Rediscovering Wonder: The Shepherds' Journey to Peace
Summary
In today's message, we explored the theme of wonder and how it is often lost in our modern world. We began by reflecting on the joy that simple things, like music and traditions, can bring into our lives. The story of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and the beautiful composition of "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" remind us of the power of music to evoke wonder and joy. However, in our technologically advanced society, we often lose our sense of wonder because we can explain away so many things that once amazed us.
We then turned our attention to the shepherds in the Christmas story, who were not a fancy group of people but were chosen to witness the birth of Jesus. Their story is one of redemption, as being a shepherd was once considered a punishment for the Israelites. Yet, God chose these humble individuals to be the first to hear the good news of Jesus' birth. This act of divine selection highlights the theme of redemption and the breaking of societal norms.
The shepherds' immediate response to the angel's message is a powerful example of obedience and faith. They did not hesitate or delay but went straight to Bethlehem to see the newborn Savior. This teaches us the importance of acting promptly when God places something on our hearts. Their story also emphasizes the importance of sharing the good news with others. The shepherds did not keep the miraculous event to themselves but spread the word, causing amazement among all who heard.
Finally, we are reminded of the importance of peace and how it begins with wonder. The angels' message of peace to the shepherds is a call for us to seek peace in our own hearts and to share it with others. As we go through this Christmas season, let us be intentional in spreading joy and peace through our words and actions, reflecting the wonder of God's love in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Rediscovering Wonder: In a world where technology often explains away the miraculous, we must intentionally seek out and cherish moments of wonder. The shepherds' awe at the angelic announcement reminds us to remain open to the unexpected and inexplicable beauty in our lives. [15:40]
2. Redemption in Humility: The shepherds, once seen as lowly and unworthy, were chosen to witness the birth of Christ. This act of divine selection underscores the theme of redemption and challenges us to see value and potential in those whom society may overlook. [16:56]
3. Immediate Obedience: The shepherds' prompt response to the angel's message exemplifies the importance of acting on God's call without hesitation. Their story encourages us to trust and obey God's promptings in our lives, knowing that His timing is perfect. [26:11]
4. Sharing the Good News: The shepherds did not keep the miraculous event to themselves but shared it with others, spreading joy and amazement. This teaches us the importance of sharing our experiences of God's work in our lives, inspiring others with the wonder of His love. [30:21]
5. Peace Begins with Wonder: The angels' message of peace to the shepherds is a call for us to seek peace in our own hearts and to share it with others. By embracing wonder and sharing joy, we contribute to a collective peace that reflects God's kingdom on earth. [42:33]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:30] - Joy in Simple Things
- [03:45] - The Story of Rudolph
- [06:10] - Vivaldi's Gloria
- [08:25] - Losing Our Sense of Wonder
- [10:50] - The Humble Shepherds
- [15:40] - Wonder and Redemption
- [18:46] - The Shepherds' Campfire
- [20:32] - The Angelic Announcement
- [23:02] - The Sign of the Manger
- [26:11] - Immediate Obedience
- [30:21] - Sharing the Good News
- [33:20] - Joyful Encounters
- [37:17] - Mary's Treasured Moments
- [42:33] - Peace Begins with Wonder
- [44:11] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 2:8-20
- Numbers 14:30-33
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial reaction of the shepherds when the angel appeared to them, and how did the angel address their fear? [22:05]
2. According to the sermon, why was being a shepherd considered a punishment for the Israelites, and how does this context add depth to the shepherds' role in the Christmas story? [16:56]
3. How did the shepherds respond after visiting Jesus, and what impact did their actions have on those who heard their story? [30:21]
4. What specific sign did the angel give the shepherds to identify the newborn Savior, and why was this sign significant? [23:02]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the shepherds challenge societal norms about who is worthy of receiving divine messages? [16:56]
2. In what ways does the shepherds' immediate obedience to the angel's message serve as a model for responding to God's call in our lives? [26:11]
3. How does the theme of wonder, as discussed in the sermon, relate to the shepherds' experience and their subsequent actions? [15:40]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between wonder and peace, and how can this understanding influence our daily lives? [42:33]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent moment when you felt a sense of wonder. How can you intentionally seek out and cherish such moments in your daily life? [15:40]
2. Consider someone in your life who might be overlooked or undervalued by society. How can you affirm their worth and potential this week, inspired by the shepherds' story? [16:56]
3. Think of a time when you felt prompted to act on something God placed on your heart. Did you respond immediately, or did you hesitate? What can you learn from the shepherds' example of immediate obedience? [26:11]
4. How can you share the good news of God's work in your life with others, similar to how the shepherds spread the word about Jesus' birth? Identify one person you can share your story with this week. [30:21]
5. In what ways can you cultivate peace in your heart and share it with others during this Christmas season? Consider specific actions or words you can use to spread peace and joy. [42:33]
6. Reflect on a situation where you explained away a miraculous event or moment of wonder. How can you approach similar situations with a renewed sense of awe and gratitude? [15:40]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of pondering and treasuring moments of wonder, like Mary did, into your spiritual life? What steps can you take to ensure these moments are not forgotten? [37:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Rediscovering the Miraculous in the Mundane
In a world dominated by technology and explanations, the sense of wonder can easily be lost. The shepherds in the Christmas story experienced awe and amazement at the angelic announcement, reminding us to remain open to the unexpected and inexplicable beauty in our lives. This wonder is not just about the grand and miraculous but also about finding joy in the simple and everyday moments. By intentionally seeking out these moments, we can rediscover the wonder that God has woven into the fabric of our lives. [15:40]
Psalm 8:3-4 (ESV): "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"
Reflection: What is one simple thing in your life that you often overlook but can choose to see with wonder today?
