Christmas 2007
Luke 2:1-19; 1 Corinthians 11:27-32
Introduction
During our morning service we will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper, so please keep that in mind as we study the Word together – I encourage you to listen for the voice of the Lord and respond as it directs.
Open your bibles with me to Luke Chapter 2.
Today, we celebrate together the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As a Christian, there ought to be no other day on our calendar (except for the date of your salvation), then when we recognize the day that God loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son to be born, who would one day die for our sins.
You see, we celebrate Christmas not around a man named Santa Claus – but around a man named Jesus Christ who is God incarnate – which means he is God, and came to Earth to dwell among us, and then offer his life as a living sacrifice.
Christmas is a joyous occasion – we need to get excited about it Saints – because of Christmas, the cross of Calvary is possible. Because of the sacrifice on the cross, we have salvation. If this does not make you excited, honestly I just don’t know what will.
Pray
Point 1 – Journey to Bethlehem (read v1-7)
Mary and Joseph were traveling together because they were being obedient to the leader of their land, Caesar. He had decreed that everyone shall register formally who lives in the land, most likely for tax purposes and to keep a record of who lives where.
If you remember a few weeks ago we discussed David fighting for his home town of Bethlehem (this was the “Mighty Men of God” message); Joseph was of the lineage of David (Matthew 1:16) – and so he had to travel to Bethlehem to register.
I want you to see that what is about to be fulfilled was prophetically told by Micah, who preached about the same time as Isaiah, but in different regions of the world. They are considered contemporaries, in that they both were given similar visions by God.
Go back a few books in your bible to Micah, Chapter 5:2-5 (READ)
Is not clear how God foretold everything to happen? Micah is not discussed much, but I wanted to show another instance of God giving the vision of His plan to this world.
When we think of the miracle about to happen … we must see these very important facts:
Jesus Christ left the splendor of Heaven to be born in a manger.
He was given to two God-fearing parents whose own obedience found favor with God.
He began His life rejected and cast out.
He came to this Earth not to be served, but to serve – to sacrifice freely.
Before we can really celebrate Christmas, we must understand also (even more importantly) that Jesus was there at the beginning (Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”). Furthermore, when God said “Let us make man in our image” in Genesis 2, He was not talking to Himself – but to His Son who was there – Jesus is at the center of it all!!
Although Mary and Joseph were going to submit to a census, the prophecy already told where the Savior would be born – and it was God who ordained this – not Caesar!
We should get excited to tell this story!!
But this night, held so much more in store for this world than we ever could imagine. We are about to see, how this baby is announced to the world.
Point 2 – A Triumphant Announcement (v8-14)
These humble men were tending to their sheep at night, when all of a sudden a bright flash of light shone around them and before them stood an angel of the Lord! Imagine yourself in this situation – you are doing your job, nothing out of the ordinary – just another cold night, when an angel appears before you!
There is a unique item to point out here … In the scale of jobs during this time, being a shepherd was the lowest of all jobs – even lower than a fisherman. They tend to animals, and nothing more. The Lord chose them to appear too because (remember) Jesus came to serve and not be served, and thus the angel appeared to the lowest (and perhaps the humblest) instead of the highest in authority of the day.
This angel announces the birth of the savior (Christ means Messiah). The angel says to look in the town of David, and everyone knows that David was from Bethlehem – and tells them exactly what to look for -- a baby wrapped in cloths and laying a manger.
Imagine this – your savior began on this earth as a sweet, innocent child in a manger.
Don’t overlook that a manger is simply a fancy word for a trough – where animals feed.
Your Savior … left the splendor of Heaven to be placed in a feeding trough to sleep.
This is humbleness exemplified. This is the example we should have as well.
(Look at v13-14) This is how I know there is music in Heaven – because all of Heaven was rejoicing and singing shouts of praise as they watched the Father’s plan come to existence. Heaven knew that this day was coming, and the excitement of seeing it first hand had to be simply awe-inspiring!
Think of this … All of heaven, in one unison proclaiming: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Indeed – Glory to God, for He gave us on that wonderful night the most amazing gift we could ever have needed.
So, what does it all mean to you?
Point 3 – Spread the Word! (v15-19)
The shepherds immediately went to see this child, and upon seeing Him went about the countryside spreading the GOOD NEWS! All who heard the story were amazed, and this morning – you should be amazed as well!!
When they took one look at Jesus, they had to immediately go and tell anyone who would listen! This act of telling others is their witness. They saw it first hand – and they were compelled to go and tell everyone that the Messiah had come.
Let me ask you: Who have you told?
Let me give you something else to think about – I challenge you to look deeper than just the words on the page – look at verse 19 – Mary saw all these things happening (the birth, the angels, the star, and the shepherds coming) and she pondered on them in her heart. She pondered what the Lord had given her, she pondered what she saw others do to honor Jesus, and she pondered her own responsibility of raising this baby.
To ponder means to reflect deeply on a subject. I wonder if as she pondered, if she fully understood that this baby she held – this precious life – would one day give His life for her in return. I wonder if she understood the concept that the One she gave birth to would be called “The Great I Am”.
Did she ponder the thoughts that her Son would perform great miracles, would one day have millions of followers, and freely give His life as a sacrifice for all, and then 2000 years later be pushed aside in exchange for a holiday all about spending money?
I believe that Mary knew – as God revealed it to her so she could comprehend – and with that knowledge she knew how important it was for her to raise Him with God’s favor.
Look at Mary’s response to all of this (Luke 1:18) – She declares to God that it be His will and not her own … humbleness, faithfulness, and honor – this is what Christmas is about and shows us how to live as well.
Just as she raised Jesus --- Jesus wants to raise you to have God’s favor on YOUR life.
Invitation
Today, only you can make the decision to change your life and live for Jesus as He lived (and then died) for you. If you’d like me to pray with you I will – but only you and God know if you are not right with Him, and I encourage you to get right today.
This morning, I want to invite you to consider and ponder on what Jesus did for you. What did His life’s ransom mean to you? What could we possibly give Him back in return, except ourselves?
The word says that Mary pondered these things – I want to give you something else to ponder before we partake of the Lord’s Supper this morning.
Read 1 Corinthians 11:27-32
This passage says that if we partake of the Lord’s Supper with sin in our life – then we are guilty of the body and blood of our Lord. Jesus was born into this world so that we would have life and live life more abundantly … and whoever partakes of the Lord’s Supper with sin on his/her soul is as guilty as those who crucified Him.
Take the time to get your life right this morning. There is no sin that God cannot forgive – but you have to make the first move and ask for forgiveness.
Remember this: If you never deal with God on an issue, you are NOT forgiven. God knows your thoughts and your deepest, darkest secrets – and if you need to be forgiven or cleansed or even saved then you need to go to Him for that.
He wants to discuss these things with you and bring you to a state of repentance with Him to guide you through life – but if you continue to ignore His leading, then you continue to shut Him out of your life.
This is why He gave us His Son – to allow us to come to Him with anything and be forgiven and live life more abundantly!
With every eye closed …
Play the song: “Mary, did you know?”
Do you need to accept Him as your Savior? What a great present that could be for you.
Are you sure of where you would be if you died at this moment?
Do you need to get honest before the Lord and humble yourself at His feet?
While this song plays, feel free to come as God calls you.
Lord’s Supper
