Twas’ The Night

The Book of Luke, Chapter 2:1-7:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus 
that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first 
enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And 
all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph 
went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, 
to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because 
he was of the house and linage of David, to be enrolled 
with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while 
they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. 
And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped 
him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, for 
there was no place for them in the inn. 

Has the time come for you to be delivered? Are you wrapped, bound, 
in swaddling cloths of sin and guilt in your life? Do you feel there is 
no place for you at the inn? Do you feel that nobody is listening to 
what part you want?

In the play A Charlie Brown Christmas Lucy goes to hand out the 
parts and Shermie grimaces as he mutters at his part, “I ALWAYS 
HAVE TO BE THE SHEPHERD!” But in the story of Jesus’ birth, who 
does God pick for one of the most important roles? Who does God 
pick to announce the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

The Book of Luke, Chapter 2: 8-14

And in the region there were shepherds out in the field, 
keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of 
the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with 
fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid, for I 
bring you good news of a great joy that will come to all 
the people; for to you this day is born in the city of David 
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign 
for you; you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths 
and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the 
angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and 
saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace 
among men with whom he is pleased.”

It wasn’t that long ago, when the angel Gabriel told Mary to not be 
afraid for she had found favor with God and now the Good News is 
being shared that Christ the Savior has been born. Think about it, God 
hosted the first come, as you are party as the angels came to tell the 
shepherds of the birth of the Christ Child. Out of the fields the 
shepherds came in their work clothes, to hear the news of the Saviors 
birth. Without taking a shower and changing clothes what did the 
shepherds do?

Luke 2: 15-20

When the angels went away from them into heaven the 
Shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to 
Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which 
the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with 
haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying 
in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the 
saying, which had been told them concerning this child; 
and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told 
them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in 
her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and 
praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had 
been told them.

You see the first Christmas present came from heaven above, it 
wasn’t a toy, or clothes, or perfume, or something for the house or 
the car. It came from heaven above wrapped in starlight, tied with 
love, given with joy; a sweet little boy so helpless and small. A gift for 
the world to receive, a gift for you and me; a gift that would change 
the lives of those who believe. 

And I wonder, Mary did you know?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? 
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and 
daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you 
new? This child that you delivered will soon deliver you. Mary did 
you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

And I wonder Mary did you know: Mary did you know that your baby 
boy will calm a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby 
boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little baby, 
you’ve kissed the face of God. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, 
the dead will live again. The dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb. 
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creations? Mary 
did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Did 
you know that your baby boy is Heaven’s perfect lamb? The sleeping 
child you’re holding is The Great I Am.

This little boy Jesus who grew into a man and as he sat in the Upper 
Room with His disciples knowing which one would sell him out, which 
one would deny knowing him three times before the cock crowed. 
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior took the bread, broke it and said; 
this is my body broken for you. Take, eat, this often in remembrance 
of me. Then after supper Jesus raised the cup and said, take, drink, 
this is the blood of the new covenant shed for you. Drink this often in 
remembrance of me. 

On this Christmas day let us remember…. Twas’ the night Jesus came 
and all through the house, not a person was praying, not one in the 
house. The Bible was left on the shelf without care, for no one thought 
Jesus would come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, 
not once ever kneeling or bowing their head. And mom in the rocking 
chair with babe on lap, was watching the Late Show as I took a nap. 
When out of the East there rose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to 
see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore 
open the shutters and lifted the sash. When what to my wondering 
eyes should appear, but Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here?
The light of his face made me cover my head, was Jesus returning 
just like He’d said? And though I possessed worldly wisdom and 
wealth, I cried when I saw him in spite of myself.

One does not have to be filled with fear, living alone bound by 
swaddling cloths and unable to move in their sin and die alone. One 
can be free when one knows the truth in their heart and soul.

Isaiah 52: 7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him 
who brings good tidings of good, who publishes 
salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Hark, 
your watchmen, lift up their voice, together they sing 
for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to 
Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste 
places of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his 
people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has 
bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; 
and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation 
of our God.

Recently while I was in Matteson, Illinois I stopped at the Matteson 
Mall and paid a visit to a good friend of mine. As I sat with Santa 
Claus I said to him, “I bet you see and hear everything and anything 
don’t you?” Santa looked at me and said yes I do but yesterday was 
the toughest day I’ve had in quite a few years. Santa went on to tell me 
a nine year old child came to see him and when the child crawled on 
his lap he asked the child what do you want Santa to bring you for 
Christmas The child calmly replied, my sister went to be with Jesus 
yesterday and for Christmas I would like you to take her a purse in 
heaven where she lives. Santa went onto tell me that it was the first 
time in years that he didn’t know what to say as he held this beautiful 
unselfish child in his arms. Then Santa told me when he got home 
that night his wife held him as he cried like a baby.

You see, In the Book of life, which Jesus held in his hand, was written 
the name of every saved soul. Jesus spoke not a word as he searched 
for my name, when he said, It’s not here my head hung in shame. The 
people whose names had been written with love, Jesus gathered to 
take to His Father above. With those who were ready Jesus rose 
without sound, while all the others were left standing around. I fell to 
my knees but it was too late, I’d waited too long and thus sealed my 
fate. I stood and cried as they rose out of sight. Oh if only I had known 
that this was the night. In the words of this poem the meaning is clear 
the coming of Jesus is drawing near. 

There’s only one life and when the time comes for the last call, we’ll 
find out that the Bible was true after all.
Let us pray,

Father God, we thank you for the birth of your son Jesus Christ. May 
all who are gathered here this day not know Jesus Christ, but have 
a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 
Knowing Jesus is fine, but having a personal relationship with 
Jesus Christ as ones Lord and Savior is the only way to 
heaven. May nobody here Father, leave your house to 
say upon their death, Twas’ the night before my 
death and I was too busy to accept Jesus 
Christ as my Lord and Savior. I was too 
busy to admit, if you do not know 
Jesus Christ as your Lord and 
Savior, then repeat after me, 
Lord I am a sinner and I ask 
of you to forgive me of my 
sins and invite you Jesus 
Christ into my heart and 
Soul as my Lord and 
Savior. Thank you 
Father, for the 
greatest Christmas gift of all, Jesus Christ.
Amen.



Image Courtesy:  Christians Unite


12/25/2005JWM



Return To Sermons