Unexpected Gift

“Unexpected Gift” Luke 2:1-20

1. Today’s reading there was some expected things needed done

• It was expected that all Israel be registered for tax purposes

• It was expected that Joseph go to Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David

• Mary also goes 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the Inn

2. Some things that were unexpected

• Angels appearing were unexpected When the shepherds of Bethlehem were watching their flock at night, “an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them” (2:9). The appearance of an angel to a bunch of shepherds in a field — that’s unexpected!

• Then the angel made and unexpected announcement, “To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (v. 11).

• The child is not only a Savior, but the Messiah and the Lord — that’s unexpected!

• Messiah Savior born in a barn stable that is unexpected “you will find a child lying in a manger” (v. 12).

3. The unexpected gift was a virgin shall give birth

• Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit” this was unexpected

• Joseph planned to separate from Mary discretely — that’s unexpected! He could have shamed her in public and even had her stoned.

• An Angel appeared in a dream very unexpected “But an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins’” (vv. 20-21).

• And the angel gave him the name Jesus, which means “Savior” — that’s unexpected!

4. How should we respond to this unexpected Gift

• This Christmas, we can accept the gift of Jesus into the deepest parts of ourself

• We can accept Jesus as Immanuel means that God is with us in every time and place and situation.

• We could Acknowledge that Jesus comes to us He is with us when our friends desert us. When our marriage is falling apart. When our jobs are unsatisfying, unstable or unexpectedly taken away from us.

• In all of these experiences, Jesus is Immanuel, present with us in surprising and life-giving ways.

5. This greatest Gift given expects us to do the unexpected be not independent but dependent on Jesus or Messiah

• If Jesus is our Messiah then we will do the unexpected drop whatever and fall in line when Jesus says, “Follow me” (4:19).

• We are called to do the unexpected “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” love the lord and neighbor as yourself

• It is to accept the truth of Jesus’ words, “You cannot serve God and wealth” (6:24), and to structure our lives so that we are storing up treasures in heaven, instead of on earth.

• If Jesus is our messiah we do the unexpected “Love God with my whole heart mind body and soul

• If Jesus is our Messiah we will do the unexpected pay tithes to the church

• If Jesus is our Messiah we will do the unexpected be blameless 14Don’t complain or argue, 15be blameless and pure, without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

• We will do the unexpected be as bold as a lion, hunger for righteousness, be dead to sin it has no hold over the believer,

• Jesus helps us saves us The name Jesus literally means “God helps” or “God saves,”

• When we are feeling overwhelmed, Jesus helps, When we are overcome by sin, Jesus forgives.

• When we feel lost or defeated or powerless, Jesus saves. What a unexpected gift we have