- Sermon Notes
- Scripture
The Savior is Born
Luke 2:1-20
On this Christmas morning we turn to Luke Chapter 2:1-20, which is the section of Scripture that gives of the greatest details surrounding what took place the day Jesus was born.
This day, so meaningful to many, in so many ways. It is a day that is often filled with tradition and family leading up to it. Lists, things to get and things to do! The day itself, often filled with friends, family, more lists, and more to do’s. In those “to do’s” we can at times lose sight of “Who” this day is all about.
This day is a day to celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, Immanuel which means God with us. Jesus Christ, the Word, became flesh, dwelt among us to show the way and make the way for us!
With that in mind, I have defined three more lines for your Christmas. Some items that I hope you do not miss. First, that you would make room for Jesus today; 2. That you would remember who the Savior was born for; and 3. Find an opportunity to make known what the Lord has made known to you.
- Make Room for Jesus Today
Luke 2:1-7, Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
- Through a Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus. The order was sent out for all in the land to take part in a census,
- The purpose for the census was twofold: First, to make sure everyone was being taxed. Secondly, to show the greatness of the Roman world under the rule of Caesar. Whose name, “Augustus,” meant “exalted” and “sacred.”
- He encouraged worship of Himself…he put his picture on the coins with this sentence underneath his picture, son of god.
- Little did he know that his order would make the way for the One true Son of God to be born in the place that prophesied or foretold in the scriptures hundreds of years prior.
- His order, got a young couple, with a young woman named Mary in her third trimester, to make an 80-mile journey from the town of Nazareth to the little town of Bethlehem.
- Through this order, the way was being prepared for the virgin prophesied in Isaiah 7:14; to birth Jesus, the Savior, in the town of Bethlehem, as prophesied in the Scriptures (Micah 5:2,4).
- But what we see in verse 7 is that Jesus’ birth story is marked by the fact that there is no place for Him to be born…No room at the inn.
- No vacancy is what determined the room Jesus was born in. His being laid in a manger after His birth, give us the picture that Jesus was born in the place where animals were kept.
- The manger was a feeding trough for animals. This, I would imagine, was not the place Mary and Joseph would want to place their newborn son.
- Herod, the King of Judea, had no room in his heart. Hearing the news of Jesus’ birth, he began plotting Jesus’ murder.
- He is so intent on removing Jesus from the world that he orders all male children under the age of 2 in Bethlehem, the town of Jesus’ birth be murdered (Matthew 2:16).
- Jesus came to earth, leaving glory.
John 1:1-3, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.
- Philippians 2:6-8 tells us that He Made himself nothing, though He was God.
- Jesus was and is God’s gift to the world, yet upon the arrival of that gift which had been given… there was no room, no availability.
- That leads me back to the first line to add to your Christmas list, make room for Jesus today.
- He is the reason for the season, and the One to celebrate on this day. You can make room by taking time to pray and thank Him, you and read the various stories surrounding His birth and coming to earth, you can go around in your family and express what Jesus’ birth means to each of you individually, choose some Christmas songs that celebrate His birth; whatever you do, I encourage you to make room!
- The second line to add to your Christmas list is:
- Remember Who the Savior Was Born For
Luke 2:8-10, In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people…”
- In verse 8 to 11 we read of the announcement of Jesus’ birth to a group of Shepherds.
- The angel brought “good news of great joy” to these shepherds, but not just to them…The good news and great joy would “be for all people.”
- What was this good news of great joy for all the people?
Luke 2:11, Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
- The substance of this good news is that the Savior, Christ the Lord has been born, and the angel makes it specific by saying, the Savior, Christ the Lord has been born for you.
- The Savior was born for all people and the truth of this statement is clearly seen in the description of who the announcement of Jesus’ birth was first being given to…The news was being given to shepherds.
- While in the Old Testament we see many prominent figures like Moses (Ex. 3:1) and David (1 Samuel 16:11-13) who were shepherds at some point in their lives, the societal view of shepherds had changed through the years.
