God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Introduction
I want to begin by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! But I would also give you a Christmas greeting that was used several times in the record of events surrounding Jesus’ birth. In some passages that lead up to and follow the record of Christ’s birth in Luke chapter 2, these words are used four times. This was the first Christmas greeting: “Fear Not!”
What do you call the fear of Santa Claus? Claus-trophobia. I guess that is only if he locks you up in a small, tightly confined space. Believe it or not, there is an actual fear called Santaphobia.
But as one online article written by Debbie Smit states…
There is no special word assigned to the fear of Christmas. This is, of course, because Christmas is meant to be a time of peace, boundless joy, renewed hope and goodwill to men (and women).
Pairing up “Christmas” and “fear” in an online search produces a very different scenario. One can conclude from the results only that for many Christmas is a very scary time. Apart from the obvious fears of loneliness (eremophobia), crowds (enochlophobia) and good news (euphobia), which cause a documented increase in suicide, murder and divorce during this time, there are some unnamed fears that are unique to Christmas time.
Psychology Today, in the spirit of the silly season, lists 12 neuroses of Christmas: my favourites are Ho Ho Phobia (HHP), “a profound fear of rotund, bearded men in red suits and black boots”; (and) North-Polar Disorder (NPD), “the chronic fear that someone is on the roof.”
(http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_page.php?iSectionId=2891&iArticleId=3575671)
As we study the Biblical passages that are often associated with the Christmas narrative, we find a repeated refrain in the words “Fear Not.” In Luke chapter 1, and Matthew chapter 1, and Luke chapter 2, this phrase “Fear Not” is found four times.
We find this message declared in a place of barrenness in Luke 1:13…
(Luke 1:13) But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Fear Not Zacharias! God’s Plan Will Include John!
We find this message declared in a place of blessing in Luke 1:30…
(Luke 1:30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Fear Not Mary! God’s Plan Will Include Jesus!
We find this message declared in a place of battles in Matthew 1:20…
(Matthew 1:20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Fear Not son of David! God’s Plan Will Include Joseph!
We find this message declared in a place called Bethlehem in Luke 2:10…
(Luke 2:10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Fear Not Shepherds! God’s Plan Will Include Joy!
As I have thought about this repeated message of “Fear Not,” I have thought about a traditional English Christmas carol that was first published in Britain in 1833. The composer of the song is unknown, but the song says…
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
And that’s what I want to share with you this morning, a message entitled “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentleman” (and Ladies). And I want to share these “Tidings of Comfort and Joy”!
The first “Fear Not” that I want to talk about does not relate primarily to Jesus’ birth, but to the birth of John the Baptist. But just as John’s ministry was as a forerunner to Jesus’ ministry, John’s conception and birth was a precursor to Jesus’ conception and birth. And John’s birth announcement was given to his father Zacharias by the angel Gabriel in Luke chapter 1. And part of Gabriel’s message to Zacharias was…
I. Fear Not! God Responds To Prayer!
(Luke 1:13) But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
A. Notice The Aged Couple In This Passage (Luke 1:5–7)
(Luke 1:5) There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
1. They Were Blameless and Obedient
(Luke 1:6) And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Albert Barnes explained the terminology used here saying…
[Both righteous] Both “just” or holy. This means here more than external conformity to the law. It is an honorable testimonial of their “piety” toward God.
[Walking in ...] Keeping the commandments. To WALK in the way that God commands is “to obey.”
[Ordinances] Rites and customs which God had ordained or appointed. These words refer to all the duties of religion which were made known to them.
[Blameless] That is, no fault or deficiency could be found in them. They were strict, exact, punctual. Yet this, if it had been mere “external” observance, might have been no proof of piety. Paul, before his conversion, also kept the law “externally” blameless, Philippians 3:6. But in the case of Zechariah and Elizabeth it was real love to God and sincere regard for his law.
