A Precedent for the New Year (Luke 2:13-20)

Introduction

We stand on the threshold of a new year. Most people generally look at the new year as a fresh beginning, as an opportunity to kind of start over, to overcome a habit, or do a better job of something they see as important and that needs improvement. It may be parenting, being a better spouse, losing weight (which, by the way, is the number one resolution according to polls taken). It may be developing different priorities, using our time better, or a whole host of things that people would like to change.

So, we usually hear a lot about New Year's resolutions, resolutions which are usually broken in a matter of weeks. Many people are very pessimistic about the whole issue of making resolutions, and rightly so, because so many good intentions are followed by a history of past failures.

But the new year is a time to reflect and think about what the past year has brought and what the new year could bring. It is a time to stop and analyze, to take stock of our priorities, values, pursuits, and goals. We need to ask questions like "Who am I, what am I doing with my life? What should I be doing as a Christian with my life and the stewardship God has given me?" After all, according to the Word of God, all of life is a stewardship--a stewardship of our time, talents, treasures, and God's truth. In other words, since God's plan and our stewardships revolve around and through the life of His Son, Jesus Christ, we need to each ask "How well am I responding to the Savior and the spiritual life that He has given me?"

Review of the Context

As we will see from the passage before us, Luke 2:13-20 provides us with a tremendous precedent or example for the new year and the kind of issues we might consider.

The preceding verses, 2:1-12, give us the account of the birth of the Savior. This included the revelation of His birth to the shepherds by a heavenly messenger, an angel of the Lord.

In this study, I would like to focus our attention on what followed this announcement to the shepherds (vss. 13-20). In these verses we see a number of things which bring acclaim to the person of Jesus Christ, but they also provide us with both an example and a challenge. We see both heaven and earth responding to the news of the birth of Jesus Christ in such a way that it exhorts and challenges us in our lives: in our attitudes, priorities, values, pursuits, and actions as it pertains to worship. It also challenges us as to our behavior toward spiritual things and even our reasons for living

The response by the shepherds as seen in this passage sets a precedent (an act or instance that may be used as an example in dealing with subsequent issues of life). The events here teach us how we should respond in view of the person and work of the Lord Jesus.

Acclaim to God and His Son and the impact of the news of the birth of Christ on others was demonstrated not only by words, but by the actions of the angels and the shepherds in the way they responded to the news of the birth of Christ. They provide some tremendous lessons and examples for us.

I also want us to note that the response of the shepherds was a result of the news of the angels. You may be saying to yourselves, "Well, if I saw a bunch of angels . . . , my life would be different too!" Let's put that idea to rest right now. Why? First, because the text makes it clear that it was not the angels they were excited about, but the news, the revelation which they viewed in faith as from God. Second, Scripture teaches us that it is not miraculous experiences that change men, it's the Word and the Spirit of God. The power of God is in the gospel--the Word of God--not in experiences (cf. Luke 16:27-31).

The response of the shepherds was the result of the proclamation of truth (Scripture). This provides a good analogy for our need to hear the Word on a regular basis, and, as a result of that, to act on what we learn and know.

Heaven's Response--The Heavenly Host
(2:13-14)

The fact and time of the response:

Immediately following the announcement given in verses 11-12 there was a heavenly response by a host of angels. This certainly sets a example for us for whom Christ was born. Christmas and all of life should be a time of thankful praise to God for the person and work of Jesus Christ if one truly understands the significance of His life and death to both God and to man (Eph. 3:10; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:12).

But why angels? Angels were present at the rebellion of Satan and man. They observed man's failure and have, from the very first promise of the coming Savior (Gen. 3:15), been keenly interested in the coming of Christ because of what it would mean to God's glory and man's predicament (Eph. 3:10-11; 1 Pet. 1:12). Thus, at the announcement of the birth of the Savior, there was an immediate response from heaven.

The nature of the response:

It was an act of praise and adoration to God which manifested at least three things:

1. It recognized God as the source or origin of the birth of Christ as that supreme gift of God, which more than anything else, manifested God's glory or His divine essence--His holiness, love, grace, sovereignty, faithfulness, wisdom, and power.
2. It revealed and focused on the key outcome to mankind--it brought peace to men. The peace among men mentioned here undoubtedly includes all aspects of peace that ultimately come to men through the person of Christ and His work on the cross as they respond to Him by faith:

(a) peace with God (reconciliation--from enmity to harmony),
(b) the peace of God (of fellowship and provision),
(c) the peace of harmony and unity with one another as men experience Christ, and
(d) one day, universal peace through the reign of Christ on earth.
3. It revealed the recipients of this peace: They are described as those "with whom God is well pleased." God is well pleased with whom? With those who know His Son by faith and walk in fellowship with Him because it is the Son and the Son alone who satisfies and pleases Him.

POINT: God is satisfied with us only when we are in His Son and when we allow His Son to live His life through us. As believers in Christ, we are in "The Beloved," the place where God's love and satisfaction abides (Eph. 1:6).