Christmas Interrupted

OPENING VIDEO: Christmas Chaos (2:36)

Christmas Facts

If you gave someone all the gifts of the 12 days of Christmas, it would equal 364 gifts

Jingle Bells was originally written for Thanksgiving, not Chrsitmas

Christmas trees are grown in all the states, including Hawaii & Alaska

The Statue of Liberty was a gift the US from France on Christmas Day in 1886. It weighs 225 tons and you can pretty much consider it the biggest Christmas gift in the world.

Tonight’s message is called: Christmas Interrupted

Interrupt: to cause a break or pause in uniform or flow

Luke 2:1–20 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 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. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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. 10 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 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.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

First Christmas Chaos

Luke 2:1–2 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Caesar Augustus

Caesar Augustus

Brought “peace” to a region that had gone through decades of war, destruction, brutality, and immorality

Augustus means “exalted” or “sacred” - this was a big deal because Rome had been a republic governed by laws, but now they were shifting into an empire governed by an emperor

The world Jesus was born into was hungry for a savior. They had a “political savior” but that wasn’t enough

In while Jesus is on trial he makes a statement to Pilate (another roman official) that he doesn’t have any power except what has been given to him from above. The same can be noted about Caesar Augustus…he may be powerful on Earth but he was still a pawn in God’s plan

Why were they registered?

The Census wasn’t just for simple record-keeping or statistics, it was to efficiently and effectively tax everyone in the Roman Empire

They would send everyone back to their hometown to help soften the blow to the fact that they were sending their money to the government

Luke 2:3–4 ESV

3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 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,

The trip from

Luke 2:3

The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was 80 miles. Can you imagine being pregnant and riding a donkey 80 miles?

Luke 2:3–7 ESV

3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 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.

Luke 2:5–7 ESV

5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 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.

Luke 2:3-

Swaddling Cloths & a Manger

Swaddling Cloths & a Manger

Swaddling cloths literally means torn strips of fabric

Manger is a feed trough for animals - this is key for the shepherds (many kids would be in swaddling cloths, but not many would be found in a feeding trough)

Stable was most likely a cave

Luke 2:8–20 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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. 10 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 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.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Interruptions can bring PEACE

Interruptions on the first Christmas

Mary - became pregnant before she was married - she was most likely around 17 years old

Joseph - was engaged to Mary and was now confused about how his fiancé is pregnant

Roman Empire - every person had to return to their hometown to be counted and taxed

King Herod - the overseeing king of the Jews is told that the true King of the Jews has been born in Bethlehem.

Wise Men - traveled following a star to see the Christ. Risked their lives by not reporting back to Herod.

Shepherds in the Field - quietly tending to their flocks and the sky is ripped open with an angelic host

Mary & Jospeh - are told in a dream to depart to Egypt because Herod was trying to kill all baby boys under 2 in Bethlehem.

Pretty much every detail of Jesus’ life had been written down and prophesied about. Yet, when He finally entered the world, it brought interruptions throughout the world.

God is interrupting your flow

Shepherds & You

Cool Fact: the shepherds of Bethlehem were know to care for the temple flock. These were the lambs and goats that would be used as a sacrifice to the Lord in the temple.

While they were busy taking care of the lambs of sacrifice, little did they know God was about to show them the one and true sacrificial lamb!

At times we can view the interruptions as a disruption, but if we look a little closer and give God the opportunity, He can reveal something to us greater than we could ever have imagined.

Finding Peace in the interruption

The angels were proclaiming...

Luke 2:14 ESV

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

PEACE :: this word has so much deep meaning, and it would be way easier for me to show you this video...

VIDEO: Peace; The Bible Project Advent Series (3:30)

Thriving in the Pause

“How you finish one season will determine how you start your next one”

What does pursuing God really look like?

In other words, where would you like to be and where are you?

Are you willing to sacrifice some personal things to grow your relationship with God this season?

God is bringing a pause to your life, He wants to interrupt your flow so that you can rely on Him alone. He wants to bring PEACE (wholeness, completeness) to your life.

Pastor Tom talked about this on Sunday

Some of you have had an intense school year already. Many of you are stressed out right now finishing projects, writing papers, studying for exams - on top of that schedules are full of events.

It’s time to take a pause...

…breathe...

…rest...

…find peace (completeness, wholeness, not lacking anything)

Life’s Interruptions

There are interruptions taking place in your life right now - do you see them as opportunities or obstacles?

Relationships - family, friends

Medical or Health

Financial

Each interruption can be seen as something that is hurting you, or you can take the situation and learn everything you can, fully rely on God throughout it all.

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:6 ESV

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

It’s the interruptions that will ultimately bring you to peace (completeness, wholeness, lacking in nothing)

In the midst of all the chaos and interruptions, the overwhelming response was obedience.

Obey: “to do it the first time”

Devo Time

WORD FOR 2019 - what word will you choose to define 2019?

My word: INTIMACY

Testimony: currently finding myself being called to do more. This is the same feeling I have had in the past when God chooses to grow my faith and open opportunities. (I do not feel like He is calling me away in any form)

Take the next 5 minutes and do a self-examination. Think about a word that you want to define your next season.