December 25, 2011
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The Most Important Event (Luke2:1-20)
A. The greatest prophesy ever to be fulfilled
1) In all of history
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 his own town to register. (1-3)
2) The God who became like us
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 room for them in the inn. (4-7)
3) What this means for the world
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 of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ 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, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (8-14)
B. Our response to this great event
1) Confirming
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (15,16)
2) Spreading the news
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (17,18)
3) Reflecting
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (19)
4) Praising God
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (20)
Summary
Christmas is when God took on human form and came into the world through the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the day when the path of peace was set before us. Our world begins to change as we humble ourselves before God and turn to him. Choosing to walk with God means that we strive to know Jesus more, to introduce Jesus to others, to remember Christmas (just as the Israelites remember Passover), and to continue praising God.
For Discussion
1) Why was Jesus laid in a manger?
2) What is a person "on whom God's favor rests" like?