Introduction

Good morning, beloved. I am so thankful to see each of you here, gathered in our Father's house. The warmth of our fellowship, the shared smiles and laughter, the collective sighs and tears; these are the threads that weave us together, forming a tapestry of faith, hope, and love. We are family, bound not by blood, but by the redeeming love of Jesus Christ.

Today, we find ourselves standing on the threshold of the Christmas season, a time that stirs the heart with a special kind of wonder and joy. A time that calls us to pause, to reflect, and to remember the unparalleled miracle of Christ's birth. The Word made flesh. God with us. Our Emmanuel.

We turn our hearts today to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 through 14. Let us read together:

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their 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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"

Birthing New Beginnings

As we reflect on the story of Christ's birth, we are reminded of the profound transformation that took place. A humble stable became the birthplace of the Savior. A manger, a simple feeding trough, became the cradle of the King of Kings. In this humble setting, God was doing something new, something extraordinary. He was birthing a new beginning, not just for Mary and Joseph, but for all of humanity.

This idea of birthing new beginnings is not foreign to us. We see it in the changing of the seasons, in the dawn of each new day, in the birth of a child. Each of these moments represents a fresh start, a new chapter. They remind us that no matter what has happened in the past, the future holds endless possibilities.

In the same way, the birth of Christ represents a new beginning for all of us. It's a reminder that God is always at work, even in the most unlikely circumstances, to bring about His purposes. It's a reminder that no matter how dark the night, the dawn of a new day is always on the horizon.

The story of Christ's birth also teaches us about the importance of obedience in birthing new beginnings. Mary and Joseph, despite their initial fear and confusion, chose to obey God. They traveled to Bethlehem, not knowing what awaited them. They trusted God, even when the circumstances were far from ideal. Their obedience paved the way for the birth of the Savior.

Obedience, as we see in the story of Mary and Joseph, is not always easy. It often requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to face uncertainty, to trust God even when we don't understand His plans. But it's through our obedience that God births new beginnings in our lives.

In addition to obedience, faith also plays a crucial role in birthing new beginnings. The shepherds, upon hearing the news of Christ's birth from the angels, chose to believe. They left their flocks and hurried to Bethlehem to see the newborn King. Their faith led them to witness one of the greatest miracles in history.

Faith, like obedience, is not always easy. It requires us to believe in the unseen, to trust in God's promises, to hold onto hope even when the circumstances seem hopeless. But it's through our faith that we experience the joy and wonder of new beginnings.

Finally, the story of Christ's birth reminds us of the power of God's love in birthing new beginnings. God, in His great love for us, sent His Son into the world. He chose a humble stable for His birthplace, a manger for His cradle. He chose shepherds, simple and ordinary, to be the first to hear the good news. In every detail of the Christmas story, we see the love of God.

God's love, as we see in the story of Christ's birth, is not limited by our circumstances. It's not deterred by our failures or our shortcomings. It's a love that reaches out to us, that embraces us, that births new beginnings in our lives.

As we reflect on the story of Christ's birth, let us remember the new beginnings that God is birthing in our lives. Let us strive to be obedient, to have faith, and to embrace God's love. And let us rejoice in the wonder and joy of the Christmas season, for it is a reminder of the greatest new beginning of all - the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bracing for the Expected

As we continue to reflect on the Christmas story, we find ourselves drawn to the anticipation that must have filled the hearts of Mary and Joseph ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO