Category: Luke 2

Lk.2:7 – 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.

Some songs just become part of our lives and our culture, ‘Silent Night’ is one of those songs. It’s message as well as its presence carries the sense of Christmas and why the world stands still on that one day. The first verse speaks of the supernatural peace that is associated with Christ. Obviously, Jesus was in the midst of turmoil all of His life. Hostility surrounded Him but it could never get in Him. From the day He was born to the day that He was killed, anything but peace dogged His steps. There was the order from Herod at His birth to kill every child in that region from two years old down. There was the attempt on His life when He first preached in His home town of Nazareth. He was hounded and ridiculed by the religious leaders every day of His ministry until He was finally crucified. Terror surrounded Him but inside “all was calm and all was bright”. The second verse speaks of angelic visitation and shepherds trembling in fear in the presence of the Lord. It also speaks of the manifestation of the glory of the Lord as the angels announced His birth. The final verse is the best. He is acknowledged as the Son of God. What an amazing revelation, the messiah would be God’s only begotten Son. This verse also describes the radiance of the glory shining from the face of Jesus. God’s glory is always always associated with the Lord Jesus. The song ends with the whole point of why Jesus was born, His birth announced the beginning of the age of redemption for fallen man. “Who so ever” can now call upon the Lord. Here are the words to this special song; read them carefully and don’t just skip over them. There may be a blessing hidden in the words of this song for you today.

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

‘Round yon virgin Mother and Child

Holy infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glories stream from heaven afar;

Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night

Son of God, oh, love’s pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

Lk.2:6,7 – While they were there (in Bethlehem), the days were completed 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.

We all tend to think that we are different and would have acted differently if we were in Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth. “If I was there, surely I would have welcomed Mary and Joseph into some place rather than in the stable with the animals.” Probably not, we most surely would have responded the way everyone else did. Actually, He comes to us everyday looking for a place to dwell. We have daily opportunities to make an abode for Christ. We can make room for Him in our daily private times, seeking His presence in the Word and in prayer and worship. We can make room for Him in our daily conversation, sharing about what He has done or shown us. We can make room for Him in ministering to the hurting, attending worship services, and small groups or gatherings. e can even make room for him at work or in our daily activities. Here ares some words from Spurgeon on making room for Christ on the job.

“I address many who are working men. You are employed among a great many artisans day after day; do you not find, brethren—I know you do—that there is very little room for Christ in the workshop? There is room there for everything else; there is room for swearing; there is room for drunkenness; there is room for lewd conversation; there is room for politics, slanders, or infidelities—but there is no room for Christ! Too many of our working men think religion would be an encumbrance, a chain, a miserable prison to them! They can frequent the theater, or listen in a lecture hall, but the house of God is too dreary for them! I wish I were not compelled to say so, but truly, in our factories, workshops, and foundries, there is no room for Christ. The world is elbowing and pushing for more room, till there is scarcely a corner left where the Babe of Bethlehem can be laid.”

At Christmas we celebrate the greatest of all mysteries, the Creator became one of us and came to live among us. What is He after? He is after our hearts, that’s the place He longs to dwell.

Lk.2:13,14 – And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

The new birth makes everything new and special in our lives. I have been thinking this year about how much my new birth experience changed my view of everything related to Christmas. It changed my view of the Christmas traditions, especially the songs. I am still amazed at the beauty and the power of the historic Christmas carols that literally fill the air from Thanksgiving Day all the way until the New Year. Many of these songs are quite spiritual and carry the very spirit of revivals of long ago. One of those songs is HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING. It was originally a poem written by Charles Wesley and was soon adapted and changed by George Whitefield. It carries the power and revelation of these two spiritual giants. No wonder we are still singing this song almost 300 years later. Pay close attention as you read the words to this great Christmas hymn.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the new-born King!”

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled.

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

Join the triumph of the skies;

With th’ angelic host proclaim,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the new-born King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored:

Christ, the everlasting Lord;

Late in time behold him come,

Offspring of the favoured one.

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;

Hail, th’incarnate Deity:

Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the new-born King!

Hail! the heaven-born

Prince of peace!

Hail! the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

Risen with healing in his wings

Mild he lays his glory by,

Born that man no more may die:

Born to raise the son of earth,

Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the new-born King !”

