LUKE 2:1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph 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. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And 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. 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 15 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." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. NRSV
It was a glorious night last night in worship. It started at 4:30 with our glorious children's drama. Under the direction of Donna Thompson and many parents, and our Children's Coordinator, Katrina Allison, the kids put on a wonderful reenactment of the Christmas story. A large group of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. filled our sanctuary for this program. Then at 6 Pastor Rob led the worship of our first of three candlelights services. At 7:30 and at 11:00 I led the services of special music, candlelight and at eleven, Communion. A great crowd of members, friends, etc. filled our church as God filled our hearts with the message, "Come Home."
In my sermons I shared how we've answered the call of our moms or dads when it was time to quit playing outside and come home. Some answered the call of Uncle Sam to enter into his service, but on that special night when Christ was born, God called you and me to "come home." The message of Christmas is just that: Come home to God, to the fullness of his love.
On that night according to Luke, God spoke to the most common of folks, the shepherds, and invited them into the fullness of life. No more fear, enter into joy and receive the good news of God acting through his Son to receive our salvation.
Communion was made more special knowing that at the sacrament we again hear God, through Christ saying, "Come home!"
Don't forget tomorrow we have a regular worship schedule: 8:30, Sunday school at 9:30, and our two 11 o'clock worship services. My sermon at the 8:30 and 11 traditional service is "Even as Strangers in a Strange Land, God is with us."
So come home and worship God!
