The Savior is Born

Children’s Message

Jesus is in the manger. Uncomfortable. But he was there to show he was ready to be with us all the time. Not just the good times, but the hard times too. Also, he has his parents and friends. Some were kids (shepherds like David). They raise him. We should love Jesus too. Just like he loves us. When we believe in him, he is with us while we grow up and as we grow up we learn more about who he is!

CONTEXT

Our lesson comes from the gospel according to Luke. It is story of the birth of Jesus Christ, which occurred about 2,000 years ago.

Luke 2:1–20 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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.

PRAYER

Glorious God, in Jesus your grace appears, bringing salvation to all. Help us to ponder your words of love by the light of your Spirit, that we may proclaim glad tidings of peace and welcome Christ into our world. Amen.

INTRODUCTION

The story of breaking down on the trip to NC. Sunday trip after church. Get there by nightfall. Parent’s pleasant home. Hot shower good night sleep, a few peaceful days off. In GA. About half way into the trip. Hit debris in the road. Tire light came on. Barely made it off the road. Dodgy looking gas station. End of the work day on Sunday. Tow car to somewhere. All places closed. We were stuck and staying in GA. Thank God an inn within short driving distance. Drove the car on three tires across the street to a motel. We’ll worry about the van tomorrow. Rough dingy spot. Later, at least they didn’t have cockroaches…I said, that you saw. Took MJ and Arwen over to Denny’s which was attached.

Why? Why not. It happens to anyone, everyone.

I had room to be grateful…I mean, what if there had been no room in the inn at all? What if we had to sleep in our van?

And this brings us around to Christmas.

When Jesus came into this world, there was no room in the inn.

This tell us something important about who Jesus is and what Christmas is all about…

Exegesis

Out in the fields by night there were shepherds keeping watch over the flocks by night.

Suddenly glory shown all around them.

An angel proclaims to them Good News! Great Joy for all people!

Glory for Israel and a light to the nations! Jew and Gentile alike!

Impact all people, cosmic import!

In the city of David a Savior is Born who is Christ the Lord!

Incredibly meaning laden proclamation from the angel

A Savior is born. One who rescues from danger or bondage or adversity .

Who is Christ/Messiah is born. This Savior is the one promised by God in all the prophets

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Lord is born. One who will speak and act with divine authority.

Isaiah 9:7 “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

He is born in the city of David. The birth-town of the glorious king of the past, David, to whom God promised one day a descendent of his would sit on an eternal throne.

The shepherds are amazed. In their imaginations the child must be: He must be wrapped in silk in a great hall, golden bassinet, tended by his stately parents. Surrounded by priests and prophets and princes.

Up until the 20th century royal babies were usually born at Buckingham Palace or another royal residence.

In the 20th century the trend has been toward births in the hospital, a duly prepared space for the royal family, plus security, and the state officials that may be present.

But then the angel says, this will be the sign for you. You will find a baby lying in a manger.

A feeding trough for animals.

There may have been a momentary quizzical look on the shepherds’ faces. A trough?

But the angel is suddenly surrounded by a great host:

Glory to God in the highest

because of the baby lying in the manger!

And on earth, peace!

because of the baby lying in the manger!

The most robust, powerful, proclamation the gospel ever!

The savior is born and lying in a manger.

The Lord is born and lying in a manger.

The Christ and Messiah is born and lying in a manger!

There is glory to God in the highest because the baby is in a manger!

Peace to the earth because the baby is lying in a manger!

Just as suddenly as the angels had appeared, they disappeared back into heaven.

So the shepherds said to one another. Let us go and see this thing that the Lord God has made known to us.

They hurried into town and searched. An innkeeper said indeed a pregnant couple were in his stable.

They found Mary and Joseph set up in the stalls where the animals were usually kept.

They were a young couple. A tired couple. There was Mary, the new mother. Exhausted from labor. There was Joseph, worn out from transporting his pregnant wife on donkey-back for the past several days,

And the child. Yes, there he was. Their first child. Lying in a feeding trough, wrapped in cloths.

The shepherds may have asked, what are you doing out here with the animals?

Joseph: well not by choice. They would have wanted to be with family, to have a clean and sanitary place to give birth, and a comfortable bed to sleep in. But there was a tax census. They just got into town. No room in the inn. So here they were making the best of it.

But it is nice of you to come by…

But then they talked. The shepherds described the angels. Mary and Joseph may have shared some of their own experiences with angels who promised their son was indeed special.

The shepherds went back into the fields praising God.

Mary and Joseph pondered this in their hearts.

To Mary: You shall be overshadowed by God Almighty, the Holy Spirit will come upon you and you, though a virgin, shall as a virgin give birth to a son, who will be the son of God.

To Joseph: Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child she carries is the Son of God, you shall name the child, Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.

