Christmas Day 2022

God’s Will Isn’t Always Comfortable

Luke 2:1-3 “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town.”

Luke 2:4 “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,”

Joseph had two reason to be angry.

1. The government forced Joseph to make a long trip to pay his taxes but when they arrived they couldn’t find a place.

2. He had to travel a long distance with his pregnant wife.

Luke 2:5 “to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.”

Luke 2:6 “And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.”

Luke 2:7 “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

1. Gods will doesn’t guarantee comfortable lives but we are promised our discomfort will have meaning. Blessed is the one who endures until the end for he shall receive the crown of life which God gives to those who love Him.

Angel and then Host Of Angels appear to the shepherds.

Luke 2:8 “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”

Luke 2:9 “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.”

Luke 2:10 “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Angel declared I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Shepherds find Promised Sign and deliver the message

Luke 2:12 “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.””

Luke 2:13 “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,”

Luke 2:14 ““Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””

Is there peace in the world today? No, but there is peace with God.

Luke 2:15 “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.””

Luke 2:16 “And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:17 “And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.”

Shepherds share what angels said “unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” v. 11

Miracle Treasured and Pondered

Luke 2:18 “And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”

Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

Mary knew because she’d seen an angel.

Luke 1:31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”

Luke 2:20 “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

Luke 2:21 “And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”

The Heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.

The shepherds returned , glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told.