Christ is Born!
Luke 2:1-20
Introduction
It was the Spring of 1977 – 20th Century Fox had a new movie ready for release that they were
excited about - - - they were absolutely sure this movie would be a box office hit. It was based
on a best seller in literature. It had an international cast, and boasted shooting locations from all
around the world. The studio was so confident of this film’s success that in order for theaters to
get a copy – they had to agree to book another Fox film with it – a 2 bit Sci Fi Junker that Fox
execs had no faith in and were pretty sure was going to be a bust.
The sure fire hit was a movie called – ‘The other side of Midnight’ – which died a quick death at
the box office. The Sci-Fi junker it was partnered with was called – ‘Star Wars’ – and it went on
to smash box office records – spawn 6 more movies to follow – led to the Lucas Film empire –
and a whole industry of products from clothing to toys to computer games
Nobody at Fox knew what they had in their hands with the movie – Star Wars – but history
would reveal they were sitting on a gold mine
When we come to the Christmas story – one notices very quickly that – while we are reading
about the most important birth in the history of the world – to everybody around Mary and
Joseph – this was a common uneventful / occurrence
So your wife is pregnant – big deal – we still have no room for you in the inn – get out of here
So Mary had a baby – big deal – just set him over there in that animal feeding trough – manger
Nobody thought anything special was happening that night
The birth of Jesus went largely unrecognized by all the who’s who of the world – the power
brokers / the elites / the aristocrats
There lay Jesus – a helpless babe – the one who would be the Savior of the world if we had eyes
to see
A few people are let in on the true nature of the event
Some lowly shepherds on a hillside – the Magi that came following a star
But – the reality is that - - - The greatest birth ever to occur in earth’s history went largely
unnoticed by the world
I.
Right Place at the Right Time – vv. 1-7
Mary is now nearing the end of her pregnancy
Normally – you would expect a couple in this circumstance to stay close to home
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But – Caesar Augustus ordered a census be taken – for the purpose of taxation
This apparently required Jews to return to the town of their family lineage
Joseph was of the lineage of David – so they traveled to Bethlehem
It was about a 70 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem
Certainly was not a convenient or comfortable trip to make at this time – particularly for a
nine months pregnant Mary
The census and camel ride – it was all necessary to get Mary to Bethlehem
According to Bible prophecy – Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem
God had spoken thru the prophet Micah – that Bethlehem would be the birth place of God’s
Messiah – [Micah 5:2]
Micah 5:2 – ‘But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the
clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be a ruler in Israel. His
goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.’
Augustus thinks he is ordering the Census – doing his bidding – but there is a providence
behind it
Caesar was the highest power on earth – but there was a higher power in heaven overruling
and using him to accomplish the purposes of God with the birth of Jesus!
Spurgeon: ‘It was Caesar’s whim but it was God’s decree.’
[MTP 2, p. 28]
Luke sees God as Lord of history – the actions of the Emperor in faraway Rome – set into
motion events that fulfill centuries old prophecies
God’s providence places Mary and Joseph in the exact location – so that Jesus could be born
in Bethlehem
No accidents or surprises can overturn God’s program
That is true in our lives as well
David Jeremiah: ‘God puts us where we need to be, when we need to be there, to accomplish
His purposes. He does it for our good and His glory.’
Ronald Reagan believed in the providence of God – that took him to the White House
When Reagan was a young man – needing a job - his dad had found out about an opening at
Montgomery Ward [in Dixon Illinois] – it was in the middle of the depression and jobs were
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hard to come by. Reagan went to apply – but found the job had already gone to someone
else.
Reagan was disappointed – but later reflected on that event in his later years: ‘If I’d gotten
that job I wanted at Montgomery Ward, I suppose I would never have left Illinois.’
He did leave Illinois - went to announce radio at WHO – then out to California as an actor –
later politician
He added: ‘I’ve often wondered at how lives are shaped by what seem like small and
inconsequential events, how an apparently random turn in the road can lead you a long way
from where you intended to go – and a long way from where you expected to go.’ [Hand of
Providence, pp. 57-58]
A random decree brought Mary and Joseph out of Nazareth – down to Bethlehem
It’s easy for us to see – ‘yes God had a plan for Mary and for Joseph – and Ronald Reagan - - but what about you and I? Is there a plan?’
