The Manger, the Messengers, the Message

A. It was the night of miracles

1. The promises of the prophets would be fulfilled

2. The long wait for the birth of the Savior was over

3. The taxing, the trip, the time — all worked toward the miracles

B. The birth was in the stable

1. What a strange place for the birth of a king!

2. The manger was an unusual bed for the promised One.

C. The Manger, the Messengers, the Message were about the Christ Child

Luke 2:7–20 NKJV

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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.” 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, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

The Manger Was His Bed (v. 7)

Luke 2:7 NKJV

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

1. The manger perfectly pictured Christ’s rejection.

a. There was no room for Him in the inn.

b. The question for everyone today is have you been shutting Christ out of your life?

2. The manger perfectly pictured Christ’s redemption

a. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes: clothes of death

b. The Lamb of God laid in a manger: pointed to the cross

3. The manger perfectly pictured the availability of Christ for all

a. Consider the “alls” of the Gospel (; )

Romans 3:23 NKJV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Isaiah 53:6 NKJV

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

The Messengers Were of Heaven (vv. 8-10)

1. Shepherds … common men … watched over their flocks by night.

a. It was a night like so many other nights … yet different.

b. The angel of the Lord appeared and all was changed.

c. God had the attention of these men; they would never be the same.

2. The shepherds were afraid but two words calmed them: “Fear not!”

a. These are good words for our trembling times.

b. We can give our fears to the One born in the stable ()

1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1. The shepherds found the Savior in the stable just as the angel had said

2. What good examples these shepherds became that night!

a. They heard the message.

b. The heeded the message.

c. They heralded the message.

The Message Was for All (vv. 10-12)

Luke 2:10–12 NKJV

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. 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.”

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1. What was this Christmas message?

a. The message was of a virgin-born baby.

b. The message was of a promise fulfilled.

c. The message was of the prophesied Savior born.

2. What does this Christmas message mean to you today?

Conclusion:

A. The Manger-Born Lamb of God died for sinners.

B. Like the Shepherds, let’s herald the news to all.