1.4.4 12.24.2023 Baby, Baby Luke 2.1-12

Start:

Entice: Many of us are uncomfortable with change, particularly during Christmas.

The presents change.

The kids grow up.

The cast changes due to diverse circumstances such as

disaster,

dating,

death,

duty,

and

desertion.

Despite the velocity of change we routinely experience we try and keep Christmas grounded in at least some unchanging tradition.

Engage: I think that is good. You may not be able to tell it by looking at me, but I am not only a traditionalist—I’m kind of sentimental. Maybe you’re a softy too.

Most of us try and straddle the divide between what is fundamental to Christmas and what is cutting edge. You may not like A Christmas Story or Christmas Vacation, but most of us at least have a soft spot for our own past, our own family history, our own traditions.

It is essential for the Church to be at least a little sentimental, even protective of our historic, collective experience—our shared past.

Every generation needs to learn how to live out the gospel in its own time and place, we don’t reinvent it we learn how to represent it here and now.

To that end Christmas can be a laboratory for including ancient and modern practices in our mutual life of faith.

Expand: The nativity story is the perfect story to remind us of who we are in Christ and what we hold in common as believers. We know and cherish the formative memories we share and the shaping certainties that unite us as God’s people. The rapid changes of contemporary society pale in comparison with what we share.

God is the common source of all life. Every human creature is made in His image. Every human creature is fallen, and each and every one of us is redeemable. The story of this redeeming promise is at the very heart of this familiar tale.

Luke 2:1–7 (ESV)

1Once upon a time a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

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,

5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

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.

Excite: I am honored to once again be telling the story of the birth of Jesus—to remind a weary world that God is for us, God is with us, God has redeemed us.

Explore: It is a familiar story filled with grace.

Expand: It is familiar because every single Christmas has a few things in common. For example.

Body of Sermon: We share life in a

1 Distracted world.

Luke 2:1–5 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

1.1 Decrees!

1.2 Decisions!

1.3 Details!

(OH my!)

Then and now we share a sense of

2 Dramatic Wonder.

Luke 2:6–10 ESV

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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.

2.1 Birth

2.2 Announcement.

On Christmas we all share the same

3 Divine Word.

Luke 2:11–12 ESV

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

3.1 The Gospel Brings Salvation.

3.2 The Gospel Brings Sovereignty.

Shut Down

A fearful, fatigued, fickle Empire enamored by its own technological tricks. A unique example of one of the greatest human wonders—— a baby’s birth; the scale and impact of which was unfathomable. A word from God, by heavenly messenger: don’t be afraid, It’s OK everything changes, right now! Yes, that is the Gospel.