2. They Were Barren and Old
(Luke 1:7) And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words says that the word “barren” (NT:4723 – steiros) comes from a root ster — meaning “hard, firm” (hence Eng., “sterile”), signifies “barren, not bearing children,” and is used with the natural significance three times in the Gospel of Luke 1:7,36; 23:29.
well stricken – Greek 4260. probaino, prob-ah'ee-no; from G4253 and the base of G939; to walk forward, i.e. advance (lit. or in years):--+ be of a great age, go farther (on), be well stricken.
The idea here is that they had been down the road a ways.
In the IVP Bible Background Commentary, Craig S. Keener said that, according to Jewish tradition set forth in the Mishnah, the reference to them being “well stricken in years” or…
“Aged” may suggest that they were over sixty.
(Luke 1:18) And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
If we were to paraphrase Zacharias’ words using our vernacular, we might put it like this: “I’m old as dirt, and my wife is no spring chicken!” ‘We’re too far along for God to help us in this fashion.’
B. Notice The Angelic Communication In This Passage (Luke 1:8–17)
(Luke 1:8) And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
(Luke 1:11) And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
1. Gabriel Spoke Of A Gladness In John’s Manifestation
(Luke 1:11-14) And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. {12} And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. {13} But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. {14} And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Notice how it would affect Zacharias personally. “Thou shalt have…”
joy – Greek 5479. chara, khar-ah'; from G5463; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).
gladness – Greek 20. agalliasis, ag-al-lee'-as-is; from G21; exultation (ecstasy, delight, euphoria); spec. welcome:--gladness, (exceeding) joy.
There will be a peaceful joy and a pronounced joy; both joy and jubilation; an inner calm and an outward celebration.
Matthew Henry said…
This son shall be the joy of his family and of all his relations. He shall be another Isaac, thy laughter; and some think that is partly intended in his name, John (meaning gracious or the grace or mercy of the Lord).
2. Gabriel Spoke Of A Greatness In John’s Ministry
(Luke 1:15-17) For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. {16} And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. {17} And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
He may not have been great in the eyes of some men, but “in the sight of the Lord,” he would be “great.”
great – Greek 3173. megas; big (lit. or fig., in a very wide application):--(+ fear) exceedingly, great (-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.
filled – Greek 4130. pletho; to “fill” (lit. or fig. [imbue (permeate), influence, supply]); spec. to fulfil (time):--accomplish, full (. . . come), furnish.
He would a Sober man, and he would be a Spirit-filled man. John would be a Man of Righteousness, and he would have a Ministry with Response.
Gabriel magnifies the fact that what God is about to do will produce gladness and it will produce greatness. Those are still among the effects of God’s work in our lives. In other words, what God does will be a glad thing and it will be a great thing.
C. Notice The Actual Conception In This Passage (Luke 1:18–25)
(Luke 1:24) And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
1. The Father Was Filled With Hesitation
(Luke 1:18-20) And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. {19} And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. {20} And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
Warren Wiersbe said…
You would think that the presence of an angel and the announcement of God’s Word would encourage Zacharias’ faith, but they did not. Instead of looking to God by faith, the priest looked at himself and his wife and decided that the birth of a son was impossible. He wanted some assurance beyond the plain word of Gabriel, God’s messenger, perhaps a sign from God. This, of course, was unbelief, and unbelief is something God does not accept. Zacharias was really questioning God’s ability to fulfill His own Word!
James Foote said…
Ah, friends, if God were as strict to punish us for our distrust of His word as he was to punish Zacharias for his, how many of us also would He strike dumb! (From The Biblical Illustrator)
2. The Future Was Filled With Happiness
(Luke 1:23-25) And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. {24} And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, {25} Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
reproach – Greek 3681. oneidos, on'-i-dos; prob. akin to the base of G3686; notoriety, i.e. a taunt (disgrace):--reproach.
After he came home, she conceived. On a humorous note, it seems that his remaining silent helped the romance in their marriage.
