Advent-ure Day 15: Shepherds Receive the News

We are continuing to examine the sequence of events leading up to, surrounding, and following the birth of our Lord Jesus, and during the season I hope that we would have a greater appreciation of the reason for why Christ came.  There was a big announcement that we find in Luke chapter 2, as angels came to shepherds and shared - in a big, breathtaking way - who Christ was and why He came.  And, it's important that we walk with that realization of His purpose.  1st Timothy 3 says:
15b I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
God specializes in doing big things, and He desires to express Himself in a way that we can attribute to Him and Him alone, so that He may receive glory.  We can be challenged for the reality of Christ to be enlarged in our hearts and minds this Christmas season.

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We continue our series of Advent readings and move into week 3 of 25: A Spiritual Advent-ure by reflecting on the way that the arrival of Jesus affected those who came in contact with Him.  This week, we look at the concept of alteration.

And, the first group to receive the news of the birth of Jesus was a collection of shepherds.  Luke 2 continues the story of Christmas:
8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.10Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."13And 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, goodwill toward men!"

Here is an announcement that captured the magnanimous significance of the moment.  This was no small event, no, it was a pivotal moment of human history.  God had come to earth in the form of man to bring redemption of fallen humanity.  Men and women would be able to come to know Him - personally.  God specializes in doing BIG things, and this is certainly one of them, another in the series of events culminating in Christ's resurrection from the dead.

And, in this time of celebration of Christ's birth, there are those that are engaging in some big celebrations.   Last year, in the city of Cardiff in Wales, a Guinness World Record was set for the largest number of different nationalities to have taken part in a Nativity Play, according to a report on the Methodist News website.  Another piece on the website quotes Rev. Irfan John, synod enabler for the Methodist Church in Wales, who works with culturally diverse congregations, organized the effort. He said, “It’s a way of building the bridge of care between people and taking the message of peace around the world…If people from different countries, different backgrounds, different nationalities, different religions, with different languages are working together in Cardiff, why not in other parts of the world?” 56 nationalities graced the stage at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff to make up the seasonal scene.

And, last year, Archbishop Temple School in England announced that:

896 pupils and staff were joined by governors and friends from neighboring Queen's Drive Primary School dressed up as wise men, shepherds, angels, sheep, cows, Marys, Josephs and innkeepers. We even drafted in Miss Dean and her two-month-old son to play Mary and baby Jesus.

Chaplain Dave reminded us of the real Good News of Christmas and we all sang ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’.

That record was shattered this year, as 1,039 people showed up in Provo, Utah, to join the cast of characters playing out a record-breaking Nativity scene, according to the Deseret News website.

Leading roles in the production were played by musicians, local TV favorites and YouTube stars, many of whom are widely known for their membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A camel, a donkey and a small herd of sheep also got to be included in the headcount.

Austin Craig, who helped plan the project, said, "We focus so much on what to buy and what specials there are." He added, "What is Christmas really about? It's about your faith."  This was apparently a Mormon effort, but people of other faith perspectives were reportedly represented.  I would trust that all who participate in dramatizing the birth of Christ would discover the reality of who He is and the truth of salvation.  This effort is part of the #ShareTheGift campaign, which is linked to the Mormon.org website.

Deseret News reports that the video featuring the event was released over the weekend, and features former American Idol runner-up David Archuleta and The Piano Guys.

Oh, and by the way, NBC News reported that recently, in Bangkok, 1,792 people dressed in elf costumes set new world record for a single gathering - despite 14 disqualifications for not wearing elf ears.

I think for the Christian who is attempting to gain a fresher appreciation of the Christmas season, these record-breaking performances can remind us that we are celebrating a huge event - the entry of God Himself into the world, sending His Son so that we might have new life through His death and resurrection from the dead.   God has done a big work through Christ, and He continues to do big things in and through His people. 

A large live nativity, setting a world record, is receiving quite a bit of news coverage, but the story much bigger than a world record is what was announced to those shepherds outside Bethlehem - the announcement of the coming of a Savior Who would literally change the world.  What Jesus has done for each of us will literally change our lives.  And, God desires to express that announcement - of the truth of why Jesus came - through us.   Jesus came to set not a world record, but to purchase world redemption!   

And, the amazing story of the birth of Jesus is what Faith Radio desires to communicate during this holiday season.  We partner with Baptist Health for the annual Live Nativity in Montgomery, which is coming up Sunday and Monday, the 21st and 22nd.   Please check our website at www.faithradio.org for details.