Luke 2:10

Luke 2:10 , Luke 2:14

We have on the Feast of the Nativity these two lessons: instead of anxiety within, and despondence without instead of a weary search after great things to be cheerful and joyful; and again, to be so in the midst of those obscure and ordinary circumstances of life which the world passes over and thinks scorn of.

I. Why should the heavenly hosts appear to the shepherds? What was in them which attracted the attention of the angels, and the Lord of angels? Were these shepherds learned, distinguished, or powerful? Were they especially known for piety and gifts? Nothing is said to make us think so. Why then were they chosen? for their poverty's sake and obscurity. Almighty God looks with a sort of especial love upon the lowly. Perhaps it is that man a fallen, dependent, and destitute creature is more in his proper place when he is in lowly circumstances; and that power and riches, though unavoidable in the case of some, are unnatural appendages to man as such. The angel appeared to the shepherds as if to show that God had chosen the poor in this world to be the heirs of His kingdom, and so to do honour to their lot.

II. The angel honoured a humble lot by his very appearing to the shepherds; next he taught it to be joyful by his message. He disclosed good tidings so much above this world as to equalise high and low, rich and poor, one with another. Surely the lesson of joy which the Incarnation gives us is as impressive as the lesson of humility. Let us seek the grace of a cheerful heart, an even temper, sweetness, gentleness, and brightness of mind, as walking in His light, and by His grace. Let us pray Him to give us the spirit of ever-abundant, ever-springing love which overpowers and sweeps away the vexations of life by its own richness and strength, and which above all things unites us to Him who is the Fountain and Centre of all mercy, lovingkindness, and joy.

J. H. Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons, vol. vi., p. 244.

We learn from the text

I. That the Gospel is not originated by man, but is brought to him.

II. That in revealing the Gospel the ministry of angels is only temporary.

III. That the Gospel is inseparably identified with the highest joy.

Parker, City Temple, vol. i., p. 307.

Religious Joy.

We have on the Feast of the Nativity these two lessons: instead of anxiety within and despondence without instead of a weary search after great things, to be cheerful and joyful; and again, to be so in the midst of those obscure and ordinary circumstances of life which this world passes over and thinks scorn of.

I. First, what do we read just before the text? that there were certain shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night, and angels appeared to them. Why should the heavenly hosts appear to these shepherds? Were they learned, distinguished, or powerful? Nothing is said to make us think so. They were chosen for their poverty's sake, and obscurity. Almighty God looks with a sort of especial love upon the lowly.

II. The angel honoured a humble lot by his very appearing to the shepherds; next he taught it to be joyful by his message.

Plain Sermons by Contributors to "Tracts for the Times," vol. v., p. 326.

I. There is no news equal to the news of Christmas. To those who receive it, who feed on it in their hearts, it is like news of a great victory. It tells of an enemy defeated and a cruel, malicious enemy, an enemy who is alike the foe of God and man, and that is the devil. Satan's power was shaken to its centre on the day that the angels sang their hymn of joy in the fields about Bethlehem. Today, instead of the "gods many and lords many," we are presented with a truer and nobler Object of our homage. We have shown to us One who is the brightness of His Father's glory, and the express image of His Person.

II. What is it that distinguishes the glad tidings of Christmas from the tidings of Easter, or of Ascension, or of Whit-Sunday? It is this, that the Son of God has come into the world, and come as a Son of Man, and come not for a day, or for a year, but to be ever with us unto the end of time: Emmanuel, God with us. Christmas speaks to us of One who is Partner with us in all our sorrows, all our joy, all the changes and chances of our mortal life. Are there any here who mourn? Christ mourns with them. Is anyone here perplexed and troubled, from whatever cause? There is One come who is able to unravel for us our difficulties, and to make our way plain before our face. Let us seek the Lord, and pray Him to come into our hearts, and fill us with peace and joy, and gentleness, and goodness, and to make our hearts a copy of His own.

R. D. B. Rawnsley, Village Sermons, 4th series, p. 98.

References: Luke 2:10 . Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxii., No. 1330; vol. xii., No. 727; Preacher's Monthly, vol. ii., p. 435; Homilist, 3rd series, vol. vi., p. 49. Luke 2:10 , Luke 2:12 . Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xvii., No. 1026; H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit, vol. i., p. 104.Luke 2:10-14 . Preacher's Monthly, vol. viii., p. 321.Luke 2:11 . Homiletic Quarterly, vol. i., p. 556; vol. vii., p. 341.