Why the Nativity?

The Promise Fulfilled: The Nativity's Divine Purpose

Bible Passage: Luke 2:1–17

Summary: The nativity story in Luke 2:1-17 retells the humble birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, highlighting themes of hope, divine intervention, and the fulfillment of prophecy as the shepherds respond to the angel's announcement.

Application: This sermon reminds us that God often works in unexpected places and ways, encouraging believers facing uncertainty or humility to trust in His plans and purposes. Knowing that Christ came into the world in such humility can inspire individuals to find beauty in their own struggles and divine calling.

Teaching: The teaching focuses on understanding the nativity as a pivotal moment in salvation history where God reveals His plan through Jesus' humble beginnings, emphasizing the importance of humility and hope in the Christian faith.

How this passage could point to Christ: The Christological focus of the nativity illuminates how Jesus' humble birth fulfills Old Testament prophecies, establishing Him as the Messiah who identifies with the lowly and marginalized, which is seen throughout His earthly ministry.

Big Idea: The nativity of Jesus embodies God's promise of hope and redemption, brought forth in the most humble circumstances to illuminate the profound truth that God uses the ordinary to achieve the extraordinary.

1. Ordinary Paths, Divine Destinations

Luke 2:1-5

note how the decree from Caesar Augustus led Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem

This was a direct fulfilling the prophecy of Christ’s birthplace.

We find this prophecy found in the book of Micah

Turn to Micah 5:2

Micah 5:2 KJV 1900

But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

But as well as giving us a fullfillement to old testament prophecy

we also see how this highlights how God orchestrates global events to bring about His promises, encouraging believers to trust in His sovereignty.

Truly how else would the savior have been born in Bethlehem if this tax would not have been so conveniently placed.

See nothing today happens but some strange coincidence everything is happening for a reason and you never know how the Lord is perfectly orchestrating behind the scenes.

reflect on how the mundane obedience of traveling for a census is used by God to fulfill His extraordinary plans.

ILLUSTRATION: During World War II, a seemingly random decision by Prime Minister Winston Churchill to delay a bombing raid ended up saving countless lives. This decision allowed Allied forces to regroup and strategize effectively. Similarly, God often delays our requests or orchestrates events that seem confusing but ultimately serve a greater purpose, as seen in the biblical story of Joseph, whose imprisonment led to his rise as a leader in Egypt, saving many from famine. God's hand is at work even when we cannot see it.

2. Humble Beginnings, Great Promise

Luke 2:6-7

Notice if you will the significance of Jesus’ birth

Jesus the God man could have chose any way to have entered into this earth that he wanted to but he chose to be born in basically a barn surrounded by animals and was laid a stable or basically a feeding trough.

Now you ladies that are in here that have had children im sure when it came time for you to have your kids im sure that a barn was the last place you would choose as the place where to give birth to your child.

But God sends us his son In the most humble manner possible

truthfully the nativity emphasizes humility and God’s identification with the lowly.

you see God’s presence is found in humble beginnings.

See this morning what we need to realize is that God almighty chose possibly the most humble way to come to this earth to limit himself to flesh and to come and truly just be able to empathize with us.

Truly the nativity is important because it shows how humble our Lord is and yet he would come not to be served but to serve and to make the way for me and you to have a way to everlasting life what a God we serve this morning.

ILLUSTRATION: In the grandeur of the universe, God chose to walk among us as a humble carpenter in Bethlehem. This is a profound reminder of His character, showing that the Almighty is not distant or aloof, but intimately involved in our lives. His leadership is rooted in servanthood, epitomized in John 13 when He washed His disciples' feet. Through His actions, He illustrates that true greatness comes from humbling ourselves for others.

3. Shepherds, Messengers of Peace

Luke 2:8-14

You could discuss the shepherds, whose lowly status makes them unlikely heralds of the Messiah’s birth.

See God didnt send his angels to the social elite or to a king or to anybody else.

He sent them to the lowest of the low at this point in civilization

However, the angelic message of peace to these socially marginalized individuals reveals God’s priority on heart over status.

This exemplifies how God repeatedly uses the ordinary to share extraordinary news, inspiring Christians to share their own stories of encountering divine hope.

See God doesn't expect the greatest christian in all the world to share his story.

Merely he is looking for the broken and the rejected and those who society would say isn't worthy of it

But hes looking for those because he knows those kind of people will love him completely and serve him more faithfully than others would.

Church and perfection illustration

4. Immediate Faith, Joyful Proclamation

Luke 2:15-17

conclude with the shepherds’ response, emphasizing immediate faith and action upon the angelic encounter.

Their willingness to see and share what they were told encourages believers to act on divine messages with urgency and faith.

It suggests that a personal encounter with Christ should lead us to proclaim His glory to others, no matter our status.

See from the moment we met jesus in our lives and when he came in it changed everything for us and that is a perfect reason for us to go out and to proclaim what he has done for you and me

A personal Testimony is often times the greatest witnessing tool.

So Overall why the nativity?

because it was the humble way Christ came to this earth to ultimately live a perfect life and one day be killed all because he loved you and I so much

so lets praise him today

Pray