Like many of the historic Christmas songs this one is filled with spiritual revelation. It speaks of reconciliation from sin, the joy of salvation, the messianic birth, the deity of Christ, the new birth, His healing power, and the mystery of God being born in human flesh. The song is absolutely breathtaking. So what shall I do? I am going to join with Charles, George, and the angels and sing the glory of Christ’s birth this Christmas.

Lk.2:6,7 – While they were there, the days were completed 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.

It’s impossible for us to begin to understand the mystery of the human birth of the Son of God. How could the creator enter into His own creation? How could the creator of women be born of a woman? How could the One who feeds the whole earth be nourished from a woman’s breast? How could Someone who is all powerful be housed in the weakness of a human infant. As Paul the Apostle said, “Great is the mystery of godliness”. With all of our activities and distractions of the Christmas season it is easy to miss this incredible mystery that is all around. The Word of of God became a human and made His home in our midst. Here are some thoughts from Augustine on this Christmas miracle.

“Let’s blare “his glory among the nations, and his marvelous works among all the peoples”. He plays with a ball in a manger, but the manger contains the orb of the world. He drinks from His mother’s breasts but He’s fed by His Father’s Angels. He’s got Himself entangled with our mortality, but He drapes us with His own immorality. He enjoy’s adoration, and He’s tickled by lactation. He didn’t find a decent spot at the hostelry, but He’s made a nice nest for Himself in the hearts of all believers. He made infirmity look strong by making fortitude appear weak. Therefore, let’s look up at, more than we look down upon, His fleshly nativity! What did He do for us? After all, he raised humility to unheard of heights! All of which is another way of saying, let’s burn with His Charity so that we may enjoy His eternity!”

So let’s embrace the words of Augustine, “Let’s burn with His Charity (supernatural love) that we may enjoy His eternity”. What doe Augustine mean by this? It is the love of God that brought Christ to the earth. As we embrace Him His love begins to burn in us and through us. Others are swept up by His love and they too taste the precious love of our Savior. As we live this life of love we are preparing for the great eternal day when step into complete, infinite joy.

Lk.2:8,9 – In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

 

What is the real meaning of Christmas? I mean really, everyone knows its not the parties and the egg nog or the shopping and the presents. Maybe you think its the “I’ll be home for Christmas” syndrome. No. That’s not it either. With all the days off, the shopping, and even doing good deeds for the needy alone can never capture what Christmas is all about. This is the question of the ages and even was the theme of the classic Holiday special “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. Charlie Brown was struggling, frustrated about Christmas until his friend Linus gave him the answer. Here is a portion of an article from the Gazette talking about Charlie Brown’s Christmas special.

 

“During the making of the animated Christmas classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, Peanuts creator Charles Schulz had a meeting with Lee Mendelson, the show’s producer, and Bill Melendez, its lead animator. The discussion concerned Schulz’s insistence about including a New Testament scripture reading of the Christmas story from the Bible. The scripture reading was to be spoken by Peanuts character Linus Van Pelt in response to Charlie Brown’s lament, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Mendelson and Melendez both voiced their concern about the reading, with Melendez telling Schulz, “It’s very dangerous for us to start talking about religion now.” Schulz answered him by saying, “Bill, if we don’t, who will?” In the end, the scripture reading was retained, and the CBS special was the second-most watched show of the week when it debuted on December 9, 1965.”

 

I think it is quite interesting to see the political pressure the television folks felt in 1965. There was that unseen elephant in the room, sponsors and money that seemed to be on the line if Charles Schulz brought Christ into the equation. Shultz insisted and the scripture quote became the classic scene in the television show. I watched the show when it first aired when I was thirteen years old as well as seeing it many times since. The amazing thing about the show and why it stands out above any other Peanuts scene in history is that quote of the birth of Christ from the gospel of Luke. Without the quote it would have been another forgotten, worthless Christmas special. So that brings us to us. Are we willing to stand like Charles Shultz and Linus did or will we be plowed over by our godless, secular world?

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 ESV

These angels brought a shocking promise, good news of great joy. At the end of they day everyone just wants to be happy. Coming together with other Christians provides a beautiful opportunity for us to take advantage of the spiritual atmosphere found there and for us to pursue our God given quest to be happy. Today’s promise that the Lord gave to the angels over 2000 years ago is still proving to be true. The church world today meets in many nations throughout the world. It’s when we come together for worship and the ministry of the Word that we find the dynamic of supernatural joy that the angels were stirred up about. Today, this joy is birthed in our hearts as we celebrate the coming of our Messiah Jesus. He has come and our world can never be the same. He has truly brought good news of great joy for all the people. Here are some thoughts from Matthew Henry about the joy of His birth.

