Disclaimer Please note that all my sermons come from the Lord. But I get my info from many sources from my library and other sources. I do not claim all material as my originality. I don’t quote all sources but I give credit to the Lord who is the author of all sermons. “All originality and no plagiarism makes for dull preaching" Charles Spurgeon
The Night of Miracles
Luke 2: 1-20
All of History Had Been Moving Toward that Night
All the Roads of Scripture wound toward Bethlehem
Mary & Joseph had come only from Nazareth
But the ages had been waiting for them to arrive
Micah had said they would be there (Micah 5:2)
A Night of Miracles Had long Been on Heaven’s Calendar
Angels looked forward to their appointments
Words of the prophets awaited fulfillment
The baby in Mary’s womb would soon light up the night
What were the Miracles of Christmas?
I. The Miracle of the Humble Birth (vv. 1-7)
Why Bethlehem Why Taxation
The taxation was used by God to fulfill His plan for the birth of the Messiah.
It had been prophesied that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, & Scripture had to be fulfilled
Joseph & Mary lived in Galilee & Mary was now Great with Child
How was God going to make sure that the child was born in Bethlehem?
The taxation happened just at the right time and in the right way that is everyone had to return to the city of his birth to pay his taxes
The taxation forced Joseph to Bethlehem Everyone had to return to the city of his birth.
V. 5 The taxation led to the fulfillment of Scripture, despite man’s plans.
Apparently, Joseph & Mary had planned for the child to be delivered in Nazareth, but God overruled
a. Christ comes down from heaven to a stable
i. He enters the world from the womb of a virgin
ii. It is this baby’s world
iii. It was made by Him (John 1:10)
iv. He has come down to redeem it
v. His world will reject Him
V. 7 There was the shocking place of birth – Jesus was not born in comfortable surroundings He was born in a stable and laid in a manger or feeding trough. The birth is covered in one simple verse, yet much cam be gleaned from it
b. Consider the contrasts of His condescension
i. From the fragrance of heave to the stench of the stable
ii. From the worship of angels to rejection by the innkeeper
iii. From the songs of the saints to the braying of the donkeys
iv. From a robe of royalty to wrappings of rags
v. From a mansion in heave to a manger on earth
c. He came down to save you and me
II. The Miracle of the Heavenly Host (vv. 8-14)
a. Angels have been busy since the fullness of time has come
i. Gabriel has visited Zechariahs & Mary
ii. The angel of the Lord has advised Joseph in a dream
b. Now angels will carry their message to Judean hillsides
i. Where Rachael’s tomb was located
ii. Where Samuel had anointed David to be King
iii. Where Ruth had gleaned in the fields of Boaz
c. Shepherds must be notified of the Saviors birth
d. The heavenly chorus will sing of peace on earth
e. This is a miracle night: a night to remember
III. The Miracle of God’s Work in the Hearts of Men (vv. 15-20)
a. The Roman Empire and its taxing –census
i. Joseph & Mary must be brought to Bethlehem
ii. Empires are easily moved to fulfill God’s will
iii. Prophecy must be fulfilled (Miacah 5:2)
b. Shepherds will become evangelists
c. Wise men will journey far following a star
d. The actors in this drama of the ages are in place
e. Christ is born: the greatest Miracle of all
Miracles will continue
Like the Shepherds, many will come to Jesus
Like the wise men, many will worship him
Have you become one of the Miracles of Christmas?
Your Miracle Awaits
Come in Faith to Jesus & Know the Miracle of His Salvation
