The Birth of the Savior

Luke 2:1-20

The Adoration of the Shepherds, by Dutch painter Gerard van Honthorst, 1622.

Introduction

Here we have the story of how the Son of God came to earth. He was born of a woman. God became a man. He laid aside His glory for a time, never His deity. 

I. A Humble Beginning
His earthly parents traveled to Bethlehem of Judea, their ancestral home, from where they were living in Galilee. They made the trip in response to a decree of the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus.  The decree was that everyone must be enrolled, in a census taken for the purpose of taxation.

Joseph and his wife were not able to find accommodations in an inn, so they had to take shelter in a stable, possibly in a courtyard of a humble inn. The word translated manger means a place where animals are fed, so could mean a feeding trough or a stable.

Mary gave birth there in that humble stable, and wrapped her Baby in cloths and laid Him in a manger. That she wrapped Him herself indicates it was a lonely birth, for there were no female relatives or friends there to help her.

She knew, though, that this Child was born in fulfillment of what the angel told her, and that she gave birth as a virgin.

II. A Glorious Announcement
As it happened, there were some shepherds in that region, watching over their flocks by night. Since the sheep they were caring for were in the vicinity of Bethlehem, it is likely they were sheep destined for sacrifice in the Temple.

Shepherds were not highly regarded in the society of that day, and in fact were despised, that is, lightly and contemptuously regarded. They were considered untrustworthy and weren’t even allowed to give testimony in court.

The shepherds mentioned here however, were probably devout men, even if ceremonially unclean, and God chose them to be the Lord’s first visitors. For them, it was a great honor.

The angels gave such a spectacular display it was very frightening to the shepherds, and the angel had to reassure them. Then they announced to these humble shepherds that the Savior of the world had been born in Bethlehem, and that it was an occasion of good news that would bring great joy. The shepherds didn’t waste time puzzling over why God would choose to tell them about it. Rather, they took the opportunity, and rejoiced at their good fortune.

III. A Joyful Visit
Following the angel’s instruction, they soon found the Baby, and joyfully worshipped Him. It was a moment that must have been vividly remembered for the rest of their lives.

They had nothing to bring, except their worship and good wishes.

They were overjoyed at their privilege.

The could not keep from telling others, everyone they met, about what they had seen. The Bible says that those they told wondered at what the shepherds had said. Although the people didn’t quite know what to make of it, they knew something very unusual had happened.  The shepherds returned to their sheep glorifying God.

Mary “treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart” (v. 19).

IV. An Example for Today

The shepherds gave a great example of how the Savior should be greeted.  Even Caesar, who gave the order for the census,  should have been there worshipping Christ.  People today should follow the example of the shepherds:

     A. They learned who Jesus was and how He could be found.

              God reveals to people today who is blessed Son is, as Savior and Lord, and through the
proclamation of the Gospel, we learn how we can find Him.

     B. They sought Him in faith.

              Once a person hears about who Jesus is, the wisest thing to do is seek Him in faith. The shepherds weren’t necessarily men of great faith, but they exercised the faith they had and trusted in the angel’s message. They followed the instructions and soon found the Lord.

      C. They rejoiced when they found Him.

               When a lost sinner finds Jesus, it is an occasion for great rejoicing. There is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner being saved.  The shepherds knew this was a wonderful thing. Can you imagine how they tried to share this news with others?  When Christ comes into our lives, we will naturally want to tell others. And not just at that moment, but from then on. 

              The shepherds were probably telling people about their experience from then on! When the wise men sought Jesus, we are told that “when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”
              

When we receive Christ we’ll rejoice. We must rejoice when we know it’s really true! At this Christmas season, are you rejoicing over the salvation of the Lord? That’s why Jesus came - to offer salvation and eternal life to all who receive Him by faith. He made the full payment for the sins of all believers by His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection. Let’s pray that people will come to understand who He is and will seek Him in faith.
               
Merry Christmas!

(Note: written for publication in December, but not published due to my error. Apologies.)

The Christmas Spirit

The Child Jesus with the Virgin Mary, with the Holy Spirit (represented as a dove) and God the Father, with child John the Baptist and Saint Elizabeth on the right.Painting by Bartolomeo Esteban Murillo, c.1670. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Luke 2: 1-20
Matthew 2: 1-12

Introduction

Are you ready for Christmas? Do you have the “Christmas spirit”?

Sometimes I’ve felt that by the time I really get in the mood for Christmas, it’s over. Some people are bubbling over with holiday enthusiasm, but there’s always a little of the old Scrooge around.

After the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, we see in the Scriptures a variety of responses from those who were there: the innkeeper, Mary and Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, the townspeople and visitors in town for the census, and later, the Wise Men, King Herod, the Jewish scholars …  Our own response may well be like some of the aforementioned.  It might be a good exercise to evaluate our own attitudes.