God’s son was born. In a stable. The divine in human flesh, was laid in a manger. This had been a concern for them. A bad thing. But for God, not a problem. In fact, the stable, the manger, the regular cloths, all of it a sign. It was meaningful.

It was on purpose.

Interpretation

On Christmas we celebrate that God came into the world.

Radical claim. God has come into the world through Jesus Christ, the Son of God made flesh.

I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Light from light, God from God… (Apostle’s and Nicene Creed)

It is not only significant that the Son of God came into the world, but also how he came.

He came into a world that was not obligated to give him any breaks or favors.

With his first breath he smelt hay and animals and dirtiness. His first sensation was the rough texture of swaddling clothes and the hard feel of board.

From day one, Jesus embraced what all people are subject to: circumstance and suffering.

By coming not only into the world, but into a manger, he proves with his body, what the angel said in words: he is good news for everyone!.

There was no room in the inn when Jesus was born. And this was on purpose.

Hebrews 2:10–11 “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,”

Isaiah 53:2–5 “…he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. … But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

Paul. Philippians 2:6–8 “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, …

When we say the Son of God has come into the world, we mean he has come into this real world in which we live and joined himself to us.

So, when I was broken down on the road, looking for a motel room. I can believe that God is truly with me.

More seriously, it means that we can go through all the events of life confident that God is with us in Christ.

When facing, financial problems, God understands,his parents were poor.

When family struggles, not all his siblings believed in him.

Sick and tired, Jesus took time out to rest and was weary.

When struck with grief, Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

When facing stresses in our culture, Jesus said from experience, The road is narrow and difficult,

Legal problems, Jesus stood on trial before the Sanhedrin and before Pilate.

Even when facing the moment of our own death, Jesus on the cross, had faith and said I give you back my spirit.

Jesus joined us in our condition. He shared it with us. Lo, I am with you always. That is what makes for peace on earth.

Also for the glory of heaven.

He died and rose again from the dead. So that those who place their trust in him with share in his eternal life. God is glorified by Jesus coming to us and by us coming to him in Christ.

We join with Jesus the same way he joined with us.

Empty oneself.

Love him in return.

Live for him. and share in his experiences.

Die trusting in him and commending to him our spirit.

On that first Christmas day, those shepherds probably got to hold Jesus. Later his famous ministry. His resurrection. I held him when. I knew him when.

Application

Christ was laid in a manger, to communicate to you and I tonight.

Your life, my life, it is messy. Like a stable.

But Jesus comes.

Not matter the condition of your heart. He will come in.

Behold I stand at the door and knock…if anyone will open, I will come in and sup with him or her and they with me…

Our heart is like a manger.

He is ready to be placed there.

So welcome him.

He will live with you. Go through everything with you. When you die, he will bring you to himself.

That alone gives us peace. That is the glory of heaven.

Conclusion

One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess. Yours and mine. What a blessing to receive him now. so we can say then…

I knew him when…

CLOSING PRAYER

Your glory shines around us, Lord; your light banishes the darkness. We join the angels and all the heavenly host, worshiping you with songs of heartfelt praise. All creation shouts the good news of great joy: chains are broken, burdens are lifted, wounds are healed. This is God's doing. Let the world rejoice in the goodness of the Lord! Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Gracious and Holy God, On this night, we have heard how the world into which Jesus was born was ruled by governor, emperor, and king. Yet this story reveals that you, O God, are the only true Sovereign— Almighty and Everlasting. We thank you that justice and righteousness are in your hands. We praise you for the peace you have promised. Most especially, we thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, who dwells among us full of grace and truth.

Hear now our prayers of intercession, that all people might find healing, comfort, and joy. We pray for public officials, rulers, and leaders in our own time: Give them wisdom in decrees and decisions, a will for the common good, and the courage to work for peace in local communities and among the nations … O Christ, our Light…hear our prayer.

We pray for all who work and watch this night: for those in hospitals and positions of public service; for those serving our country here and around the globe; for those in airports, trains, and bus stations; for those who work in shelters, hotels, and other places of hospitality … O Christ, our Light…hear our prayer.

We pray for all who suffer this night: those who are sick and those who are dying; for one who is cold; for one who is lonely or grieving; for people who are hungry and thirsty; for all who struggle with addiction … O Christ, our Light…hear our prayer.

We pray for families and friends: for those who are with us and those far away; for those who are traveling; for those who especially need your guidance in this season; and for those in our memories who now dwell with you … O Christ, our Light…hear our prayer.

We pray, O God, with the multitude of the heavenly host, that through Jesus Christ your glory will lighten every darkness; that your peace will fill all in all. We pray that those who live in the midst of war may instead live without fear and destruction; that those who live with the threat of danger in homes or on city streets may instead dwell in safety; and that all your creatures, and creation itself, may be restored and renewed. O Christ, our Light…hear our prayer.

Conform our prayers to your will, and use us to accomplish your purposes, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Amen.