The answer: ‘Yes’
God has a plan for our lives – we don’t know what all it includes – but He calls us to trust
Him with our lives – walk in His ways - - - as He unfolds His purposes
Remember the blind man – John 9
God had a purpose and plan for His life – it was to miraculously heal him at that moment in
time
John 9:1-3
Max Lucado: ‘Born blind. A lifetime of darkness. Never saw a mother smile or a sunset
fade. Who did this? The disciples wondered, anxious to blame someone. Such a bad plight
can be traced back to a bad deed. Right?
‘Wrong – Jesus replied. Don’t search the family tree. Don’t request a copy of the man’s rap
sheet. Blame this blindness on a call from God. Why was this man sightless? ‘So the works
of God might be displayed in him.’
Odds are, he would have preferred another role in the human drama. Compared to others –
his assignment held little glamour.
‘Mary – be mother to my Son’
‘Peter – you’ll be my first preacher’
‘Matthew – the first gospel – it’s all yours’
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Then God turns to this man – ‘and you’
‘yes Lord?’ - - - ‘you’ll be blind for my glory’
‘I’ll be blind?’ - - - ‘yes’
‘For your glory?’ - - - ‘yes’
‘But I don’t understand’ - - - ‘you’ll see’ [It’s Not About Me, pp. 122-23]
God turns to you and says – ‘your task is to . . . live to the glory of God in the setting in
which I have placed you – to bear witness to my truth with your lips and your actions - - - to
trust Me fully’
Who decided what period of history you would be born in? [you didn’t / I didn’t]
Who decided who your parents would be? / What life experiences you’d encounter?
Even the choices you have made in life – have often been re-routed / - - - detoured to get you
to right where God has you today
God has you where He wants you so you can give Him maximum glory – by trusting and
obeying Him in your life
I saw this video clip – [gone viral on facebook / you tube] – this woman was sharing about an
experience in a Walmart in CO – and this young man – about 16 was the cashier – was just
having a horrible time – nothing going right – to top it off – he was being raked over the
coals by a lady at the cash register – her credit card wasn’t working / etc.
Finally this other lady stepped in and said – ‘lady – chill out – can’t you see he’s having a
bad day’
The boy broke down into tears and came around and hugged her and said ‘thanks’ - - - he
said that his mother had committed suicide that morning – and the only reason he was
working was because he was now the only one who could pay the rent for his family
Cranky lady felt bad after that
We need to live in the moment – look for opportunities to make a difference for Jesus where
we are at – a kind word / smile / share a bible verse – pray for someone – tell them about a
God who loves them – think about the things that matter most
Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem - - and there is no room in the inn
No red carpet treatment for this insignificant couple and their soon to be born baby
This was a foretaste of the treatment Jesus would receive later on – rejection
John 1:11, 12 – ‘He came to His own and His own received Him not. But as many as
received Him He gave the right to be called the sons of God, even to those who believe in His
Name.’
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Isaiah 53 – ‘He was despised and forsaken of men’
Jesus – who would grow up and be rejected by the nation – also found no welcome mat the
night of his birth
Mary places the baby Jesus in a manger – or an animal feeding trough!
The scene is one of humble origins – a lowly birth
He left the glory of heaven for this? [to be placed in a manger!]
Out of the ivory palaces
Into a world of woe
Only His great eternal love
Made my Savior go
Jesus left the glory of heaven – for this??? - - - Why??? - - - so He could become a man / die
on the cross for our sins
There was a fellow named Osborne – who willingly went to live as a prisoner in one of the
New York state penitentiaries. He was on the Governor’s state commission on prison reform
– so he took on the job of living inside the prison as one of the inmates – to study their
experience – come out to speak on their conditions
He was given the bland gray prison clothing – led to a cell – 4 ft wide by 7 ½ feet long. He
ate prison food and slept in a dreary cell like the other inmates. He even spent a night in the
box – solitary confinement. The only difference between Osborne and the other prisoners
was that he could [if he chose] order his release at any time – but until then – he lived the life
of a prisoner.
