Thought from the pulpit
Series: The Message of Christmas
Sermon: The Message of the Angels
The shepherds, the unlikely first recipient of the message of Christmas, sat watching their flocks. It was during their many hours of loneliness that enabled the shepherds the time to practice their musical instrument or to sing to pass the night away. Hence, many were known for their musical ability....like David. Society did not look fondly upon them. They were deemed as outcasts and untrustworthy. Their loneliness sinks deeper. Ever cautiously watching the assigned flocks for the stalking predator, the shepherd in their loneliness would be an easy victim to discouragement. Then the angels appeared to them. They became severely afraid at this strange appearance but words of assurance and comfort danced upon their ears: "Fear not." The message of Christmas is not only a message for everyone, it is also a message for encouragement. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, Jackie Robinson made an error. Already a victim of racially charged abused as the first black baseball player in major league baseball, the fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans jeered. Then, shortstop Pee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career. So many people are going through moments of discouragement which seems to deepen during the Christmas season. The message o Christmas is for them. It is also to them that God would want us to be much like Pee Wee Reese and stand with them during their moments of difficulties and discouragement and share the comforting and encouraging message of Christmas with them.
Series: The Message of Christmas
Sermon: The Message of the Angels
The shepherds, the unlikely first recipient of the message of Christmas, sat watching their flocks. It was during their many hours of loneliness that enabled the shepherds the time to practice their musical instrument or to sing to pass the night away. Hence, many were known for their musical ability....like David. Society did not look fondly upon them. They were deemed as outcasts and untrustworthy. Their loneliness sinks deeper. Ever cautiously watching the assigned flocks for the stalking predator, the shepherd in their loneliness would be an easy victim to discouragement. Then the angels appeared to them. They became severely afraid at this strange appearance but words of assurance and comfort danced upon their ears: "Fear not." The message of Christmas is not only a message for everyone, it is also a message for encouragement. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, Jackie Robinson made an error. Already a victim of racially charged abused as the first black baseball player in major league baseball, the fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans jeered. Then, shortstop Pee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career. So many people are going through moments of discouragement which seems to deepen during the Christmas season. The message o Christmas is for them. It is also to them that God would want us to be much like Pee Wee Reese and stand with them during their moments of difficulties and discouragement and share the comforting and encouraging message of Christmas with them.
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