-

Luke 2:8
In the same region thee were some shepherds staying out in the fields.......

 What hasn't been said about the birth of Christ?
What song can be written that has something new to say about this event.
What sermon can be given that lets us see Christmas in a new way?
I don't think such exist.
We tell the story because the story is worth telling.
We revisit the events each year because we need to see ourselves "in" the story. We have changed since last year at this time.

 The events, situations and circumstances we have faced over the last 365 days have defined who we are today. Hopefully we have been defined in a positive manner.
Hopefully we have been changed by the Holy Spirit at work in us, that reveals the truth that
we look a little more like our elder brother Jesus.

 The reason I like the verse from Luke 2 is the simple fact that the Shepherds were on the "outside". They were not part of the movers and shakers of the day. They carried no governmental credentials that afforded them special favor. They were not members of a ruling religious sect. They were simply men...........on the outside.

 Yet these "outsiders" were the very ones that God chose to send angels to give them the news that would change everything for everyone.  Beginning with "I bring you good news"...
Behind the news is the simple fact that such news would bring great joy."
Here's the kicker...."FOR ALL PEOPLE".

 All people included these "outsiders" we refer to as shepherds.
This is the message that I truly believe should be shared....
It's for "ALL" people...
No matter what the position may be...
No matter financial status....On that night of proclamation, in the city of David....there has been born for all of us a Savior who is (not was.....not shall be) Christ the Lord.

 No longer would these shepherds be bound under the penalty of sin....
No longer would these shepherds be held under the power of sin....
No longer would these shepherds be in bondage to the presence of sin.

Now if that isn't good news....then there ain't none...
Merry Christmas from the "B's" in Attalla...
Michael and Vicki

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day's Past And The Memories That Follow

-
Image
Reverend Louis R. Perry...my grandfather. He died when I was two.... Somewhere in my mind, I have a recollection of him. I confess that I'm not sure if it is a real one, or one I constructed from the stories that my mother told me. My grandfather had a pocket watch, as did most men of his day, and he would place it on his knee so I could put my ear to it and listen to the ticktock of the workings. I have that watch today, and at some point I will pass it on to my grandson. There are a lot of unfilled spaces in my family history that I wished I knew more about. Things such as "when was my grandfather called into the ministry"....."Where was the first church he was pastor of."  I know that he was at Cherry Street Baptist for a while, and eventually at Liberty Baptist located in Painter community up on Sand Mountain. In fact, Liberty Cemetery is where he and my grandmother, Alice Perry, are buried. The first Sunday in May is decoration day there and my moth...
Read more

Time Traveler Circa 1977

-
Image
Oh my goodness......1977... Might as well have been 100 years ago.... Look at this bunch will you... What would I tell that young man with the beard if I could travel back and meet with him? The main thing would be to say..."Enjoy every moment because it will be gone before you know it." Don't let your selfishness get in the way of being a father. Don't wish your live away and at the same time do nothing to prepare for what lies ahead. What does lie ahead? Some dark times.... Some hard times.... Some good times.... Some happy times.... What about the little boy on the right? My oldest son... I would probably be a bit more diligent in being a father than I was... I'd love to tell him how things turn out in his life, but as Jack told us all in "A Few Good Men"...."You can't handle the truth!" Oh, this little boy will grow to handle the truth and a whole lot more. He will walk down paths that I never thought he would, and he wo...
Read more

Thoughts From Saturday Night Meeting

-
Image
Twenty five years ago, this book was the means God used to answer His call to pastor. I'm not even sure the book is in print any longer, but I have my copy and I reread it once every year. The basis for the book is that church has been taken out of the hands of the people given to (what the book refers to) professional clergy. We even have terms to divide church.... #1 - clergy....and #2 - laity. Now while I do agree that there has to be pastor's and teachers within the church, I think we've lost something by not giving the people a voice or place in our services. I'm not referring to a Christian-free-for-all type meeting, but I am on board with everyone having something to offer to the service. This is what I have tried to do with each meeting I've led. Last night's meeting @ VRC was a prime example of this. Now I do not go out of my way to coerce people to speak up, but I do want to create an atmosphere that says, "It's o.k. for me to speak ...
Read more