Roscoe Presbyterian Church, Roscoe Pennsylvania

This was where I was called to preach last Sunday. The sermon topic matched the third Sunday in Advent: “How big is your joy?” The Shepherds were the focus and it was a great morning to celebrate God’s using some of the most unexpected people as His Messengers.

The shepherds of the time certainly would not have been anyone’s first choice to share the word that the Prince of Peace had arrived. They were considered to be among the unclean and known to be brash and bold. Living out in the fields away from society made them unappealing to most people. Most of them had foul mouths and were ready to fight at the drop of a hat.

But God chose them.

He knew that these men were exactly the right men to start the spread of the greatest story ever told.

They went and saw. The first thing they did was rush to Bethlehem. They wanted to see the baby with their own eyes. A baby born in a smelly stable would not have been a problem to men who were used to the scent of sheep. This is the irony. Unclean shepherds came to a smelly stable to see the Holy of Holies lying on a bed of hay. Many commentators point out the possibility that they were taking care of sheep that were going to be sacrificed in Jerusalem’s Temple. If that was the case, it’s no accident that they leave their sheep behind to visit the Lamb of God. A millennium earlier, David kept watch over his father’s sheep in this same pasture and now they see the Son of David born in the City of David.

God chooses us. If we are faithful, we will follow.

It was also a reminder that everyone is not in a joyful mood this time of year. Grief comes with the tinsel. I know. But JOY comes with the arrival of the SON.

The whole world is in a crazy place right now. But as believers, we can take comfort and joy knowing that the King of Kings will make all things right.

Joy to the world.

I will be preaching at Roscoe again next Sunday at 11:00. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello.

Mister Mac

By the way, thank you to all of those who sent me public and private messages of encouragement in the past few days.

I want you to know how much I value each and every word. To be honest, you helped me to write the message for Sunday and reminded me that God often uses the most imperfect creatures for his work. God Bless you for that.