Christmas Eve Hope (4)

Intro

Things dont always go as planned

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,

THIS IS THE MOST INOPPURTUNE TIME FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. A CITY WITH NO RESOURCES NO SAFE PLACE AND TRAVELING

TRAVELING DURING HOLIDAYS YOU HOPE NOTHING EVENTFUL HAPPENS......

7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

THE MANGER WAS THE BEST SHE HAD AND IT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR JESUS. THATS WHAT HE HAS ALWAYS ASKED FOR.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

WHY WERE THEY REALLY TEREFIED? ITS NOT WHAT YOU THINK

THE HOLINESS AND GREATNESS OF GOD HAD JUST SHOWN AROUND THEM AND ALL THEIR FILTHYNESS WAS SEEN AS IT WAS

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL THAT DESPITE OUR UNRIGHTEOUSNES, GOD SAYS DO NOT BE AFRAID AND I HAVE GOOD NEWS

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

WHY IS THERE DISCONNECT OVER THE NEXT 35 YEARS

THAT BABY WAS JUST A MISTAKE THAT WE THOUGHT IT TO BE

Our Hope is that things will always go as God plans