Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20
[In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 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.]In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
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." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The Sermon
The sermon tonight is not really a sermon. I would like to read to you the lyrics to some of the best known Christmas songs. The poetry and imagery it creates is far better than anything I can say.
Do
You Hear What I Hear
Said
the night wind to the little lamb,
do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
do you know what I know
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere,
listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
do you know what I know
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere,
listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
O
Little Town of Bethlehem
O
little town of Bethlehem
How
still we see thee lie!
Above
thy deep and dreamless sleep
the
silent stars go by;
Yet
in thy dark streets shineth
The
everlasting Light;
The
hopes and fears of all the years
Are
met with thee tonight
For
Christ is born of Mary;
And
gathered all above,
While
mortals sleep,
The
angels keep
their
watch of wondering love,
O
morning stars together
Proclaim
the holy birth!
And
praises sing to God the King,
And
peace to men on earth.
How
silently, how silently,
The
wondrous gift is given!
So
God imparts to human hearts,
The
blessings of his heaven.
No
ear may hear his coming,
But
in this world of sin,
Where
meek souls will receive him,
Still
the dear Christ enters in.
Where
children pure and happy
pray
to the blessed child.
Where
misery cries out to thee,
Son
of the mother mild;
Where
charity stands watching,
and
faith holds wide the door,
the
dark night wakes,
the
glory breaks,
and
Christmas comes once more.
O
holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend
to us we pray,
Cast
out our sin,
and
enter in,
Be
born to us today.
We
hear the Christmas angels,
the
glad tidings tell;
O
come to us,
abide
with us,
Our
Lord Emanuel!
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