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In this season of Christmas, most Christians who want to examine

the event of the birth of Jesus would open their Bibles to Luke chapter 2.

However, that is not where the story begins…

The news of the birth of Messiah is told long before Dr. Luke ever penned his gospel –

long before a baby was born in a stable in Bethlehem!

In this season of Christmas, most Christians who want to examine

the event of the birth of Jesus would open their Bibles to Luke chapter 2.

However, that is not where the story begins…

The news of the birth of Messiah is told long before Dr. Luke ever penned his gospel –

long before a baby was born in a stable in Bethlehem!

We must go all the way back to the book of Genesis

to find the first proclamation of the coming of Yeshua.

Open your Bible to Genesis 3:15

where we find God admonishing the serpent

immediately after sin and death entered into

the perfect world He had created for man.

We must go all the way back to the book of Genesis

to find the first proclamation of the coming of Yeshua.

Open your Bible to Genesis 3:15

where we find God admonishing the serpent

immediately after sin and death entered into

the perfect world He had created for man.

Genesis 3:15

“…and I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your seed and her Seed.”

Enmity:a deep seated dislike

or ill will

The woman God is speaking of is Mary.

The seed is Jesus

the Messiah.

Genesis 3:15

“…and I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your seed and her Seed.”

Enmity:a deep seated dislike

or ill will

The woman God is speaking of is Mary.

The seed is Jesus

the Messiah.YeshuaYeshua

From the time of the Garden of Eden, God knew that the price of sin is death

and the cost of the redemption of His creation

would have to be a perfect sacrifice

as payment.

God was telling Satan what He intended to do

about the situation…

From the time of the Garden of Eden, God knew that the price of sin is death

and the cost of the redemption of His creation

would have to be a perfect sacrifice

as payment.

God was telling Satan what He intended to do

about the situation…

ALL the events recorded in God’s Word

- from this time forward - are illustrations of:

ALL the events recorded in God’s Word

- from this time forward - are illustrations of:

1. Who God is

2. How much He loves His people

3. What would be required to redeem us back to Him

1. Who God is

2. How much He loves His people

3. What would be required to redeem us back to Him

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree

that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree

that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

Luke 2:1 NIVLuke 2:1 NIV

The original Greek translation and the King James Bible both say:

“ALL the world”

1. At this point in history, there is a single ruler of the known world.

2. Caesar had the power and authority to

“decree” and get everyone movingto the town of their birth

to be counted.

The original Greek translation and the King James Bible both say:

“ALL the world”

1. At this point in history, there is a single ruler of the known world.

2. Caesar had the power and authority to

“decree” and get everyone movingto the town of their birth

to be counted.

God used this mighty earthly ruler, his power,

and this event, to get Mary and Joseph

to Bethlehem…

in order to

fulfill

the prophecy given by Micah.

God used this mighty earthly ruler, his power,

and this event, to get Mary and Joseph

to Bethlehem…

in order to

fulfill

the prophecy given by Micah.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small

among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me

Who will be Ruler over Israel, Whose origins are from of old,

from ancient times."

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small

among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me

Who will be Ruler over Israel, Whose origins are from of old,

from ancient times."

Micah 5:2 NIV Micah 5:2 NIV

1. Ephrathah: the ancient name for Bethlehem

2. In the King James translation, the phrase “from ancient times” reads

“from everlasting”

1. Ephrathah: the ancient name for Bethlehem

2. In the King James translation, the phrase “from ancient times” reads

“from everlasting”Here Micah foretells of Messiah

Who was - and Who is -

and Who is to come - from everlasting -

(eternity past)born in Bethlehem

Here Micah foretells of Messiah

Who was - and Who is -

and Who is to come - from everlasting -

(eternity past)born in Bethlehem

A king, in the line of David - from Bethlehem -

was not a new idea to God…

He did this once

before...

A king, in the line of David - from Bethlehem -

was not a new idea to God…

He did this once

before...

1Samuel 16:1

“I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."

1Samuel 16:1

“I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."

1. God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint the next ruler of Israel after He had rejected Saul.

2. King David was from Bethlehem.

1. God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint the next ruler of Israel after He had rejected Saul.

2. King David was from Bethlehem.

1. Bethlehem is four miles south of Jerusalem.

a. Shepherds provided lambs to be sacrificed in the temple in Jerusalem.

b. Bethlehem’s purpose for being was to provide lambs that were acceptable by the priests - for sacrifice.

c. The lambs had to be perfect

1. Bethlehem is four miles south of Jerusalem.

a. Shepherds provided lambs to be sacrificed in the temple in Jerusalem.

b. Bethlehem’s purpose for being was to provide lambs that were acceptable by the priests - for sacrifice.

c. The lambs had to be perfect

- unblemished -- unblemished -

“And there were shepherds living outin 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.(vv. 8-9)

“And there were shepherds living outin 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.(vv. 8-9)

But the angel said to them,

"Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news of great joythat will be for all the people.Today in the town of David

a Savior has been born to you;He is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a Baby wrapped in cloths

and lying in a manger.

(vv. 10-12)

But the angel said to them,

"Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news of great joythat will be for all the people.Today in the town of David

a Savior has been born to you;He is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a Baby wrapped in cloths

and lying in a manger.