In essence, she is bragging about what God had done for her in verse 25. She said, ‘In this way, God has dealt with me. He has looked in my direction, and He has turned my disgrace (the meaning of ‘reproach’) into grace (the meaning of ‘John’). In verse 13, God heard Zacharias’ prayer! And that’s a reason for comfort.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (and Ladies)! The Tidings of Comfort and Joy includes the fact that God Responds to Prayer. But look further with me in this same chapter where we find that the angel Gabriel was sent on a second mission. The Bible says…
(Luke 1:26-30) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, {27} To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. {28} And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. {29} And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. {30} And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
The angelic message here encourages us by saying…
II. Fear Not! God Reaches Out To People!
(Luke 1:30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
A. Notice How Mary Was Troubled (Luke 1:26–29)
1. It Was Said That She Was Blessed
(Luke 1:28) And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Albert Barnes wrote…
[Hail] This word of salutation is equivalent to “Peace be with thee,” or “Joy be with thee;” a form of speech implying that she was signally favored, and expressing joy at meeting her.
[Highly favoured] (favored – meaning to grace, to endue with special honor, to make accepted) By being the mother of the long-expected Messiah – the mother of the Redeemer of mankind.
[The Lord is with thee] The word “is” is not in the original, and the passage may be rendered either “the Lord “is” with thee,” or “the Lord be” with thee,” implying the prayer of the angel that all blessings from God might descend and rest upon her.
[Blessed art thou among women] This passage is equivalent to saying “thou art the most happy of women.”
2. It Was Said That She Was Bothered
(Luke 1:29) And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Again, Barnes said…
[Troubled at his saying] Disturbed or perplexed at what he said. It was so unexpected, so sudden, so extraordinary, and was so high an honor, that she was filled with anxious thoughts, and did not know what to make of it.
[Cast in her mind] Thought, or revolved in her mind. [What manner of salutation] What this could mean.
B. Notice What Mary Was Told (Luke 1:30–37)
(Luke 1:30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
1. We See The Angel’s Proclamation
(Luke 1:31-33) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. {32} He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: {33} And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
John Phillips said…
Again the angel used the word favor (vs. 28 and 30 / means “grace”). “Thou hast found favour with God.” The whole story of the coming into this world of the Son of God is of grace from beginning to end. And sovereignty! Again and again God asserts His will in this matter: “Thou shalt conceive... and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (1:31-33).
2. We See The Angel’s Proof
(Luke 1:34-37) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? {35} And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. {36} And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. {37} For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Again, John Phillips wrote that…
There was a plan (1:35). “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” The Holy Spirit draws a veil over the actual details of the conception as He does over the actual details of the Crucifixion. As for the conception, it would be a miracle. Jesus would have a human mother but no human father. That would be no problem at all to God, who invented the genetic code and knows all of its details and how it works. … (And) There was the proof (1:36). Gabriel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant—which in itself was a wonderful thing, too, given her great age and lifelong barrenness. If God could make a dead womb spring to life, He could certainly make a virgin’s womb spring to life.
C. Notice How Mary Was Trusting (Luke 1:38)
(Luke 1:38) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
1. We See Her Yielded-ness
Behold the handmaid of the Lord
She was saying, ‘I am His servant; I am His subject; I am His slave!’ As Albert Barnes said…
This was an expression of resignation to the will of God, and of faith in the promise. To be the “handmaid of the Lord” is to be submissive and obedient, and is the same as saying, “I fully credit all that is said, and am perfectly ready to obey all the commands of the Lord.”
2. We See Her Yes
be it unto me according to thy word
The UBS (United Bible Societies) New Testament Handbook says…
Let it be to me according to your word, or, "as you have spoken, so be it" (NEB), 'may be done to me (or, may I be given) all that you have said', 'let God send (lit. cause-to-proceed to) me that which you have just told me about now' (Tagabili). In Subanen the idiom is, 'I will allow what you said'; Apache has to use, 'yes, I say: just-what-you-said it-will-be-done-to-me'.
