Let's Rob The Cradle

Good evening everyone, and Merry Christmas. I want to thank you for joining us this Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.

Who here has ever heard the term “Don’t Rob The Cradle?”

Today with a completely different meaning i want us to try and mentally “Rob The Cradle”

Explain how we leave baby Jesus in the cradle, it’s normal to do but must be avoided

Let’s Pray

Let’s stand and read together

Luke 2:1–7 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.

Who here by a raise of hands has heard this story before?

Explain how we must dive deeper into the story to truly appreciate the sacrifice Jesus came to pay

This evening i want to look at the perspectives, feelings, emotions, and walks of life of all the main characters in our story. Let’s first look into

Mary - Who is she?

Fully Human - No biblical evidence otherwise | And destroys the story of Mary if she isn’t

15 yrs or less - Average age of Marriage in the day and age

She Was definitely a Virgin - She said it herself “Luke 1:34 “And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?””

Luke 1:26–34 ESV

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Recap with the emphasis on the Mary and the fear / worry she may have been feeling

Imagine Mary, a young girl, home alone and suddenly greeted by an angel. She’s maybe just started planning her wedding, and then, out of nowhere, she learns she’s going to be a mom—like, really soon! She probably thought, 'Who’s going to pay for all the baby stuff? And what do I tell Joseph?" Here’s Mary, worried about baby showers instead of the birth of the Savior—just shows how surprising the twists of God can be!

Mary’s Song

Matthew 1:18–25 ESV

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Joseph - Father of Jesus - Who is he?

He was a ordinary carpenter - Matthew 13:55 “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?”

He was torn if he was to marry or dissolve quietly - Matthew 1:19 “And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.”

Joseph was a respectable man - Jewish, Roman, and Greek law had very strict laws around unfaithfulness. Betrothal was much different then today’s divorce. It was a legal document such as today’s marriage that in order to be separated had to be filed with the government. But instead of publically shaming her “Which he had legal rights to do” he was going to privately divorce her.

Imagine a young 20 something year old man. “Legally Engaged” to his soon to be wife. He finds out the one who he is supposed to spend his eternity with was with child!? Literally speaking the only option in his mind was she must have been unfaithful. Before he can think another thought the angel says. do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Imagine his fear, his questioning, his excitement. And when he woke he did exactly as the angel had instructed…

A Strange Was To Save The World

This was the night that changed the coarse of history forever.

Luke 2:1–7 “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.”

Spend some time recapping while focusing on climax of the story being this moment.

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Understand the measure it took for them to arrive at the place where Jesus was to be born.

Micah 5:2–3 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.”

Now “Baby” Jesus didn’t have much perspective as he was minutes old. But let’s talk a bit about him.

This was not day 1 For Jesus - Jesus has existed for eternity but today is day 1 for his earthly life.

He came to serve an eternal purpose - Jesus didn’t just come to fulfill the prophecy of the coming messiah but so much more...

Mary Did you know

Candlelight services have been a thing in many denominations of churches for years and years. starting with the early church as pure necessity for any service done after sunset. but as the church advanced so did the technology of electricity and it removed the need for candles. But it never took away the use of candles. To this day churches all across the globe light candles as a clear example of the light shined in our dark world from Jesus. So tonight would you stand if you’re able and pass the flame as we sing this song.

Silent Night

Now Let’s not blow our candles out quite yet.

Tonight we’re not going to end at this silent night, but it is a HUGE part of the story. As we carry on let’s not forget these little lights. “Please blow out your candle”

Re explain the idea of robbing the cradle

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Explain how the birth of Jesus has so much more purpose when we don’t leave him in the manger

Jesus

Existed before time itself

As we discussed earlier the virgin birth was not day 1 for Jesus

Born of a Virgin for his earthy ministry

Jesus enters the earthly picture to fulfill prophecy, proclaim the good news, and to pay the price for our sins

Died the sinners death to pay our penalty

Jesus dies to pay the price we could never pay to give us hope for a future

Will rise again one final time

Jesus will return as stated in Acts 1:11 “and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.””

To the believer - The Jesus we serve just laid out one of the clearest example of love we know. He showed us through the willingness of Mary, the uncertainty of Joseph, and the birth of our savior that he loves us so deeply. Jesus used innocent people just like you and me to deliver the savior of the world, why? Because they were willing. Be willing in this dark world to serve him blindly. Take that step, walk the walk, and remain faithful. If the Virgin girl and betrothed husband can remain faithful so can you.

To the skeptic - I know you’ve probably heard this story 1,000 times but i hope today shed a new light of perspective onto what Christmas is truly all about. Jesus loves you, and he wants to walk in relationship with you. But you must be willing. You must be willing to lay aside your worldly desires, preferences, or even comforts. God worked true miracles through Mary and Joseph and he can do the same through you. I pray this Christmas is not a time of regret but a time of surrender for you.

This Christmas i want you to remember the baby in the manger. Remember the baby who grows us to give us hope for a future. Remember that baby now reigns as king and ruler of this world. Remember that baby did become the Jesus we serve today.

So as we end today i want to wish you a very merry Christmas. I pray you time is spent with those you love celebrating the birth, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Would you stand and join us in celebration of these things as we sing Joy to the world.

Joy To The World