JOY TO THE WORLD
Luke 2:1-20
Introduction
Christmas brings a lot of stress: emotional, financial, decorations, gifts, gatherings, travel. Have you ever been tempted to skip it? John Grisham’s Skipping Christmas was made into a movie called Christmas With the Kranks. The lesson learned was that even if you were to try – you probably can’t skip Christmas. If there ever was a time when the world needs Christmas, it is now. The whole world seems to be at war, in one realm or another. There are so many things that are heavy on our hearts: illness, discouragement, grief or hard decisions we need to make. We need Christmas - not the commercial trappings of the season- the reality and wonder of the truth of the season.
J. B. Phillips “I find this a great mystery and a great wonder. God has been here on this planet in person. What we are celebrating is not the feast of jolly old Father Christmas or good King Wenceslaus, or a beautiful fairy tale. We are celebrating the visit of God. How marvelous!” (Read Luke 2:1-7)
1. Christmas Reminds Us…
God Came Looking For Us. He is not elusive or hard to find, in fact, God is looking for you. He revealed himself to us before we could even look for him. John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” He is not hiding – he wants to be known, found.
God Loves Us. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." He loves us. He wants to live with us forever. So many feel unloved and alone. Life can be hard and leave us feeling empty. But always know that if Christmas teaches us anything, it lets us know that we are not alone, we are loved deeply.
God Understands Us. Whatever we experience in this life is understood by God because he has been here … been one of us. Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." When we feel lonely, that others are not treating us right, that temptation is so strong, that we are struggling – Jesus can say, “I know what that’s like.”
His very name … Immanuel – means “God With Us”. Hebrews 4:16 'Let us then with confidence draw near to the
throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
2. The Angelic Message: God Sent a Savior! (Luke 2:8-20)
The Shepherds were “in the fields nearby”. Alfred Eidersheim suggests that these shepherds were those who raised the sheep that would be used for sacrifices in the temple. Shepherds: despised class and had a bad reputation. Most people in the biblical world make their living in agriculture, and the herding of sheep and goats is
prominent in their economy. Who are some of the well known people in Israel’s history that were shepherds? Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David. The nature of their work kept them from observing the ceremonial laws so important to religious people. Shepherds “were considered unreliable and were not allowed to give testimony in the law-courts.” Of course, not all shepherds would fit this stereotype – many were probably humble and devout individuals. Would we have chosen a group of poor shepherds to hear the greatest news ever proclaimed? – God did!
Notice the powerful words of the Angel’s Appearance:
JOY I bring you good news of great joy. Not filled with joy? Are you listening to the wrong messengers?
ALL - That will be for all the people. Jesus came for all.
SAVIOR - Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. There is Joy available because there is a Savior. Many reject the Savior, but what about you?
CHRIST - He is Christ the Lord. Christ = anointed one, chosen one. If Christ is the Lord, there is no other. If Christ
is the Lord, will He be anything else in your life?
MANGER - This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Jesus was not born in a palace, though he left the palaces of heaven to come to earth. The humility of Jesus points to his accessibility … you can reach Him … He is not far.
GLORY - Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest.” Arising from the gritty reality of this scene comes the shining glory of God! This is not just a happening, it is infused with the wonder and power of God!
PEACE - On earth peace to men. This is not peace of circumstances – Jesus didn’t have that … it is peace of heart.
FAVOR - On whom his favor rests. God is not only concerned, but has moved to bless you with his favor … a gift of grace. Undeserved, unearned, unable to achieve on our own, God views us with favor…choosing to love us. Grace is good news for the broken and wayward!
Conclusion
Christmas Reminds us…
When you feel lost, God came looking for you.
When you feel unloved, God loves you.
When you feel alone, God understands you.
When we wonder why we are here, God Wants To Save Us
Looking at this account, there is one sympathetic part that we did not talk about: There was no room in the inn. In our busy lives, do we make room for Jesus? Or are we more like the Innkeeper?
We are the Innkeeper of our hearts - is there room today?
We are the innkeeper of our homes - is there room for Jesus?
We are the innkeeper of our life - is there room for Jesus today?
What takes up the most room in our heart is often self.
Luke 9:23 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
When we remove ourselves, we will have room for Jesus.
Revelation 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If xanyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
As the Innkeeper of your heart, make room for Jesus …
Invite him in by faith - trusting that He can save you
Invite him in by repentance - living in new ways
Invite him in by baptism - being cleansed, the Holy Spirit comes to live within
Invite him in daily - reminding your wayward heart that there is a new Lord in place….Jesus… make room for Him today.
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Jesus Likes You: 50 Words for Stronger Faith
https://a.co/d/7uH03LT
Through Your Tears: Sorrow From Loss, Hope For Healing
https://a.co/d/7dxqNJ1
Lord, Hear My Prayer
https://a.co/d/agUhcSo
Lord, Hear My Prayer Journal
https://a.co/d/8I0wnMS
Merry Christmas to a Broken Heart
https://a.co/d/55rIKTT
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Discussion Questions
1. In verses 1-3, we see that a Roman census required Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem. What do you think God might be teaching us about His sovereignty in the midst of ordinary, even inconvenient events?
2. The birth of Jesus occurred in humble surroundings—born in a manger because there was no room at the inn. Why do you think God chose such a humble setting for the birth of His Son? How does this challenge the way we view power and greatness?
3. Why do you think God first revealed the birth of Jesus to shepherds, who were considered lowly in society? What does this tell us about God’s priorities and the way He chooses to announce significant events?
4. The angels proclaim "good news of great joy" (v. 10). What does this phrase mean to you personally, and how does the good news of Jesus bring joy into your life and circumstances?
5. The angel calls Jesus “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (v. 11). Why is each of these titles significant in understanding the identity and mission of Jesus? How do these titles impact your understanding of who Jesus is?
6. The angels sing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests" (v. 14). What kind of peace do you think the angels are referring to? How does Jesus bring peace to our lives and to the world?
7. Mary "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (v. 19). What do you think it means to
treasure and ponder what God is doing in our lives? How can we cultivate a heart that reflects on and cherishes God's work in us?
8. The announcement of Jesus' birth was filled with joy and praise. How does joy play a role in the Christian faith? What does it mean for us to experience and express the joy of the Lord in our daily lives?
