A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Thursday,
December
24,
2020
Nativity scene in Willow Street, PA two years ago.
(The innkeeper is Joe Sherer, the pastor of the
church and a longtime friend of ours.)
"Shepherds
and Garbage Collectors"
Message summary: Whenever you may question your worth remember who received the first announcement following Christ's birth; the lowly, unesteemed shepherds. Or if it helps you, place it in a modern context, and consider the message being to the garbage collectors!
Listen
to this message on your audio player."And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night" (Luke 2:8).
While
shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around, and glory shone around
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around, and glory shone around
We are blessed with some
faithful, conscientious, and hard-working garbage
collectors (sanitation engineers, is the more
sophisticated title). In our neighborhood we set our
trash out the night before collection day. Several
weeks ago it was still dark when we left for work
and as we pulled out of the drive we noticed a
critter had gotten into a bag and scattered garbage
around. We were on a timeline for work so I figured
I would have a mess when I got home unless Ester got
to it first. After questioning Ester as to whether
she did the clean up when we got home we learned she
did not, but the area was all cleaned up! This
morning I had wanted to greet them with an early
morning Christmas thanks and gift but they had
already been through.Garbage collection is mundane but necessary. Day after day these men (and I suppose some women) get up very early to make a valuable contribution to all of us. Last week we had a storm and collection was postponed one week. So they had an extra hard day today. After two weeks I placed six kitchen sized bags and two recycle bins out by the road last night. I am not sure how they took care of trash in the Bible times. But they surely didn't have as much!
Most wouldn't consider garbage collectors having a desirable job let alone a prestigious one. That's the way it was for shepherds in Bible times. Randy Alcorn writes,
"In
Christ’s day, shepherds stood on the bottom rung
of the Palestinian social ladder. They shared the
same unenviable status as tax collectors and dung
sweepers. As we gaze on
nativity scenes and smile at those gunnysack
shepherds, let’s not lose sight of the striking
irony. A handful of shepherds, marginalized by the
social and religious elite, were chosen to break
the silence of centuries, heralding Messiah’s
birth."
Indeed
it was shepherds who received the very first angelic
pronouncement of the birth of Christ in one of the
best known Christmas passages in Luke 2. To put the story in a modern setting it
would be like the angels appearing to the trash
collectors in the dark early morning hours as they
went about their work!
The shepherds were just going about their duties, "keeping watch over their flocks at night" when they heard a startling angelic announcement: "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:10-12).
It's interesting that the shepherds are the ones chosen to witness the heavenly announcement of Christ’s birth and the very first to see the infant child apart from Mary and Joseph.
Let's examine two elements of the angel's message to the shepherds that can greatly encourage each of us:
The shepherds were just going about their duties, "keeping watch over their flocks at night" when they heard a startling angelic announcement: "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:10-12).
It's interesting that the shepherds are the ones chosen to witness the heavenly announcement of Christ’s birth and the very first to see the infant child apart from Mary and Joseph.
Let's examine two elements of the angel's message to the shepherds that can greatly encourage each of us:
1) The message was for "all the
people". "I bring you good news of
great joy which will be for all the people."
If you have ever wondered if you are included this
should settle it!
2) The message was personalized just for the shepherds "for you". "For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." What a blessing that we can correctly speak of having a personal Savior, that He came and He died for my sins!
2) The message was personalized just for the shepherds "for you". "For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." What a blessing that we can correctly speak of having a personal Savior, that He came and He died for my sins!
Whenever
you may question your worth remember who received
the first announcement following Christ's birth; the
lowly, unesteemed shepherds. Or if it helps you,
place it in a modern context, and consider the
message being to the garbage collectors!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, how grateful we are that You
did not withhold Your only Son, but instead You gave
Him up for all of us. The angels declared that
glorious Christmas night Jesus came for all the
people. That includes us, 2000 years later no matter
our station in life, our ethnic background, or the
humble setting of our lives. In fact You
commissioned angels to first appear not to kings but
to lowly shepherds. Jesus arrived not on a throne
but in a straw, dirt and dung filled stable, covered
not in royal wrap for a prince but in ragged strips
of cloth, laid not in a padded cradle, but in a
straw filled animal trough. I'm so thankful that
Jesus entered the dark, rough and foul setting of a
stable which is symbolic of the dark, rough, and
foul hearts He enters everyday to those who pray, "O
come to my heart, Lord Jesus! There is room in my
heart for You."
