The Shepherds and the Baby

Sun Dec 4, 2011The second Sunday of Advent

Luke 2:1-21

Introduction• Dan – a Bah humbugger• No Santa• Hate shopping• Defender of “true” Christmas• Saintly Fellow• Actually curmudgeon

Introduction

• Lesson today: His birth and those surrounding it.

• Pray

Last Week

• Mary and Joseph• Baby no Marriage• Not good but God was involved so they

trusted him.• Mary and Joseph now in Bethlehem for

tax census.

Mary and Joseph

• Time came for the baby• No room to have the baby, so off to the

adjacent animal stable• Not like our stables today

Mary and Joseph

• Not really like this:

Mary and Joseph

• Real animal Stable• Smelly, noisy, dirty

Mary and Joseph

• Gave birth to the baby• Swaddled in cloth and placed in a Manger

Mary and Joseph

• Humble beginnings• But he was our Lord and Savior

Shepherds

• Sheep are still not smart• Can’t be left alone• Shepherds watch over them• Life-Changing event• Angel appears• Glory of the Lord shone – bright!

Shepherds

• Angels are terrifying• “Don’t be afraid”

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Shepherds

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

• Angels back to heaven.• Shepherds decide to go• Shepherds obeyed.

Shepherds

• Birth announcement of royalty would normally be before Roman Senate and dignitaries

• Birth announcement of messiah made before shepherds.

• Shepherds undignified, outcasts.• Most important birth announcement in

history made to…• …Shepherds

Shepherds

• Found the baby• Told everybody• Everyone was amazed• …first evangelists• Mary treasures and ponders these things

in her heart.

Shepherds

• Returned to the fields• Glorified and praised God• …first Christians (among the first)

The Name

• Time to circumcise the child• “He was named Jesus”• v.21 – the conclusion with the name• Luke 1:31

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

Jesus

• Born in Bethlehem• Fulfilled prophecy (Micah 5:8)• Angelic Visit: Saviour, Lord, Messiah!• Heavenly Chorus• Shepherds• Word is spread by Shepherds• Shepherds worship• Mary is encouraged

Jesus

• Name: narrative nail in the coffin.• What if: “Reggie”• The angel told her that she would call the

child Jesus” and then “when the time came to circumcise the child he was given the name Reggie. (not scripture)

Jesus

• Matthew 1:21

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

• Jesus – God Saves

Jesus

• Christ-mas• Became a Man• Recruited Disciples; spread the Gospels• Perfect• Rabbi; true religion

Jesus

• Like God; was God• Every knee will bow, every tongue confess• Signs and miracles• Sacrifice of atonement• Peace with God