The Greatest Gift

I. The Greatest Time!

God is working the supernatural through natural events (Census)

We learn that although man has an agenda. (Census) God is ultimately in control.

It is in this place in History that the savior chooses to enter creation. Isn’t it a wonderful reminder of how when life seems it’s darkest that God has a way of showing up just at the right time.

To this point in History we view the greatest time. It is at this time that our King enters in the form of a baby and we hear the proclamation of the gospel.

Luke 2:9–10 NKJV

9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

Luke 2:11–12 NKJV

11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

II. The Gift of light

Isaiah 9:2–7 NKJV

2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For You have broken the yoke of his burden And the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor, As in the day of Midian. 5 For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, And garments rolled in blood, Will be used for burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

God sent his son into the world that was dark and needing redemption. Isaiah characterizes Jesus as a light in dark sea of lost souls. He consoles us in our darkest times and brings peace to an existence of anxiety and worry.

There will be no end to the gift of the Father.

Power Principle: Many gifts fade with time. Jesus will be with us even when time fades away.

Matthew 28:20 NKJV

20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Isaiah 40:8 NKJV

8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”

These scriptures remind remind us that we live in a fading world where everything is temporary. However, the God’s promises are reliable and everlasting. God promised to send his Son. There is a prevailing truth that God keeps his promises. His gift is Eternal in the Person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

John 1:1–3 NKJV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

III. The Gift of Salvation

A. Bethlehem is the house of Bread.

Power Principle: Into the house of Bread God sent the Bread of Life to feed our starving souls.

Micah 5:2 NKJV

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

B. Migdal Eder the place of the Sacrificial Lamb

Genesis 35:21 NKJV

21 Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

Micah 4:7–8 NKJV

7 I will make the lame a remnant, And the outcast a strong nation; So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on, even forever. 8 And you, O tower of the flock, The stronghold of the daughter of Zion, To you shall it come, Even the former dominion shall come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.”

Migdal Eder. The “tower of the flock” also known as the tower of Eder is where the unblemished lambs were bred for sacrifice to the temple.

During this season we should never forget that God gave his son as gift for the salvation of all who will believe.

John 3:16–17 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Conclusion