Beloved, we gather in the presence of Almighty God to look once again upon the most glorious story ever told, the story of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not the birth of an ordinary child, not the rise of a mere prophet, not the beginning of a simple moral teacher, but the entrance of God Himself into human history. The incarnation. The miracle of miracles. Emmanuel — God with us. Before the mountains were brought forth, before the deep was carved out, before the stars were set in their courses, before the oceans were commanded to go only so far, before a single angel ever stretched forth his wings in the heavens above, the Word already was. Eternally existing, eternally shining, eternally glorious. And that Word — that eternal, divine, life-giving Word — was made flesh and dwelt among us.
The birth of Jesus Christ did not begin in Bethlehem. It did not begin with Mary. It did not begin with Joseph. It did not begin with shepherds, angels, or wise men. The birth of Jesus Christ began in eternity, “In the beginning,” when “the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” It began when “unto us a child was born,” long before the manger ever held His sacred form. It began when Isaiah proclaimed that His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. It began when prophets spoke, when promises were made, when God declared the coming of His Anointed.
But all prophecy, all promise, and all preparation converged in one moment of human history, when God robed Himself in flesh. Let us step now into that holy ground, where eternity touched time, and the infinite God became a tiny infant in a manger.
The Scripture tells us in Luke 2, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” Out of all the ways God could have arranged the birth of His Son, He chose a Roman emperor, a pagan ruler, a governmental census, and a long, weary journey by two humble souls — Joseph and Mary. Caesar thought it was his idea, but God was ordering the steps. Caesar issued the decree, but Heaven wrote the script. While Caesar’s mind was filled with empire, wealth, taxation, and dominion, God’s mind was filled with redemption, salvation, mercy, and grace. Caesar was thinking of counting citizens; God was thinking of saving souls. Caesar sat on a throne in Rome; God ruled the throne of the universe. And though Caesar made the decree, God made the plan.
Joseph went “up from Galilee… unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,” because he was of the house and lineage of David. The Word of God had already said 700 years earlier through the prophet Micah, “But thou, Bethlehem… out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” God used an emperor to move a carpenter. God used a decree to move a young virgin. God used the entire Roman Empire to accomplish His Word. What seems accidental to man is intentional with God. What seems political on earth is prophetic in heaven. What seems like human decision is divine orchestration. Beloved, that is why we trust God in every detail of our lives — for no matter who sits on earthly thrones, God sits on the heavenly one.
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” Mary, great with child, feeling the weight both of pregnancy and prophecy, brought forth her firstborn Son — not in a palace, not in a mansion, not in a wealthy estate, but in a humble setting, among animals, in a stable, because “there was no room for them in the inn.” The One who created the universe could not find a place in the inn. The One who owns all silver and gold had nowhere to lay His head but a manger. The One who rides upon the wings of the wind entered the world in the lowest humility. He came not as a prince seated in luxury, but as a servant wrapped in swaddling clothes. He came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. Heaven’s wealth was laid in earth’s poverty.
Think of it, church! The King of Kings laid in a manger. The Bread of Life laid in a feeding trough. The Light of the World placed in the darkness of a lowly stable. The Word made flesh, wrapped not in royal garments but in simple cloth. The God who flung the galaxies into existence now crying as a newborn infant. The One who commands angels now resting in His mother’s arms. The holy, eternal, all-powerful Son of God — dependent, tender, vulnerable. What a mystery! What a miracle! What a Savior!
But God did not allow the world to sleep through this event. In the same country there were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. They were not priests. They were not scholars. They were not kings. They were not wealthy. They were not influential. They were ordinary men doing ordinary work on an ordinary night — but God had an extraordinary message for them. And beloved, isn’t that just like our God? He comes to the humble. He reveals Himself to the lowly. He speaks to the seeking. God did not send the angels to Herod. He did not send them to the priests in Jerusalem. He sent them to simple shepherds, because God resists the proud but gives grace unto the humble.
