“Peering into the heart of God”
During the Christmas season, many people are preoccupied with shopping, gifts and fun activities, but they fail to pay attention to the real meaning of Christmas– the birth of Christ.
The result is that they miss the real joy and blessing of Christmas.
The Best gift that God has prepared for us in Christmas is Baby Jesus.
1. What is the meaning of his birth?
2. Why is Jesus’ birth good news of great joy for you and me?
Luke 2:1-7 NIV
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Each time I have read this familiar passage, I have wondered in the past why Jesus entered into the world in such a humble way.
Why didn’t he just appear in all his glory and splendor the in clouds, and descend to earth?
Why didn’t Jesus come to man demonstrating all his power and authority?
Why did Joseph take Mary with him to be registered when it was not legally required of him to take her along, and why would he subject her to 80 miles travel in her condition, when it would have beneficial for her to stay home?
Why didn’t God work out the details ahead of time so the Christ child could have pleasant accommodations?
The real beauty of this Holy Ordained event reveals the Mystery and Majesty of God’s plan for man.
We sometimes yearn for great and startling evidences of God’s presence or power. "Oh," we think, "if only I could see miracles now, as in Bible days. If only something great would happen to me!" How we long for the sensational. And how much we have to learn.
"God had entered the world as a Baby.
1. Majesty in the midst of the mundane.
2. Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat.
3. Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable.
4. God had entrusted Jesus to, two rural teenagers Mary and Joseph for His care and well-being. His life was absolutely dependent upon them
God’s great miracles, and God’s great works, are sometimes done in quietness and in the simplicity that is common to men.
1st GOD IS DOING A GREAT THING HE IS NOT SIMPLY REVEALING ABOUT HIMSELF. HE IS REVEALING HIMSELF IN JESUS THE BABE.
In Jesus we can KNOW God, not just know ABOUT God
2nd GOD HUMBLES HIMSELF TO MAKE HIMSELF KNOWN TO US.
In Jesus God not only lays aside his abilities to take on human flesh but God reduces himself into 6lbs of flesh – a baby.
• Christianity does not teach that man must climb some ladder into heaven in order to find God and to be with him, but Christianity teaches that God comes down that ladder in order to meet us and take us back with him.
• We don’t have to become like God before we can encounter him, because God became like us first.
3rd JESUS CAME AS A BABY TO SHOW HE BECAME LIKE US AND MEETS US RIGHT WHEREVER WE ARE – NO PRECONDITIONS
Matt 1:15
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."
God who is with us is also For us...
4th GOD KNOWS WHAT IT IS TO BE HIS HUMAN CREATION
We are not talking about God becoming “LIKE” man, as if he were putting on some kind of disguise that he could pass himself of as a man – we are talking about the God who created the world entering into that world AS man and ON MANS BEHALF in order to redeem him.
God did not send a messenger or a representative to help the poor creatures that we are – but he involved himself directly.
5th THE MEANING OF THAT FOR EACH OF US IS THAT HE IS APPROACHABLE;
• He has made Himself readily available to the humble of this world.
• Access to a king birth is not accessible to the common man, the unknown, or the rejected.
Luke 2:8-14 (NIV)
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
The lowly rejected shepherds were given a great invitation to participate in this event. It gave an invitation to the most humble to come to Him. We might tremble to approach a throne, but we cannot fear to approach a manger.
6th THE IMPORTANCE OF JESUS INFANCY. HE CAN IDENTIFY WITH HURTING HUMANITY:
Jesus was a man of sorrow and familiar with sufferings from birth. He is able link Himself at every stage with humanity;
Isa 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
• He is able to feel and heal our broken hearts.
• He can understand the needs of downtrodden, abused and overlooked.
• He can sympathize with the poor and needy.
• He able to understand our infirmities, and can feel every thorn of our flesh.
1) When we are tired, He says, "I will give you rest!"
Matthew 11:28, 29. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
2) When we feel that nobody loves us, He says, "I love you!" John 13:34.
3) When we are overwhelmed. He says, "I will never leave you or forsake you!" Hebrews 13:5.
4) When we fail, He is their to restore and give us victory
7th JESUS BRINGS TRUTH FOR THOSE WHO ARE LONGING FOR IT.
Matthew 2:1-6
10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
Consider this, then:
"The wise may bring their learning, the rich may bring their wealth; and some may bring their greatness, and some bring strength and health; We, too, would bring our treasures To offer to the King: We have no wealth or learning, what shall we to Him bring? We’ll bring Him hearts that love Him. We’ll bring Him thankful praise, And our souls meekly striving To walk in holy ways: And these shall be the treasures We offer to the King, And these are gifts that even The poorest child may bring."
(Anonymous)
"It’s not what you’d do with millions if riches should be your lot!
It’s what you’re doing right now, with the dime and the dollar you’ve got!"
APPLICATION
God has made himself known
He gives all we need for abundant, and eternal life
But still JUST AS THE INN ITSELF HAD NO ROOM FOR HIM, AFTER MORE THAN 2,000 YEARS NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
How little room for Him in the schools of the philosophers, educators, leaders, and society.
There is no room for Jesus in many a Heart and Mind.
The Wonder of Jesus Birth –
God has Come, He is the greatest Gift we can ever receive.
God uses the simple, the ordinary that he might find room in his children’s hearts
God uses the simple, the ordinary to identify and bring comfort to his children
If we are looking for the real reason for the birth of Christ, we will find it.
At Christmas when we celebrate Jesus birth – we have the opportunity to look into the face of Jesus and realize we are peering into the heart of God
