Introduction

Good morning, beloved. It is indeed a joy to gather together in this sacred space, united in our love for our Lord, Jesus Christ, and our shared desire to know Him better. Today, we find ourselves standing on holy ground, poised to peer into the heart of God's Word and to draw from the wellspring of His wisdom. It is a privilege, a gift, and a responsibility we share as believers - to seek, to study, and to savor the truth of the Gospel.

We are about to turn our gaze upon a familiar passage, a moment in time that we have often visited, yet one that never fails to reveal new facets of God's grace and glory. We are returning to the second chapter of Luke, verses 21 and 39, where we encounter the baby Jesus, newly arrived in our world, yet already fulfilling ancient prophecies and divine promises.

Christ's Coming: A Purposeful Promise

In the heart of the Gospel, we find the promise of Jesus' coming. It was a purposeful promise, a divine design orchestrated by our Heavenly Father. God, in His infinite wisdom and boundless love, planned for the arrival of His Son, Jesus Christ, into our world. This was no ordinary birth - it was the fulfillment of a promise, a promise that held the power to change the course of humanity and offer us a path to salvation.

The birth of Jesus was foretold by prophets, anticipated by generations, and celebrated by angels. It was a promise that spanned centuries, a golden thread woven through the tapestry of time. From the moment sin entered the world, God set in motion His plan for redemption - a plan that hinged on the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ.

This promise was also personal. God didn't send a distant deity or an impersonal force. He sent His Son, Jesus, God in human flesh, to live among us, to experience our joys and sorrows, our triumphs and trials. Jesus, the Word made flesh, came to dwell among us, showing us the face of God and the depth of His love.

Now, let's turn our attention to the significance of Jesus' name. The angel declared to Mary, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus." The name Jesus, derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua, means "The Lord saves." Even His name was a promise, a declaration of His mission to save humanity from sin and death. Every time His name was spoken, it echoed the promise of God's salvation.

The angel's message to Mary was a divine decree, a heavenly proclamation. It was God's promise echoing through the corridors of time, reaching from the throne of heaven to a humble home in Nazareth. This promise was about to be fulfilled in the most extraordinary way, through the birth of a baby, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Moreover, the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth were far from ordinary. Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, His birth was humble, yet heavenly, simple, yet supernatural. The King of kings entered our world not in a palace, but a stable, not surrounded by royalty, but shepherds. This was a clear message from God - Jesus came not for the powerful and privileged, but for the poor and the powerless, not for the self-righteous, but for sinners.

The shepherds, upon hearing the angel's announcement, hurried to Bethlehem. They found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, just as the angel had said. Their response was to spread the word, to share the good news. The shepherds, the first evangelists, remind us that the promise of Jesus' coming is not just for us to cherish, but to share. It's a promise that brings hope to the hopeless, peace to the troubled, and salvation to the lost.

Circumcision: A Covenantal Commitment

In the story of Christmas we recognize the baby Jesus, just eight days old, being circumcised according to Jewish tradition ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO