Series C
Christmas Eve Rev. Ron
Brauer
Text:
Luke 2:15
December 24, 2006
“Let
us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which
the Lord hath made known unto us.”
Let us now go and see.
That was the shepherds’ response to the news of the birth of Jesus. They didn’t
spend time discussing how this could be. They didn’t debate whether this city
of Bethlehem was the proper city for a king. They didn’t put it off until
morning or the next day, or when they had a day off. They went now and saw.
All too often we preachers
are charged with taking so long in our sermons to unfold the fine doctrine
hidden in Scripture. While that may be necessary to do for the sake of the
Gospel, the birth of Christ is what God did for us. Like a gift with many uses,
the coming of the Savior to this world dying in sin delivers to us many ways of
God’s help and deliverance.
This holy night, we gather
with the shepherds to see that which the Lord has made known to us. We find our
way down the narrow streets of Bethlehem to that inn so crowded with guests.
They have also come here to comply with the Roman government’s decree for
enrollment. And with so many family and relatives converging on this small
town, it’s a wonder anyone can get sleep in that inn for all the reunions going
on.
But we head out back, to
the stable, where it is much quieter, so much more private. We crowd to the
door and peek in. There’s Joseph, arranging some hay to serve as a bed for
himself, now that Mary and her new born are comfortable. It will be an anxious
night for this couple, but with us shepherds here, if they needed anything, we
would be quick to help in whatever way we could—to get an extra blanket or to
bring some water or food. But our invitation was to simply to come and see.
So we simply behold this
thing that the Lord has made known to us. It is truly a mystery—how the
infinite and almighty God, the creator of heaven and earth, now lies as one
created, in the tiny body of a helpless baby. Yet this baby is Christ the Lord,
born this day to save us.
The news came to us
shepherds to come and see the one who would be The Good Shepherd, laying down
His life for the sheep.
The news came to us
shepherds who carried our rods and staffs for the protection and guidance of our
sheep, knowing this baby is the Rod of Jesse.
The news came to us as we
would find this baby in a manger, a feed trough, where He would become the Bread
of Life for the world in hunger for righteousness. Yea, He who created the
animals, and gave nests for the birds, and dens for the foxes, and preserved the
animals and Noah and his family on the ark, has no place of His own to lay down
His sweet head but on a borrowed bed of straw in a barn.
The news came to us who
lead our sheep to still waters, seeing the one who is the Living Water.
The news came to us who
were once frightened by the sight of the glory of the Lord, for now the fullness
of the Godhead is safely placed into the bodily form of a baby, and we can now
gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.
The news came to us who
heard the cherubim’s song, and now we see the One who sits enthroned between the
cherubim.
The news came to us who
keep watch over our flocks by night, for now the one who sleeps in Mary’s arms
does not slumber nor sleep as He keeps watch over all of Israel, who keeps watch
over you.
The news came to us who
would separate the sheep from the goats when bringing them into the sheep pens
for safety, for this Door of the Sheep will separate them on the Last Day,
securing His sheep in the gates of heaven.
The news came to us who
cared for lambs, marking those fit for sacrifice, for we would soon behold this
Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
The news came to us who
watch for wolves who would attack our sheep, for this holy Child of Bethlehem,
like His ancestor shepherd-king David, would warn us of wolves in sheep’s
clothing.
Yes, this Son of David
would kill the hidden wolf that killed Adam, the innocent lamb who grazed and
bleated in the Garden of Eden.
True, this Son of Mary who
was laid in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes would later be laid in a tomb
wrapped in burial clothes. Yet this Son of God would be raised on the third day
by the glory of the Father, seen this night, giving life to all who believe.
The news came to us
shepherds, who are made the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
Tonight, these tidings of
great joy come to you. The news that came to the shepherds is your good news.
You are still standing with the shepherds, and tonight you will return to your
homes, your jobs, your studies, or the marketplace, in order to glorify and
praise God for all that you have heard and seen. No longer is there despair in
your hearts over the things of this world, for the Prince of Peace has come to
save you. God’s good will delivers you to life everlasting.
Glory to God in the
highest! Amen.
