NEWS AND VIEWS

In this 8 week series we're searching for the truth behind the real meaning of Christmas so that in the build up to Christmas we may know with certainty and be thrilled!

Week 1- Luke 1 v3-4: Know with Certainty
Week 2 -Luke 1 v31-37: Nothing is impossible for God
Week 3 - Luke 2 v1-7: In God's time, In God's plan
Week 4 - Luke 2v8-10: "For All people"
Week 5 - Luke 2v10-12: "Good News - No, this is fantastic news!"

Week 6 – Luke 2v13-14: "Glory to God in the highest"

Week 7 – Luke 2v15-20 – "Let’s go and see this wonder"

Why is that every time something exciting happens on TV I am always in the bathroom – having a shower or going to the toilet?  Someone shouts from downstairs – ‘Lanky get down here you’ve got to see this’.  You then have to endure a few moments of agony as you try and rush what you’d already set out to do!  You finish, pull the chain, forget to wash and sprint downstairs at pace – usually only to find the TV program has moved on.

Why the short story?  Because it’s a reaction to exciting news!

The shepherds in Luke 2 have been told some amazing news – news that will actually transform the course of history.  They have been visited by an angel and then a whole host of the winged creatures assembled together in the air in a glorious mass praise time – praising God for the wonderful thing that had happened. 

What’s the reaction of the shepherds going to be?  Can you imagine them just getting on with looking after the sheep that night when Bethlehem was little more than a stone’s throw away?? 

This was their reaction in Luke 2 v15-16

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened” … So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby.  

I like those verses.  I can picture the scene.  The shepherds almost turn to each other and say – ‘stuff the sheep, this is far more important’.  I can imagine them sprinting down the hillside, almost falling over each other to get to Bethlehem to see this sight. 

Are you amazed at the thought of Jesus this Christmas?  Will you react like the shepherds and hurry to see this wonder?  Will you leave all other things aside to be part of the real meaning of Christmas? 

So the shepherds returned after visiting Mary, Joseph and Jesus. v17 tells us how they reacted to the reality of what they had seen:

‘When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child’

That is the most natural thing to do when you have seen or heard something amazing – it is to go and tell others about it.  The shepherds had no concerns – they simply spread the good news! 

Well my friends – the shepherds were nothing special.  They were in fact the simplest of people.  No different from you and I.  You know what the challenge is without me even spelling it out.  Let the good news of the birth of Jesus affect you so much this Christmas that you cannot help but share it with your sports friends this Christmas!! 

So when you’re in the bathroom – doing your business and some shouts you to ‘come and see this’ just think of the shepherds and the news they heard as you sprint down the stairs in eager anticipation!! 

The Youth Department

• That God would thrill your heart with the reality of Jesus this Christmas.

 

• That your desire will be to simply go and tell your friends about Jesus.

 

• For Mickey and his friend Hamish, who he is praying for.