Day 2: Redemption Through Divine Selection
The story of the shepherds, who were once considered lowly and unworthy, highlights the theme of redemption. God chose these humble individuals to witness the birth of Christ, challenging societal norms and showing that value and potential exist in those whom society may overlook. This divine selection is a powerful reminder that God sees beyond our status and past, offering redemption and purpose to all. [16:56]
1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"
Reflection: Who in your life might you be overlooking or undervaluing? How can you begin to see them through God's eyes today?
Day 3: The Power of Prompt Obedience
The shepherds' immediate response to the angel's message exemplifies the importance of acting on God's call without hesitation. Their story encourages us to trust and obey God's promptings in our lives, knowing that His timing is perfect. This kind of obedience requires faith and courage, as it often means stepping out of our comfort zones and into the unknown. [26:11]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is prompting you to act? What step can you take today to respond in obedience?
Day 4: Sharing the Joy of God's Work
The shepherds did not keep the miraculous event to themselves but shared it with others, spreading joy and amazement. This teaches us the importance of sharing our experiences of God's work in our lives, inspiring others with the wonder of His love. By sharing our stories, we not only encourage others but also reinforce our own faith and understanding of God's presence in our lives. [30:21]
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Who is one person you can share a recent experience of God's work in your life with today? How can you do so in a way that is gentle and respectful?
Day 5: Cultivating Peace Through Wonder
The angels' message of peace to the shepherds is a call for us to seek peace in our own hearts and to share it with others. By embracing wonder and sharing joy, we contribute to a collective peace that reflects God's kingdom on earth. This peace begins with a heart open to the beauty and mystery of God's love, allowing it to transform our interactions and relationships. [42:33]
Colossians 3:15-16 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: How can you intentionally cultivate a sense of wonder and peace in your heart today? What is one action you can take to share this peace with someone else?
Quotes
"Being a shepherd was a punishment for God's people. For 40 years, they had to be shepherds. That's all they could do. There was nothing that would grow. There was no other things that would happen. They had to take care of the sheep, and it was a punishment, and that was always a memory. In their life, passed down through generation through generation, even to that day, and this is kind of a redemption for these shepherds because the story is now coming to fruition, and Jesus is going to be born, and he goes to those shepherds." [00:16:56] (34 seconds)
"For I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Because of course, every little girl was an angel in the Christmas pageant. Ah, I bring you good tidings of great joy that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David, a savior has come. He has come. He has come. He has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. And this will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger." [00:22:52] (32 seconds)
"They looked at each other and they're like, you want to go? Yeah, I'll go. But you want to go? Yeah, I think it sounds good. Let's go. And they had a plan. They were going to Bethlehem and they were going in search of a baby and they went right then. There are times in God's word when we see this over and over again, when people hear something or they're told to do something and they do it right then." [00:25:16] (24 seconds)
"And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherd said to them. Let me tell you, they did not just go and see. See, they didn't just go. And we see this wonderful picture of all of these nativity scenes where it's the shepherds and they're worshiping Jesus. And they did that. But before they worship Jesus, once they found it, they went back out and they told everybody what the Lord had told them when we have things that have happened to us that are full of wonder things that God has promised us how many times do we just say I'm sorry I cannot sit here I've got to tell people and not just our mom and dad not just those super close but we have got to shout it to everybody that we meet." [00:30:34] (47 seconds)
"When God fulfills what he promises us, when he does wonderful, amazing things in our life, he wants us to say something. He wants us to say something. He wants us to do something. He wants us to share something. So, you know, you know, at, at Pentecost, they were all in together praying in one accord. And when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, it was such an amazing thing that they had to share." [00:34:40] (39 seconds)
"Those shepherds didn't care who they met that night. Rich or poor, they shared their story. We're out in the field. We're just watching these angels. And they said there was a baby. And we came out here. And they're out of breath because they've been running from wherever that field was into the city of Bethlehem looking for these. And they didn't just go down. It wasn't like..." [00:40:09] (19 seconds)
"The more of us that have peace in our own heart, the more of us together collectively will have peace. And the closer we are to world peace, to bringing thy kingdom come, we want his will. We want his kingdom now in our churches, in our places that we are together. That's what we're bringing is peace. But it begins with wonder." [00:42:53] (22 seconds)
"That wonder of what kind of peace we have. And the more of us that have peace in our hearts, the more peace you have in your heart that you can share with someone else. And we can pass that along. This season, when you go through that checkout line, oh, boy, say something beautiful. Say something like Merry Christmas. Or, you know what? While I was waiting up here, I said a prayer for you." [00:43:21] (27 seconds)
"But what you say this Christmas season, make it matter. And choose your words blessed by the spirit about what he's done for you. And how you can, he can do the same for those that you meet. Our Father, we thank you for this beautiful song. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Glory to God in the highest." [00:44:47] (30 seconds)
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