Luke 2:1-14, Holy Birth’s sign

Luke 2:1-14, Holy Birth’s sign

1-14,
1.In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2.(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3.And everyone went to his own town to register. 4.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. 5.He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6.While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7.and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8.And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9.An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10.But the angel said to them, "Do not 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 Christ the Lord. 12.This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13.Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14."Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

<Sermon Summary>
  The coming of Jesus is truly amazing. 2,000 years ago, during the reign of Emperor Augustus of the Roman Empire, He came during the time of Quirinius, the governor of Syria (1-2). The emperor ordered everyone to go to their hometowns and register as families (3). Joseph, who lived in Nazareth of Galilee, also went up with his betrothed pregnant Mary to Bethlehem in Judea, David's town, to register (4-5). The distance from Nazareth of Galilee to Bethlehem of Judea is about 144 km, or 90 miles. The road at that time must have been winding and rough (See map).

  How difficult was it for Mary who conceived a baby and reached full term ? When the time came, she gave birth to the baby Jesus, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger (horse‘s trough?) (6-7). Because there was no inn for them to stay in. Jesus, who came as the Lord and Savior, did not come to a palace, a nobleman’s room or a good hospital, but to a shabby, smelly manger. Let us be thankful to the Lord Jesus who came to serve us so lowly. “Thank you Jesus!”
 Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, the Lord and the Savior, was born as a baby, a son, in a low and humble place! More than 700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah prophesied about this. Is. 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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
  It’s so amazing! Unbelievable! But this is the truth. Therefore, we can only thank Jesus for coming like this.
 
  At that time, shepherds were tending their sheep at night in the fields of Bethlehem (9). An angel of the Lord stood by them, shining the glory of God. The shepherds were very afraid (10). Then the angel spoke to them. “Do not be afraid. I bring good news of great joy to all the people. Today in the city of David(Bethlehem) a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. When you go, you will find the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.    This is a sign (sign=miracle+meaning) for you (11-12). A sign adds surprising meaning to a miracle. It is a miracle that the Son of God comes down as a human being. However, this also has an amazing meaning in that He came to save us, humans. It tells us that Jesus came to serve the world and our neighbors. It means that Jesus thoroughly embraces even the lowly and sinner. That's right. Jesus lay in a low manger and became an example of our humble life. The baby in the manger is a gift that becomes our friend and comforter no matter what situation we are in.
  Yes! Therefore no matter how difficult or hard we are, no matter how lowly or ignored we are, let us be comforted and gain strength by looking at baby Jesus lying in the manger.

  Suddenly, numerous angels praised God. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests(... peace among men with whom He is pleased, NASB version).”(13-14) That’s right!
  What a glory in heaven it is that the Savior Jesus came to a manger as a humble baby for a sinner like me. This shows the manifestation of God’s power and majesty. And on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests(... peace among men with whom He is pleased)!
 Who is the person with whom God is pleased? We are all those who live with Jesus as Lord in their hearts, those who obey the Lord, those who have received Jesus as the best gift, those who have received God's grace, and those whom God likes. Do you say Amen?

 Have you accepted this Savior Jesus as your Savior? Do you always acknowledge that Jesus is your Lord? Are you sure that Jesus saved you? Zacchaeus held a high position as the chief tax collector of Jericho. There was a lot of money too. But his heart was always empty. One day we hear that Jesus is passing through Jericho. He ran forward and climbed the sycamore tree to see Jesus. Jesus knows this and calls Zacchaeus and says, “Today salvation has come to this house, for this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”(Lk.19:10)

 Have you received the great gifts of Christmas? The greatest good news, the Gospel! We received the gift of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, as a baby lying in a manger. I sincerely thank the Lord and pray that you pass this gift on to your neighbors. Amen.
 Dear saints, I hope you have a blessed and peaceful Christmas. Merry & Blessed Christmas! Shalom, Peace be with you! Amen.