Christ has Come

Luke 2:7–20 (ESV)

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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!”

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.

Introduction

Merry Christmas!

in two days, we will wake up and celebrate the birth of our savior in many beautiful ways..

And I hope that this season brings you joy, hope, peace, and a reminder of the beautiful gift we have been givin in the birth of Jesus.

Finish the series

Today were going to finish our christ is come series.

Three weeks ago we talked about the expectation christmas brings, the expectation that was in israel when Jesus was born and the expectation we have today of the second coming of christ.

Last week we talked about the high cost of christmas..

and the price that many paid, including the high cost Jesus himself paid, to enter this world in the flesh and be born.

and today were going to finish by talking about the arrival of Jesus and what it means for us today that Jesus has come into the world.

Different

Today though, we have the kids with us in the santuary..

And with this being a family service were going to do something a little different..

I’m going to need some help from some of the kids in a few moments as we talk about the christmas story.

are there any kids this morning that would like to help me?

You can bring a family member if you need too.

Quiet..

ok what I need you to do is this..

I need you to sit quietly..

and in a few moments im going to pick some helpers..

but were gonna need a lot of helpers so dont worry..

everyone can participait..

ok?

ok lets go..

The christmas story..

luke chapter 2 tells us the story of the birth of JEsus..

and thats where we are going to base ourselves today..

We going to go through the story..

and look at what it means for us today that Jesus came 2000 years ago..

and if we lean in and really look at this passage i know you will see something that give us hope still today..

begining

In luke 2:7

we find mary and joesph in bethleham.

And they are here because ceasar has called a census

and so joseph being from bethelham has brought a very prenant mary with him to be counted..

no room

and while they are here..

the bible tells us that the time comes for her to give birth to the baby..

but there was a problem..

bethleham was so crowded at the time because of the censis that there was no room in a normal place to stay..

so mary and jospeh are forced to take up shelter in a stable..

and we find that its here Jesus is born…

I need a boy and girl who wanna be mary and joseph for me..

and maybe a couple animals..

come on up and sit down..

Mary has the baby

(mary, joseph and some animals)

**Ask the two kids.....”what do you think is the signifigance that Jesus was born in a manger.. what does it mean?”**

We talked about this last week..

its would seem silly that the king of the world..

would be born in a manger..

you would think the king of the world would be born in a palace..

but we know JEsus was no ordinary king..

and by being born in a manger..

Jesus shows us his true purpose in coming to earth..

not to get fame and money.. and to be popular and royal..

but to humble himself..

our passage in philippians 2 late week reminded us of this..

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus being born in a manger symbolized his humility..

the lowering of ones self in importance to others..

Jesus humbled himself from birth..

and his life was marked with humility..

because you and I were more important to him than anything he could have gotten by being born in a palace..

Jesus was humble..

He was born in a manger..

Birth announcements

the next thing you know..

There are birth announcments going out..

you parents know..

it was time to let people know Jesus was born..

and god does just this..

he sends a heavenly announcment to let the world know JEsus was born.

but again it doesnt happen as we think it should..

instead of telling those who we would think are important..

God tells and unlikely group of people..

shepherds..

I need a couple shepherds.. and some sheep..

Shepherds in the Field

(2 Shepherds with staffs, 3-4 sheep)

the bible says here in the area of bethleham there was a group of shepherds..

considered some of the least imporant people in their day..

and they were minding their own business..

just watching the sheep..

and suddenly something happens..

and angle appears with an important message.. ..

I need an angle..

Angel of God Appears

(1 Angel with flashlight)

and the bible says the glory of the lord shown amoung them..

(Shine your light angle)

and they were afriad

(Be afriad sheppherds)

but the angle says..

dont be afriad..

I have good news..

Good News

Did you know thats what the word gospel means..

the story of Jesus and our salvation..

the gospel..

it means goods news..

the angles tells the shepherds..

im about to tell you something really good..

your gonna like this..

and look what else he says..

For All People

this is for all people..

this isnt jest for you..

but for everyone..

not just for bethleham…

not just of the jews even..

but for ALL PEOPLE!!

EVERYONE!!!..

**ask a kid....Who do you think the angle was talking about?**

He was talking about everyone!!!

You.. and you.. and you.. and you..

and me..

everyone!!

THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD!!!

**Everyone lets ask the angel... “whats the good news?**

A Savior is Born

look what the angle says in verse 11 and 12

Luke 2:11–12 (ESV)

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.”

the angle tells the shepherds..

a savior has been born..

Savior

what is a savior?

a savior is somone who rescues you from trouble..

in this case..

**ask the kids..”who can tell me what Jesus rescued us from?”**

thats right.. our sin..

Jesus came.. and was born..

so later he could give his life..

to pay the price for our sin..

Romans 3:23–24 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We were sinners..

far from god..

unable to save ourselves..

but JEsus came into the world..

llives a sinless life..

and gave his life on a cross as the sacrifice of death that took our place..

and thats why paul will write in romans 10..

Romans 10:9–11 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Because Jesus was born..

and because he later gave his life..

we can be saved..

we can have a relationship with god..

THATS GOOD NEWS ISNT IT??

as if this wasnt overwelming enough..

the bible says a whole host of angles appears..

All the rest of the kids!! you can come up if you want.. quickly..

More Angels Appear

(more Angles)

look at all the angles...

some of you parents are asking if I should use the world angle..

now listen to what the host told the shepherds..

*Kids Repeat after me..*

“Glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace amoung those with whom he is well please”

Peace comes from knowing the savior

peace amoung those in whom he is well please..

peace..

what is peace?

its the stillness of the heart and soul..

its is the it is well with my soul moment..

where the internal waves are stilled..

today

there are some of you here today..

you dont have much peace..

peace doesnt come from more money..

it doesnt come from a big house..

or perfect health…

peace comes from god..

and transcends circumstances..

that means you can have peace..

even when it doesnt look like you should..

but look who the angles said the peace is for..

those in whom god is well pleased..

how do we please god?

we serve him..

we accept the gift of salvation through the coming of Jesus he has given us..

And peace comes into our hearts..

Peace comes from knowing Jesus as savior

(Mrs donna)

Altar Call

We all know how the story ends..

the shepherds come to Jesus..

and they see the baby as the angles said they would..

and they leave rejoicing..

today

I want to give you a simalar oppurtunity today..

that if you dont know the peace of god that was offered to us at christmas..

to come to jesus..

and leave this place rejoicing today for the salvation you have bene given..

will you bow your heads?

Ending

can we sing this one more time as we end?

sing oh “come all yee faithful/ o come let us adore him”