Dec. 7, 2018

Luke 1:26-55 & Luke 2:8-20 KJV

Tis the season fa-la-la right? A hard truth about this season is the sadness and depression many feel during this time. The commercialization of Christmas will cause many to spend money they don't have in their effort to provide what their children want underneath the tree. I remember a Christmas growing up when my parents didn't have that money to spend but my dad got me something anyway. My view of Christmas changed that day. Someone will feel sorrow because their loved one has passed away or they won't be with their families because they have to work. 

This Christmas message is for those who feel they can't provide what children and family want but a real truth is, since you don't have the money or can't celebrate because of your job there is an even better reason to have joy this season and this kind of joy will truly be what this season is about...the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Luke's account of this "Joy"... this miracle birth involves a young girl (Mary) a commoner in that she is not from royalty or wealth yet she is "highly favoured. The Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women" (not over women) pronounced by the Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:28). In her confusion about saying (29) Gabriel reassures her with fear not Mary for you have found favour with God (verse 30). Footnote, The Angel Gabriel means Man of God and is the Angel who appears for God's Divine Pronouncements. 

Verse 31-33 Gabriel tells her about the child she shall conceive, his name is Jesus. His royalty is described, He shall be great, called the Son of the Highest, given a throne, will reign over Jacob (Israel) forever and his kingdom shall be no end. It is interesting that she is told twice of her favour with God because the next time we read about this favour is after Jesus was born and enters his teen years verse 52...And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and favour with God and Man. 

Verses 34-38...Mary continues her conversation with the Angel by questioning how this great thing can happen because she is a virgin. Gabriel announces "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee", therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. The Angel also tells Mary about her cousin Elizabeth conceiving a son tho she is barren and pronounces..."For with God nothing shall be impossible" verse 37. Verse 38 is profound in that Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the Angel departed.

Think about this, as unbelievable as this dialogue between Mary and Gabriel (the Angel) is...at  this point Mary accepts the Word of the Angel as truth and by faith she says..."be it unto to be according to thy word".

Verses 39-45...Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth mother of John (who leaped in his mother's womb) when Mary greeted Elizabeth and was filled with the Holy Ghost (verse 41). Verses 46-56...Mary reveals a new found depth in God and worships Him as we all should. Verse 46...My soul doth magnify the Lord (47)...my Spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. (48)...For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden, for from now on all generations shall called me blessed. (49)...For he that is mighty hath done to me great things and holy is his name. (52)... He hath put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of low degree. (53)...He hath filled the hungry with good things; and rich he hath sent away empty..

Hers is a posture to God that makes Him smile on her, if we were to offer Him this type of worship, our lives in Him would be amazingly POWERFUL and would open His door for His miracles in our lives.

"JOY"...Chapter 2:8-20...And there were shepherds abiding in the field. (9)...And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid. Shepherding in these times was a job at the bottom of any ladder of status and there was little chance of climbing out. David would be the exception but only because of God's Divine intervention in selecting a king for Israel. The point here is God chose the least of society to reveal the birth of His Son to the world.

Verse 10...And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people. (11)...For unto to you this day in the city of David, a saviour, which is Christ the Lord...When God throws a party, it is unlike anything ever seen and involves All of His Creation including and especially celestial...in short "Everything that Is His Glory" God had waited for the right day, His "This Day" which proves from the beginning His This Day was going to be unlike any other.

Verse 12...Tells the shepherds where they can find the babe. (Verse 13)...And suddenly there is with the angels a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying. (14)...Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. These lowly shepherds had nothing of value to present this king other that their Praise. The heavenly hosts showed them how it is done, just like they are showing you and I how it is done. 

Will it take another miracle birth for men and women to Praise Him? No it won't but as the story concludes, the shepherds go to see this babe because all heaven was rejoicing and praising God. When you and I experience God's Glory, like these shepherds, we won't be able to contain what has been witnessed. I am a witness to that. That day God touched me is a day I will never forget, you won't either. 

The story ends with verse 20...And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told to them. You may have lost a loved one and this is the first Christmas without them but you still have reason to Praise and Worship our King. You may not be able to be with the family but you still have reason to Praise and Worship our King. You may not have money for Christmas gifts but you still have reason to Praise and Worship our King.

Let your children see how you Worship and Praise our Mighty God, who gave us His son Jesus who has promised to save us, redeem us and present us faultless when we face His Father in Heaven. You may not have a dime in your pocket BUT your Worship and Praise makes you wealthier than the man with millions but does not know Jesus.

Teach them the song lyrics...Oh come let us adore Him Christ the Lord....

Thank You Lord For Your Word