Introduction

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters, to this gathering of hearts and minds in worship of our Lord. In our midst, the Holy Spirit is alive, knitting us together in a tapestry of faith, hope, and love. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment, called by our Creator to seek His face and understand His Word.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the second chapter of Luke, verses one through twenty-one. Let us listen attentively to the Word of God [read text].

In the humble birth of Jesus, we see a divine decree fulfilled, the dawn of redemption, and the delight in the announcement of the Savior. These are our main points today, and as we unpack them, let us remember the words of J.I. Packer: "The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity - hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory - because at the Father’s will Jesus Christ became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later, He might hang on a cross."

Let us pray. Father, we thank You for Your Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We pray that as we meditate on Your Word today, You would open our hearts and minds to understand and apply Your truths. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Divine Decree and Its Fulfillment

When we consider the birth of Jesus, we find ourselves amid a grand plan set in motion long before the first star was hung in the sky. This plan, a divine decree, was not a spontaneous decision but a calculated move by the Creator of the universe. It was a decree that would change the course of history, a decree that would bring hope to a hopeless world.

Caesar Augustus, the ruler of the Roman world, issued a decree for a census. This was orchestrated by God Himself! The census required everyone to return to their ancestral homes. For Joseph, this meant a journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he was of the house and line of David. This journey was not a simple one, especially with Mary being pregnant. Yet, they obeyed, unknowingly fulfilling a prophecy spoken hundreds of years before.

Micah prophesy. The prophet Micah had foretold in Micah 5:2, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." This prophecy was not widely known or understood, yet God was working behind the scenes to bring it to pass. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was not an accident, but a fulfillment of God's divine decree.

The circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth were far from ideal. Mary and Joseph were not welcomed into a comfortable inn but were relegated to a stable. There, Mary gave birth to Jesus and placed him in a manger. This was not a birthplace fit for a king, yet it was the perfect place for the Savior of the world to be born.

In the eyes of the world, this was a humble and insignificant birth. Yet, in the eyes of God, it was the fulfillment of His divine decree. It was a demonstration of His love for humanity, a love so great that He sent His only Son into the world, not as a mighty king, but as a humble baby.

The shepherds in the fields were the first to hear the news of Jesus' birth. They were not nobles or scholars, but simple men doing their job. Yet, God chose them to be the first witnesses of His divine decree fulfilled. An angel appeared to them, bringing good news of great joy. The Savior, the Messiah, the Lord, had been born. This was not just good news for them, but for all people.

The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, just as the angel had told them. They saw with their own eyes the fulfillment of God's divine decree. They returned to their fields, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard. This encounter forever changed their lives, a testament to the transformative power of God's divine decree.

On the eighth day, the baby was circumcised and given the name Jesus, the name the angel had given before he was conceived. This was not a name chosen by his parents, but a name given by God. Jesus, meaning "The Lord Saves", was a fitting name for the one who would save his people from their sins. This was not just a name, but a mission, a purpose, a divine decree fulfilled.

Dawn of Redemption through Christ's Birth

In the quiet town of Bethlehem, a new day was dawning ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO