The Time Arrived for the Nativity

Bible Passage: Isa 7:14, Micah 5:2, Luke 2:10-12

The birth of Jesus took place exactly as the prophets predicted. He was born to the Virgin Mary, in the town of Bethlehem. There was much more said about the when and where and how of Jesus arrival. But those are most certainly the big highlights that stand out for us still today as we celebrate Christmas. These things matter, because the arrival of the Messiah in Bethlehem is the heart of the Good News that came to all people on Christmas.

1. The Pronouncement

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Micah 5:2 “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.”

A. The Virgin Birth

Things that do not happen

But Happened Anyway

B. Born in Bethlehem

Bethlehem too small to matter

Would be birthplace of the Messiah

We also live in a small inconsequential town these days too. But the same Messiah will come back for us. He came into the world to save us. He arrived in a small town to no fanfare and only a small celebration with some shepherds, probably in a cave, in a well worn feed trough. It makes sense to me why the cattle were lowing … Jesus was in their trough and they were hungry.

2. The Arrival

Luke 1:34–35 “And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

Luke 2:1–4 “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,”

Luke 2:10–11 “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.”

A. The Holy Spirit

Ensured the Virgin birth

Same creative power brought Holy Nativity

B. Born in Bethlehem

Bethlehem was City of David

Was the birthplace of the Messiah

Holiness matters to God. It’s essential for His presence, so it was the reason for the Virgin Birth and it was the creative power of the Holy Spirit that made it happen. The same is true for us today. He depends on our willingness to come to Him to be made Holy so that we can be reborn. We are not required or intended to be perfect. We are only ever able to inspire awe in others, when we allow the Holy Spirit to inhabit us. When we allow the same creative power, who brought prophecy and reality to life. We can experience that wonder of the Christmas miracle right here in another small town, that goes largely unnoticed by the world around us.