I.  The meaning of Christmas, briefly stated, is that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was born, God in human flesh, for the purpose of dying in order to offer us salvation through His sacrificial death, by which He paid for all the sins of all who would believe the Gospel and receive Him by faith, and His resurrection. He was raised from the dead to live and to rule for eternity, and all who receive Him will be with Him.

II. The events are familiar: The angel’s appearances to Mary and Joseph, the Emperor’s decree of a worldwide census for the purpose of taxation, Mary and Joseph making their way to Bethlehem, the City of David, to register. Mary giving birth, as a virgin, to Jesus, in a stable. There was no room in the inn. Although the city was very crowded, and many people could not find proper lodging, yet we have here a symbol of the world’s response to Jesus: No room.

The fact that they had no room at the inn does not indicate dire poverty for the Holy Family, but it does show that even though Jesus is the Son of God, His birth was in very humble circumstances. No palace or mansion.

III. The attitudes and responses
   
      A. Mary and Joseph - chosen by God because of the moral and spiritual fitness for the task (if indeed anyone could be so), they dealt with the harsh realities on the one hand, the divine and glorious meaning on the other. They would not have traded places with anyone.

      B. The innkeeper - probably not knowing about the Messiah being born; preoccupied with business at a busy time. Simply seemed unable to give attention.

      C.  The angels - They express the joy of heaven at the birth of Christ on earth. The One they have adored from their creation is bringing the love of God in a very profound way to people on earth. Truly this was an event to celebrate.

      D. The shepherds - if our attitudes could be like theirs! Full of awe and wonder that God would let them in on His great doings, and give, to them first, the privilege of finding and worshipping the Savior of the world. Everything the angels told them proved true.They found the Baby, they experienced the great joy of it, and they had to tell people what had happened.

        E. The townspeople and visitors - they were very impressed with what the shepherds told them. Evidently they believed it was all true. But, of course, they had important business to take care of, so they couldn’t take time to make a big issue of spreading the word further. Yet they would remember this night in later years.

         F. The Wise Men - They came some time later, maybe after a year or two - when they figured out what the Star they saw might mean. They came probably from Persia, or Babylon (where Daniel the prophet had lived and taught centuries earlier). Possibly they had learned Daniel’s Jewish religion. They knew something of the Scriptures.

             Traditionally we think of three men, possibly kings. We know that the Bible mentioned three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Valuable gifts suitable for a king, symbolizing the fact that Jesus is (as the song says), “King and God and Sacrifice.”
         
             They saw the birth of the Messiah as an event worthy not only of their expensive gifts, but also their long journey, and even their worship.  “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy!” (Matthew 2:10, NKJV)

              They understood both the seriousness and the joy. They knew that God had done something very significant for the benefit of man.

         G. King Herod - Some react to Christ with violent opposition. Herod was enraged to think that some other king might overshadow him in his little empire, especially a baby. He was enraged that the wise men didn’t come back to report to him. In his great anger, he caused great destruction to the innocent, and accomplished nothing to help himself. In a few years he was dead, bearing the weight of even more sin, leaving a legacy of horror.

         H. The Jewish scholars - They who gave Herod and the wise men the information concerning the birth of the Messiah, themselves expressed no interest whatsoever beyond relating the Scriptural prophecies. They showed themselves to be spiritually dead, even though they were learned in the Scriptures. What a contradiction! Yet there have always been religious leaders who had religious knowledge, but no real concern about the substance of it in their own lives.  We find, as we study the life of Jesus, that the religious authorities were usually more concerned about protecting their supposedly secure position, than in any real relationship with God or actual ministry to people. And ultimately, even though they were willing to defend it at all costs, they lost it.

              Their attitude is perhaps the hardest to understand, yet at the same time not uncommon.

 IV. Do any of these attitudes describe us?  Which ones are pleasing to God?

   
           A. God the Father wants us to accept His Son as we accept the Father Himself.
           
            B. God sent His Son specifically for our benefit.
                  1. He brings us eternal salvation if we trust in Him
                  2. He brings us the only real peace we can find in this world (Prince of Peace)
           
            C. How could we not receive Him with joy as the wise men did; rejoice at His birth and what God has told us, as the shepherds did; endure the momentary adversities knowing God is preparing us for eternity, as Mary and Joseph did?

                 Like the innkeeper, we have important business to take care of. But not more important than recognizing the Son of God. Not more joy-filled than truly finding and worshipping the Savior.

Conclusion

May God make this Christmas one of your best, and may it be filled with the joy and love of Christ for you and your loved ones.

The real Christmas Spirit is the Holy Spirit, Christ in you.