An artist once made a sketch of a wintry twilight. The trees were laden with snow; and a dreary-looking house, lonely and desolate, stood in the midst of the drifted field. It was a bleak and depressing picture. Then the artist took some yellow chalk and with a few quick strokes put a light in one window of that home. The effect was almost magical. The entire scene was transformed into a vision of comfort and cheer.

The birth of Christ reminds me of that light in that home. It brings a luster and radiance of hope to this dark world. On this Day let us rejoice that Jesus the true Light visited this sin-smitten planet 2,000 years ago to cast the joyous rays of His salvation upon our pathway. To put light back into this dark picture.

Whether there was a birth in Bethlehem's stable this evening or not - today, we celebrate the birth that did take place.

Whether or not this is the actual day God said to Mary, and Mary said to Joseph, and Joseph in panic said - "It's Time" - today we celebrate the beauty not only of a new born baby, but the wonder of God becoming man and dwelling among us.

Whether this is the day the angels rejoiced, the shepherds were amazed, and God smiled I don't know. I know because of the Birth of Jesus we have cause to smile, and have reason to rejoice.

You may feel a myriad of emotions today.

The joy of receiving a gift you hadn't expected

The thrill of having the family together

The fun of seeing the excitement in the eyes of the children and grandchildren as they open their gifts.

A little melancholy as you think of Christmas' past.

A sense of warmth and wonder as you realize once again the truth of the Christmas story - the Savior was born and lives today!

This Christmas season consider with me "The Feelings and Emotions of Christmas: Praise & Adoration". Let me share with you three familiar vignettes that cause us to rejoice with praise and adoration because they share the Christmas story.



1. TWO YOUNG ENGAGED SOON TO BE PARENTS! (Luke 2:1-7)

Why did God decide to allow "the Word" to be born as a baby? Why not come as an adult and proclaim himself as God? Why not come as a super large 100 ft tall being .

One wintry day as he was walking down the street, he noticed someone had thrown a sheaf of grain out on the ground. A flock of hungry sparrows had monopolized it for an unscheduled feast. The man paused, and then took a step in their direction. The birds became uneasy. Another step, and their nervousness increased. When he was almost upon them, they suddenly flew away, leaving their banquet unfinished. For a few moments the man stood there reflecting on what had happened. Why had those sparrows scattered in flight? He had meant them no harm. At once the thought came to him, it's me ! I'm too big. Then another question pressed itself upon his mind. How could he walk among those birds without frightening them by his size? Only if it were possible for him to become a sparrow and fly down among them. That's what God did. He didn't become a bird, but He became a man. We celebrate the birth of that God man today - His name as you know is Jesus.

The text tells us "engaged with child"

What went through the minds of Mary & Joseph as they entered the city. Were they shy about the pregnancy and their marital status? What would people say? Who would believe their story?

Luke 1:26-38 - the account of Gabriel's message to Mary.

Matthew 1:18-25 - The angel spoke to Joseph.

The time had come and there was no room...

We read of babies born in everything from airplanes to taxi's. This baby had no such luxuries. As far as we know, there was no attending physician or even a mid-wife.

Joseph must have turned Bethlehem upside down looking for a room somewhere, anywhere, surely there was a place - this is to be God's Son.

I wonder what they thought as Mary struggled through labor bringing into world the Son of God. Did it strike them as peculiar the long awaited for Messiah was to born in a stable?

Did it cross their minds that if people understood who was being born, the residents of Bethlehem would have fought to have Jesus born in their home. Physicians would have bid for the opportunity to assist Mary in bringing into the world, Messiah.

"She gave birth"

Right in the stable. A feeding trough for a crib. What unusual circumstances. What were the first things Jesus saw? What were the first fragrances the nostrils of deity smelled?

For a moment, the surroundings meant nothing to Mary and Joseph. All their troubles seemed absolved, the humble circumstances forgotten, for in her arms, was her baby, raised as their son.

His name from eternity - The WORD of God.

His name - Immanuel, i.e., God with us

His earthly name - Jesus

His title: Messiah - Christ - Savior - Lord - King of Kings - Lord of Lords - Prince of Peace - I am that I am.

