The miraculous birth of Jesus Christ has taught us many wonderful things. We started this series right after thanksgiving, and we looked at different miraculous births throughout Scripture:

We saw the birth of Isaac taught us that the miraculous birth would be one of faith.

We saw through the birth of Jacob and Esau that the miraculous birth would be one of a divine plan.

Through Hannah’s prayer, we saw the miraculous birth deserves our praise and a new perspective.

And by the birth of John the Baptist, we recognize this truth pertaining to the miraculous birth, it was a divine appointment.

Over the last few weeks, we have focused on the birth of Christ.

We saw that the miraculous birth changes things in Isaiah 9:1-7

We saw that the miraculous birth changes our family in Gal. 4:1-7

I pray this Christmas season was more to you than simply the opening of presents and the watching of Christmas movies.

Miraculous Birth: Born for You

See yourself in the Audience. (vs. 7-10)

There is a famous Christmas song called the first noel

Shepherds have a storied past throughout the pages of Scripture:

The first recorded shepherd was Abel, who was slain by his brother Cain.

Abraham, Moses, and David were all shepherds.

Yet, shepherds began to be associated with trouble:

In Egypt, they were looked down upon.

In national Israel, they became a lower class of economic society.

In Ezekiel 34, the shepherds were used as an illustration for false prophets and priests of Ezekiel’s day.

By Jesus’ day, shepherds were often involved with theft, violence, and dishonesty.

But, the Lord does three things for the shepherd’s in these verses:

He associates Himself with the shepherds. (vs. 7b-8a)

He astounds the shepherds with fear. (v. 9)

He alleviates their fear. (v. 10a)

Hear the call to you in the Announcement. (vs. 10-14)

If we can see ourselves in the shepherds, then we can appreciate the announcement they were given.

First, it was given to them personally (vs. 10a and b; 11a, 12a).

Second, it was described as good tidings of great joy.

Thirdly, it was for all people.

The angel goes on to announce three titles associated with this child. v. 11

Savior - Caesar Augustus was ascribed the title, “savior of the inhabited world.”

Christ - Anointed One, Messiah, the promise of God to Abraham.

Lord - When scribes translated the OT into Greek 200 years before the birth of Christ, they most often translated the OT name for God , “Yahweh” to the Greek word “κυριος”

What Action will you take with the gift of God? (v. 15)