Life Lessons for All Generations Nativity Life Lessons for All Generations God's Plan

that is not where the story begins… Introduction: 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.

Yeshua 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. Yeshua

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…

the events recorded in God’s Word - from this time forward - ALL the events recorded in God’s Word - from this time forward - are illustrations of: Who God is 2. How much He loves His people 3. What would be required to redeem us back to Him

Now... Luke's account of the Nativity In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. Luke 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 moving to the town of their birth to be counted.

God used this mighty earthly ruler, the prophecy given by Micah. his power, and this event, to get Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem… in order to fulfill the prophecy given by Micah.

One “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." One Micah 5:2 NIV

Here Micah foretells of Messiah 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

was not a new idea to God… A king, in the line of David - from Bethlehem - was not a new idea to God… He did this once before...

“I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. 1Samuel 16:1 “I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint the next ruler of Israel after He had rejected Saul. 2. King David was from Bethlehem.

Why 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 - unblemished -

Luke 2:8-20 “And there were shepherds living out in 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 joy that 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)

appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 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)

Mary and Joseph and the Baby, Who was lying in the manger. 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)

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. v.19

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)

2. God wanted these shepherds to be the first to receive the news (temple shepherds) to be the first to receive the news of the “great joy” for “all the people.” The Lord was telling the shepherds that the Perfect Lamb had been born. b. The shepherds spread the word. They glorified and praised God!

“Therefore the LORD Himself and will give birth to a Son, What's in a 'Name'? 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.”

“…for to us a Child is born, and the government will be 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 Counselor Mighty God Everlasting Father Prince of Peace.”

“and you are to give Him the Name Mathew 1:21 “and you are to give Him the Name Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.”

Jesus 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 Jesus

The Not So Silent Night” 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.

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

2. The setting and conditions God chose to be born into: 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

Yet there was 'great joy'! God knows our needs - provides for our needs - He blesses! 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!

Closing Prayer: 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!

Thank You, Father God... 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. Thank You, Father God...