Let’s Go TO and FROM Bethlehem: Proclaiming

Jesse is the head shepherd, overseeing the flocks of sheep in the pastures outside Bethlehem. His father, Amos, is out in the fields this night. Jesse’s younger brothers are with them. Jesse’s oldest son, Malachi, has finished his homework and has joined his dad in the fields for a few hours to learn the family business.

The angels have left the Bethlehem skies. The shepherds’ hearts have stopped pounding. They have been able to herd the sheep back together after they ran away when the glory of the Lord appeared over them.

The shepherds are obviously excited and intrigued by the angel’s message that the Savior has been born in the little town of Bethlehem. They all want to go see this thing that has happened, that the angel has told them about.

But someone must stay behind to watch the sheep. Jesse is in charge, so he stays. The sheep are ultimately his responsibility. He tells everyone else to go. When they get back, he’ll make a special trip on his own to see the Christ in the manger.

A half dozen dusty, dirty, smelly shepherds – pre-teen, adults and the patriarch of the family – go to the cave where the Holy Family has settled in for the night, since there was no room for them in the Bethlehem inn.

These shepherds are the first to praise Jesus as the Savior. They come just as they are.

Mary and Joseph don’t know what to think when the shepherds show up. But they make room for them in the cave (a cave that is now part of the Chapel of the Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem).

They are in awe as these simple shepherds bend the knee to worship their Child sleeping in the manger. They bow their heads to offer silent prayers to the sleeping Savior. They lift their heads and offer whispered praises to their heavenly Father,

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They don’t want to, but eventually the shepherds leave. But they don’t immediately return to the fields to relieve Jesse. They’re too excited to do that. First, they need to tell other people what they have seen and heard. They have a burning desire inside of them. They have to let it out.

Even though it’s late, they begin knocking on doors. Candles are lit and dim lights go on inside the homes. Drowsy Bethlehem residents crack open their doors.

The shepherds take every cracked door and lit house as an open invitation to begin talking.

These shepherds are often shunned by polite society, but now they have been given the opportunity to speak. People are going to listen. So these simple shepherds begin glorifying and praising God to all these sleepy people. They are not shy. They begin telling them all the things they have heard and seen, which were just as they had been told by the angels.

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Jesus brings joy in the midst of mourning. He brings peace amid turmoil. He remains King, when our elections are in confusion. He is the Light that overwhelms the darkness. He is everlasting hope and divine glory and eternal salvation all hidden in human flesh.

He is Emmanuel – God with us.

You are God’s modern-day shepherds. You have come to Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told you about.

You see, you hear, you believe in Emmanuel. Now you are to take Emmanuel with you so he can be God with others.

There are plenty of people in your community, in your workplace, in your family, and in your circle of friends who do not know Jesus intimately as their Savior from sins. They don’t understand all the promises and prophecies of the coming Messiah. They may have heard of Jesus, but, sadly, they have no faith in him.

So many homes in your circle of friends and family are dark this Christmas. So many hearts are cold. Because they don’t know Jesus like you know him.

But Christianity is not a private party. Jesus is the Savior of all people. He is your Savior. But he is also the Savior of everyone else you encounter. They just don’t know it. They haven’t heard the good news about their Savior from sin who lays in a Bethlehem manger.

Let people know they are invited to the eternal party that is Christianity. Tell them they are invited to know and believe and love Jesus.

Before this year, people didn’t come to church because they were busy or disinterested. Now, people aren’t coming to church because they are nervous or worried. So, if people aren’t coming to church to hear about Jesus, you need to go to them so they can hear about Jesus.

You probably won’t be welcome if you start knocking on doors in the middle of the night. So, what can you do?

Can you season your speech with the love of Jesus when you’re talking to your questioning coworker?

Can you talk about the peace Jesus brings with your elderly father as he faces his terminal cancer?

Can you talk about the salvation of Jesus as your invite your neighbor to enroll her kids in your church’s Lutheran elementary school?

Can you stop sharing political stuff on social media so you can share WELS devotions or your pastor’s sermons or Bread for Beggars’ posts?

Like the shepherds, we have a message of highest importance and greatest joy. This message is too momentous, too powerful, too important to keep to ourselves.

Our hearts are burning with faith in Jesus. Our mouths have to let the words flow forth.

Thank God that you know Jesus as your Savior. Your heart is warmed and your house is bright with this good news.

Then, like the shepherds, go outside your comfort zone. Begin glorifying and praising God for sending your Savior that first Christmas.

Let’s go TO Bethlehem. But let’s not stay there. Let’s also go FROM Bethlehem. Go from Bethlehem proclaiming Jesus to those who need him so desperately this Christmas season. Bring Light to their homes and warmth to their hearts.

Then pray that next Christmas they will join you in going TO and FROM Bethlehem.

Sing We the Song of Emmanuel
3. Go spread the news of Emmanuel
Joy and peace for the weary heart
Lift up your heads, for your King has come
Sing for the Light overwhelms the dark
Glory shining for all to see
Hope alive, let the gospel ring
God has made a way, He will have the praise
Tell the world His name is Jesus