Introduction:  It started out as any other night on the Judean hills. Probably these shepherds had herded their sheep into the fold and lay across from the door of the sheep fold to settle in for a night of sleep. The shepherds no doubt closed their eyes as they had done countless times waiting for the morning light but, when the message of God arrived on the scene that which was ordinary became miraculous.

(1) Amazing Scene…v. 9

     A. Appearance of the Angel

     B. Apprehension of the Shepherds

(2) Authentic Salutations…vs. 10-12 (Authentic means trustworthy, authorities, factual.)

     A. The Message…v. 10

     B. The Miracle…v. 11

     C. The Mandate…v. 12

(3) Awesome Sight…vs. 13-14

     A. The Praise…v. 13

     B. The Proclamation…v. 14

(4) Amazing Statement…v. 15 (…Which the Lord has made known unto us!) 

It is amazing how God has chosen to reveal Himself to man

It is also amazing who God has chosen to reveal Himself to.  The scripture is filled with the accounts of ordinary men and women that God choose to send the Good News.

What type of people would you choose to be on the welcoming committee?  Theologians, politicians, business leaders, community leaders?

I.          THE RECEPIENTS HE CHOOSE

It is very significant that the good news was first delivered to the shepherds because of…

 A.       Their Occupation

Their occupation had fallen on hard times.  What was once looked upon as a noble trade was now looked upon with contempt.

 B.       Their Opinion

The Jews looked upon the occupation of a shepherd with disrespect, disdain and disregard. The testimony of a shepherd was not even allowed in formal proceedings of the Jewish court. On the Sabbath they could not enter the synagogue due to ceremonial uncleanness.

II.        THE REASONS FOR THE CHOICE

            A.        A Perfect Picture

 (Grace) God would from now on be nearest to the people that others despised and rejected

            B.        A Precious Promise

(Lk.10:19) In choosing your welcoming committee, would you include yourself?  If you say not likely…then you have just placed yourself in the class of people that God has most consistently through the scripture revealed himself to!

III.       THE REVELATION OF CHRIST

Jesus came to bring the good news of Christmas to your heart. Christmas is a time…

            A.        To Release my Fears (v. 10)

B.        To Receive Forgiveness (vv. 11-12)

            C.        To Renew my Faith (vv. 16-20)

Conclusion:     The night Heaven visited Earth those shepherds went away from the manger changed, they were different. That is what worship does, it transforms us from the inside.