2. Luke 2: The Birth of Jesus 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

3. 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.

4. 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 guest room available for them.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. What people?

8. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

9. What people? And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:29

10. Why not joy? The Past Blame or Shame

11. Hebrews 9:26 But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26

12. Hebrews 9:26 But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26 Isaiah 38:17 you have put all my sins behind your back. Isaiah 38:17

13. Hebrews 9:26 But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26 Isaiah 38:17 you have put all my sins behind your back. Isaiah 38:17 Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Isaiah 43:25

14. The Past – Dealt with. Colossians 2:13-14 He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

15. Why not joy? The Present Meaningless & Boredom Proverbs 1:8-9

16. The Present - Fullness John 10:10 I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly - Jesus

17. Why not joy? The Future Worry & Uncertainty Mathew 6:25

18. Romans 8:31-32 What at then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32

19. Romans 8:31-32 What at then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32 Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the L ORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope Jeremiah 29:11

20. “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. -John 14:1-3 The Future – Settled.