The Greatest Gift Ever
The Greatest Gift Ever
Luke 2:1 – 20
FPBC Christmas 2005
Descriptions of the holiday season often include the phrase “the wonder of Christmas.” Can you remember the first time Christmas meant something to you? Will your child’s first Christmas ever be erased from your memory? Do you recall the wonder on their face, as the realization set into their young understanding: This is for me!
The wonder of Christmas is truly a remarkable and unique experience. The first Christmas was not without its wonder either. We read of the events that unfolded on that silent night in the little town of Bethlehem; we marvel at the joyous news; we simply are amazed at the realization: This is for me! This morning, consider the greatest gift ever given.
Weary Travelers receive a son 2:1 – 7
Moving? Now?
· The height of Mary’s pregnancy
o Why were they not in Bethlehem already?
o What had been a source of pride (a son of David) was now a burden, due to the travel it required
· The crowds of other travelers
o Not a leisurely trip
o Comparable to finding parking at Wal-Mart!
At least there are accommodations, right?
· Accommodations for God’s plan? Yes!
o The days were completed for her delivery!
o The fullness of time had come! Gal. 4:4
· Accommodations for their comfort? Not exactly.
o No room at the inn.
o Not last time “no room” would be found for Jesus.
o Being born at an inn, He would soon become familiar with the itinerant life of a traveling rabbi.
o Care taken; lack of cloths indicated abject poverty.
Smelly Shepherds receive a sign 2:8 – 14
Heavenly messenger with a heavenly message Heb 1:6
· A message given to wide-awake workers
· Erasure of fear
o The news was not one of judgment
· Erasure of hopelessness
o This was cause for great joy
o The long expected Messiah had come! Isa. 9:6
· Erasure of sorrow
o God was to receive glory and honor
o Man was to receive joy and peace!
Heavenly message demanding a response
· Would they go?
o Required leaving their flocks
o Required a step of faith
o Required following instructions
· What would they find?
o Expectation of Messiah may have produced many incorrect assumptions.
§ Would Messiah associate with a baby in a manger?
§ Why was a baby in a manger?
§ The BABY was Messiah?
o The conditions they found would not be shocking to shepherds; it would be a familiar setting
· How would they respond to what they found?
o Belief
o Skepticism
o Rejection
o What they found agreed with the angel’s message; and they spread the news
Wondering world receives a Savior 2:10 – 20
Riches traded 2 Cor 8:9
· Heaven’s halls traded for a musty manger
o “became poor” = beggarly poor
o Done to obtain great riches for us
· Act of great humility Phil 2
o Rewarded by the Father
Heaven gained
· A child in a manger changes everything
o The word was spread
o Reaction was mixed
§ All marveled
§ Many returned to life “as it was”
§ Some were changed by the news temporarily
§ Few grasped the reality of the situation; their response was one of praise and thanksgiving
· The pivotal moment in time was the arrival of the Greatest Gift
o The gift is still available today
§ Not found in stores
§ Not available for purchase over the Internet
§ Not earnable with “loyalty points”
§ Not rewarded for good behavior
§ Freely offered
o Reaction to the gift is still mixed
§ All will marvel (Ooh and Ahh)
§ Many will return to life “as it was”
§ Some will be changed temporarily by the news
§ Few grasped the reality of the situation; their response was one of praise and thanksgiving
Conclusion