Introduction:

Christmas! Merry Christmas! What comes to your mind, instantly, when you hear Christmas? Is it gifts? Is it Santa? Is it Family? What truly comes to your mind when you hear the word, Christmas?

There is nothing wrong with having memories of family and gifts. Truly, we should always think about Jesus, for He is the reason for the season. I guess, depending on your logic, there’s nothing wrong with thinking of children stories that have been passed down through the ages.

I hope though, that all of us, would remember why we celebrate Christmas. For Christmas, truly is the best story to tell and share about good tidings of great joy. This message is for all.

Opening Passage:

Luke 2:1–7 KJV

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Focus Passage: Luke 2:8-20

Outline:

Good tidings of great joy

Luke 2:8–10 KJV

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Good tidings of great joy for the lowly - ‘And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over the flock by night’

Shepherding was not a trade in which all wanted to be a part of. It was a despised and lonely vocation. Many were accused of stealing land or sheep. Many hours worked were at night, which made for dark, cold, and lonely hours. Truly this a picture of the lost, dark, and lonely world. The world in which each and everyone us live in.

Shepherds have another side that most did not see, but God did. As stated in the Holman New Testament Commentary

“Yet, shepherds had a tender side, counting the sheep constantly (Jer. 33:12–13), lifting the weak on their shoulders (see Isa. 40:11), and creating crude pens where the sheep could sleep (John 10:1).”[1]

We ought not judge a book by the cover and realize that everyone of us need the message of Christmas. We all need good tidings of great joy.

Good tidings of great joy from a heavenly messenger - ‘And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them’

Good tidings of great joy that brought assurance - ‘…and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not’

Good tidings of great joy for all - ‘which shall be all people’

1) God’s message to all is a message of blessing –‘good tidings’

2) God’s message to all is a message of delight –‘great joy’

The promised Messiah

Luke 2:11–12 KJV

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

God himself, in the flesh, has come – ‘which is Christ the Lord’

John 1:1–2 KJV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.

God himself, in the flesh, brought redemption– ‘a Savior’

This redemption came through the most unlikely of sources, a baby, For unto you is born this day. This redemption came through the most unlikely of places, in the city of David.

God himself, in the flesh, was undeniable– ‘And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying a manger’

What is your response

Luke 2:15–19 KJV

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Are you going to seek out the truth – ‘the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem’

1. Let us seek the truth in haste – ‘let us now go…And they came with haste’

2. Let us know we will see the truth – ‘and see this thing which is come to pass…and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger’

3. Let us know that he which promised is faithful– ‘which the Lord hath made known unto us’

Hebrews 10:23 KJV

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Are you going to tell others the truth – ‘And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child’

1) Not all will accept the truth of the gospel

2) Not all will reject the truth of the gospel

3) All will wonder about the gospel – ‘And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told t hem by the shepherds’

How can they ever wonder, accept, or reject, unless they are first told? As Paul wrote to the church at Rome, How then shall they call on him in whom they have believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher (Romans 10:14 KJV)?It is our responsibility to go and share!

Are you going to allow the truth to resonate in your soul – ‘But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart’

Let us praise the King

Luke 2:13–14 KJV

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:20 KJV

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Praises in the heavenly, our example – ‘And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God’

The reason for our praise

1) God is to receive all honor and glory – ‘and saying, Glory to God in the highest’

2) God brought spiritual prosperity to man – ‘and on earth peace’

3) God brought spiritual satisfaction to man – ‘good will toward men’

Let us continue the praise that have begun – ‘And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.’

Conclusion:

Let us celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Let us continue to go, seek, find, and share God’s message of good tiding and great joy, the gospel. May we never forget the true reason we celebrate Christmas and may it forever be to the glory of the Father.

[1] Butler, T. C. (2000). Luke (Vol. 3, p. 29). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.