03 Upon A Midnight Clear

03 Upon A Midnight Clear how does the nativity appear (2020 message)

(Instead of a power point, use the nativity on the table as you walk through the scriptures)

Nativity is defined as – Birth, the coming into life.

The first thing I notice about a nativity scene is that there is no life in it. And yet it is a picture of life. More importantly, it is a picture of the birth (Nativity) of Christ.

Is there any life in your nativity scene? Is there any nativity in your life? Does your relationship with Christ begin with His birth? Does it end at the cross; even at the tomb? OR, does it culminate with you being born again?

Luke 2:1-20 – we enter into the Nativity Scene at verse 6.

“While they were there.” Let’s take a close look at the there. Do you see what I see?

But before we do that should we not briefly consider WHY they were there?

· John 1:14 the word became flesh

· 1 Timothy 3:16 God was manifested in the flesh

· Luke 1:35 The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee

· John 3:16 God so loved

Upon a midnight clear – Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. Can you picture the scene in your mind’s eye? Can you see the manger, smell the barn, and hear the animals as well? Can you picture the nativity of our Lord? It’s not all that it’s been made out to be and yet it’s more. For one thing the animals and probably the shepherds as well, probably smelled bad. To make it worst, it’s was most likely hot as well. Note as well that there were really only a few people bowing before this new born king. But one day, Philippians 2:9-11, say ever knee will bow.

Focus on the family– Luke 2:7 and she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Are you able to zoom in to the picture of this royal family with Joseph standing by with a watchful eye, the mother caught up in this life that has come forth from within her, and the ever angelic new born laying in the feeding trough?

Focus on Jesus, the center of it all – Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke declares for us who this child is. He is the Saviour, Christ the Lord. As we zoom ever closer, are you able to imagine as Rembrandt did a heavenly light shining on just the child, the Son of God? All eyes focused on Him which has just been born.

In the Big picture = A worship service – Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. As we look we should be able to hear the angel sing: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold!

Peace on the earth, good will to men,

From heaven's all gracious King!

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come

With peaceful wings unfurled

And still their heavenly music floats

O'er all the weary world;

Above its sad and lowly plains

They bend on hovering wing.

And ever o'er its Babel sounds

The blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife

The world hath suffered long;

Beneath the angel-strain have rolled

Two thousand years of wrong;

And man, at war with man, hears not

The love song which they bring:

O hush the noise, ye men of strife,

And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,

By prophet bards foretold,

When, with the ever-circling years,

Shall come the Age of Gold;

When peace shall over all the earth

Its ancient splendors fling,

And all the world give back the song

Which now the angels sing.

Let us go to Bethlehem and see – Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Have you been to Bethlehem to see this child that would be king? Have you gazed upon the manger scene to see?

Close with this Illustration:

A schoolteacher in England tells a charming story. At Christmastime she supervised the construction of a manger scene in a corner of the classroom. The children participated happily in the project. They also enjoyed casting characters for the drama depicting the Nativity.

The teacher noticed one boy was particularly enamored by it all and was forever going back and forth to the scene. At last she asked him if there was anything bothering him. He said, “No.” She said, “Are there any questions you would like to ask?” “Yes,” he said, “what I’d like to know is—where does God fit in?”

In the end, we find the manger much like the cross – EMPTY!

Question:

1. Where does God fit in in the nativity of your life? Is HE the center?

2. Where do you fit in in the nativity of Christ? Are you Christ centered?

From shepherds to wise men, people came and still come to worship the Christ; all are welcome, for God is no respecter of persons. How about you, will you come?

Where does God fit in? He supplies the love! Oh, and the Joy. Oh, and the Peace.