Sunday, December 3, 2023 AM
MY CHRISTMAS CARD TO YOU: Noel – Christ’s Birth
Mike Teel, Pastor
FOCAL PASSAGE:
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into 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 wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” —Luke 2:1-15 (NKJV)
Think with me, the announcement of the birth (Noel) of Jesus was …
TO PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. —Luke 2:8 (NKJV)
–During this time Shepherds were not considered to be an acceptable class of people, in fact they were often known as the lowest of all the people.
–So, shepherds were considered the lowliest of society.
But I also want you to notice the
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? —Matthew 2:1-2a (NKJV)
–You are familiar with the story of the wise men sometimes referred to as Kings, and in reality, were astrologers (star gazers).
–They traveled a great distance as representatives from probably Persia to acknowledge the newborn king.
–These men were Gentiles – the very opposite of the Jews.
–From the very beginning Jesus was a king, Lord, Savior for all mankind. From the lowliest to the most prestigious, from Jews to Gentiles – for all people.
But also, the
AND SCARY
9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. —Luke 2:9 (NKJV)
–When it did happen, it wasn’t expected, and it didn’t happen the way they had envisioned.
–Luke said the shepherds “were greatly afraid”. This means they were really, really scared.
–Here they were just minding their own business; going about life as normal and all of a sudden interrupting this peace and quiet of the night there is this heavenly host appearing to them with the announcement that the Messiah had come.
–Can you see why they might have been scared?
This was not the only
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ —Matthew 2:3-6 (NKJV)
–When the wise men arrived at Jerusalem and began to ask where the newborn King of the Jews was, it created confusion and trouble.
–Notice, not only was Herod troubled but because he was troubled at this saying, all of Jerusalem was troubled.
–Herod was both confused and scared for his own Kingship.
–We too sometimes are confused and scared when we think about Jesus our Messiah.
–Many of us are not ready to ask Jesus into our lives. We too are often scared. How can we live the Christian life when our life is so full of sin right now?
The announcement of Jesus’ birth was to
LIFE-
10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:10-11 (NKJV)
–The angel said he was bringing Good News (Gospel).
–This was a Life-Changing moment event for the shepherds and for the world.
–But that seems to be the standard of Jesus.
–Everywhere He showed up it was a life-changing moment.
But the life-change was not always
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also. —Matthew 2:7-8
–What was Life-Changing for others was Life-Threatening for Herod.
–Today, Jesus is still hated among those who are influenced by Satan.
–Any time Jesus shows up, it will result in a Life-Changing event – either for good or for bad!
And finally, the first Noel of Christ was
THE
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” —Matthew 2:1-2
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him… —Matthew 2:9-11a
–Although Jesus was just as human as you and me, His birth and life was surrounded by the Miraculous.
–The Wise Men said, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
–It is interesting they indicated they had been led to Jerusalem and later to Bethlehem by a guiding star.
–Now there are several theories about this Star that is mentioned in the account of Jesus’ birth.
—-A COMET that appeared at this time.
—-Some say it was the ALIGNMENT OF THE PLANETS in our solar system.
—-Another theory is that a SUPER NOVA occurred at this very time.
—-The one theory I embrace is that it was a MIRACULOUS MOVE OF A HOLY GOD to announce to the world that His only begotten Son, Jesus had been birthed into our World for the redemption of all mankind.
–Jesus was MIRACULOUSLY born.
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14
–Born under the law to miraculously FULFILL THE LAW:
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. —Galatians 4:4-5
How is this “Noel” of Jesus Christ
–Jesus still REVEALS Himself to all people.
–The message of Salvation is still CONFUSING and sometimes FRIGHTENING.
–It is scary because we must make a choice if we are going to believe.
–It is still LIFE-CHANGING –
9d The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, Not Willing That Any Should Perish but that all should come to repentance. —II Peter 3:9d
–It is still MIRACULOUS –
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8
–We become a new creation –
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. —II Corinthians 5:17
Christmas is all about God coming down to our
LIVE IT OUT
–Let this Christmas be different for you.
–Have you experienced this miraculous life-changing event in your life?
–Yes, it might be confusing and scary but do not let that prevent you from having all your sins forgiven.
–Trust Jesus as savior today!