1. The Perfect Gift

2. … Is Anticipated Abraham believed and anticipated the promiseAbraham believed and anticipated the promise Genesis 12:3Genesis 12:3 The Prophets anticipated the promiseThe Prophets anticipated the promise Isaiah 49:6Isaiah 49:6 Malachi 1:11Malachi 1:11

3. The Perfect Gift … Is Unexpected In an unexpected time.In an unexpected time. God unexpectedly took away Elizabeth’s disgrace among the people (Luke 1:25).God unexpectedly took away Elizabeth’s disgrace among the people (Luke 1:25). Mary unexpectedly found favor with God (Luke 1:28-29).Mary unexpectedly found favor with God (Luke 1:28-29). God unexpectedly invites ShepherdsGod unexpectedly invites Shepherds to be apart of His story (Luke 2:9-11).

4. The Perfect Gift … Is True Too good to be true?Too good to be true? Luke wanted to clarify the integrity of the story.Luke wanted to clarify the integrity of the story. Luke 1:1-4 Luke 1:1-4 Luke anchors the story in history.Luke anchors the story in history. Luke 2:1Luke 2:1

5. The Perfect Gift … Is For ALL PEOPLE Luke 2:10Luke 2:10 People like the Israelites who have lost hope, who can’t wrap their minds around how God will move on their behalf. People whoPeople like the Israelites who have lost hope, who can’t wrap their minds around how God will move on their behalf. People who are lost in despair and discouragement. People who have given up on a promise.

6. The Perfect Gift … Is For ALL PEOPLE People like Elizabeth and Zachariah who think God is angry with them. Things never seem to go right with them, God never seems to answer their prayer. People who say, “If there is a God, he must not love me…”People like Elizabeth and Zachariah who think God is angry with them. Things never seem to go right with them, God never seems to answer their prayer. People who say, “If there is a God, he must not love me…”

7. The Perfect Gift … Is For ALL PEOPLE People like Mary. People who think nothing they do could gain God’s favor. People who don’t think they are good enough for God or to be used by God.People like Mary. People who think nothing they do could gain God’s favor. People who don’t think they are good enough for God or to be used by God. People like the Shepherds. PeoplePeople like the Shepherds. People who feel they are outside the religious systems. They think they are outcasts and unwanted in the story.

8. The Perfect Gift … Is Exactly What We Need Luke 2:11Luke 2:11 Romans 6:23Romans 6:23 John 4:10John 4:10

9. Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

10. Isaiah 49:6 …he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

11. Malachi 1:11 “My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.

12. Luke 1:25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

13. Luke 1:28-29 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

14. Luke 2:9-11 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 that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

16. Luke 1:1-4 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

17. Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

18. Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people”.

19. Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

20. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

21. John 4:10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

22. The Perfect Gift … Is Anticipated … Is Unexpected … Is True … Is for ALL people … Is Exactly what we need … Is Jesus