The First Noel

The First Noel Luke 2:8-20

What, do you suppose, the shepherds were discussing that night when the Angel of the LORD appeared to them so long ago? These men had probably chased thieves and wild animals away from their flocks in days gone past. Where they boasting about how their adversaries had taken flight as they were chased away by the shout of their voice, the throwing of stones, or the painful impact of a shepherds crook coming down on them?
Somehow, I just don’t get that kind of image in my mind. What I imagine is a somber and serious, even earnest desire to have a closer relationship with God the Creator. These men were not scholars of the Torah. However, they were, no doubt, believers in God who had been to the temple often and had celebrated the various rites and feasts all other Hebrews observed. I can nearly hear their conversation as they talk with one another about the promise of the Messiah.
They really don’t understand all that is said concerning the coming of the Messiah, The Chosen One. Yet, they believe and trust the some day when the time is right God will fulfill the prophecies concerning Him. Did they recall the passage in Isaiah that indicated:
“Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
If they did, I’m not so sure they understood the passage completely the way it would be fulfilled. I wonder if we aren’t like that today ourselves? Some of us are extremely adamant and sure of ourselves when it comes to the prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. We are sure of how and when Christ will return. Some of us are even so sure of ourselves that we seem to be literally demanding God to do it our way.
We should remember that we should stand in awe and see what God will do in these times. I think that some of us will be standing in joyful awe and some of us will be standing in dreadful awe.
To be sure that we are standing in joyful awe we need to take a look at what happened so long ago on that “First Noel.” Let’s ask ourselves what did those humble shepherds do that we should be using for a model for our own spiritual and Christlike behavior?

“The First Noel” was to certain shepherds. Why?

1. These people were hard workers and common people. KID
1. Know who you are.
2. Identify with how you are like others.
3. Never forget, we are all common people in the eyes of God.

2. These people were aware of their own need for a Savior. WIN
1. Be aware of your weaknesses.
2. Be aware of your consistent inconsistencies.
3. Be aware that you need God to make you what you want to be in His eyes.

3. These people would tell everyone they met what they had experienced. PIE
1. Don’t be persuaded by political trends.
2. Don’t be intimidated by someone else’s power.
3. Don’t be enticed by potential or persuasive wealth.
4. These people were obedient.
1. Witness the announcement.
2. Act on what you know.
3. Spread the news.

If this is the first time you have heard the Good News and understood what it meant for you, you can have a new start in you life today.
Come to the Savior, who is Christ the LORD.
He will accept you just as you are. He will make something beautiful of your life today.
He will give you something worth sharing with everyone you meet.
“God is with us” was the announcement the angel gave to the shepherds.
He is still here with us today.

God with us

Matthew 1:18-25

This time of year one can easily get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Getting the lights and lawn decorations up before it gets too cold. Don’t forget all the shopping and sending out cards. The frantic people scurrying from store to store looking for the right gift, then there’s all the wrapping afterwards. After all that shopping and wrapping you have to get the tree up so you will have somewhere to put the gifts. There is also all the TV specials, movies and music just for Christmas. Ah yes and packing the gifts, cookies, kids and wife in the car to visit family. Oh and don’t forget the snow we have to have a white Christmas, it just wouldn’t be Christmas if there wasn’t snow just think how awful Christmas would be without snow. When I was a kid I would really be upset if we didn’t have snow for Christmas. You know the sad thing is most people today get so caught up in all their Christmas activities and don’t even take a moment to stop and really remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Several years ago in Sunday School class our teacher gave us a book one year for Christmas it was called “The Greatest Gift” Christmas eve that year I was so excited about being able to open all my presents the next morning I couldn’t sleep. I pulled out that book and read it I then realized that I was getting all caught up in the commercialization of Christmas I lost sight of what Christmas really is about; it’s Immanuel, God with us.

Joseph learns 4 very important things here about God’s plan for him and Mary. First we learn that what is conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit. Second the baby is a boy. Third He is to be called Jesus, and fourth He will save His people from their sins. Joseph got the answer to why there is Christmas; Jesus came to save His people from their sins. Sometimes we think of Christmas as just the fact that Jesus was born of a virgin in a manger in Bethlehem but it is more than that. Jesus came for a reason and Joseph was told that reason in verse 21.

Let me give you a more detailed reason lets start with John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” Jesus came to give His life so that we might be forgiven of our sins and have access to the Father. Mark 15:38 tells us that during Jesus’ Crucifixion “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” This is an important point and when I really think about it I get really excited. Ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden man has not had access directly to God until Jesus’ work was completed. The torn curtain signifies that man has direct access to God now no more having the priest go in to the Holy of Holies. Jesus is preparing a place for us He will return for us and take us to be with Him forever. We find this in Revelation 21:3 it reads: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them, They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.” After Jesus returns and the Judgment is complete God will dwell with us. So then the reason Jesus came was to give His life for us so that we could be forgiven and after His Second coming dwell with God forever.

The prophet in verse 22 and 23 Matthew mentions is Isaiah who spoke about the Messiah’s birth about 700 years before it happened. Isaiah 7:13-14 reads “Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” This is the true meaning of Christmas; Immanuel, God is with us.

For those of us who are saved God is with us today the Holy Spirit living inside of us molding us and making us more and more like Christ each day. Maybe you don’t know Jesus maybe you have never taken the time to confess your sin to Him and ask Him to come in to your life. Or maybe you are like I was and thought since I go to church and live a good life I am a religious person and I’m going to heaven. Wrong you have to know Jesus not just know about Him. He wants to have a relationship with you that is the meaning of Christmas. If you don’t know Jesus you can. Romans 10:9-10 tells us “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” That is all there is to it. Confess, Believe be Saved. Jesus is waiting, won’t you come to Him today?