Pastor Jeff Whillock
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2007
Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Sing: O Little Town of Bethlehem

8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

Sing: Angels We Have Heard on High v. 1

Children’s Good News Time

Sing: Angels We Have Heard on High v. 3

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Sing: The First Noel v. 1

The angel said, “This shall be a sign for you…”

We often want a sign as we travel through life.
We often want some help getting along in our lives.
Sometimes when our lives are particularly challenging,
we may even pray: God show me a sign

Sometimes the signs are easy to understand.
Sometimes the sign are so clear
we can even understand them backwards.

This octagon – stop sign
This triangle – yield sign
This rectangle – no turn on red sign

A recent Beetle Bailey cartoon had Beetle in the laundromat. Above the washing machines was a sign:

WHEN THE BUZZER SOUNDS
PLEASE REMOVE YOUR CLOTHING.

The next frame shows Beetle sitting there as he hears the buzzer sound. In the last frame Beetle is still sitting there in the laundromat but now stark naked.

Beetle Bailey obviously misunderstood the sign.

Sometimes the signs we encounter are signs with no words at all. I would imagine even the youngsters who can’t read words, know just how to read a sign like this ribbon and bow. A bow on virtually anything will tell all who see it that it is a gift.

8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."

Not just shepherds two thousand years ago.
Logan turned 13 in August, he lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. He called radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf. His words have wisdom beyond his years.
(http://www.ksbj.org/eblogs/morningShow/?p=113)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

Logan said,
Just remember when you lose a loved one or a pet…
always remember that God gave His son too…
and He understands…
He always understands…
He will always, just run to Him.

Logan, the ranch kid from Nebraska saw sign in death of calf
Shepherds 200 yrs ago saw sign in the birth of a child

10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."
• band of cloth – baby
• wrapped in strips of ribbon – a gift.

I don’t know what is going on in your life…
I do know that this Christmas gift is for you.
God is giving you signs every day of your life
signs of grace and signs of guidance.

Stop sign … octagon.
did you notice -- the very same shape as this sanctuary?
When you see a stop sign, stop and remember Bethlehem.
Remember how the shepherds responded to the angels words.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."

Stop sign:
God is calling you to stop in the midst of the craziness of life,
and take a break to look and listen for his leading.
You are always welcome to stop here at Bethlehem
to share in the vital things God is doing here.

When you see a yield sign…
let it be a reminder to yield your life to Jesus.
You don’t have to be the savior of your own life,
not to mention the savior of the world,
This is Jesus’ job, this is why the babe was born in Bethlehem.

10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. And this good news is not just for you…
it is news of great joy for all people. 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

Go & tell…