Christ Came
Notes
Transcript
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city.
4 Now 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,
5 in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was pregnant.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
We sometimes sing the song come thou long expected Jesus
So long had Israel waited for the night we just read about.
They were preparing and waiting for the coming Savior, Messiah, God’s Anointed
Generation after generation
What were they expecting?
God did the unexpected
Born to a virgin of the line of David
In lowly Bethlehem, not the greatest city in Judea
Laid in a stone manger wrapped in swaddling clothes
There were some, though prompted by angels who saw and witnessed the birth of Messiah, the long awaited fulfillment of so many Old Testament prophecies
When Christ came light suddenly broke through the darkness.
The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
The long expected Immanuel came to God people and was born and looked like the common man.
Like one of us.
For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,
And like a root out of dry ground;
He has no stately form or majesty
That we would look at Him,
Nor an appearance that we would take pleasure in Him.
There was no great earthly celebration at His birth, but those who knew who He was celebrated.
we celebrate it now as we have anticipated His birth through this season!
We remember all of this from His first advent to help us to prepare and anticipate His second Advent.
That glorious and wonderful day when He returns!
7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels
As we have lit the Christ candle we should recognize that as His light holders today we want to share the light to lead people to Jesus that they may prepare for His Second Advent!
Let us remember this as we now I light my candle from the light of Christ, to share with you and watch as the light spreads and the darkness can not over power it!
Now we light our candles together and sing silent night!
Dismissal
May we go out of this season of Advent with a renewed sense of our need to prepare with watchful anticipation for His second coming!
May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ-child be yours this Christmas and in the New Year.