In order to see the next “Fear Not,” we must go to Matthew chapter 1 where we find Mary’s espoused husband Joseph who has, by this time, become aware of Mary’s pregnancy. And, bless his heart, he’s struggling with what to do. God’s message for Joseph was…
III. Fear Not! God Resolves Problems!
(Matthew 1:20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
A. We Find the Moral Dilemma in Joseph’s Experience (Matthew 1:18–19)
1. Notice Joseph’s Circumstances
(Matthew 1:18) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Joseph had learned that his intended bride is pregnant. The baby is not his, and her story is that the Holy Ghost came upon her, and the power of the Highest overshadowed her. She claimed that the baby that she conceived is actually the Son of God! This man wants to do the right thing, but he is dealing with frustration and fear. If anyone ever needed a word from God, it was this man at that moment.
Adam Clarke said, “What conversation passed between her and Joseph, on this discovery, we are not informed; but the issue proves that it was not satisfactory to him.” And as the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary says…
As he brooded over the matter alone, in the stillness of the night, his domestic prospects darkened and his happiness (seemed) blasted for life.
2. Notice Joseph’s Character
(Matthew 1:19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
Barnes says of the word “just”…
The meaning is that he was kind, tender, merciful; that he was so attached to Mary that he was not willing that she should be exposed to public shame.
This word in this context seems to indicate that his character was moving him to do the right thing by God, and yet also to do the right thing by Mary. As John MacArthur wrote…
Although Joseph and Mary were only betrothed at this time (v. 18), he was considered her husband and she was considered his wife. For the very reason that he was a righteous man, Joseph had a double problem, at least in his own mind. First, because of his righteous moral standards, he knew that he should not go through with the marriage because of Mary’s pregnancy. He knew that he was not the father and assumed, quite naturally, that Mary had had relations with another man. But second, because of his righteous love and kindness, he could not bear the thought of shaming her publicly (a common practice of his day in regard to such an offense), much less of demanding her death, as provided by the law (Deuteronomy 22:23-24).
B. We Find the Marvelous Dream in Joseph’s Experience (Matthew 1:20–23)
1. Notice the Powerful Message Here
(Matthew 1:20-21) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. {21} And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
At a time when Joseph needed it most, God sent this revelation of consolation. As Matthew Henry said…
When he was at a loss, and had carried the matter as far as he could in his own thoughts, then God came in with advice.
Barnes said…
[Fear not] Do not hesitate, or have any apprehensions about her virtue and purity. Do not fear that she will be unworthy of you, or will disgrace you.
God Settled His Direction fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife
God Settled His Doubts for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost
Joseph was told that God was working in a miraculous way in this situation.
2. Notice the Prophetical Message Here
(Matthew 1:22-23) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, {23} Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
The Barnes’ Notes commentary says…
The prophecy here quoted is recorded in Isaiah 7:14. The prophecy was delivered about 740 years before Christ, in the reign of Ahaz, king of Judah.
When Ahaz was attacked, he was depending upon Assyria for help. But Isaiah gave him the promise of Immanuel (God with us). Isaiah indicated that the house of David would not be utterly destroyed so that this prophecy would be fulfilled. Joseph, this “son of David,” must have felt like he was under attack from the circumstances. But these circumstances would not utterly destroy him for God was fulfilling the promise of Emmanuel (God with us).
Joseph is told that this has not taken God by surprise. He has known about it beforehand, and did in fact deliver a prophetical word about this through Isaiah. And the crises that we encounter do not take God by surprise either!
C. We Find the Matrimonial Details in Joseph’s Experience (Matthew 1:24–25)
1. Notice the Matter Was Settled
(Matthew 1:24) Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Any hesitation and fear was dispelled when the angel informed him that the child’s name would be JESUS (vs. 21).
A. T. Robertson said…
The angel had told him not to be afraid to “take to his side” Mary his wife (1:20). So when he awoke from his sleep he promptly obeyed the angel and “took his wife home” (Moffatt). One can only imagine the relief and joy of Mary when Joseph nobly rose to his high duty toward her.
2. Notice the Mention of the Son
(Matthew 1:25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Marvin Vincent said of the words “thou shalt call his name Jesus” to Joseph in verse 21, that the angel was…
Thus committing the office of a father to Joseph.
In other words, the fact that Joseph named the child is an indication that he claimed the child as his legal descendant. It is one of the only instances that I see in the Bible of a “name it and claim it” situation. And what a name it was! As John Phillips said…
To countless millions down through the ages, Jesus has become the “sweetest name on mortal tongue,” the “sweetest carol ever sung.”
