Show — £ 3B December 27 2000 Salina SunGunnison Valley News The Shepherds did — will you? Kerry Hodgs Pastor Faith Baptist Church Salina Hardship was simply a way of life for them Living outdoors had toughened their features and forged their character Enduring the glare by and heat of die midday sun they counted the hours while keeping their charge The cold of night found them longing for the first warming glimpse of morning light Heat and cold were not their greatest concerns Whether in the light of day or under the cover of darkness their watched lest a lion or bear would rob them of even the littlest one under their care It has been suggested that these were not just any group of shepherds but that these shepherds were those who guarded the lambs used eyes continually in the Temple sacrifices They watched over their flock by day and night They protected the lives of those who would soon become the sacrifice in the daily worship of God These shepherds not only watched over their flock but they also were watching for the day when God would send the promised "Lamb of God" to take away the sins of the world These lambs were only a sign a reminder of the plan God had provided for the salvation of man before the foundation of the world "and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin" (Hebrews 9:22) Sin paid its wages and man suffered wil l sin's stroke of death "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) We are subject to death not because we sin but bewe are by nature sinners "And as it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many: and unto them that look for him shall appear the second time without sin unto Acsa'vation (Hebrews cording as promised in the fullness of time God sent forth his Son bom of a virgin He was born in with its illumination of Bethlehem hills there would not have been much to fear But this through the the glory of the Lord Fear is a nght response to the glory of God God revealed to the guardians of the sacrificial lambs that their vigil would soon be over Have we gone there to the Lamb of God was wrapped swaddling clothes lying in a manger "Fear not The angel's message for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people For unto you is bom this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord" The sign given to the shepherds "Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger" The angel is suddenly with a multitude of heavenly hosts praisFor in ing God saying "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will toward men" And as suddenly as the gloiy of the Lord shone round about the shepherds and the sound to the heavenly host praising God silence and darkness once again surrounded them Observing the announcement of the angel there is no command to go and find the babe The angel made the announcement and gave them the sign which would identify the Savior The shepherds said "Let us go and see this which has come to pass which the Lord hath made known to us" And off the shepherds went to see for themselves To all that were privileged to live during that time God has still given us night God wouldenter the darkness of man's night and reveal His marvelous light through His Son the Savior The angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them And they as you and I would be were terrified If it had been the streak of lightning ians of the into the made known to the shepherds the Bible makes the Saior is ho Christ the Lord Yet that like night when the shepherds made The shepherds and saw the Babe lying in the manger ex- actly as God had told them On the way back to their flocks they made known abroad that night the saying which was told them this child Those that concerning heard wondered (were curious and were doubtful) at those things which were told them by the shepherds Approximately two thousand years later shepherds no longer watch over the sacrificial flock The Lamb of God has come and was slain He was bom in the manger so He could die on the cross taking sinful man's place He suffered on our account But sin could not hold Him and He rose up from the dead in victory over sin God still makes the announcement of the Savior through the Bible As then many abide in darkness and the light shines unto us through God's Word We can look for ourselves to see what God says about the salvation He offers through Merry May the music Oi tike deaion of and fill your heart Merry Chnstmas happy new- year the season and have a with warmth abroad the sayings of hear the gospel of Chnst and wonder at those things the angel joy We are prepared for the new century with enhanced service improved technology and new people which are told them Yet like those who heard and wondered many today wonder (are curious and doubtful) but never go to the Bible and truly look for themselves those things which the Lord hathmadeknown unto us The shepherds did will you7 T shepherds to go and see the Sa ioi he told them where he w as and how to identify him God never forces us to recei e hs gift of eternal life He simply tells us where we can find Him and how to identify Him We find all we need to know in the Bible To those who seek they shall find those w ho knock the dcxir shall be advanced funeral planning programs '7 Ti This Christmas won't von go and see the Savior like the shepherds did God offers the gift of eternal life But just as the angel ne er told the b li Springer Turner Funeral Home Richfield Salina 1 3 Here's hoping the holidays are filled with the best of everything for all our friends and neighbors everywhere x We wish all a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year We wish all our neighbors a beautiful season of Jtu&ic known Country Holiday Greetings Town " C5' Lf known to us shepherds went Christmas find you doing as the shepherds did— coming away from and praising the Bible glorifying God for hasing found the Savior who is Chnst the Lord ho opened unto them and to those ask sak ation is gi en unto them Will ou go7 The shepherds did In the Bible ou will hear and find salvation as God sa s it is Ma this angel that see which the Lord hath made known unto us? The cause the City of David Bethlehem These shepherds were abiding in the same country watching their flocks by night A night probably similar to the many that had come before it To these faithful guard- you7 Like Bible did The shepherds will did of the Savior dispelled the darkness and them because it was encompassed light Christ anthe nouncement REdiwoNd ChRisTMAs To You All! i May happiness and good fortune visit your home Staff at Icpy Holidays Cunntsott Valley Hospifal at Christmastime Thank you for visiting us this past year Zions Bank Salina Utah Branch ivt rum rtiiuuin Dr Hansen performs Dr l rairoy insafjiuii iui sn apputl lu mill surgery at Gunnison Valley Hospital each Monday John Jackson also available at the MONROE CLINIC East Center Street Monroe - Call for an appointment 2S0 Fn £tIICIE02i VJtosBTf i tEESEli 3153 Opy r 6 |