The Greatest Gift

Luke 2:8-20 NKJV

“The Greatest Gift”

December 10, 2023

The night God became flesh and walked among men ranks as one of the greatest moments in human history. It was a night of tremendous miracles and great blessings. Though this story is 2,000 years old, it still brings us joy every time we hear about the Greatest Gift ever given. Let's visit Bethlehem again today and notice that as Mary delivered Jesus into this world, there were some Christmas Gifts being delivered also by the Angels and the Shepherds.

I. v.10-14 The Gift of Peace “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” Fear not - (Luke 1:13; Matthew 1:20) The message of Jesus removes fear, because His message is perfect love! 1 John 4:18 reads, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” The ultimate punishment or fear is separation from God. Thankfully, for those who believe in Jesus, that fear has passed. There are some things we need never fear – Being Alone (I will never leave you, nor forsake you Hebrews 13:5), Being Lost (in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths Proverbs 3:6), Death (O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:55) or the Hereafter (For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Romans 6:23).

The Angel’s Gift is a message of Peace! Good tidings (News), great joy (Immense), to all people (Universal), unto you (Personal). He shares with us the three titles given to Jesus: He is Savior – Our Deliverer. Jesus is first called Savior! Not an example or a teacher, but a Savior! If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent an entertainer. If our greatest need had been military, God would have sent a soldier. If our greatest need had been for justice, God would have sent a judge. But our greatest need was salvation, therefore God sent a Savior!

He is Christ - The Anointed One, The Son of God. This pictures Him as the fulfilment of all the promises and prophecies beginning at the Seed of the woman in Genesis 3 and ending as the Alpha and Omega in Revelation 1. He is the First and the Last. He is the beginning and the End. He is the Lion of Judah! He is the Lamb of God! He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! He is The Lord – Our Sovereign God! The One to be served, worshiped and adored! Paul said in Colossians 1:16 For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

II. v.11-12 The Gift of Promise “And this will be the sign to you:” A present promise - Luke 2:12 “You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Why was the Saviour, Christ the Lord lying in a feeding trough used for cattle? Verse 7 says that Mary brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Therefore, the Son of God was born in a humble stable where the poor travelers of Palestine rested. And why was the inn so full? Verse 1 says that Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that all be registered in the city of their ancestors for a census. Joseph was of the house of and lineage of David. The City of David is Bethlehem.

A prophetic promise – He must be born in the City of David. Bethlehem means “House of Bread” - it was an appropriate place for the Bread of Life to be born! We know Jesus was born in Bethlehem and the Prophet Micah told us in advance the exact place. Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” This prophecy was written approximately 800 years before Christ was born. We can rely on God keeping His promises. So, when read Romans 8:28, we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. When we read Proverbs 3:5 we can Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding! Because He promised that if we simply acknowledge Him, in all our ways, He will direct our paths! God keeps His promises, old and new! God said, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."