Let’s go now to the cold, dark fields outside of Bethlehem where, two-thousand years ago, shepherds were visited by angels. And this close encounter of the angelic kind affected them just as would have affected you and me. “They were sore afraid” (Luke 2:9). But here again, the angel’s message was…
IV. Fear Not! God Rescues the Perishing!
(Luke 2:10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
A. Consider the Recipients of This Angelic Message (Luke 2:8)
1. Think About the Location of These Shepherds
(Luke 2:8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
This powerful proclamation was not brought to the palace, but to the pasture. But though they were in a simple environment, it was also a special environment because of where it was. For those who received this message were “in the same country,” that is, the same country or the same area in which Jesus had just been born. And this fact is truly special, because God came near.
John said “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The Son did not come to keep His distance from humankind, but “they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23). And even though He is now ascended back to the Father, Paul said that He is “not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27).
2. Think About the Lowliness of These Shepherds
In his “Preaching the Word” commentary, R. Kent Hughes said the fact…
That the message came to shepherds first, and not to the high and mighty, reminds us that God comes to the needy, the poor in spirit. Shepherds were despised by the “good,” respectable people of that day. According to the Mishnah, shepherds were under a ban. They were regarded as thieves. The only people lower than shepherds at that particular time in Jewish history were lepers. Scholars speculate that the only reason the flocks were so close in was because these men were keeping the sacrificial animals for the temple.
God comes only to those who sense their need. He does not come to the self-sufficient. The gospel is for those who know they need Jesus!
Cf. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: {27} But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; {28} And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: {29} That no flesh should glory in his presence.
B. Consider the Revelation of This Angelic Message (Luke 2:10–14)
1. The Messenger Magnified Christ
(Luke 2:10-12) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. {11} For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. {12} And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
good tidings – Greek 2097. euaggelizo; meaning to announce good news (“evangelize”) especially the gospel. It also translated in the New Testament as “declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).”
great – megas.
joy – Greek 5479. chara; means cheerfulness, or calm delight. It is also translated in the New Testament as “gladness.”
Saviour – Greek 4990. soter, so-tare'; from G4982; a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ.
Matthew Henry wrote that…
He furnished them with abundant matter for joy: “Behold, I evangelize to you great joy; I solemnly declare it, and you have reason to bid it welcome, for it shall bring joy to all people, and not to the people of the Jews only; that unto you is born this day, at this time, a Saviour, the Saviour that has been so long expected, which is Christ the Lord, in the city of David,” v. 11.
The angel said ‘I bring this message to YOU, but it shall also be to ALL PEOPLE.’ The angel didn’t tell the shepherds that a baby was born to Mary, but unto you. And then as J.G. Bellett observed, the angel didn’t say “a judge nor a lawgiver” but a Saviour.
Cf. (Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
2. The Multitude Manifested Celebration
(Luke 2:13-14) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, {14} Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
glory – Greek 1391. doxa, dox'-ah; from the base of G1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (lit. or fig., obj. or subj.):--dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship.
God – Greek 2316. theos; a deity, especially the supreme Divinity.
in the highest – Greek 5310. hupsistos; highest, i.e. (masc. sing.) the Supreme (God), or (neut. plur.) the heavens:--most high, highest.
peace - eirene, from a primary verb eiro (meaning to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication it means prosperity. It also translated in the New Testament as “one, peace, quietness, rest, set at one again.” (to mend like a broken bone)
good will – eudokia, meaning satisfaction, delight, or kindness, wish, purpose. It also translated in the New Testament as “desire, good pleasure (will), seem good.”
Literally, the angel was saying “We give praise and honor and glory to God, the most High God,” or “the Supreme God.” Or, “Glory to God in the heavens.” The heavenly host was celebrating with PRAISE from HEAVEN, and they were celebrating the PEACE for HUMANITY. As Albert Barnes said…
The gospel will bring peace. The Saviour was predicted as the Prince of peace, Isaiah 9:6. The world is at war with God; sinners are at enmity against their Maker and against each other. There is no peace to the wicked. But Jesus came to make peace; and this He did by reconciling the world to God by His atonement (and) by bringing the sinner to a state of peace with his Maker. … The gift of the Saviour is an expression of good-will or love to people, and therefore God is to be praised.