In 33 years the trough would become a cross. His body would again be wrapped, this time placed in a tomb. Thirty three years and 3 days later he would leave the tomb - victoriously!

Almost 2000 years later, the relevant question this Christmas morning is : Has He found a home in your heart?



2. THE SURPRISED SHEPHERDS!

Why Shepherds? Why were they the first to hear of the news of this birth? (several possibilities)

#1. Among occupations - Shepherds had a humble place.

Shepherds were not always considered trustworthy. If there was a job somewhere else, they would probably have had it.

Their work make them ceremonially unclean - not the favorite condition for a Jew.

"They were quite unable to keep the details of the ceremonial law; they could not observe all the meticulous hand-washing and rules and regulations. Their flocks made far too constant demands on them; and so the orthodox looked down on them". [Barclay, William, "The Gospel of Luke" Westiminister Press pg 22]

#2. Perhaps because David, the Great King of Israel, a great ancestor of Jesus began his kingly career as a shepherd.

#3. Maybe because in both the Old and New Testament, shepherds symbolize those who care for God's people, including the Lord Himself, the Great Shepherd.

#4. The most obvious implication, (you'll enjoy this), is the gospel of Good News first came to the social outcasts of Jesus' day - the shepherds.

The message is not limited to outcasts. Everyone, everywhere, regardless of age, economic standing, color of skin, or regardless of their past, can enjoy the leading of the Great Shepherd who came as a baby. He is here and is ready to touch the lives of all who are prepared to receive him.

Look at the emotions of the Shepherds...

#1. They were afraid!

Imagine sitting in your favorite chair at home, beginning to doze off and the fire alarm begins to scream. What emotions might you experience?

These shepherds had no idea of what was taking place in Bethlehem. Their concern was the sheep, and maybe getting a few winks of sleep before morning.

A flash - lightening? A meteor? Who is this stranger? Had they ever seen an angel before?

"The glory of the Lord shone around them..." They were frightened. The angel noticed their fear. Don't be afraid - it's good news I bring. Today the Savior is born - Christ the Lord.

#2. They hurried in their excitement and curiosity. (15-f)

The angels departed and they took off toward the City of David. Luke tells us they "ran to the village" (TLB).

They looked for the manger - breathing hard, excitement pulsing through their body as an electrical current - I wonder what people thought as they saw these shepherds dashing through the city?

#3. Glory & Praise! (20)

They located the stable, they looked into the eye of Mary and Joseph, they shared their almost unbelievable story of a host of angels singing...

As they left - they were "praising & glorifying" God for what they had been a unique part of that evening.



3. THE WONDERING WISE MEN.

We call them "wise men" - Matthew calls them Magi.

Who they were is not as important as what they did.

They obviously saw the star prior to the birth of Jesus. The nativity scenes are incorrect with the biblical record. The magi were not at the stable the night of the Birth of Jesus.

Matthew 2:1-2 - He had already been born.

They were really wise-men because of what they were able to recognize about Jesus without having ever seen him. (They recognized three things!)

#1. They recognized that a recently born child who they had never seen, was to be a King.

Put a baby in my arms and tell me he is going to be a King when he grows up and I'll smile politely and say sure.

I'm reminded of the story told the evening Abraham Lincoln was born. It was reported that someone who knew the family walked into the general store and said in a loud voice that Tom Lincoln's wife had given birth to a baby boy. Then he said, "poor boy, he doesn't have a chance."

#2. They recognized the star belonged to Jesus.

Perhaps a fulfillment of Numbers 24:17

"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth. (NIV)

This indicates the magi were familiar with the books of the Law.

I get a kick out of advertisements at Christmas. What do you get someone who has everything? Well, according to one advertisement on the radio, for a mere $39.95 you can call an 800 number and give the gift of a star to someone. You can have a star named for the person who has everything. They will receive a certificate and the bearings of where their star is located. For a mere $39.95. I don't know how you would exchange a gift like that.

#3. They recognized this child was worthy of worship.

They were searching for the child to worship him. Magi, wise-men, men who were respected in their field, were searching for a child, to worship.

