4. A moment in timeNow in those days a decree went out
from Caesar Augustus, that a census
be taken of all the inhabited earth.
This was the first census taken while
Quirinius was governor of Syria. And
everyone was on his way to register
for the census, each to his own city.1-3 4
5. A good marker
Quirinius-a trouble shooter for Augustus
Census taker-12 BC to 16 AD
Served twice as Governor of Syria
Jesus’ DOB probably 6 BC
5
6. Familiar passage
4-5 6
Joseph also went up from Galilee,
from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to
the city of David which is called
Bethlehem, because he was of the
house and family of David, in order to
register along with Mary, who was
engaged to him, and was with child.
7. Why Bethlehem?
This was a small Judean village about six miles southwest
of Jerusalem and, therefore, about seventy miles south of
Nazareth. It was known in the OT as Ephrath (cf. Gen.
35:19), which became Bethlehem Ephrathah of Micah 5:2.
This was a way to distinguish it from a Bethlehem in the
north of Israel.
This city is known as the city where Boaz and Ruth, who
were ancestors of King David, lived (cf. Ruth 4:11). David’s
father, Jesse, lived here also (cf. 1 Sam. 17:12). Because it
was the ancestral home of David, it was the prophesied
site of Jesus’ birth
7
8. 700 years before
Micah 5:2 8
But as for you, Bethlehem
Ephrathah, Too little to be among
the clans of Judah, From you One
will go forth for Me to be ruler in
Israel. His goings
forth are from long
ago, From the days
10. The most pivotable moment in history
While they were there, the days were
completed for her to give birth. And
she gave birth to her firstborn son;
and she wrapped Him in cloths, and
laid Him in a manger, because there
was no room for them in the inn.
6-7 10
11. A little language trick
No room in the inn (census)
No room in the spare bedroom (family)
11
14. First to be told
8-9 14
In the same region there were some
shepherds staying out in the fields
and keeping watch over their flock
by night. And an angel of the Lord
suddenly stood before them, and the
glory of the Lord shone
around them; and they
were terribly frightened.
16. Angelic message“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you
good news of great joy which will be for
all the people; for today in the city of
David there has been born for you a
Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will
be a sign for you: you will find a baby
wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
10-12 16
17. An Expanded Translation by Wuest
And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the army of heaven, praising
God and saying, Glory in the highest places
to God, and upon earth peace among men
of good will.
13-14 17
20. Imagine the emotional swing
When the angels had gone away from
them into heaven, the shepherds began
saying to one another, “Let us go straight
to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that
has happened which the Lord has made
known to us.”
15 20
23. Faithfulness rewarded
So they came in a hurry and found their way to
Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the
manger. When they had seen this, they made
known the statement which had been told them
about this Child. And all who heard it wondered
at the things which were told them by the
shepherds.16-18 23
25. A good news reaction
But Mary treasured all these things,
pondering them in her heart. The
shepherds went back, glorifying and
praising God for all that they had heard
and seen, just as had been told them.
19-20 25
26. The Good News is the Gospel
Hide in your heart
Glorify God
Tell others
26
Please stand and let’s read
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
What was the best Christmas gift ever for you?
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
Quirinius-a trouble shooter for Augustus
Census taker-12 BC to 16 AD
Served twice as Governor of Syria
Jesus’ DOB probably 6 BC
Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
This was a small Judean village of probably 300 inhabitants was about six miles southwest of Jerusalem and, therefore, about seventy miles south of Nazareth. It was known in the OT as Bethlehem Ephrathah. This was a way to distinguish it from a Bethlehem in the north of Israel.
This city is known as the city where Boaz and Ruth, who were ancestors of King David, lived. David’s father, Jesse, lived here also . Because it was the ancestral home of David, it was the prophesied site of Jesus’ birth
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.
Let’s sing
While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
First born
Wrapped like all babies
Laid in a feeding trough
Let’s sing
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened
Their connection to King David
Not the most accepted
Aware of the prophecy
Jesus Lamb of God
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the army of heaven, praising God and saying, Glory in the highest places to God, and upon earth peace among men of good will.
Army
Praising God
Punctuation the proclamation
Let’s sing
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
Men of action
Saw God’s hand
They told others
Men of goodwill
Let’s sing
16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
Good News
Great Joy
The Messiah has come
Peace is now possible
19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.