HIS BIRTH, OUR SALVATION.
1. MAIN READING
(Galatians 4:4-7). “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”
Luke 2:1-20 In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.
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. 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 the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 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.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
INTRODUCTION
The Jews were waiting for the coming of the Messiah, and he came unexpectedly. They knew HE (Jesus the Messiah) would come through a virgin woman, from the house of David, but they did not expect him to come from a poor family.
In fact, the Gospel narratives portray Jesus as being born in humble circumstances, laid in a manger because there was no room at the inn (Luke 2:7). Later in his life, Jesus was often associated with simplicity and humility.
The children of Israel have been waiting for the coming of the Messiah. Some of them gave up, but for some of them, God spoke to them to wait for the Messiah, like Simion Luke 2:25–26 and the Prophet Anna, because she never left the temple, so she got the privilege to see the Messiah. It has been a long wait, especially for the Jews. Jesus’ birth was prophesied by the prophet Micah in 700 B.C.
Micah 5:2 states, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clan of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times. Therefore, Israel will be abandoned until the time when she, who is in labor, bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.”
As it was promised, the King would be born in Bethlehem, and Mary and Joseph were in Nazareth, around 150 km north of Bethlehem. God had to cause Caesar Augustus to issue a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
So when Jesus is born, only a few people are aware of it, and not as prominent people as was expected. Accidentally, the wise man visits Jerusalem unexpectedly, and King Herod comes to understand that the King is born, so his Kingshipis being shaken. He feels himself fired from the job, and he decides to massacre all kids of two years and below in the village of Bethlehem and nearby villages. But because God is all-knowing, He sent his son to Egypt for security reasons. He came down to Africa to take cover for hunger, but as God has told Abraham before, now you can understand how God has been using Africa as a place of refuge for his people to carry out his plan for serving the world.
It is Jesus Christ marks the timing or the calendars we use today. For those who studied History you know their time we mark the events let say 300 B.C (before Christ) and their events we say 100 A.D (Anno Domini) Anno Domini A.D. abbreviation for Anno Domini (= in the year of the Lord), used to show that a year is after the year in which Jesus Christ is thought to have been born: the 12th century A.D. This system of Counting was invented by Dionysius Exiguus, this guy belonged to a group of Scythian (sithien) monks were a community of monks from the region around the mouths of the Danube, who played an influential role in Christian theological disputes between the 4th and 6th centuries.
“Anno Domini nostri Jesu Christi”, which translates to “in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ”
We can also see in Isaiah that God has told his people, “Before JESUS, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PERSON, A WITNESS FOR THE COMING KING – JOHN THE BAPTIST.”
John the Baptist came to prepare the way for him, to announce his coming and his presence, as it was predicted in the book of Isaiah 40:3–4. John the Baptist asserts that he and his message fulfill Isaiah 40:3–4. He is the voice calling out in the wilderness, inviting all who would hear it to prepare. In Jesus, God had come to meet his people in the flesh.
This is the season of Christmas. Everywhere you go, in every office, in the malls, and at the supermarket, you will find decorations about Christmas, so we are in this season. Even in offices where they don’t believe in Christ, they have decorated in a Christmas way. Even bosses who don’t believe in Jesus Christ have authorized Christmas decorations in their offices. What an opportunity for evangelism!
‘’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 the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. With the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7, NIV
“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14, NIV
In the midst of the darkness of this world, we have hope because Christ came and will come again. We celebrate the salvation, healing, and renewal that we have experienced from Christ through the Spirit. We testify to all that Christ has done in us so that others may believe. And we invite others to join us in the feast and celebration.
Why is his birth so significant? His birth gave us the right to be adopted into God’s family by faith.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
LESSON 1: BY FAITH IN HIM, YOU ARE ADOPTED AS A CHILD OF GOD.
(Galatians 4:4-5) “but when the fullness of the time had come, god sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
(Luke 2:11–12) Today in the town of David, a savior has been born to you; he is the messiah, the lord. 12 this will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
(Ephesians 1:5 Niv) He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. the new living translation says, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. this is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”
LESSON 2: CELEBRATE WITH THE ASSURANCE THAT THERE IS HOPE FOR TODAY ANDTOMORROW.
(Luke 2:11) Today in the town of David, a savior has been born to you; he is the messiah, the lord.”
Isaiah 9:6-7, Niv ‘’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 the wonderful counsellor, mighty god, everlasting father, and prince of peace. with the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. he will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. the zeal of the lord almighty will accomplish this.”
Luke 2:20 (Niv) the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
(Matthew 2:10–11 Niv) ‘’when they saw the star, they were overjoyed. on coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
LESSON 3: SHARE THE GOOD NEWS AND SHARE THE HOPE.
Matthew 1:22 she will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 28:18-20 when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. then Jesus came to them and said, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, of the son, and of the holy spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. and surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Because a child was born, we no longer live in darkness. because a son was given to us, we are no longer slaves to sin. because authority rests on his shoulders, we live under his reign and enjoy everlasting peace. Jesus Christ came to earth as the incarnated son of God; justice and righteousness will be upheld forever more, to the glory of God and our everlasting enjoyment.
This is the only one of few opportunities where you can send a message to your boss who doesn’t believe in Christ and share the reason why we have Christmas. By presenting Jesus Christ to him and making no offense. Merry Christmas. As we anticipate the relatives and friends to celebrate Christmas with us by cooking nice meals, nyamachoma, drinking, some people will sleep in the bars, we have many people traveling from one place to another to celebrate with their families, etc. We prepare our homes for those who can, decorating for the season. We prepare our tables to feast in honor of the birth of our king 2,000 years ago.
One thing that I’m not sure of is if we are preparing our hearts to share this good news of Jesus. I’m not sure if we are desiring that those who are not born again can receive Christ as they desire for the Christmas season. As I was reading, even historians can agree with me today that the calendar we are using today and the years we are in trace back to the time Jesus was born. Jesus birth was the beginning of a new season of hope and reconciliation for humanity.
You can bold this: “No Jesus, no Christmas.” It means no this holiday season.
Let all those who have turned to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior rejoice in this fulfilled prophecy this Christmas season.
Now, how are you celebrating this Christmas?
Did you see the star? do you believe in this Jesus? then celebrate. it is good news; it is about our salvation and our redemption.
