WHY
SHEPHERDS?
LUKE
2.8-20
DECEMBER
24, 2007
WESLEY
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Douglas
Norris
If
any of the Bethlehem townspeople had noticed shepherds crowding into
the stable, which was probably a cave at the rear of the inn, the
reaction might well have been, “Who let those guys in?” Contrary
to our romantic picture of shepherds, in first century Israel, sheep
herding was not a respected occupation. Some of them let their sheep
graze on other people’s land. Some of them let the sheep pilfer
crops. A shepherd was deprived of his civil rights. He could not
fulfill a judicial office or be a witness in court. One ancient
writing reports, “No position in the world is so despised as that
of the shepherd.”
How
astounding that shepherds were invited to the manger! Shepherds were
singled out by angels to receive the announcement of the Messiah’s
birth! The idea of shepherds at the manger was startling, shocking,
revolutionary! Can you hear the gossip lines sizzling, “Can you
believe it? Someone said that the Messiah has been born, and that
shepherds were told by angels. Can you believe such nonsense!”
Not
only did despicable shepherds attend the birth, but Jesus saw himself
as a shepherd. Jesus said,” I am the good shepherd.” I imagine
Jesus’ followers did not appreciate being called sheep, but also to
hear Jesus call himself a good shepherd must have raised many
eyebrows. How can any shepherd be good?
By
deliberately highlighting a despised trade like that of the shepherd,
Jesus was standing with the outcasts of his day. Jesus deliberately
identified the gospel with the despised. What outraged the religious
people of Jesus’ day was not so much his message of God’s love,
but his insistence that everyone is loved equally by God. No one is
so low; no one is so despicable that he/she is not loved by God. No
one is outside the community of the church. Shepherds, of all
people, were visited by angels, and went to the stable to see the
baby!
What
the Christmas story says is, not only are shepherds invited to the
birth, but all people: people of all colors, people of all
nationalities, people of all classes, people of all occupations,
people of all sexual orientations and lifestyles; all people, even
shepherds, even you. May you take comfort, may you take courage
tonight because shepherds were welcome at the manger, and Jesus
himself identified with shepherds. This means:
Regardless
of who you are,
Regardless
of what you have done,
Regardless
of whatever mess you have made of your life,
Regardless
of how guilty you feel,
Regardless
of how little you think of yourself,
Regardless
of what other people think of you and say about you,
Even
if you are a shepherd,
You
are invited to the party,
You
are invited to the manger,
You
are welcome in the church,
You
are welcome in God’s family.
There
at the manger, may the touch of the baby, the smile of the baby, the
love of God fill you with love and affirmation, cleanse you of
whatever is inhibiting you, so that you leave the manger a new
person, rejoicing in the Lord, praising God as did the shepherds when
they returned to the hills, praising God for all that they had seen.
Tonight,
let’s visit the manger. Listen again to the story from the
beginning.
A
young couple set out on a long journey (MARY AND JOSEPH ENTER)
from their home in Nazareth to go to Bethlehem where they had to
register for the Roman census, so they could be taxed. Their trip
was filled with mystery and expectation for they had been visited by
angels telling them that Mary was pregnant. It was not a pleasant,
comfortable journey for her. Joseph lovingly helped her. When they
arrived in Bethlehem, the motels were full. The only room they could
find was in a stable behind an inn. There they settled in to wait
for the baby’s birth.
When
it was time for the baby to be born, (GABRIEL AND BABY ENTER)
the baby was delivered by the angel, Gabriel, who tenderly placed the
new born baby on his mother’s lap. She named the baby “Jesus”,
which in Hebrew is “Joshua.” His name means Savior. Mary’s
baby came to save the world.
Out
on the hillside, shepherds were watching their sheep, when suddenly
the sky brightened. An angel appeared and said, “I have good news
for you! News of great joy for everyone. The Messiah, the Savior,
is born.” And suddenly there was a multitude of angels singing,”
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those whom he
favors!”
The
shepherds decided they didn’t want to miss out, (SHEPHERDS ENTER
AND KNEEL) so they left their sheep and went to Bethlehem to see
the baby. The angels went with them, (ANGELS ENTER) and they
worshiped, adored the baby, and praised God.
Let
us also express adoration and praise as we sing “Silent Night.”
Remain seated. Light your candle from your neighbor’s candle. Do
not tilt your lighted candle.
After
the Benediction, please extinguish your candle. You are invited to
come forward to see the holy family and join them in praising God for
the coming of our Savior.
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