Behold Our Majestic, Humble Savior

The Birth of Jesus Recorded

A Historical Event

This was no fable or fairy tale, but records for us that this was an historical event. Even more than that history was made. It was the most significant birth in the history of the world.

Was A Natural Ordinary Birth

While Jesus’ conception was divine, his birth was ordinary even less than ordinary because of where it took place.

Was Ordered By Divine Providence

Cesar Augustus

A Walk with God: Luke 6. The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1–7)

He was one of the most important emperors in the history of the Roman empire, perhaps the most powerful human being before the day Jesus was born. Originally called Octavian, he had emerged as the chief ruler of Rome, and became the first man to be declared emperor of all of the Roman empire. He reigned from 30 BC to 14 AD, under the title Caesar Augustus—the august one. He began all kinds of building programmes and set up a massive system of centralized government, regulating commerce and trade. He strengthened the military and for his entire reign Rome was at peace. With his leadership was born that famous period known as the Pax Romana, the peace of Rome. He did much to advance the culture of the Roman empire. Towards the end of his life he said, ‘I found Rome bricks and I made it marble.’ He distinguished himself as probably the greatest statesman of his time.

A Walk with God: Luke 6. The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1–7)

But there was a sad note from a religious perspective during the reign of Augustus, for it was then that religious worship of the emperor took hold and he took the title, Dominus et Deus: Lord and God. It was this title and allegiance to it that would produce grave crises in early church history, bringing Christians into severe trials and tribulations, because they refused to worship the emperor.

The most powerful ruler in the known world was working to consolidate his empire and establish a widespread tax. He was making decrees for his own achievement and success. Yet, he was a pawn in the hand of God.

Proverbs 21:1 ESV

1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

Joseph’s Home

There was an issue with the arrival of Jesus. He was foretold to be born in Bethlehem and yet his earthly Step-Father and Mother, they live in Nazareth.

So what does the Lord do, he turns the heart of a idol worshipping king to make a decree which will bring about God’s will. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. God rules over the kingdom’s of men.

Psalm 103:19 ESV

19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

Galatians 4:4–6 ESV

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

The Significance of Jesus’ Birth

A strange combination. Jesus’s birth, like his life, is a combination of strange contrasts. It was accompanied by humble and heavenly features. He had the highest of beings to announce his arrival, and yet was visited by only lowly shepherds.

His Majestic Introduction

An Angelic Visitation

The highest of beings. Other’s birth have been announced by heaven, but no other birth has been celebrated by heaven!

A Glorious Announcement

The Gospel Is Preached

The birth of Jesus was announced as good news of great joy. The Angel was proclaiming the purpose for which Jesus came. He came to bring great joy for all the people.

Great Joy

Unto You

God’s gift to mankind. The angel’s are saying, not to us, but to you. Jesus was not born. God’s Christmas present to man was his son!

Savior who is Christ the Lord

savior- rescuer from danger. Christ rescued His people from their sins and the resulting danger of judgment.

Christ, the Lord- the Messiah and Master

He is the supreme ruler of the universe and the Promised deliverer. The Highest of the Highest, the greatest of the great. Heaven’s Champion has been brought into the world.

An Amazing Feat

God has come down in human form. He didn’t take on the form of a human, or appeared as a human, but he became a human. God the son became the son of man! That’s why the Angel’s broke forth in song, something miraculous had happened. God had done something that caused all of heaven to break forth in praise. Think, they sit among his transcendent glory, beholding his glory, watching as he unfolds his power and wisdom in his dealings with men, but when they get to the birth of Jesus, they can’t contain themselves any longer, thy break forth with song! God has done something amazing! Christ was born a man!

His Humble Presentation

Good News

His Poor Accommodations!

Great Joy

A Confusing Sign

It was a perplexing contrast. A strange combination. Jesus’s birth, like his life, is a combination of strange contrasts. It was accompanied by humble and heavenly features. He had the highest of beings to announce his arrival, and yet was visited by only lowly shepherds.

His Weak Appearance

He came not as a king riding on a white horse establishing his rule, but as a humble babe. Helpless and needy. It was a condescension, a coming down, a lowering of himself!

His Poor Accommodations!

It was no throne of unrivaled beauty, but his throne was a feed trough in the back of a stable. He left the the transcendant beauty and throne of glory, enjoying the presence of God the father since eternity. He was exatled in praises, his every desire was attended to by hosts of angels. He left all that, and chose to be born in the back of a stable.

Philippians 2:5–7 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

An Army Singing Peace

Another perplexing event is shown in the song the angels sing. They sing peace. Armies don’t sing peace, especially when they are in enemy territory. From the time of Adam, men had made themselves to be the enemies of God. Mankind has opposed God and rejected his rule of them. Men would rather have their sins than have God. So what does God do? Does he send his army to wipe out the whole of mankind? Does he annihilate his enemies, no he sends his army with declarations of peace!

A strange Combination.

Jesus unrivaled in majesty, unequal in his humility! A strange combination. “Your ways are not our ways!”

Foreshadows his life!

WHY?

To Show His Love and kindness to you!

To

To Save His People!

Good News

Peace to His People

Great Joy

The Appropriate Response

The Shepherd’s Believed (Simple Faith)

All People Wondered

Mary Pondered & Treasured