The Night Before Christmas

God’s plan isn’t to make our life easy or convenient. God’s plan is to fulfill HIS promise because of HIS love and HIS joy to be with us. That’s why Jesus had to come down to us so that we can be with HIM.

Mary and Joseph had a hard life and the first Christmas made it even more difficult but it was full of unexpected delights. God’s plan and purpose is never easy or comfortable but it’s always delightful.

Luke 2:1–7 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. 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.

There was a mandatory census that would require this couple who is expecting a baby any day to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem over 100 mile trip via donkey. To say this was inconvenient would be a huge understatement.

It was the inconvenience that made everything beautiful.

Mary and Joseph just did what they were supposed to do and trusted that God would work it out.

When they arrived at Bethlehem to only lodging available was a cave set aside for the animals. That’s where Jesus was born,

not in a crib but a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes,

not in a room but under the stars, in the cold.

It was all part of God’s plan…

But we expect nothing less then beautiful warmth, bright and gift wrapped in colorful bows under a perfectly decorated tree.

But nothing was ideal for the Christ of Christmas because it was the mess that made everything perfect.

Even though it was inconvenient, it was the inconvenience that made Christmas beautiful.

As Jesus was being born, an angel, a heavenly messenger came to shepherds watching there flocks by night.

Luke 2:9–14 ESV

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. 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.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”

Shepherds… why would God give this incredibly amazing news to Shepherds…

It was the surprise invitations that made Christmas special

It was the surprisingly ordinary, lowly people who would be God’s chosen guests to see HIS Son coming to earth.

Shepherds, working the night shift, not looking for the Messiah, just doing there job tending their sheep in the dark of night.

But the sheep they were shepherding were ones that going to be sacrificed at the temple in Jerusalem so the people could worship God.

They knew the cost of worship, they were raising the best so the people could offer the best to God in worship.

They had a personal angelic invitation from a heavenly host of angels explaining in detail the birth of this very special baby.

Luke 2:15–17 ESV

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.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.

These shepherds believed the news from the angels and went to Bethlehem and saw Mary and Joseph and this little baby lying in a manger just as they were told.

The response from the shepherds was that they could not stop talking about Jesus.

Luke 2:18 ESV

18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

These shepherds told everyone who would listen all that they had seen and heard. Often people who try to tell all that they know are politely avoided. It can be boring to listen to someone who never stops to take a breath.

But the people listened to the shepherds because:

Shepherds were not supposed to know much, but these shepherds had startling information.

The message was revolutionary, breathtaking, and transformative. It changed listeners’ lives because it changed their lives.

The shepherds spoke from the heart, and their words connected to the deepest needs of others.

Luke 2:20 ESV

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

When you tell about Jesus, Tell the story of God in your life, with what you know best, your life experience.

Tell how Jesus is your prince of peace in the midst of chaos… that Jesus Joy is seeing God’s promise unfold in the midst of darkness, depression and painful seasons…

Your words will change many, and God will use you to change the world.

God will shine bright through those who glorify and praise HIS Name.

You cannot help but see the light. When the night is at its darkest, the light will shine the brightest.

Be the light… as you glorify and praise the name of Jesus, God will shine bright through you.

Shining bright isn’t attention seeking, it doesn’t reflect you, it reflects Jesus.

It’s delighting in the moment, taking it all in, and watching God work and praising God in the moment.

Mary’s response to Christmas was that she simply sat and took it all in.

Luke 2:19 ESV

19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

“Treasured” means deep reflection, “pondering in the heart” mulling it over, seeking to understand and interpret.

Mary had a lot to think about as she gazed into the face of her tiny child.

Gabriel had told her that the little boy would reign forever;

The shepherds reported the angel’s words—he is the Savior, Christ the Lord.

As Mary held this tiny baby, she must have wondered at all that God was doing, and who her son would grow up to become.

When…

Luke 1:38 (ESV)

38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

She said yes to something amazing… beyond her… bigger then just raising an ordinary child.

When Christmas was over, Mary and Joseph would face the lonely and difficult task of raising a son in a dark world. But God never left her alone but used her to be a blessing to so many.

You may be taking in a lot but just sit and treasure the moment. God hasn’t left you alone. Let the presence of Jesus shine bright within you. HE is not finished, this is only HIS birth, the humble entrance into our world and HE hasn’t left us… He is still Emmanuel God with us.

Light the Candle - Sing silent night

Let the presence of Jesus illuminate you this Christmas as you reclaim Christmas for Jesus.