Journey Toward Christmas: The Baby is Born
Preached on 12.21.08 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
“Caesar Augustus…Quirinius was governor of Syria” Actual details, anchored in history.
“the world should be registered” Plan for military service and taxation.
“each to his own town…house and lineage of David” Joseph’s ancestral home.
“Galilee…Nazareth…Bethlehem” 70 + miles, a difficult journey.
God’s sovereignty extends even to the smallest details of life.
Do I see this truth at work in my life? Am I seeking to do what God wants done in the details? Am I resting in the fact that God is at work and cares even about the tiniest details?
“swaddling cloths” Strips of cloth wrapped around the baby to keep him safe.
“in a manger” Feeding trough for animals. Could indicate stable or cave.
“there was no place for them in the inn.” The city was likely full of people for the census.
God’s kingdom is different than the kingdoms of the world.
God has no problem stepping into the dirt of humanity.
Am I allowing God to deal with the dirt in my life?
“shepherds out in the field” They were considered some of the ‘lowest’ of society.
The announcement to the shepherds reveals God’s heart for the lowly and rejected of the world.
Do we reflect this aspect of God’s character?
In many ways, we are much like the shepherds.
Do we see ourselves as ‘least likely’ people who have been shown the radical grace of God?
“Fear not…good news of great joy that will be for all the people” Same terms for the Gospel.
“a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” Deliverer of His people. Messiah.
The same God who overwhelms us also calms our fears.
Where do I feel overwhelmed in my life? Am I trusting God to calm my fears?
The good news of Christmas is for everyone.
Is there anyone that I have ‘written out’ of God’s story?
“peace among those with whom he is pleased!” This is a peace that is only for God’s people.
The shepherds provide a good example for us in several ways.
- They believed what God had told them.Do we truly believe what God has told us in the Scriptures?
- They went to see what God had done.Are we actively pursuing God’s work in our lives?
- They shared what God had done.Are we being faithful to share what God has done in our lives?
- They praised God for what He had done. Are we in the habit of praising God for what He does in our lives?
Works Cited: The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, NIV Application Commentary, The John MacArthur Study Bible, Messages by John Piper, Matt Chandler