(vv. 10-12)

Suddenly a great company

of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace

to men on whom His favor rests."

(vv. 13-14)

Suddenly a great company

of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace

to men on whom His favor rests."

(vv. 13-14)

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."

(v. 15)

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."

(v. 15)

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. (vv. 16-18)

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. (vv. 16-18)

v.19v.19

But Mary treasured up

all these things

But Mary treasured up

all these things

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God

for all the things they had heard and seen,

which were just

as they had been told.”(v.20)

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God

for all the things they had heard and seen,

which were just

as they had been told.”(v.20)

a.The Lord was telling the shepherds that the Perfect Lamb had been born.

b. The shepherds spread the word.

a.The Lord was telling the shepherds that the Perfect Lamb had been born.

b. The shepherds spread the word.

2. God wanted these shepherds (temple shepherds)

to be the first to receive the news of the “great joy”

for “all the people.”

2. God wanted these shepherds (temple shepherds)

to be the first to receive the news of the “great joy”

for “all the people.”

They glorified and praised God!

They glorified and praised God!

1. Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will be with Child

and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him

Immanuel.”

1. Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will be with Child

and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him

Immanuel.”

2. Isaiah 9:6“…for to us a Child is born,

to us a Son is given,and the government will be

on His shoulders.And He will be called:

Wonderful CounselorMighty God

Everlasting FatherPrince of Peace.”

2. Isaiah 9:6“…for to us a Child is born,

to us a Son is given,and the government will be

on His shoulders.And He will be called:

Wonderful CounselorMighty God

Everlasting FatherPrince of Peace.”

3. Mathew 1:21

“and you are to give Him the Name

3. Mathew 1:21

“and you are to give Him the Name

because He willsave His people from their sins.”

because He willsave His people from their sins.”

a. Yeshua is His Hebrew Name it means “salvation”

b. The Hebrew name Joshua means “Jehovah is savior”

c. The Greek translation of Joshua is “Jesu”

where we get the English version of Yeshua’s Name

The broader picture:

Most people at the time of the census were not ready to receive a gift from God; even Mary and Joseph were probably not prepared for what was to come. They had just traveled 90 hard miles and were dirty, tired, and physically in the same state as everyone else

with the exception that Mary was ready to give birth.

The broader picture:

Most people at the time of the census were not ready to receive a gift from God; even Mary and Joseph were probably not prepared for what was to come. They had just traveled 90 hard miles and were dirty, tired, and physically in the same state as everyone else

with the exception that Mary was ready to give birth.

The Not So Silent Night”The Not So Silent Night”

1. A census had been called for the entire Roman empire.

a. Everyone was on the move to get to where they were born.

They were distracted by the chaos of the time.

b. Bethlehem was so crowded that the only accommodation available

for a VERY pregnant woman was a stable.

1) In reality - a cave or alcove was being used as a stable.

2) It was dirty, smelly and filled with livestock

1. A census had been called for the entire Roman empire.

a. Everyone was on the move to get to where they were born.

They were distracted by the chaos of the time.

b. Bethlehem was so crowded that the only accommodation available

for a VERY pregnant woman was a stable.

1) In reality - a cave or alcove was being used as a stable.

2) It was dirty, smelly and filled with livestock

a. The least of comfort

b. The least of provision - Luke 2:7 says Mary delivered the Baby and Mary placed the Baby in the

manger

no one was there to help her

c. Chaos - all around

a. The least of comfort

b. The least of provision - Luke 2:7 says Mary delivered the Baby and Mary placed the Baby in the

manger

no one was there to help her

c. Chaos - all around

2. The setting and conditions God chose

to be born into:

2. The setting and conditions God chose

to be born into:

God knew the time was right and the world was in need.

He provided the most humble setting where He brought the greatest blessing

the world would know – Messiah!

God knew the time was right and the world was in need.

He provided the most humble setting where He brought the greatest blessing

the world would know – Messiah!

God knows our needs- provides for our needs -

He blesses!

God knows our needs- provides for our needs -

He blesses!

Father, remind us today that great joy comes from You and is not dependent on, nor is determined by our circumstances.

In this season, we will celebrate the birth of Your Son - our Messiah - Whom You gave, not only to be the perfect sacrifice for the

payment of our sins, but also to demonstrate Your love for us.

How deeply You must love us to provide the atoning sacrifice for complete victory over death and the salvation of your people!

Father, remind us today that great joy comes from You and is not dependent on, nor is determined by our circumstances.

In this season, we will celebrate the birth of Your Son - our Messiah - Whom You gave, not only to be the perfect sacrifice for the

payment of our sins, but also to demonstrate Your love for us.

How deeply You must love us to provide the atoning sacrifice for complete victory over death and the salvation of your people!

Seal in us today Your Word and let us leave this place with a new focus

- not on our circumstances or the chaos of this world -

but on the Great Joy we find in a little Boy, wrapped in cloth,

Who was laid in a manger some 2000 years ago.

Seal in us today Your Word and let us leave this place with a new focus

- not on our circumstances or the chaos of this world -

but on the Great Joy we find in a little Boy, wrapped in cloth,

Who was laid in a manger some 2000 years ago.