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.” The glory that had not been seen in Israel since the days of the prophets suddenly filled the night sky. The darkness that had covered their fields was banished by heavenly light. The silence of the night was broken by the voice of an angel announcing the best news this world has ever heard: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Not just Israel. Not just the righteous. Not just the learned. Not just the wealthy. Not just the powerful. But all people. Every nation. Every tribe. Every generation. Every sinner. Every soul. It was good news for the whole world.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Not a judge, though He will judge. Not a general, though He commands Heaven’s armies. Not a politician, though His government shall have no end. Not a philosopher, though He is wisdom incarnate. But a Saviour — because that is what we needed most. We did not need more education. We did not need more wealth. We did not need more laws. We needed salvation. We needed redemption. We needed someone to save us from our sins. And there in Bethlehem, the Savior had come.
Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Heaven could not keep silent. The angels could not stay still. All of heaven erupted in praise, for the plan of redemption was now unfolding in flesh and blood. Peace had come. Hope had come. Salvation had come. The Light had entered the world, and darkness had no power to stop it.
The shepherds, stirred by the heavenly message, said, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass.” And they came with haste — not walking, not strolling, but hurrying — because when you hear good news from God, you don’t delay. They found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen Him, they began to make known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. The first evangelists of the New Testament were not apostles — but shepherds. Not trained preachers — but ordinary men who had seen the Savior.
Everyone who heard their report “wondered,” but Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. While others talked, Mary meditated. While others were amazed outwardly, she reflected inwardly. And church, there is a powerful truth in that: some truths of God are not for loud celebration but for deep contemplation. Mary understood that this child was not just her baby — He was her Savior. Not just her son — but God’s Son. Not just a child of flesh — but the fulfillment of eternity.
Forty days later, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple to present Him unto the Lord, according to the Law of Moses. There they met Simeon, a devout man filled with the Holy Ghost, who had been waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Ghost had told him he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. When he took Jesus into his arms, he blessed God and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace… for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” He did not say, “I have seen a sign of salvation,” or “I have seen the one who will bring salvation.” He said, “I have seen thy salvation.” Salvation is not a concept. Salvation is not a program. Salvation is not a ceremony. Salvation is a person, and that person is Jesus Christ.
At that moment came Anna the prophetess, who gave thanks to God and spoke of Him to all who looked for redemption. And thus, the temple — which had grown cold, formal, ritualistic, and distant — was awakened again by the presence of the true Light coming into the world.
But the story did not end in Bethlehem. God sent a star to guide wise men from the east. These men, learned in the heavens, recognized that this star was no ordinary celestial event. It was a divine sign. They came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east.” Herod heard and was troubled. The priests heard and quoted Scripture, but none of them went to Bethlehem. The wise men heard and traveled. Herod heard and plotted. Jerusalem heard and was troubled. Only the wise men followed the light God sent.
When the star stood over where the young child was, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. They saw the child, fell down, and worshipped Him — showing that Jesus is worthy of worship, even as a child. They presented gold, signifying His kingship; frankincense, signifying His divinity; and myrrh, signifying His sacrifice and death.
But danger arose. Herod, enraged that the wise men did not return, ordered the slaughter of every child two years old and under in Bethlehem. Satan had tried to destroy the Seed many times throughout history — in Egypt through Pharaoh, in Babylon through persecution, in Israel through idolatry — and now through Herod. But God is always ahead of the enemy. An angel warned Joseph, and the family fled to Egypt until Herod died. The One who would one day deliver His people from sin first had to be delivered from the wrath of an earthly king — not because God was weak, but because God’s timing is perfect.
And after the death of Herod, they returned and dwelt in Nazareth, “that it might be fulfilled… He shall be called a Nazarene.” Every detail had purpose. Every location had prophecy. Every movement had meaning. Every step of Joseph and Mary was guided by the hand of God.
And now we return to John 1, where the Holy Ghost gives us the divine perspective on the birth of Christ. “In the beginning was the Word.” Before Bethlehem existed, the Word existed. Before Mary was born, the Word existed. Before angels were created, the Word existed. He was with God — showing His distinction — and He was God — showing His deity.
“All things were made by Him.” The baby in the manger created the universe. The hands that Joseph and Mary held had created the galaxies. The voice that cried in the night was the same voice that said, “Let there be light.” The infant wrapped in swaddling clothes was the same God who wrapped Himself in clouds of glory.
“He was the true Light.” Not a temporary light. Not a symbolic light. Not an earthly light. But the true Light, the eternal Light, the saving Light, the life-giving Light, “which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” And yet, “the world knew him not.” He came unto His own — Israel — and His own received Him not.
