The Birth of the Messiah

We are finishing out our Christmas series this morning

Mary’s Christmas: The Christmas Story Through Mary’s Eyes

This series is look at the Christmas story in the eyes of Mary. What she saw and what she went through.

We have covered a lot of the early parts of Mary life over the past three week. For the start when she was told she would giving brith to Jesus. To her understand what was to come and how Jesus would be used. to Last week when we looked at two different trails that Mary went through. First with Simeon tell Mary that she would be hurt by things to come. With all that would happen with Jesus. The next was with the Wise men and what they brought with them all the gifts. When they left Mary and Jesus were put into more danger. Herod wanted to kill Jesus. Mary and Joseph trusted God. They put their faith in God not in those around them. When we cafe trail we should look at them with eternal perspective like Mary did.

This week we are back tracking to the birth of Jesus. SO if you have your bible pleas turn to Luke 2:1-20. If you do not have a bible then you can follow along on the screen in a few minutes.

Before we look at today passage. I have a a question for you. So think for a moment.

How do you mark a special event?

DO you write down the date time or place?

Do you just hope you will remember it?

Most of the time we remember events like birth days, anniversary, and special holidays but what about the other special event. The times that a friend did something so special it made you feel so good. Or the the day you bought your home. How do you go about remember those time.

How about a time that God did some for you? Did you write it down? Did you save the date and time?

Let’s take a look at how Luke makes down one of the most important events in history.

Luke 2:1–20 CSB

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

A census

Luke most likely did not know the exact year but he knew it was import to included rule of the time

Caesar Augustus of Roman

reigned 31 B.C-A.D. 14

Quirinius was governing Syria

He was governing in AD 6 -7

does other census but not the one Luke is talking about

This one occurred after the death of Herod the great

why the different

Translation could be that Quirinius was administrator of the census

Before Quirinius was governor

Joseph had to go to Bethlehem

Went Up?

Bethlehem is lies on a Mountain

2654 ft or 809m High

90 miles or 144 km

about 4 to 5 days walk

on a side note nowhere in the bible does it say Mary traveled on a donkey. Most likely she did but this could be one reason she gave birth right after getting to Bethlehem

Manger scene

Most of time we picture a beautiful little wood barn with a pretty nice new manger.

The manger scene would have look something like this.

Most like a stone feed troth

The Shepherds

Lowly Shepherd

The lost of lows.

They were not allowed into the temple because manner of life.

This is who God announces the birth of Christ too.

Not the rich and high up

We are like the shepherds

After the shepherds left Mary did something

Luke 2:19 CSB

19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.

Mary treasured all of this

The Greek word for “treasured up,” syntēreō, refers to “keeping something safe or close by. It indicates careful concern and consideration and resembles other biblical texts where someone ponders significant events,

Mary is not merely enjoying a quiet moment; she is reflecting carefully on the revelation given to her and her experience thus far with the way God has fulfilled his promises. Mary has already proven in the Magnificat that she is a sharp theologian, and at the end of a wild series of events, she takes time to reflect on what she has learned about God and his plan.

Spend intentional time dwelling on the goodness of God

Just as Mary, in the commotion of shepherd visitors and the amazement of onlookers, found a moment to spend in contemplation of God’s goodness, we too can carve out intentional times to dwell on God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Keeping a journal or sharing with a friend can also help us treasure those moments in our hearts, for use during later moments of despair, when we’ll need to remember them again

Make done the Important moments that God puts in your life.