In this sermon, we looked at the surprising and glorious angelic announcement of the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:8-21. The angels appear to shepherds watching their flocks at night and proclaim that the Savior, Messiah, and Lord has been born! The joy of heaven overflows into the appearance of an angelic multitude giving glory to God and praising Him for His favor toward mankind. After traveling to see Jesus with their own eyes, the shepherds tell others about the angelic announcement of this newborn Messiah. They praise God, rejoice, and are glad because their long-awaited King has come! Like those who had been awaiting the arrival of the Savior, we struggle with sadness, fear, loneliness, and a general sense that things aren’t as they should be. We find that what this world has to offer is insufficient; we are in need of something greater. The celebration of Christmas reminds us that there is a source of ultimate joy found in our Savior who enters into our sadness, fear, and loneliness and gives us a reason to be glad!
