Christmas Message O Little Town of Bethlehem Luke 2:1-21 December 6, 2009 Tim Strickland Luke 2:1-21 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. Today: O Little Town of Bethlehem Christmas Message December 6, 2009 O Little Town of Bethlehem Luke 2:1-21 Page 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2 (ESV) ~700BC 1. Birth in Bethlehem (1-7) a. Two things are certain in life… (1-3) b. From Nazareth to Bethlehem (4-5) • A 90 mile journey . Time to talk and think about all that had happened • The city of David . Everyone knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:4-6, John 7:42) c. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (6-7) • Very different from a modern birth! • wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger • because there was no place for them in the inn 2. Glory in Bethlehem (8-14) a. Shepherds (8) • Negatively, known for confusing “thine” with “mine” (L. Morris) • Positively, many famous shepherds in the Bible . Abel, Abraham, Moses, David . Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd • A humble profession b. Angel!! (9) • The glory of the Lord shone around them . And they were filled with fear . lit. “they feared (with) mega-fear” • Angels bring both judgment and hope from the Lord c. The Angel.s Message (10-11) • Fear Not! . Why not? . I bring you Good News . of a Great Joy . for All the People Christmas Message December 6, 2009 O Little Town of Bethlehem Luke 2:1-21 Page 3 • For unto you . This good news is for you! • is born this day . This good news is for you today! • in the city of David . This good news is for you today in Bethlehem! • A Savior, who is Christ the Lord . A „Savior’ from what? . from your sins (Matthew 1:21) . „Jesus./.Yeshua. means “the Lord saves” . Who is this Savior? . ‘Christ’ - the Anointed One, the promised Messiah . ‘The Lord’ – Sovereign God c. A Host of Angels!!!! (13-14) • praising God and saying . Glory to God in the highest (heaven) . All heaven praises God at Jesus. birth . and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased . Jesus brings peace to those who have God.s favour d. Peace on earth? (14b) • What this peace is not (initially): . Political peace (Matthew 24:7) . Family peace (Matthew 10:34-35) . In summary, it is not initially a horizontal peace with our fellow man (John 14:27) • Peace on earth first refers to peace with God . For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Col. 1:19-20 (ESV) • Peace with man requires a peace with God 3. Go to Bethlehem (15-21) a. The shepherds could have sat by the campfire, marveling at what a cool thing had just happened b. But they didn.t, they went to Bethlehem, and found the child c. Many people today know the story, but never go to Bethlehem • You need to go to Bethlehem and seek the child "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; Isaiah 55:6 (ESV) Christmas Message December 6, 2009 O Little Town of Bethlehem Luke 2:1-21 Page 4 Our Response 1. Are you praising God this Christmas? Glory to God in the highest Luke 2:14a 2. Do you have peace with God this Christmas? and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased Luke 2:14b 3. “Go to Bethlehem” this Christmas to find the Christ child. "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." Luke 2:15b (ESV) 4. There will only be peace on earth when you have peace with God. Believe in the Lord Jesus today! because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (ESV) Questions for Personal Application & Small Group Discussion 1. Discuss what it would have been like for Mary and Joseph: a young couple expecting a baby conceived out of wedlock (it was likely unknown/unbelieved by most that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit), journeying many miles and giving birth in a place for animals, with baby.s first crib being a feed trough. 2. Discuss what it would have been like for the shepherds: hard working men going about their daily jobs when they were visited by angels from heaven.s armies, announcing the long awaited birth of the Messiah. 3. Do you have peace with God today? How does this peace impact your daily life? Discuss the relationship between human peace and peace with God. 4. What does it mean for Jesus to be a: Savior? b: Messiah/Christ? c: Lord? 5. What does it mean for you to “Go to Bethlehem” this Christmas? 6. Pray together for a blessed Christmas season, and that many would come to believe in Jesus, the One who came to earth to be Savior, Messiah and Lord. Questions, Comments? If you have questions or comments about today.s message, please send me an email at this address: questions4tim@prairietab.com Thanks, Tim Other sermons and notes are available for free download at www.prairietab.com Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. To learn more about the ESV, please visit www.esv.org