Luke 2:1-3 (NLT)
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 towns to register for this census.
Tax Season
• The Roman Emporer was head counting
• Each person was required to return to their ancestral home
Luke 2:4-5 (NLT)
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 obviously pregnant by this time.
From The Lineage of David
• Joseph was from the line of David
• He was required to travel to Bethlehem
– Fulfillment of prophecy
• Place of birth – Micah 5:2
Micah 5:2 (HCSB)
Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity.
From The Lineage of David
• Joseph was from the line of David
• He was required to travel to Bethlehem
– Fulfillment of prophecy
• Place of birth – Micah 5:2
• Family lineage – Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 33:15
Isaiah 11:1 (HCSB)
Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
Jeremiah 33:15 (NLT)
At that time I will bring to the throne of David a righteous descendant, and he will do what is just and right throughout the land.
From The Lineage of David
• Joseph was from the line of David
• He was required to travel to Bethlehem
– Fulfillment of prophecy
• Place of birth – Micah 5:2
• Family lineage – Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 33:15
• He was accompanied by Mary
Luke 2:6-7 (NLT)
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. [7] She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
The Virgin Will Give Birth
• Mary gave birth to a son
– Prophecy fulfilled
• Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)
All right then, the Lord himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel—’God is with us.’
The Virgin Will Give Birth
• Mary gave birth to a son
– Prophecy fulfilled
• Isaiah 7:14
• Humble beginnings
– A stable
– A manger
Luke 2:8-10 (NLT)
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. [9] Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, [10] but the angel reassured them. "Don’t be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!
A Savior For All People
• The greatest announcement ever made
– Anticipated for generations
– The Messiah was now here
• An interesting choice
– The angels didn’t go to the temple
– The angels didn’t go to the political leaders
– The angels went to the Shepherds
• Common, ordinary people
• Jesus had come for all men
Luke 2:11-14 (NLT)
The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! [12] And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"
[13] Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God:
[14] "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to all whom God favors."
You Will Find Him
• The shepherds were given specific instructions for finding Jesus
– City
– Attire
– Bedding
• Finding Jesus is never a guessing game
• Jesus would restore a right relationship between God and man
– 1 Timothy 2:5
1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)
For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus.
Luke 2:15 (NLT)
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Let’s Go!!!!
• The shepherds were moved to action
– The didn’t wait
– They had to see Jesus
• Nothing else was of greater importance
• All else became secondary
• Are you filled with expectation about being in the presence of Jesus?
Luke 2:16-18 (NLT)
They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. [17] Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. [18] All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,
Bubbling Over with Excitement
• The shepherds ran
– They couldn’t get their fast enough
• Anticipation of the Messiah
• They told their story to everyone
– They wanted to share their excitement
– The wanted others to know
• Who has heard your story lately?
Luke 2:19-20 (NLT)
but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. [20] The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.
Lasting Impact
• Mary treasured these events and reflected upon them often
– Do you think regularly about your encounter with Jesus
– Do you remind yourself of the promises fulfilled
• The shepherds returned to their work
– Glorifying God
– Praising God
• For the experience and the privilege
The Savior is Born
• How have you been forever changed?
• What is your story?
• Are you still filled with awe and wonder?
**Powerpoint available upon request
