JOY IN THE MORNING THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT LUKE 2:1-15, NRSV LIVING WATER VINEYARD DECEMBER 13, 2015

LUKE 2:10-15 (NRSV) 2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

LUKE 2:10-15 (NRSV)  8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying,

LUKE 2:10-15 (NRSV)  Glory to God in the highest heaven,  and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[c]  15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

JOY IN THE MORNING The darkness of our times City Nation World The darkness of times in ancient Palestine…

JOY IN THE MORNING The night when Christ was born… *Rulers were generally corrupt *Herod had ordered and taken census *Caesar Augustus had declared world peace *Roman leaders burdened the people - helped Jews to advance their own political agenda -demanded taxes from people -controlled the population with policies and decrees

JOY IN THE MORNING  The role of the shepherds:  * prophetic connection between them and the Christ child  *positive images of shepherds or leaders of Israel  *Moses tended sheep before he was sent to Pharaoh  *David tended sheep before he was anointed king

JOY IN THE MORNING The night was DARK. They were grieving and “mourning in lonely exile…”  Shepherds, like us, were looking for a sign, wanting and expecting BETTER… Healing for social ills (elimination of poverty, hunger, injustices) Physical healing for their bodies (remission of sickness and disease) Trustworthy leaders who had character, compassion, fair judgment and integrity

JOY IN THE MORNING After centuries of corrupt leadership, the people of Israel were probably familiar with the dread and devastation we feel when watch our NIGHTLY news and READ our headlines… Enter the angel of the Lord! Finally...GOOD NEWS! Here are the SIGNS: *the birth of Jesus in the CITY OF DAVID (in a lineage of kings as well as from a history shepherds) *the humble surroundings—baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger JESUS, the long-awaited JOY of God’s people, came in disguise!

JOY IN THE MORNING  God sent Jesus, the shepherd-king, the joy of God’s people then and now into the darkness of their tough reality, their difficult times, and their hopeless and seemingly impossible situations!  Psalm 30:5 “Weeping endures for only a night, but joy comes in the morning.”  The birth of Jesus the Christ is proof that JOY COMES IN THE MORNING! Your darkness will end and give way to the morning JOY of the LORD!

JOY IN THE MORNING The meaning of Advent: “the ARRIVAL of a notable thing, person, or event.” JESUS, OUR LONG-AWAITED SHEPHERD-KING HAS ARRIVED! Barrenness becomes conception Darkness turns to light, tragedy becomes triumph Injustice will end and justice will roll down

JOY IN THE MORNING Your NIGHT and DREAD vs. your MORNING and JOY  * loss/grief  *depression and hopelessness  *financial pressure  *damage in relationships  *technical difficulties JESUS leads us in righteous paths and rules with wisdom, power and love! JESUS the JOY of God’s people has come! JOY is here! GOOD MORNING, PEOPLE OF GOD!