Amazing Characteristics Surrounding The Birth Of Christ

AMAZING CHARACTERISTICS SURROUNDING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

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OUTLINE

1.JOY

2.SORROW

3.DREAMS

4.ANGELS

5.PROPHECIES

6.SIGNS

7.KINGDOM

THE MESSAGE

AMAZING CHARACTERISTICS SURROUNDING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

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1.JOY

The birth of Christ brought great joy . Even before his birth , the angel appeared to Zechariah with the good news that his prayer has been answered and a child would be born to him even though they were very old. The angels appeared to the shepherds and told them that the birth of Christ was good news of great joy. Even today the Lord wants to bring great joy in our lives . He wants to answer our prayers and grant the desires of our heart. The Lord wants to answer the prayers that we have been offering for a long time just as he did for Zechariah. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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Luke 1 :11-14

"Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.

But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, "

Luke 1 :58

"Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. "

Luke 2 :10

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. "

Luke 2 :20

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. "

Psalm 37:4

" Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. "

Nehemiah 8:10

" Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

2.SORROW

The birth of Christ also brought sorrow to many people . King Herod in a desperate attempt to kill Christ , ordered the killing of all male children under the age of two years. Thus during the time of great joy, There was also great mourning . Even in our lives we may face periods of both joy and sorrow which can sometimes occur at the same time . We must learn to face every situation with the strength of Christ . We must learn to share the joys and sorrows of others.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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Matthew 2:3

"When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. "

Matthew 2 :16-18

"When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

"A voice is heard in Ramah,weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

Isaiah 53:3

" He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. "

Romans 12:15

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

Philippians 4 :11-13

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. "

3.DREAMS

The birth of Christ involved many incidents where God communicated to his people through dreams. Joseph received many timely messages from God through dreams both before and after the birth of Christ . These dreams gave him understanding and guidance to take the right decisions in his life. The wise men also received warning through a dream. Even in our lives , the Lord has promised to grant dreams and visions to us who are his people in these last days.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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Matthew 1:20

"But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."