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Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, \u201cGlory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.\u201d When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, \u201cLet\u2019s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about\u201d (Luke 2:13-15).

As Luke tells us the story of Christ\u2019s birth, many of the details may be lost to us. The story Pastor Anthony told us yesterday fits within the ancient near eastern context. But we have westernized the story so much that we miss such possibilities. Let\u2019s talk about mangers today. In our imaginations, they are made of wood and filled with straw. It\u2019s very unlikely that this is what Luke had in mind.

They're feeding troughs, of course. But in ancient Israel, they were made of stone. Not super-comfortable, but a safe place.

It\u2019s said that there were special herds of sheep being raised on the hills around Bethlehem. From these herds, the priests would select the lambs used for the sacrifices in Jerusalem. They would find the lambs that were perfect, without blemish, that were suitable for the blood sacrifice which was offered twice a day to cover Israel\u2019s sin.

But once the lambs were selected, they needed to be kept from getting bruised or bumped. It is said that the priests would wrap them up tightly. They'd swaddle them, wrapping them in cloths, like precious and terribly fragile bottles of wine. And they'd lay them in a manger.

Is this why the angel said that a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in manage would be a sign to the shepherds? Was Jesus\u2019 first resting place already an indication of his destiny? Was his manger a sign that he would be the final sacrifice as the Bible says, \u201cFor by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy\u201d (Hebrews 10:14).

This fits with the angel\u2019s announcement that he is bringing news of great joy, \u201ca Saviour has been born, the Messiah, the Lord\u201d (Luke 2:12). And there is more. The life of a shepherd was such that it was impossible for them to observe the Jewish ceremonial laws and temple rituals. They were considered religiously unclean and unacceptable. They raised the lambs for sacrifice but were unable to benefit from these offerings. They never heard the priest declare, \u201cYour sins are forgiven.\u201d

It is to them that the angel says, \u201cTo you a Saviour has been born.\u201d

Like Matthew, Luke weaves the cross into the story of Jesus\u2019 birth. There is nothing sentimental about Christmas. Heaven is invading earth. It\u2019s a clash of kingdoms. Its war, as Revelation details. But its not war as we humans make it. Jesus is born to die. He will offer himself as the final sacrifice. He himself says to us, \u201cYour sins are forgiven.\u201d

In response to this declaration, the heavenly messenger is joined by a great heavenly army praising God. How else can we respond to the declaration that our Saviour is here? Any true Christmas celebration causes the worship of God. With the invading heavenly army we sing, \u201cGlory to God in the highest.\u201d

Someone once wrote, "Most middle class tend to worship their work, to work at their play and to play at their worship.\xa0 As a result, their meanings and values are distorted.\xa0 Their relationships disintegrate faster than they can keep them in repair, and their lifestyles resemble a cast of characters in search of a plot.\u201d

Christmas, as Luke tells the story, sets things in the right order. Christmas is about salvation, about making all things new. In response to what God is doing, worship becomes primary. When Christmas is about redemption, we can sing with the heavenly army, \u201cGlory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.\u201d