The First Nowell
I was thinking about the Shepherds the other day, the ones from that small place...0... little town of Bethlehem that's it! There they were, sat minding their own business, perhaps washing their socks by night, when suddenly the soft bleating of sheep is interrupted by angels from the realms of glory singing at the top of their voices! "Hark! The herald angels sing!", said a young trainee, while shepherds watched their flocks nearby trying to keep them calm.
It was a bleak mid winter, and they huddled around their fire. I wonder, was this a terrifying experience, or real joy to the world in which they lived? Anyway, they had a meeting, but only after first gathering the holly, and the ivy, that they loved to put on the fire. Up to this point it had been a silent-night, but now it came upon the midnight clear, good news of the father's love begotten. So, they took a vote and decided that as good Christian men rejoice, then they must too! (OK, not technically Christians yet) As with gladness men of old rejoiced in the promised land, so too would the shepherds rejoice in Bethlehem.
They ran down the hill and into the town, tucked away in a manger the angels had said, so once in royal David's city they sought out the new born king. As they ran for the birth place of Jesus, they shouted excitedly, "0 come, all ye faithful, follow us. Come on Christians, awake! (OK, still not absolutely correct) Unto us a child is born, not just a child, but a king. Remember good king Wenceslas? Well this king is so much more than he was!"
"The virgin Mary had a baby boy about an hour ago." the innkeeper said excitedly. They ran around to the stable, and they worshipped the king. "This infant, holy he is!" the shepherd called Yoda said. They knelt in awe at the feet of God himself. These were ordinary shepherds, but they were now part of an extraordinary night - a night that would affect the entire world.
Eventually they headed back to their hill. The sun was rising, the milk was being delivered, and they were very joyful, if a little weary. "You look tired. May God rest you merry gentleman" the milkman cried. Distracted one of the shepherds bumped into a camel coming up the high street.
"From where you?" asked Yoda the shepherd. "We three kings from Orient are. We travel many miles. We come to see new King and worship him. We bring three gifts. We go and find him now" said one of the mounted
gentlemen. "Look! See! Amid the winter's snow. Our footprints, follow them." one of the shepherd replied. "But it's melting, we'll keep following the star." The camel rider replied. "Ding doing! Merrily on high I now sit on this camel. Wonderful news for all mankind." said the Magi called Leslie with the funny 'tash.
So, on Christmas night, remember the first nowell, when Jesus Christ, God with us, Emmanuel, came into the world. He is the best and only gift that anyone needs this Christmas time.
It was a bleak mid winter, and they huddled around their fire. I wonder, was this a terrifying experience, or real joy to the world in which they lived? Anyway, they had a meeting, but only after first gathering the holly, and the ivy, that they loved to put on the fire. Up to this point it had been a silent-night, but now it came upon the midnight clear, good news of the father's love begotten. So, they took a vote and decided that as good Christian men rejoice, then they must too! (OK, not technically Christians yet) As with gladness men of old rejoiced in the promised land, so too would the shepherds rejoice in Bethlehem.
They ran down the hill and into the town, tucked away in a manger the angels had said, so once in royal David's city they sought out the new born king. As they ran for the birth place of Jesus, they shouted excitedly, "0 come, all ye faithful, follow us. Come on Christians, awake! (OK, still not absolutely correct) Unto us a child is born, not just a child, but a king. Remember good king Wenceslas? Well this king is so much more than he was!"
"The virgin Mary had a baby boy about an hour ago." the innkeeper said excitedly. They ran around to the stable, and they worshipped the king. "This infant, holy he is!" the shepherd called Yoda said. They knelt in awe at the feet of God himself. These were ordinary shepherds, but they were now part of an extraordinary night - a night that would affect the entire world.
Eventually they headed back to their hill. The sun was rising, the milk was being delivered, and they were very joyful, if a little weary. "You look tired. May God rest you merry gentleman" the milkman cried. Distracted one of the shepherds bumped into a camel coming up the high street.
"From where you?" asked Yoda the shepherd. "We three kings from Orient are. We travel many miles. We come to see new King and worship him. We bring three gifts. We go and find him now" said one of the mounted
gentlemen. "Look! See! Amid the winter's snow. Our footprints, follow them." one of the shepherd replied. "But it's melting, we'll keep following the star." The camel rider replied. "Ding doing! Merrily on high I now sit on this camel. Wonderful news for all mankind." said the Magi called Leslie with the funny 'tash.
So, on Christmas night, remember the first nowell, when Jesus Christ, God with us, Emmanuel, came into the world. He is the best and only gift that anyone needs this Christmas time.
I pray you have a Christ filled Christmas.
Neil
Neil