Yesterday morning (11/19/19) about 7:30 am, as I was driving into the city, I came up over a slight hill, and there in front of me was this glorious sunrise. The sun looked huge, and the color was a vibrant, reddish color. The sight in front of me, with its entire splendor, took my breath away. I wanted to get my phone out and snap a picture but was obviously not in a position to do that. All I could do was offer a prayer of thanksgiving for all of God’s beautiful creation. I kept thinking, “God, you did this, all of this! How majestic are the works of your hands.”
This reminded me of something I recently read…
Psychologists tell us that when we witness something of great moral beauty, we experience something called “elevation,” which is the opposite of disgust or revulsion. We feel warm, encouraged, grateful when we encounter profound beauty and nobility.
I think this was the experience of the shepherds in Luke 2. They had witnessed something of profound moral beauty and had heard a message of radiant hope. And this elevation was even contagious. Luke tells us in verse 18 that everyone was amazed at “what the shepherds said.”
But have you ever wondered just what it was they said? We’re not told. But I suspect the best thing they took away from the whole encounter with the Christ child was something the angels said to them even before they had left for the stable. As older translations rendered it, “There is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior.” To you. This is your Savior.
What a wonderful, elevating message! This is not somebody else’s story. This is the shepherds’ own story. They are characters in the drama. The Savior was born for them, to them. That these musty, smelly, dirty shepherds got to meet this Savior in a barn merely confirmed it: this was indeed a Savior that fit normal folks like them.
Had they tried to visit the gilded crib of the Caesar’s newborn son in some Roman palace, you get the feeling these fellows would not have gotten anywhere near the royal heir. Leastwise not without a serious bath and some new clothing! But the real Savior fit them. He was for them.
It’s the same message every Christmas. We preachers get to declare to all kinds of people that on this day, long ago, a Savior had been born, and He is for YOU.
This was a truly elevating message for the shepherds when they encountered their very own Savior in that manger. It is most certainly not less so for us. If we can hear and believe that part of what the shepherds said, then no matter what happens once Christmas is past, we will be able to join those shepherds in glorifying and praising God for all that we have seen and heard.
This elevating message, however, is not just for you, or me. It is for all God’s children. Saint Luke tells us:
Then the angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for ALL the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
This gift of God’s Son is for all the people, not just some people, but all people. I cannot say that enough… ALL THE PEOPLE.
As I write this, I am reminded of something my youngest daughter, Melanie, wrote when she was in second grade. There are some things that are worth keeping. I went to my file and here it is…
If Santa Claus gave me a wish. I would ask him to give all of the poor people a lot of money. And the kids candy and toys. All of them better and better health. And make their world be as beautiful as mine.
Out of the mouth of babes… Melanie’s wish came true a LONG time ago when God chose to love us and save us by the giving of His only begotten Son. Because of this Christmas gift, our worlds are indeed beautiful!
Christmas Blessings,
Pastor Russel