Advent 3- 2021

Introduction

The New International Version Chapter 2

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

There is nothing in this world like a good story. If you know me you know I love movies. This week I saw Spiderman and I will not speak any spoilers because I am a nice guy, but there have been 27 MCU movies and this one immediately went to my number one spot. Endgame is my second favorite. These movies had moments where people literally shouted and clapped in the movie. It is a phenomenal feeling when you are wrapped in this story. I love mystery books as well. I get so wrapped into this page turners .

Now the greatest story to ever be written is Jesus Christ. But honestly if I were the one writing it, it would be much different

If I wrote a story about myself it would not be like the story of Jesus.

So why was the story this way.

There are a few points that struck me when thinking about the Christmas story this year. the first one is this.

1. If we try to write our own story, the story of Jesus can never be told.

Back to comic books for a second. I just told you about my favorite comic movies ever. now let me tell you about one of the biggest cinematic disasters in comic book movie history. Zack Snyder and WB drama

if you and I try to contend with God in writing our story we will end up like this.

We have been told from so early on that we are the authors of our own story and there are some truths to that in the sense we can make wise decisioons and deal with hard circumstances when they arise.

But is that what we really want to be said. Do we write our own story or do we trust it in the hands of God.

Joni erickson tada wrote a foreward to a book written by Nancy and robert wulgemuth. titled you can trust God to write your story.

jonis story

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Psalm 139

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.

15 My aframe was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;

And in Your book were all written

The days that were ordained for me,

When as yet there was not one of them

2. My ways arent his ways

we dont know all of the ways of God and we see through such a narrow peep hole of life.

God sees what we cannot

Joseph Genesis 50:20

Genesis 50:20 NASB95

20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

Romans 8:28 NASB95

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

not what we always want or see but notice the word GOOD

This baby jesus isaiah 55 suffering servant and god says it is good

3. The story of KCC will change no ones eternity, but the story of Jesus will.

Our hope is that God can take our broken stories and make a masterpiece and a story of Redemption.