A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers  

Luke 2:8-11, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”  Being a shepherd in those days, in that culture, was a very lowly occupation.  Shepherds were most often looked down upon by other members of society.  By nature of their occupation, they dressed poorly and being in constant close proximity to their sheep, they smelled.  Yet in this humble story, our text relates, it was to these lowly shepherds the angels appeared announcing the glorious birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.  The message which still echoesthrough this sovereign act of God choosing these humble shepherds to be the first to witness the new born King is another great miracle found in the Christmas story.  Look at the occupants of the stable in Bethlehem that night.  Joseph, a simple carpenter from a town not noted for its austere reputation—Nazareth.  Mary, a teenage girl of low notoriety.  No doubt some animals were present, due to the very nature of the stable.  Then, there they were; the rag tag band of simple shepherds.  What you see in this picture is more pronounced by noting what you do not see. There are no Pharisees or Sadducees present.  There are no social elite present.  No upper crust of society is represented around the manger.  God came into this world one cold winter night, heralded by angels to only the lowest of society.  The King of the universe came, and was welcomed by a group of outcasts.  You may not have a large turkey or ham to grace your Christmas table.  You may not have a lot of money to spend on Christmas presents.  You may not be invited to lavish parties.  Perhaps your home is simple and humble.  But friends, the message of Christmas is clear, if you have been rejected and scorned by all others, you are welcome in the presence of the Savior.  “Let whosoever will, come.”  God always accepts those whom the world rejects not only during Christmas season, but with each new day.