The Story Of Christmas

The Story of Christmas

Luke 2:1-20

Intro. This morning simply wanted to tell the story of Christmas

I. The Preliminaries

A. The Beginning.

1. The story of Christ’s birth begins with Him person.

2. He was there in the Beginning of it all. John 1:1-4

B. It continues throughout the history of Israel.

1. Through the prophets

2. Through the types or pictures.

a. The Tabernacle

b. Abraham and Isaac. Genesis 22

C. It culminated with the announcements to Mary and Joseph.

1. Mary -- Luke 1:26-38

2. Joseph – Matthew 1:18-25

II. Politics

1. Caesar Augustus was the emperor

2. He sent out the decree that everyone was to return to their home town to be counted in a census. Vs, 3

3. This was done so people could be counted by their family ties. Vs. 4-5

III. The Place – Bethlehem.

A. Bethlehem

1. Foretold by the prophets, (Micah 5:2)

2. A small town (pop. 300 to 1000?)

B. The stable. Vs.6-7

1. Not specifically mentioned.

2. No room in the Inn.

3. Jesus could have been born out in the open.

4. We are only told of the manger.

C. It was here that Jesus was born. Vs 7

IV. The Pasture

A. Shepherds watching their sheep…by night. Vs. 8

B. The angel and the glory of the Lord. Vs. 9

1. Scared the shepherds.

2. Perhaps by the sudden appearance of light, the “glory of the Lord.”

Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.”

3. The message. Vs. 10-12

C. A multitude of angels. Vs. 13-14

D. They Shepherds went to town. Vs 15-16

1.They told everybody. Vs 17

2. They went back to work glorifying and praising God. Vs 20

V. The presents of wise men. Matthew 2:1-12

A. Who were they?

1. From the east.

2. Astrologers (star gazers)

B. They first went to the King. Vs. 1-2

1. This troubled Herod

2. After asking the Chief priests and scribes they found the location. Vs. 2-5

a. How did they know?

b. Micah 5:2

c. They would know the scriptures.

d. They were watching for the Messiah to come.

C. Their visit.

1. They followed a miracle star. Vs 10

2. The came into a HOUSE. Vs 10

3. They saw a YOUNG CHILD. Vs 11

D. Their gifts.

1. Offered as they fell down and worshiped him. Vs 11

2. Gold – Appropriate gift for a king.

3. Frankincense – For his role as a priest.

a. It was used in the anointing oil

b. It was used in the meal offering (thanksgiving)

4. Myrrh – Was in preparation of his death.

VI. The purpose – why did he come?

A. The answer can be found in the Angel’s announcement to he shepherds.

B. Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

1 John 4:14 “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the

world.”

So what does that mean to us today….

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”