Better Days Are Coming

Luke 2:8–10

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Intro:

THERE was a boy who was looking at the reflection of the moon shining in a pond. A friend of his threw a stone into the pond and the water began to ripple. The boy said, "What happened to the moon?" For the stone in the pond so rippled the water that he could no longer see the reflection of the moon and it looked like the moon was gone.

His older friend said, "When you can't see the moon in the pond, stop looking at the pond and look up to the moon because the moon hasn’t gone anywhere."

Better Days Are Coming….

The word Advent means ''coming'' or ''arrival,'' and the season is traditionally a time of expectation, waiting, anticipation, and longing.

Advent is not just an extension of Christmas-it is a season that links the past, present, and future.

Advent offers us the opportunity to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, to celebrate His birth, and to be alert for His second coming.

Advent is an opportunity to set all that aside.

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and help us place our focus on a far greater story than our own-the story of God's redeeming love for our world. It's not a season of pretending to be happy or covering up the pain or hardships we have experienced during this year or continue to experience-it is a season of digging deep into the reality of what it means that God sent His Son into the world to be Immanuel, ''God with us.''I'd like to even suggest that in the craziness and uncertainty of this year, we've been given a gift.

As I look forward to the coming year, I do so with great anticipation and expectation. The God who blessed us so abundantly this year is well able to bring continued blessing in the New Year. He is not limited or hindered by the troubles and issues that society as a whole faces. Our God is able to accomplish what He pleases, at all times and in every circumstance.

We've been given the opportunity to rediscover Christmas.

Jesus offers us peace in the midst of perplexity. Sadly, Christmas is not a time for peace in the lives of many, especially for some us . We have allowed the stresses of this season to vanquish our peace.

Transition

We now come to chapter two of Luke and find the story behind the arrival Jesus Christ. What were the circumstances of Christ’s arrival into the world? What was actually going on in Israel and the Roman empire? This chapter provides some of the answers and will give us understanding of what really took place.

Burdened vv1-2

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

The purpose of the decree was to take a census of the people. which means “to enter in a register or to enter in public records the names of men, their property, and their income.” Such censuses were taken every fourteen years. This census record was then used for taxing purposes later by the Romans.

The Romans taxed their citizens heavily..

Bothered vv 3-5

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

It is easy to understand the difficulty. Mary went with Joseph and she was in the last days of her pregnancy. The baby could come at any moment.

A lot of traveling was taking place on the highways.

There were probably lots of donkey delays and wagon jams on the roads. It was ninety miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem and it would take four days to get there. The trip would be hard and hazardous. It seems cruel to ask a woman in her condition to make such a long trip. If anyone ever had a legitimate excuse to remain at home, Mary certainly had one. Nevertheless, she went with her husband and it was hard on both of them.

Birth vv6-7

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Three things should be noted.

a. The taxation was used by God to fulfill His plan for the birth of the Messiah.

b. The taxation forced Joseph to Bethlehem. Everyone had to return to the city of his birth.

c. The taxation led to the fulfillment of Scripture, despite man’s plans.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, The word “there” refers to Bethlehem. We have already noted that Scripture (Micah 5:2) said that Christ would be born in Bethlehem.

Bethlehem means “house of bread,” the ideal birthplace for the Bread of Life (John 6:35

v6 The days were accomplished that she should be delivered” God’s promises are not always filled quickly, but they often take much time. Mary had to wait nine months before “accomplished” would be written on the promise given her.

The time that was ended was the fulness of time. Mary’s time and God’s time were the same time. Paul said, “But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law” (Galatians 4:4). God is never too early and He is never too late. He is always on time and His time is always right. In His perfect timing God sent forth His Son into the world.

Bewildered vv 8-9

v8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

There were shepherds abiding in the fields, these men were working and it was night time.

I find it interesting that the ''Light of the World''was born into a world that was ruled by darkness. These men were taking their turn watching the sheep, in which each man most likely watched for a period of three hours at a time.

Better Days Are Coming Why because,

I.Better Addressees Our Fears.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not:

“Fear not!” is one of the key themes of the Christmas story. The angel first addressed the problem of the fear of the shepherds.

First, the command in the statement. “Fear not”

This command was also given Zacharias (Luke 1:13) But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and Mary (Luke 1:30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.when the angel gave them Divine announcements. This command would be difficult to obey. Obeying God is not easy but it is the best way to live.

The coming of Christ frees us from our fears. Fear is slavery and the gospel of Jesus Christ delivers us from our fears. With the gift of Christ God gave us many things but fear was not one of them. Paul said to Timothy, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). The love of God liberates us from our fears. John said, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

II. Better Announces Our Favor.

v10 for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

The comfort in the statement.

“Behold, I bring you good tidings”. This news would help them to “fear not.” The word translated “bring you good tidings” is the word that gives us the English word evangelize and evangelism.

The cheer in the statement.

Good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10). The news of Jesus Christ is the greatest cause of joy known to mankind.

III. Better Activates Our Faith.

v12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

The angel gave the shepherds an important sign in the angelic statement. First, the proof in the sign. “Ye shall find.” The sign was proof that what the angel said was true. The work of Christ comes with much proof.

Second, the precept in the sign. “Ye shall find.” The precept is implied. Telling the shepherds what they would find was an indirect way of telling them to seek the Savior.

Third, the promise in the sign. “Ye shall find.” The promise was not apart from obedience to the seeking.

Fourth, the particulars of the sign. “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” There were three specific things the shepherds would find: (1) child, (2) clothes, and (3) crib. The crib would be the most unusual aspect of the sign and also the most surprising aspect of the sign.

IV. Better Assures Our Future.

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,

Good will toward men.

The word shalom (peace) means much more than a truce in the battles of life. It means well-being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness. It has to do more with character than circumstances. Life was difficult at that time just as it is today.