“He furnishes them with abundant matter for joy: “Behold, I evangelize to you great joy; I solemnly declare it, and you have reason to bid it welcome, for it shall bring joy to all people, and not to the people of the Jews only; that unto you is born this day, at this time, a Savior, the Savior that has been so long expected, which is Christ the Lord, in the city of David”. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed; he is the Lord, Lord of all; he is a sovereign prince; nay, he is God, for the Lord, in the Old Testament, answers to Jehovah. He is a Savior, and he will be a Savior to those only that accept him for their Lord. “The Savior is born, he is born this day; and, since it is matter of great joy to all people, it is not to be kept secret, you may proclaim it, may tell it to whom you please.”

What I love about this promise is the fact that this joy is not only for all people, it is also specifically for me. Christ came to this world because of my need for true, lasting joy. Like the Shepherds from that field in Bethlehem, I just never thought the joy I was looking for would look like this.

LK. 2:9-12 – And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

All of my life there has been something mystical about Christmas Day. Now before I get lectures from the people who say “you know Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th” let me share a couple of things with you. From the earliest times Christmas has been celebrated on December 25. As a matter of fact, Justin Martyr (100-165 AD), Tertullian (155-240 BC) and John Chrysostrom (349-407AD) believed December 25 was the day. They all quote a registry in the Roman archives of the census of Caesar Augustus that talk about “Mary the mother of Jesus” and give December 25 as the day.

The next thing that is often said is that shepherds wouldn’t be out in these fields in December. The thing many people fail to realize is that sheep were offered as sin offerings by the thousands all year round just a couple of miles from Bethlehem at the temple in Jerusalem. These were surely temple sheep being raised as offerings for the temple. If angels were going to visit shepherds, why not the ones raising the lambs sacrificed for our sins? Not that it really matters which day Jesus came, I’m just saying don’t let legalistic people still your joy about a date they don’t even know about themselves.

As for this special day, the Lord Himself seems to set it aside and make it special for His Glory. Businesses shut down, stores and restaurants close, and most people make it back home for Christmas. There is something about standing still as an individual, as a family, and as a people that centers us once again. Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her King. Have you opened your heart to this incredible King? Have you made room in your life for Christmas? Have you made room in your life for Jesus? If not, open your heart right now and invite Him to be born in your heart this Christmas.

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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:10–11 ESV

This is only good news for someone who is already painfully aware of their need for a Savior. This good news touches the very heart of the gospel and the mission of the life and ministry of Jesus. Christ came to seek and to save the lost. Christ died for the ungodly. Until you see yourself in the category of sinners and the ungodly a Savior is meaningless to you. Once that happens, once you see your sin and His mercy, this is good news of great joy. This is the very joy of Christmas.

So for all the sinners reading this blog today, this Savior is for you. Jesus came to save us from our sins. This brings us to the very meaning of the word Savior. Savior comes from the greek word sozo. Here is Dick Mill’s definition of that beautiful Bible word.

“saved, sozo: To save, heal, cure, preserve, keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction, deliver. Sozo saves from physical death by healing, and from spiritual death by forgiving sin and its effects. Sozo in primitive cultures is translated simply, “to give new life” and “to cause to have a new heart.”

So to be saved by the Savior brings in a whole world of remedy and cure. To be saved from sin deals with forgiveness. The Savior’s death on the cross cleanses us from every sin by His blood poured out on the cross. To be saved from sin also means deliverance from the power and bondage of sin. The Savior strikes at the very heart of the problem, our sinful desire for carnal fulfillment. It is the loveliness of the Savior, the beauty of knowing Him that liberates us from sin’s power. The work of the Savior also involves healing for our body and our emotions. The same sacrifice that frees us from sin destroys the power of sickness in our bodies and our minds. The Savior is our Healer, He has saved us from our diseases. This Savior Who was born for us also saves us from our enemies. All of the attacks that have been mounted against us are brought to nothing, the enemy has been stripped of His power and we are made totally free.

So there is good news of great joy for me and for you. On Christmas Day a Savior was born, Jesus Christ the Lord.