The Wonders Of Christ Luke 2:1-5
Luke 2:1-5NLT At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
This was the first census ever taken in history. (God’s plan is bigger.)
Just as prophesy, Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. No room in the inn, birthed in a stable, and placed in a manger, or feed trough.
Jesus Christ came to become the house of bread (Bethlehem) that would feed everyone who will.
Luke 2:5NLT He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
Mary was a virgin- which meant she was young, but also unspoiled, untainted, immaculate, pristine, flawless; spotless, unsullied, unpolluted, undefiled, and perfect. God choose a person with integrity; someone trustworthy.
Looking back at to the birth of Christ: Luke 1:28NLT Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!
Then the angel goes on by telling her that from her womb shall be birthed the Son of God, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.
Daystar, Ancient of Days, Alpha and Omega!
Luke 1:34-35NLT Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.
Mary’s only question is, “How can this happen because I’m a virgin- young and pure!”
When Jesus Christ brought salvation to you he conceived the miraculous. (You have the very presence of God living within.)
Q&A: Are you fruitful?
In an earlier century, there lay a large boulder in the middle of the roadway. Traveler after traveler walked past the boulder, veering off the side of the road to get around it. All the while, they were shaking their head and muttering, "Can you believe that? Someone should get- that big thing out of the way. What an inconvenience!" Finally, a man came along and, seeing the boulder, took a branch from a tree and pried the boulder enough to get it rolling and rolled it off to the side of the road. Lying underneath the rock, he found a small bag with a note. The man picked up the note and read it. It read as follows: "Thank you for being a true servant of the kingdom. Many have passed this way and complained because of the state of the problem and spoken of what ought to be done. But you have taken the responsibility upon yourself to serve the kingdom instead. You are the type of citizen we need more of in this kingdom. Please accept this bag of gold that traveler after traveler have walked by simply because they didn’t care enough about the kingdom to serve." I wonder what "bags of gold" we’re missing each day, simply because we don’t bother to get involved in serving our heavenly kingdom. Are we the type of heavenly citizens our Father needs more of?
“Are you willing to roll away the stone?” (Being gifted and fruitful run parallel.)
Luke 1: 36-38NLT What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
I want you to notice the people God uses: Mary, a young virgin, Elizabeth, an elderly barren woman, Shepherds, tending sheep, Simeon, an devout man waiting for the salvation of Israel, Anna, a widow of 84 years serving daily in the temple.
Godly seniors have authority, wisdom and knowledge. The world teaches- “they’re not with it, throwaways, useless” however, many righteous individuals accomplished the most latter in life.
Luke 1:37NLT For nothing is impossible with God.
Mark Lowry, a Christian comedian observed that Mary’s silence at the cross always amazed him. If he were being crucified in the middle of town, his mother would have "Pitched a fit", but Mary never said a word. Lowry wondered if maybe what made the difference for her was remembering back to that 1st Christmas. Remembering touching his little hands and feet and counting his fingers and toes. Lowry says: "I wonder if she realized then that those were the same fingers that had scooped out the oceans and formed the seas. Mary probably counted those little toes- I wonder if she realized that those were the same feet that had walked on streets of gold and had been worshipped by angels. Those little lips were the same lips that had spoken the world into existence. When Mary kissed her little baby, she wasn’t just kissing another baby - she was kissing the face of God.
Just as the shepherd’s went back to their flocks- we return to our surroundings with new hope and expectations.
Presently, the Wonders Of Christ are all around you!
Communion.
Benediction.
