It sure was. A few lonely shepherds on a lonely hill just doing their job. Not expecting anything more special on that night than on any other night. But, things were about to change!
Stars and the sky seem to take a prominent place in the Christmas accounts. Beginning in Numbers 24:17 the subject of stars and lights take center stage in the expectations of the coming Messiah. By the time of the birth of Jesus darkness had gripped the world. Without warning the skies lit up to proclaim the birth of Messiah. To forgotten shepherds and to to scholarly Magi, the skies trumpeted a message for all the world to hear.
On Sunday we will have the joy of our Adult choir singing music that points us to the stars and the birth of Jesus. A live orchestra will accompany our choir to proclaim the joy of the birth of Jesus. I trust you will make plans to be here at 10:30 am for this wonderful message in song.
A part of the Christmas celebration in Los Gatos is the Fantasy of Lights display in Vasona Park. Though it doesn’t present the real meaning of Christmas, it is still quite spectacular. This year we have a a few passes which entitle the holder to enter the display for FREE! If you are one of the first THREE to call the office at 408-395-6144 you can have one of these coupons. Remember, first come, first served! Call NOW.
How many have you asked this question? Maybe most of you reading this post have known the real meaning of Christmas all your lives. Or, maybe it’s been many, many, years for others. But, we all know that many people will pass through another Christmas season wondering why we do it. Some will question the purpose of the gift giving, the strands of lights and the singing of obscure carols. They will wonder, what does it all mean?
You and I have the answer to their question. More than the trappings the world puts on Christmas, we know it points to the birth of the Saviour of the world. The gifts are to remind us of the first gifts brought to Jesus. The lights are to remind us of the one great light that announced His birth to the Magi. And, the carols are to remind us of the song of joy the angels sang on that night. For those who are informed, all of the “trappings” of Christmas make sense.
But, what about those who are uninformed? How can they know? Well, in December, 1965 Charles Shultz gave the world a cute, but pretty correct, view of the real meaning of Christmas. He battled the CBS tv executives to not remove Linus reciting the Christmas story. Without Luke’s account in the production the show would not have gone on! So, for 48 non-stop years Linus recounts the story of Christmas. Now, two generations of children have at least hear the story from the lips of Linus.
Below is the clip from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Watch it one more time and see if it will remind you again of why we go through the Christmas holidays.
