Today’s Scripture

Psalm 98:1-3               Isaiah 62:10-12           Titus 3:4-7       Luke 2:15-20

 

Luke 2:15-17

            When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."  

            So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

 

 

            On a regular basis we hear the sirens and see the reflection of the flashing lights of the emergency responders.  They may be medics, fire protection, or police.  Inside the church offices we hear the ominous “thunk” of two vehicles engaging in a right-of-way dispute at either one of the two intersections here.  We note the location and immediately call 911 for emergency response. 

 

            But the first responders are those who are not necessarily trained to be responders.  Those first responders are you, common and every-day person who, for whatever reason, is there at that very moment.  When reporters arrive at the scene they bypass the official people and look to find those persons who were there first, the primary eyewitnesses.  They are people who least expected to be the “first responder.”

 

            When Jesus was born, the shepherds were the first responders.  They certainly were the every-day working guys.  Yet their responding was far different than the coincidental person on the spot who in turn provides immediate aid and/or calls 911.  Their response was different than those who answer the 911 or SOS calls.  These shepherds are in line with all of the rest of the accounts of our Savior’s birth.  Their involvement in Jesus’ birth is yet another miraculous event put in place by God.

 

            Luke begins his Gospel telling you how he came to know everything.  He went out and documented what the first responders had to report regarding their witness of Jesus’ life.  And that includes the account of these shepherds.

 

            We delight in imagining the scene of an angel appearing in the middle of the night.  Let us not overlook the terror that struck them as an angel appeared and the glory of the Lord shone around them. The first words that angel spoke was, “Do not be afraid.”  Those are God’s words to you each and every day of your life, “Do not be afraid.”   God’s glory is overwhelming to you and I.  We cannot survive in it due to our sins.  God does not want you to tremble in fear of his glory.  That is why he always sends this message to you, “Do not be afraid.”  The next words God sends through his angels are, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”  This fulfills today’s Psalm that God has revealed his righteousness to the nations, that all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God {Psalm 98].  Isaiah also writes, “The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth,” [62:11].

 

            The shepherds then take off immediately to see “this thing which the Lord has told us about.”  They are the first responders at Christmas.  Common, every-day, work-a-day people are the first on the scene by God’s miraculous work sending the angels to appear to them as he does.  God’s next miraculous work in them is the same he does to al other believers.  By the power of the Holy Spirit they believe these words and follow.  Thirdly and again by the power of the Holy Spirit, they witness what they had seen and heard to others who also were “amazed.” 

 

            Today the faithful Christians who are in the pew and then in their homes, jobs, school, communities, are the first responders.  Today you know the good news that God loves you and the entire world so much that he has sent his son to save all who will believe in him.  Today you are the witnesses who tell someone else how comforting this love, this peace, this joy, this hope is that you hold so dear.  You are the first responders to those around you who have may be weakened in their faith.  You are the first responders to those around you who have not known God’s love in Jesus before.  You are the first responders to those who are strong in faith too as we continue to nurture and uphold each other in times of joy, in times of sadness, in times of rejoicing and in times of mourning. 

 

            God gave us the shepherds not just to make an interesting story which it certainly is.  God gave us the shepherds, the first responders, so that you and others know that his love in Jesus is for you.  As they did not do anything to deserve this opportunity, neither do you or anyone else.  God wanted them to know so he sent his angel.  God wants you to know so he sends you his son, his word, the gifts you receive in baptism and the strength you receive in the Lord’s Supper. 

 

            And all who hear you tell it will be amazed too.