This sermon is based on Luke 2:15-20: You may not remember Tom Southerland but you know his story. Several years ago Shiite Muslims in the Middle East held Tom Sutherland captive for four years… much of his time was spent solitary confinement. In his speech after his captivity he asked an unforgettable question. He asked, “Do you know what it’s like to be in prison? To be held hostage? To be a captive? It’s very lonely and you worry that people will forget you. I felt abandoned. I didn’t think anybody even knew I was in prison.”

During his imprisonment, Tom Southerland could hear a radio that the guards had. It was tuned into the BBC channel… and every day Tom Southerland would listen intently to the newscast… hoping and praying that he might hear his name… hoping and praying that the new…