C. Consider the Result of This Angelic Message (Luke 2:15–20)
1. The Shepherds Became Witnesses
(Luke 2:15-18) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. {16} And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. {17} And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. {18} And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Warren Wiersbe said of the shepherds coming “with haste” that…
Halford Luccock called this “the first Christmas rush.”
“They made know abroad the saying.” Adam Clarke said…
These shepherds were the first preachers of the Gospel of Christ: and what was their text? Why, Glory to God in the highest heavens, and on earth peace and good will among men. This is the elegant and energetic saying, which comprises the sum and substance of the Gospel of God.
all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds
wondered – Greek 2296. thaumazo; to wonder; by impl. to admire:--admire, have in admiration, marvel, wonder.
2. The Shepherds Became Worshippers
(Luke 2:20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
glorifying – Greek 1392. doxazo, dox-ad'-zo; from G1391; to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application):--(make) glorify (-ious), full of (have) glory, honour, magnify.
To glorify is to make that which you are glorifying big to someone else. To make a big deal out of it. People in churches are making a big deal out of the wrong things. We need to be making a big deal about God and praising Him.
The UBS (United Bible Societies) New Testament Handbook says…
To praise is often rendered by a descriptive expression, e.g. ‘make-great, or, make-great the name of’ (East Toradja, in v. 20), ‘to speak well of’ (Tarascan), ‘lift up the name of’ (Cuna, Kpelle), ‘to sing the name of’ (Tepehua), ‘to make good’ (Totonac), ‘to say good about’ (Tzeltal), ‘to make known something good about.’
These shepherds were talking about God and all these things in a BIG way, and they were talking about God and all these things in a BRAGGING way!
Conclusion
A preacher in Northern Ireland, David Legge shared the following story…
When the businessman Alan Emery was in the wool business, he spent one evening with a shepherd on the Texas prairie. During the night in the long wait he heard coyotes wailing, and it just pierced the air with such fear - you can imagine the situation.
The shepherd dog's growled and peered into the darkness, not knowing where the noise was coming from. The sheep, which had been sleeping, lumbered all of a sudden to their feet, alarmed, fearful, and bleating pitifully.
The shepherd began tossing more logs unto the fire, and the flames shot up. In the glow, Alan said that he looked and he saw thousands of little lights all around the prairie - and those little lights were the reflection of the fire in the eyes of the sheep. When he realized that, he said that in the midst of the danger 'I observed that the sheep were not looking into the darkness like the dogs, but the sheep were keeping their eyes set in the direction of safety, they were looking to the shepherd'.
He said that at that point he couldn't help thinking of Hebrews 12: 'Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith' - and that is why, Matthew says in 4 and 16: 'The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light has sprung up'. Fear not, Immanuel is with you.
(http://www.preachtheword.com/sermon/fnc01.shtml)
You’re fear may pertain to God’s design in your life; it may pertain to God’s declarations for your life. You may have fears about your family; or you may have fears about your future.
Fearful Mary and fearful Joseph were both told that JESUS would be born. And as Charles Spurgeon said…
“Truly, no name can banish fear like the name of Jesus; it is the beginning of hope, and the end of despair.”
This name JESUS means Jehovah is Salvation. But there are other names throughout the Christmas passages that give us comfort for our fears. He is EMMANUEL, God with us. He is the PRINCE OF PEACE. He is the “Savior … Christ the Lord”!
When Adam sinned in Genesis 3 and the Lord came to the garden, He said to Adam, “Where art thou?” Adam said, “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid … and I hid myself.”
When sin was birthed into this world, it was accompanied by a mindset of FEAR.
But when the Savior was birthed into this world, He was accompanied by a message of FEAR NOT!
What are you afraid of? Bring your fears to JESUS this morning!