The First Noel

Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for a census to be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was going to be registered for the census, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child. Now it happened that while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guest room. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” And it happened that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary was treasuring all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as was told them.

The Census

Covered the entire Roman Empire (inhabited earth)

Governor of Syria

Registered in the City where the family was from

Nazareth

Known as the City of the Vow

The Nazarene vow

Samson

Jesus

Known for its pacifism

Would not join the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, or the Sanhedrin

Were not known for their loyalty to the nation of Israel

Were not known as Zealots

Had a “poor” reputation

“Has anything good from Nazareth?”

A Messianic Announcement

What is the Good News? -

Of - Great Joy

For - All the People

A - Savior

Savior from:

Self (Mental and Emotional)

“Every one of us has a weapon, and the weapon you must surrender is your will. Your selfish wants, your ambitions, your determination to do everything your way-surrender your weapon. Your insistence on living to gratify your appetite for pleasure, material things, money, fame, and the applause of others-surrender your weapon. Your spitefulness, your bitterness, your blaming, your vengefulness, your anger, your lashing out at others-surrender your weapon.” - Dr. Michael Youssef

Sin

The conscious rebelling against God, to miss a mark, lawlessness and anarchy

Separation (Death)

Without breath, life

Who - Messiah (Christ)

Anointed individual (Incarnation) to deliver peace and redemption

Glory to God results in peace on Earth

Only those God is pleased with will find peace

Pleased - Satisfied, Content,

Peace - calmness, tranquility, silence, smoothness

Only through faith can anyone please God

Faith comes by hearing

The Shepherds heard the message from the Angels

Faith is forged by hope

The Shepherds left toward the location of Mary, Joseph and the Child

Faith is built on evidence

The Shepherds discovered, found, and witness exactly what the Angels had said

The Great Joy

Treasured

Contemplating on the moment, thinking about what is taking place in the past, present, and what it means for the future