What do I really need this Christmas?
“A Reel Look At Christmas”
Luke 2:1-20
Intro idea: Funny Christmas presents, lots of times people don’t know what we really need. Sometimes we don’t even know…
First movie clip of pink outfit…
Luke 2:4-17 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.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly 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."
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
NIV
1. The Father knows what we need.
…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. (v.7)
a. It may be different than what we think we need.
i. What were the Jewish people expecting?
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
ii. What were the shepherds expecting that night?– classic Jewish expectation
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
iii. What were Mary and Joseph expecting?
…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. (v.7)
b. While things may be confusing on our level they aren’t confusing to the Father.
c. This is true no matter who we are and what we’re doing in God’s kingdom.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them… (Shepherds)
1 Cor 1:26-28 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. NIV
d. What is it that I think I need from the Father this Christmas season? _______________________
2. The Father knows when we need it.
Luke 2:1-3 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. 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. NIV
Isa 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! NIV
a. What does it mean for me to wait?
b. The Father’s timing always makes sense to Him!
Second movie clip
3. It delights the Father’s heart to give!
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
4. What the Father gives will change us forever.
Luke 2:17-20 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
NIV
a. It may not always be clear.
b. It may cause us great pain.
1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while , will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. NIV
c. It will ultimately be good!
James 1:16-17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…NIV
