The Ever-Giving Gift

​Luke 2:7–14 NKJV7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 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, goodwill toward men!”

In this time of giving gifts - the perfect gift of Christmas is Jesus - He is one whole package of goodness - the perfect gift!In an impoverished world, Jesus brought His riches.Jesus was born in the poorest of situationsUnder oppression, Joseph and Mary were forced to travel to Bethlehem for the censusThe literal place of birth is not a place that a baby should be born..

​Luke 2:7 NKJV7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Talk about poverty, people in shelters --Jesus identified in our poverty

​2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Poverty is not only material, there is also spiritual poverty — false richesIn a dark world, Jesus shined His light.In that dark night… (stargazing)The darkness of man’s hearts (injustice, inequailty.. man’s inhumanity to man)The shepherds were outcasts of Israel’s society.. why not to priests, lawyers or scribes— grace of God,

​Luke 2:8–9 NKJV8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

The glory of the Lord shone around them… Light and darkness do not fight for space,.. the presence of light makes darkness disappear — everything is seen.In a cynical world, Jesus gave hope.What is the opposite of hope? --, despair (true), hopelessness (true)Not everyone is in despair, we cannot say that all of mankind feels hopelessness.In the evil and just the ugliness of the world around us, most people accept that the world can be better, something has to change — but they have given up and have just accepted that things will be the way it is, “it is what it is”, This is cynicism, people have become cynical, there is so much evil — but resigned to the fact, nothing can change that.. (talk more)There is no hope — hope has been replaced by cynicism.. this exists even in the church.The world into which Christ was born (explain the times in Jerusalem)

​Luke 2:10 NKJV10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

Same words - “Fear Not”Tidings of great joy..He used the word which means to preach the good news..Bring you Tidings = Preach the Gospel In our troubled world, Jesus brought peaceAngels said tidings of great joy is for “ALL THE PEOPLE” - The good news is for all the people.This good news was received at a time when the world had known so much warRoman peace or Pax Romana was in effect for years, but true peace is not brought about by the absence of war..But look at Luke 2:11-12

​Luke 2:11–12 NKJV11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

When a savior that can bring peace was needed in the world, the Savior Who came was not a military ruler, a commander of an army, a judge or a great diplomat or reformer.Jesus did not just come for a war-torn world, He came for the war-torn heart.Jesus’ Name means God saves.

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

Jesus came to bring the peace that everyone in the world needs:The peace of the heart ShalomWarren Wiersbe said this:

​The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: The Lord Is Come! (Luke 2)The Jewish word shalom (peace) means much more than a truce in the battles of life. It means well-being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness. It has to do more with character than circumstances. Life was difficult at that time just as it is today. Taxes were high, unemployment was high, morals were slipping lower, and the military state was in control. Roman law, Greek philosophy, and even Jewish religion could not meet the needs of men’s hearts. Then, God sent His Son!

There is a greater “truce” (between God and man)The cross - He Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2)

​Ephesians 2:14–18 NKJV14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Our response is to trust in the Lord Jesus and His finished work on the cross..... we ourselves can bring tidings of great joy to all people, in other words we can preach the Gospel to everyone.That is why Christ came!God will be glorified!God can glorify Himself in our poverty, our darkness, our cynicism, and in the midst of our trouble. Read together:

​Luke 2:13–14 NKJV13 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, goodwill toward men!”

We can have the the light of God, joy, hope, peace and spiritual riches in Christ today, when the baby that was born on that one silent night can be born in your hearts to reside with you forever.

Luke 2:13–14 (ESV)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”