Special Year-end
Financial Appeal
We want to
thank all who have financially supported our
ministry this past year (and some for many
years!). We realize there are many fine
ministries and causes requesting support at this
time but if the Lord would lead you we surely need
and appreciate the financial support from our
readers and listeners. Like many ministries,
we typically see a spike in giving at the end of
the year for which we are most thankful.
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To
donate directly online click here.
This will open to a page that designates the
offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized
Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To
donate directly online click here.
This will open to a page that designates the
offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized
Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Please Note: We
also provide this easy option due to the
convenience, for international supporters, and
for those who may not be concerned regarding
receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to
send an offering using PayPal. This
will open to a page that states "Brooksyne
Weber"Thank you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
The Eve of Christmas Eve -
Last night we attended a candlelight
"Christmas Eve" service at our church. Well,
actually it wasn't Christmas Eve but the
desire is growing for people to get back
into a church setting. They initially had
scheduled 3 services on Christmas Eve but
due to the large response they added two
more services on Wednesday evening. Due to
Covid every other row is left empty making
it harder to seat those who want to attend.
The
entire service is not posted yet but here is
one of the songs: "O
Come, O Come Emmanuel" Video
Calvary Church Choir Director, Pastor John
Frye along with Cellist Amber Bensing from
our orchestra, beautifully accompany a
video from "The Chosen" that highlights
dramatic events of the Christmas story. This
scene is especially heartening in light
of today's message as the shepherds rush
in to see the infant Jesus. (Video cued to scene)
This evening we will
join the Lapps, at the Old Windmill Farm,
for supper and a celebration of Christmas.
With seven children it makes for a lively
and loud setting, which will be a delightful
time for all of us!Our little Sadie Willow has been
invited to the farm since her origin is from
the Old Windmill Farm and after all, that's
what humans do - head home for the holidays,
though this time it's a canine! Ester will
clothe her in her Christmas dress and the
children are excited about her coming.
Ester is baking homemade dog biscuits not
only for Sadie and Mollie but for all the
dogs on the Lapp farm - there's lots of
them, including Sadie's dad, Rusty! New
puppies too but they'll have to settle for
Mom's milk. Ester gave Mollie a sample as
she was baking since she'll be staying home
for the night - she's a great dog to us but
she's not so good around children.
Last
night before our Christmas Eve service we
stopped in to visit a few minutes with Jim and
Dorothy Schmidt who live at Calvary Homes.
They like so many in senior settings have been
enduring nine months of lockdown in its
various forms so we pray often for their
safety and sanity (if you will) as they endure
deprivations of visitation and getting out.
Dottie sent us a video that you will
thoroughly enjoy, especially if you like
trains and music!
"O Come All Ye Faithful" on a Steam Train in Summerland B.C. Video
"O Come All Ye Faithful" on a Steam Train in Summerland B.C. Video
We
had a nice background at church for a family
photo last night!
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Away
In A Manger (Forever Amen)" Video
Phil
Wickham We sang this last night
along with this new verse. What a powerful
expression of worship!
I
worship You Jesus for all of my days
The highest of praises be unto Your name
My God and my Savior my King and my Friend
Yours is the glory forever amen
Yours is the glory forever amen
Yours is the glory forever amen
The highest of praises be unto Your name
My God and my Savior my King and my Friend
Yours is the glory forever amen
Yours is the glory forever amen
Yours is the glory forever amen
"Away
In a Manger" Video
Selah Another version with some
newer lyrics as well.
"Shepherd's Status"
by Randy Alcorn (A quote from this article
was used in today's message)
Resources
for Christmas Celebrations
(We
will leave these resources posted
below our daily messages through
Christmas)
Each year
we share several online resources that
we have used over the years and that
may be a blessing to you, your family
or church during this Christmas
season.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This page was first posted in 2005 soon after my Mom passed away.
Christmas Knowledge Test
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This page was first posted in 2005 soon after my Mom passed away.
Christmas Knowledge Test
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a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA