“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 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. But 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.”
Luke 2:1-20 ESV
FOUR KEY ITEMS:
- The Irony of the King’s birth
- The Humility of the manger
- The Anxiety of the shepherds
- The Festivity of the angels
1. Irony: A Baby runs the world
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” Luke 2:1
“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.” Luke 2:4
“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,” 2 Timothy 2:8
Let’s look at his rivals for a moment:
- Caesar Augustus
- Herod the Great
2. Humility: A King born in a manger
“But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7
3. Anxiety: Angels appear out of nowhere
“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them…” Luke 2:9
4. Festivity: The Savior is born
“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.” Luke 2:10
Why is this good news of great joy?
- For the perfectionists
- Fear of rejection