Our pastor’s wife once told me that every year she reads the biblical accounts of Christmas to find something new; something she never heard before. This year while listening to Dr. Charles Stanley I saw something in the biblical account that I never saw before. What were the responses to the angel’s message?

The message from the angel

Luke 2:⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

The angel informed the Jews that their promised Messiah had come to earth! How many centuries they had waited! How long they had been without their own nation! No need to be afraid! Great joy to all people! The Messiah has arrived!

What the shepherds did

Luke 2:¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

The shepherds believed

The shepherds obeyed

The shepherds told others about the Messiah

What those who heard the shepherds did

Luke 2:¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

They wondered

They did not thank God for the Messiah

They did not go to the stable to view the Messiah

What does this information mean to you?

What do you think the response of the people should have been?

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – Charles Wesley 1739

1. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
   Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
   Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies;
   With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
   • Refrain:
     Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

2. Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord;
   Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
   Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity,
   Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.

3. Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
   Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.
   Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die;
   Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

4. Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home;
   Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
   Now display Thy saving pow’r, Ruined nature now restore;
   Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

5. Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, Stamp Thine image in its place:
   Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love.
   Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man:
   Oh, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart.

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti