JOY TO THE WORLD

Mary’s reaction? And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (Luke 1:28-30 ESV) And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34 ESV)

Joseph’s reaction? Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:18-19 ESV)

Joseph’s reaction? But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:20 ESV)

Social conditions were not peaceful Pax Romana Brutal subjugation Lawful executions Foreign occupation After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, (Acts 18:1-2 ESV)

Social conditions were not peaceful There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. (Luke 13:1 ESV) He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. (Luke 23:25 ESV)

Social conditions were not peaceful For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. (Acts 5:36-37 ESV)

Social conditions were not peaceful Pax Romana Brutal subjugation Lawful executions Foreign occupation Eventually led to destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD

Jesus’ arrival was not peaceful In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. (Luke 2:1-5 ESV)

Jesus’ arrival was not peaceful Violent gov’t ordered them to register Mary is 9 months pregnant 80-90 mi On foot or donkey And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7 ESV)

Jesus’ presentation was not peaceful for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:30-35 ESV)

Jesus’ presentation was not peaceful for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:30-35 ESV)

Jesus’ presentation was not peaceful for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:30-35 ESV)

Jesus’ youth was not peaceful Matthew 2:1-12, between 1 & 2 yrs old Wise men from the east came looking Found the house in Bethlehem Gave gifts and worshipped Ignored King Herod’s orders Matthew 2:13- 18 Angel in a dream appeared to Joseph Took family and fled to Egypt Herod slew all 2 yrs old and younger

Jesus’ arrival was not a fairy tale But of fear Anxiety Mistrust Hardship Pain And death You may feel your life is no fairy tale either that you are covered up with Emotional pain Worry And fears EXACTLY the life Jesus was brought into

Jesus brought spiritual blessings to hard times …I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. (Jeremiah 31:3-4 ESV)

Jesus brought spiritual blessings to hard times “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, …For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. …for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34 ESV)

Jesus brought spiritual blessings to hard times There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. … with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth…Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. (Isaiah 11:1-5 ESV)

There WAS joy at Jesus’ birth Mary praised God for the redemption that was prophesied Shepherds witnessed angels praising for the salvation that was prophesied Wise men worshipped and praised the ruler of prophecy Joy was found in the spiritual promises that were lying in Mary’s arms