Luke 2:8-11

Luke 2:8-11 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. On the night Jesus was born, the town of Bethlehem was bursting with activity. So many visitors crowding into such a small place! No one noticed the little couple staying in the stable. No one even noticed the baby born that was born that night. So God had to send a birth announcement to shepherds sleeping in the nearby hills. Usually, the shepherds were the last to get any news from town. But on that blessed night, they were the first to hear! And they left their sheep to find the new-born Savior. I am sure Mary and Joseph were proud to show off their new little baby boy! And the shepherds were proud to be the first to welcome the new-born Messiah to their town. Welcome, baby Jesus! Welcome to our world!

Luke 2:6,7

Luke 2:6,7 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Mary and Joseph were in King David’s family, so when the Roman government sent everyone to their home towns to register for their taxes, Mary and Joseph had to travel 70 miles to Bethlehem. I’m sure they took their time. Mary was just about to give birth and traveling was difficult. Joseph didn’t like her having to make the journey, but the Romans didn’t care. Mary and Joseph had to go. They stopped often to rest and to camp for the night. When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room left for them. The little town was packed with King David’s descendants. Joseph found a dry stable just as Mary felt her baby coming. When little baby Jesus was born, he was bundled up and laid in a cow’s feeding trough. What an unusual bed for a baby! But in all of those difficult circumstances, God took care of His Son. Everything was fine. The baby and mother were warm and dry and safe. And God will take care of you too! He will meet your needs and have everything in life ready for you. God loves you just as much as He loves His own Son, because you are his dear children too!

Luke 1:37

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. Today we will look at two impossibilities that actually happened. The old priest, Zacharias, and his old wife, Elisabeth had prayed for a child for years, but they couldn’t have children. But when Zacharias was in the Temple performing his duty as a priest, the angel Gabriel suddenly appeared to him and told him he would have a special son. His son would be a fiery evangelist announcing the coming of the Messiah – the holy One Who would redeem their nation, Israel. Zacharias just couldn’t believe the news. So to convince him, the angel took away his voice until his son, John was born. After John’s dedication, Zacharias miraculously got his voice back and began praising God. Everyone was amazed! But before Elisabeth had her miracle baby, her cousin Mary, came for a visit. Mary told Elisabeth that she pregnant as well and had just married Joseph. Mary’s new baby was another miracle baby. The angel who had visited Zacharias had visited Mary too and had told her that she would give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Mary was His mother, but God was His Father. Joseph was only his step-father. These two cousins excitedly hugged each other as they talked about their amazing babies! They were living in wonderful times! God was working miracles to perform His will. And God is still working today! How wonderful it is to be a part of God’s plan for the ages! How wonderful to think of the miracles of Christmas!

II Corinthians 9:15

II Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. We celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25, but when was Jesus really born? Well, no one really knows. So, let’s look at the evidence. Today is the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. When Constantine, the Roman Emperor, was converted to Christianity in 312 A.D., he probably wanted Christ’s birthday to be celebrated today, the winter solstice, in order to counteract the pagan festival of Saturnalia that was celebrated on the same day. But we don’t really know. We do know that the early Christians celebrated Easter much more than Christmas. Christ’s death and resurrection was more important to them than His birth. The actual day of Jesus’ birth is not as important as the fact that He was born. My father’s mother, Granny Whitely, had a hired hand named Hyder Chapman, who worked for her in West Virginia years ago. When he reached retirement age, he had a problem. He didn’t have a birth certificate! He was one of several children who were born at home and no record was entered at the courthouse of his birth! He knew that he was about 65 years old, but he didn’t know the exact day when he was born. But there was never a question of if Hyder had been born, it was just a question of when he was born. That is the same with the birth of Jesus. We know that He was born! We just celebrate his birth on December 25. Oh by the way, Hyder’s older sister told him when he was born and signed a document to that effect and Hyder got his retirement money.

II Peter 1:16-19a

II Peter 1:16-19a For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; Have you ever wondered if God is really real? I mean sometimes it is hard to believe in someone that you have never seen or heard. Peter tells us that we have not just been sucked up into some big story that someone just made up. We haven’t just fallen for a fable – a made-up story. Peter said that he was an eye-witness of the glory of Jesus Christ. He actually saw the glory of God displayed in Jesus Christ! Peter, James, and John went up to the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus and saw, face to face, Moses and Elijah! They had been dead for hundreds of years! But Jesus was more glowing that the two of them! Jesus was seen by Peter and the other two in all of His glory! Then the three disciples heard God the Father speak, “This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful to actually hear the voice of God? Peter did! But in our verses Peter went on to say that there is something better than that! God’s written Word, the Bible is better than seeing these wonderful things face to face! We have the more sure word of prophecy – we have the written Word of God, the Bible! Peter, James and John saw the real thing. And Peter recommends the Bible as really true! We can trust what we read. It is true. God is real and we can trust in Him!