Consider with me the feelings and emotions of the Magi (3 emotions)

#1. They rejoiced as the star reappeared. (10)

After their encounter with paranoid King Herod, they left Jerusalem to continue the search.

Was it because star reappeared? Was it because the star was leading them to the Christ? Was it because they knew they would soon stand before royalty not of this earth? I don't know what it was that excited them about Jesus - but whatever it was, I hope you experience it this Christmas.

#2. They didn't just talk about worship - they worshipped. (11a)

As they enter the very room where the Child and Mary are they do the most incredible thing for an adult, for men of prestige, for men of reputation, for men at all - they fall down and worship a baby.

What emotions did they experience? I image Matthew could not find the right adjectives to describe the feeling of the Magi.

When was the last time we fell down on our face in private worship or went to our knees before Jesus in worship? Is posture really important? No, not really. Worship is!

"Worship is an active response to God whereby we declare His worth. Worship is not passive, but it is participative. Worship is not simply a mood; it is a response. Worship is not just a feeling; it is a declaration." [Allen, Ronald & Borror, Gordon "Worship - Rediscovering the Missing Jewel" Multnomah Press, pg 16]

Worship on Sundays is good - yes it is! Worship on Christmas is really good! Yes it is. However, true worship cannot be limited to a day a year or a day a week. Worship is not something done on a day or on several days - it is a life-style. When was the last time you spent time in worship of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

#3. They brought gifts to Jesus. (11b)

Gold, Frankincense and myrrh. Some have speculated on the symbolic nature of these gifts - I don't know. Others have speculated these gifts were necessary for Joseph and Mary to move to Egypt and live there. I don't know.

I imagine they didn't even know they were going to bring gifts until they arrived - and then gave the best, the most expensive to Jesus. Were they lead of God to do this? Were they overwhelmed at the events about them? I don't know - but they gave gifts to Jesus.

They came bringing gifts to God's gift to mankind - to the very one who in 33 years would give the ultimate gift, so we might be blessed with the incredible gift of life - and eternal life in Jesus Christ.

What gifts have we brought to Jesus? I'm not referring to the offering plate, or to gifts under the tree in the fellowship hall. What gift have we brought?

Well, you might ask - "What gift would he want?" The gift Jesus wants can't be wrapped and placed under a tree. It cannot be put in an offering envelope and put in a plate. What he asks of each of us, and maybe you've already given him this gift -

We're talking of course about our Heart!

Then they were gone!

How long they stayed we don't know. What direction the conversation went with Mary and Joseph - we haven't a clue. What ever happened to the magi, perhaps tradition would tell us, the bible doesn't.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

"Everyone's name is special. It is a possession given to us at birth, and used to identify us forever after. A name may be chosen because it reminds the parents of a friend or relative...or it may be selected because it has a combination of sounds which are pleasing to the ear. Only one name was spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah as being "wonderful." It was the name to be given to the Savior. Isaiah 9:6 says, " AND HIS NAME WILL BE CALLED WONDERFUL..." but it was nearly 800 years before God told what that name was to be and why. Joseph, to whom the virgin Mary was promised, was told by an angel; "You are to call his name JESUS, because he will save his people from their sins." That is why Jesus' name is so special, so wonderful! He is our Savior, Christ was born in Bethlehem, died on Calvary, and is now in the presence of God. He is WONDERFUL!" [Pulpit Helps, December, 1992]

Three thoughts this Christmas Morning as we come to a close....

#1. The Shepherds heard that glorious evening the angels of heaven sing and rejoice at the birth of the Savior. I hope the angels hear our songs of joy as we remember His birth. Will they?

#2. The Star lead the wise men to Jesus. Jesus our super star - can lead us not only to God, but into a life that has no equal, a life that is eternal, a life with direction, with hope, and with meaning. As they followed the star - how could we do less?

#3. It's amazing to me not that there was no room in the inn for Jesus . In far too many lives there is far too little room in our hearts for the Savior to reign and to refresh us. This Christmas - the gift he would have us bring to Him is the gift of our heart - all of it - all the time - completely surrendered to Him!

His name really is WONDERFUL - isn't it!






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