rich. Our Savior’s humble birth illustrates the truth that Christmas is not about what we do for God or can offer to him, but all about what God has done for us. The best this world could offer would not be enough to welcome our heavenly king. Yet, his lowly birth with manger, cloth, and hay served a purpose, as Paul writes, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (II Corinthians 8:9).
Hymn #145 – “What Child Is This?”
IV. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”
The Apostle Paul summarizes the history and purpose of our Savior’s life with these words, “when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4–5). As true man, Jesus served as our substitute to live a perfect life in our place and to suffer the consequences for all our sins on the cross. Yet, Jesus Christ was also true God so that his sacrifice could pay for the sins of the whole world. By the power of his resurrection from the grave he has paved the way for all believers to eternal life in heaven.
No wonder the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” The angels rejoiced because they knew what the birth of this Holy Child meant for the world! Peace with God, death destroyed forever, and a heavenly home prepared for you and me!
So, how does this become ours? Do you need to prove yourself to God, make up for some of your past sins, build a cathedral in his honor? No. Salvation is God’s gift to you. It is free, no strings attached. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
The Lord had this message proclaimed because he wants us to believe it! We couldn’t and can’t save ourselves or make ourselves pleasing to God. But there is one who can! We have his promises that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (romans 10:13). As we celebrate the birth of our heavenly King, may it remind you of your own rebirth by the Holy Spirit through the water and the Word. For it is there that you received the greatest present of your life—which has changed your eternal future. As Scripture says, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26–27).
So, may we like the angels and shepherds worship and glorify our heavenly Father for the gift of his Son, which has brought us peace with God, the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and the comfort that God is with us and for us all our life. Merry Christmas! Amen!
Hymn #125:1–3 – “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”