Christ in the Christmas Story

Intro

Merry Christmas

Grab a bible turn to Luke Chapter 2

Thank you for joining us as we .. Introduce self.

My Prayer this morning is that the Lord would prepare are hearts for tomorrow?

If you walk in Joyfull or sorrowful… The Word of God has something for you

We are going to look at the Christmas story told out of Lukes Gospel Chapter 2.

who/What are we here to celebrate?

Tradition is beautiful but…

Biblical Community is wonderful but…

It is so great to worship with family but…

We are here to celebrate the coming of Christ, and the fact that he will one day come again.

This what is means when we say Christmas

Christ…. = The one we are celebrating.

Mas = shortened for Mass = Eucharist, the coming together to celebrate that Christ came.

Todays text is Luke Chapter 2..

We are going to look at the perspective of the Christmas Story from the Shepherds.

How is Christ revealed to them? How do they respond.

Big Idea: The arrival of Jesus demands a response.

The Backdrop

Cesar Augustus

Issues a decree

a Census for the purpose of taxation

This requires Mary and Joseph to Return to Bethlehem to be accounted for.

2. King Herod

Recorded in Matthews Gospel

The text records that once he heard the messiah was to come he sent his men to kill all boys under two near Bethlehem.

So they are on the run from him.

3. The Journey

90 Miles

by donkey

1 week of travel

mountainous terrain

4. The Manger

Once they arrive at Bethlehem there is no where for them to stay.

What is a manger?

at best a poor home where the stable is near where the people sleep

at worst born in an ancient barn

in both scenerios the best picture we have is a feed troth born in a feed trough

Transition:

This is the backdrop to the scene in which Jesus enters the world.

How would you describe it? Stressful, Chaotic, tiring, Lonely, fearful, etc. Yet this is contrasted with the scene that follows a powerful decleration from a heavenly being pick up with me in verse 9.

Who is Jesus?

Luke 2:9–14 ESV

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

The Declaration from the Angel to the shepherd.

1.Do not be afraid

Do not be afraid of me (Because Angels are alot scarier describing then we depict them)

Fear shouldn't exist when you hear the message I am about to bring.

2. Good News

Gospel

Not just good for you but good for all..

3. A Savior

the one who saves you…

The savior of the world

the one who makes it all right

Hope, Peace, Joy, Love all arive when Jesus his the scene.

4. The Messiah

The Chosen one

the foretold one

the promised one by God to rescue the Jewish people.

The one spoken of by the prophets this is who is its.

5. The Lord

Your Lord

God himself

The one you will submit your actions to.

The one in control of all.

6. A baby

Entering the world the same way we all do.

Hows he gonna get here……

not a warrior. not a king… …

7. All Glory to God

Gods Glory is all over this….

This what we see with the arrival of Jesus.

Transition: This is who God is, and when you hear about the person of Jesus you cant help but respond… the text cointues pick up in verse 15

What is our Response?

Luke 2:15–20 ESV

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.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The Journey of following Christ is modeled for us in the shepherds.

Search for him. V 16

The Angel Speaks and they run

Friends if this is true about Jesus our hearts must do the same.

2. Find him. 17

They Witness him.

As have so many…

3. Tell others about him 18

This child goes on to perform miracles.

To die on the cross.

so many have witnessed the glory of Jesus the savior.

4. Praise God and give him Glory. 20

they went on praising.

This is the response of our lives.

Pray