He voluntarily laid aside his freedom to experience life behind bars
Jesus voluntarily laid aside the glory of heaven – [He could call upon the angels at any time
to rescue Him off the cross] - - - but He didn’t so that He could die for our sins
II.
Angels Announce the Birth – vv. 8-14
Anytime a child is born – you like to have a little celebration
Mom sends out birth announcements – telling the height – weight – date of birth
The angel gives us none of those details
In fact – we don’t know for sure even what month Jesus was born in
When people started to try and track it down – several dates were put forward in addition to
Dec. 25 [January 2, 6 / March 21, 25/ April 18, 19; May 20, 28; Nov. 17, 20]
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Church tradition in the 3rd and 4th century began to ascribe it to December 25th
The date isn’t important [otherwise God would have made sure we knew] – what is important
– a Savior was born
These shepherds were having a rather ordinary night – doing their job – on the night shift –
watching their flocks – maybe chucking a rock at a wolf here and there - - - nothing too
exciting
Suddenly - - - They are struck by an awesome sight – struck with fear!
They see an angel in the glory of God
People who saw angels – often tended to be gripped with fear
Zacharias – ‘fear gripped him’ – when Gabriel showed up!
Gabriel said to Mary – ‘Do not be afraid’
The shepherds here are terribly frightened
The angel tells them – don’t be afraid – I have good news – a Savior is born
This is not a time for fear but for joy
Why all the fuss? Why the celebration time in the heavenlies?
God has just entered His creation
His plan of redemption has begun to roll forward
It is an event to celebrate!
In the Charlie Brown Peanuts special – in the scene where Linus recited the Christmas story
– when he came to v. 10 – ‘Do not be afraid’ – he drops his security blanket on the ground –
finishes reciting the passage [subtle]
We can drop all our security blankets in the presence of God’s truth
Jesus was constantly telling the disciples to fear not
‘don’t be afraid – in my Father’s house are many dwelling places’ – don’t fear death
‘Why were you afraid?’ – Didn’t you know you had Me in the boat with you? – [don’t fear
the storms of life]
The good news goes first to lowly shepherds – not to the ruling classes – or Jewish elite
The shepherds receive the news – Christ is born!
They are told how they can go see Him
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III. Come and Worship – vv. 15-20
These Shepherds didn’t stand around wondering whether it would be worth their time to go
and see the baby Jesus – they dropped everything and went
v. 20 – Mary treasured up all these things
Mary was probably the source of Luke’s information
John Piper: ‘God is the great actor and great goal of this story. He is at the beginning,
planning all things; He is in the middle, governing all things; and He is at the end, being
magnified in all things. Jesus Christ – the God-man, is His divine Son. Salvation is His
glorious work. And childlike faith is your way in. Go join the shepherds, theophilus,
glorifying and praising God. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the happiest story in the
world.’ [His Mission, p. 21]
Conclusion
Christmas is a message of joy – only because it is a message of forgiveness and
reconciliation – of peace with God
In December of 2000 – an interesting event occurred
Off the coast of Hawaii – on a WW II memorial – about a dozen American survivors of the
attack on Pearl Harbor were on hand for a ceremony - they reached out and embraced 3 of
the Japanese pilots who had flown in the mission to attack Pearl Harbor – dropping bombs on
these men – almost 60 years earlier
They showed that the relationship was not one of war but of reconciliation
On Christmas Day God Himself reached His hand out to sinful man – with a message of
peace
Man has rebelled against God – broken His laws – rejected His truth – trampled on His
commandments
But still – God reaches out in love thru His Son – who died for sinners – and offers full
pardon
But each of us must reach out and embrace God by faith
You can call on Him right now – ‘whoever will call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’
‘Father forgive me for I have sinned against heaven and in your sight – I believe in your Son
Jesus Christ – who came into this world to be our Savior’
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