Luke 2:1-20 IT WASN’T SANTA CLAUS WHO CAME TO TOWN
Intro: Ill. Visitor to Cornwall in England and "John Wesley
passed through these parts 100 years ago." Well, Jesus passed through these
parts 2,000 years ago and the world has never been the same. Now, we would all
have to admit that Christmas has been ruined and perverted by an unbelieving
world. It seems that Praise has given way to Party, the Savior has given way
to Santa, Glory has been exchanged for Gifts and that Bows have been replaced
by Bows. But, I would like to remind you this morning that the Christmas season
is a whole lot more that boxes, bows and ribbons. It is more than trees, tinsel
and lights. It is certainly more than reindeer, rooftops and Ho, Ho, Ho’s.
I know full well that people are going to do as they please and they are going
to follow all their little Christmas traditions, but I would like to remind
everyone under the sound of my voice today that It Wasn’t Santa Claus Who
Came To Town that first Christmas. Allow me to refresh your memory about what
really happened that first Christmas day.
I. v. 1-5 A PROVIDENTIAL DECREE
(Caesar Augustus issued his decree for the taxing, not as a
lucky coincidence that resulted in Jesus being born in Bethlehem. Neither was
it a mere inconvenience for the people of Israel. Rather, it was divine providence
that caused this imperial decree.)
A. The Promise – Micah 5:2 – Micah
declared that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem! This promise was given
700 years before the birth of Christ and foretold His birthplace. (Ill. Many
in Jesus’ lifetime did not understand – John 1:46; John 7:41-42.)
B. The Problem – The prophet said Messiah
would come from Bethlehem, but Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth. It
probably never entered into their minds top go to Bethlehem. (Ill. Travel
was hard and treacherous in those days. An 80 mile trips would have been terribly
hard on an expectant mother.)(Ill. Joseph was of the house of David, Luke
1:27, Bethlehem was the city of David. God arranged all these things to ensure
that His Son would be born in the right place at the right time.) (Ill. He
even used a pagan emperor to do His will)
II. v. 6-7 A PROMISED DELIVERY
A. The Place Of His Birth – Ill. The manger,
a feeding trough. The King of Kings was born in a manger! Why? Two Reasons.
1.) The immediate reason: That some old shepherds might find Him. 2.) The
eternal reason: That some old sinners might be able to identify with Him and
approach Him for salvation! (Ill No room in the Inn – Speaks of the rest
of His life – John 1:11. Many still have no room for Him in their lives
today! Do you – John 1:12?)
B. The Picture In His Birth – Ill. Swaddling
Cloths – Swaddling = "bandage". These baby wraps prefigure
His death and burial. Why did Jesus come? He came to die for you and me!
C. The Purpose In His Birth – (Ill. John
19:37) The purpose in this birth was the salvation of the soul of man. Jesus
was a baby born to die. (Ill. He had been the expectation of mankind since
the fall in the Garden of Eden – Gen. 3:15. Every lamb, ram, goat, bird,
etc., that had been sacrificed down through the ages pointed to this special
birth.) (Ill. He is why: Noah built an Ark, Abraham built an Altar, Moses
built a Tabernacle, Solomon built a Temple, God built a hill called Calvary!)
(Ill. He came down to be our Savior – (Ill. Prince Edward and his visit
to an army hospital in WWI, to visit 36 wounded soldiers.) There was a great
purpose – YOU!
III. v. 8-20 A POWERFUL DISPLAY
(In the birth of Jesus, the power of God was on parade before the eyes of men.)
A. v. 8-12 – The Power Of God’s Grace
– Ill. Shepherds were outcast by society as vile and filthy; outcast
by religion as defiled and unfit to worship. However, they were chosen by
Almighty God to hear the first birth announcement. (Ill. He didn’t give
them a cigar!) Ill. How appropriate that the very men who raised the lambs
for the Temple sacrifices were the first to meet the Lamb of God. (Ill. God
came there first because of pure grace – Eph. 2:8-9)
B. v. 13-14 – The Power Of God’s Glory
– Ill. The pure praise of the angels. They praised Him because they are
programmed to. We should praise Him because of who He is and what He has done
for our souls! (Ill. The angels praised God at Creation – Job 38:7; as
they beheld His wonderful works, they praised Him – Rev. 7:11-12. Now,
when they see God step off the throne and be born as a baby in human flesh,
their song reaches new heights.) If they can praise Him for what they can
see God do, then we should praise Him for what He has done in our hearts –
Psa. 40:1-2.
C. v. 15-20 – The Power Of God’s Gift
– Ill. The shepherds came and worshipped the baby and were forever changed
by their meeting with Jesus. They came out of curiosity and left rejoicing
in the glory of eternal life. They came wondering what they would find, and
they left witnessing about the One who had found them. (Ill. The power of
God in changing lives is glorious – 2 Cor. 5:17!)
Conc: What are you looking for this Christmas? If it is some
material thing that you are dying for, then you will probably be disappointed,
even if you get it. If, however, you are seeking the Christ of Christmas, you
will never be disappointed. He is still found of all who seek Him, and He still
changes all who meet Him. No, it wasn’t Santa Claus who came to town that
first Christmas. It was Jesus! He is still here, looking for al who have room
for Him in their lives. (Ill. Wally the inn keeper, and you can have my room!)