- In Jesus’ day, shepherds were at the bottom of the social ladder. They were generally uneducated, unskilled, viewed as dishonest, unreliable, and had a reputation as those who confused “mine” with “thine,” taking what was not theirs as they roamed about.
- Because sheep required care seven days a week, shepherds were unable to fully comply with all of the Sabbath regulations developed by the Pharisees. As a result, they were in continual violation of the religious laws and therefore, continually ceremonially unclean.
- They were lowly, humble people and what we come to understand is that they were generally not those who anyone would expect to receive the most significant announcement in history.
- Yet, they are the first to hear of Jesus’ birth.
- Interestingly, this is the theme we see throughout Jesus’ life. He consistently seeks out those who are outcasts, or on the fringe and welcomes them in.
- They receive good news of great joy! This great joy is written about in 1 Peter 1:8, it is the joy found in Jesus, inexpressible, full of glory, and sure for those who have been forgiven through faith in Him.
John 10:10, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
- The angel makes it clear to the shepherds, Jesus is good news of great joy for all people, and He was born for you.
John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
- He came for you and I, He came for all.
- The angel said, “there has been born for you” a Savior.
- In verses 8 to 10 we see the shepherds referred to as a group: “some shepherds,” “their” flocks, the angel stood near “them,” the glory of the Lord shone around “them,” and “they” were frightened.
- For three verse they are referred to as a group, yet when the angel speaks of the Savior, they are addressed personally, for to “you.”
- It could have been written a different way and would still be true… Born for you all, born for y’all, all of you, this entire group. That is surely right, and implied, it was for them all, but the word “you” strikes me personally.
- Jesus was surely born to us…
Isaiah 9:6, For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
- In being born for us, He was born for you, and for me…The Savior must be applied personally.
Illus. Who is it addressed to?
III. Make Known What the Lord Has Made Known to You
Luke 2:12-14, And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.”
- After telling the shepherds who had, the angel then told the shepherds exactly how to find Him. They would find a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger.
- Upon hearing this…They want to get to Jesus as soon as possible and make known what had been made known to them.
Luke 2:15-17, When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
- Upon finding Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, they began sharing the story of the angels’ announcement regarding Jesus’ birth.
- I can only imagine the stories that followed. Mary and Joseph had also been visited by angels.
- The room was filled with amazement and confirmation of the calling the Lord placed on Mary to birth and bear Jesus. A confirmation for Joseph who chose the Lord’s path in choosing to remain with Mary and be the earthly father to Jesus.
- In the shepherds’ brief encounter, they brought confirmation of Christ’s divinity, and while all was calm, Jesus perhaps sleeping in heavenly peace…These shepherds told the story of the loud praise going on in heaven.
- The shepherds did not stop talking about this after leaving Mary and Joseph.
Luke 2:17-18, When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (NIV)
- These lowly shepherds thus became the first human witnesses of the good news of Jesus.
Luke 2:19-20, Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
- The shepherds continued glorifying and praising the Lord for all they had heard and seen.
- They heard the news that the Savior has come, 2. They believed it, 3. Came to find Him, and 4. Went out to tell the world what they had heard, seen, and been told!
- What if when the angels left, the shepherds turned to one another and said, “that was really cool!” But decided to stay out in the fields?
- Who would have heard about Jesus? How would the story be different? Certainly, our manger scenes would be quite different, but after hearing from God’s messengers, they went out and shared what they heard.
- Bringing that same good news of great joy to all who heard!
- I encourage you this Christmas to make known what God has made known to you about His birth. Perhaps it is a Scripture you can share, perhaps a story, a testimony. Whether that is with a person, or on a platform, I encourage you to do as the shepherds did, go from here praising God and make known what you have been shown from the Lord personally!
- Perhaps there is someone who will treasure all that you have to say, or perhaps they will recognize that the Lord has something for them specifically and personally!
Luke 2:1-20