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” Salvation is not earned. It is not inherited. It is not purchased. It is not worked for. It is received. It is the gift of God through Jesus Christ. Not by blood. Not by the will of the flesh. Not by the will of man. But of God.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” Oh, the wonder of that statement! God became man. The Creator became a creature. The infinite became finite. The eternal stepped into time. The immortal took on mortality. The invisible became visible. The Almighty became a helpless infant. And He dwelt among us. Not above us. Not away from us. Not distant from us. Among us. With us. Emmanuel — God with us.
Beloved, the birth of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event. It is not merely a religious tradition. It is not merely a sentimental story. It is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is the beginning of God’s plan of redemption manifesting in human flesh. It is Heaven touching earth. It is mercy meeting misery. It is grace meeting guilt. It is love meeting lost humanity.
Isaiah said, “For unto us a child is born.” Humanity. Flesh. Weakness. Frailty. Jesus was truly man. He hungered. He thirsted. He grew tired. He slept. He wept. He felt pain. He walked our dusty roads. He faced our trials. He experienced our temptations. He bore our sorrows. He carried our griefs. He lived the human life in purity and perfection.
But Isaiah also said, “Unto us a son is given.” Divinity. Eternity. Heaven’s gift wrapped in human flesh. He was not created — He was given. The child was born — but the Son existed from everlasting.
“And the government shall be upon His shoulder.” Though the world rejects Him now, though nations rage, though kings plot, though sinners rebel, the day is coming when Christ will rule the world in righteousness.
“And His name shall be called Wonderful.” There is none like Him. His birth is wonderful. His life is wonderful. His teachings are wonderful. His miracles are wonderful. His death is wonderful. His resurrection is wonderful. His salvation is wonderful. His grace is wonderful. His love is wonderful.
“Counsellor.” He is wisdom. He guides. He instructs. He comforts. He leads His people into truth.
“The mighty God.” Not a lesser god. Not a created being. Not a spiritual force. Not an exalted angel. But God Almighty.
“The everlasting Father.” The source of eternity. The giver of life. The One who fathered creation.
“The Prince of Peace.” He brings peace with God, peace within the soul, and one day peace to the entire earth.
And the Scripture says, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.” His kingdom will never collapse. His rule will never fail. His authority will never diminish. His peace will never be broken. His throne will never be empty. His reign will never be challenged. His dominion will never be shaken. “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
Beloved, what is the message of Christmas according to the Word of God?
The message is that God keeps His promises. What He spoke through Isaiah, He fulfilled in Matthew and Luke. The message is that God rules over the affairs of men. What Caesar decreed, God directed. The message is that God uses the humble. Shepherds received the first announcement. A lowly virgin carried the Son of God. A simple carpenter protected the King of Kings. The message is that Jesus came to save sinners. Not to condemn the world, but that through Him the world might be saved.
But this sermon cannot end with only the birth of Christ. For the manger points to the cross. The swaddling clothes point to the grave clothes. The wood of the manger points to the wood of the cross. The infant in the stable is the Lamb of God who would be sacrificed for the sins of the world. He came not merely to live — but to die. Not merely to teach — but to redeem. Not merely to be adored — but to be crucified and resurrected.
The angels said, “A Saviour is born.” Salvation was the purpose from the beginning. Salvation was His mission. Salvation was His calling.
And today, the same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, who lived a sinless life, who died on Calvary, who rose again the third day, who ascended into heaven, and who reigns forever at the right hand of God, offers salvation to all who will receive Him. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” You cannot earn salvation. You cannot buy salvation. You cannot inherit salvation. You cannot achieve salvation. You must receive Him — the Savior — into your heart by faith.
The Light has come. The Word has come. The Savior has come. The King has come. The promise has come. The prophecy has been fulfilled. The Messiah has arrived. And He stands ready to save, ready to heal, ready to forgive, ready to redeem.
Let us then celebrate not only His birth but His purpose. Not only His incarnation but His redemption. Not only the manger but the cross. Not only His coming but His soon return.
For the One who came in humility will return in glory. The One who was laid in a manger will sit upon the throne of David. The One who was wrapped in swaddling clothes will be clothed in majesty and power. The One who came as a Lamb will return as a Lion. And of His kingdom there shall be no end.
Let every heart prepare Him room. Let every believer rejoice. Let every sinner come to repentance. Let every soul behold the Lamb of God. Let every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift. Amen.
