"Compassion of Christmas" (Luke 2.8-18)

“Compassion of Christmas” (Luke 2.8-18)

Intro: Man’s compassion toward man during Christmas

It is a picture of God’s compassion for us found in the birth of Christ in humble circumstances.  

-The story about WWI Christmas party in the trenches

-It is what we know about the Christmas spirit- a Spirit that was reflecting the birth of Christ 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem angels made an appearance- not to kings or princes. Not to priests or religious leaders.  He did not meet with the mighty men of that time- not with the powerful.  He met with humble shepherds.  An amazing thing happened:

The birth of the Good Shepherd was announced to Shepherds that night.

[8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10] And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

[14] “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

[15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. (Luke 2:8-18 ESV)

The Good News was for all people (v. 10)

Romans 10.13-15: [13] For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [14] How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [15] And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”  

Facts: 

-More than 80% of the world’s population does not know Jesus Christ

-Over half of the world has no church available to share the Gospel

-Out of almost 7,000 languages only 286 has a Bible in their own language

-1.7 BILLION people have never heard the name of Jesus

-This is the news that was for ALL PEOPLE

-Christmas is all about the beginning of the life in which God showed His goodwill to mankind- Jesus Christ- born in Bethlehem to die in Jerusalem because He could buy for us a salvation we could not win for ourselves

The Good News was for YOU (v. 11)

-Shepherds: we must see for ourselves (v. 15-16)

-When you hear that Christ hasn’t come for everybody, Christ has come for YOU- then you need to go see for yourself!  You need to have your own personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

-We must share with others (v. 17-18)

-God’s compassion on men was found as our gift in the manger. His whole life was devoted to our lives and salvation

-After they came and saw it for themselves they went and shared it with others.  We need to do the same as the shepherds.

C2C: God showed His love for us in this: He sent His Son to be a ransom for many- for those who receive Him.  Those who receive His gift of eternal life are partakers of God’s compassion- reflected clearly in Christmas.  Men’s compassion may be impressive, but God’s compassion is unsurpassed.