Christmas According to Luke: Jesus is Born!

Preached on 12.20.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:1-21 ESV

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

These historical details remind us that this is actual, factual history and not myth.

Caesar Augustus – Supreme ruler of Roman empire. Great nephew of Julius Caesar.

Registered – They were taking a census to collect more taxes and soldiers.

Quirinius – His ‘cabinet member’ in charge of executing the census and other orders.

Nazareth — the ‘nowhere’ town that was their home.

Bethlehem – about 100 miles away on a donkey for a woman ready to deliver.

he was of the house and lineage of David – to fulfill the prophesies/promises from the OT

P: God is Sovereign over all of history-including our stories.

Do I recognize and rest in God’s sovereignty today?

P: God kept His promises-He still does.

Am I trusting in God’s promises today? Is God calling me to a greater study of Scripture?

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

swaddling cloths – tight strips of cloth to keep babies warm and safe.

manger – likely a dirty feeding trough in a cave with animals.

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.”

Shepherds – This was a job you ‘end up with.’ The were on the lowest rung of society;

disrespected, distrusted, and couldn’t even testify in court.

P: God entrusted the highest news to the lowest people-He still does.

Do we recognize the great grace we have been shown in even hearing the Good News?

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

P: The Good News of Great Joy is for all the people.

Have you written anybody out of God’s Kingdom today?

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

P: Seeing what God has done should lead to sharing what God has done.

Are you in the habit of sharing what God has done? Remember: Unique opportunities of Christmas

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:1-21 ESV

Jesus didn’t just come to be born but to die and rise again.

The Gospel is our hope.

Works Consulted: Message by Mark Driscoll, Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, NIV Application Commentary