The birth of Jesus… 

(5 things) vs. 1-20

• 1^st – The accuracy of God’s Word… (3 things) vs. 1-5
  • Luke gives us several very specific details regarding the timing of Jesus’ birth…
  • 1^st – The year of Jesus’ birth…
  • In the days of the decree of Caesar Augustus (27 B.C. – 14 A.D.)…
    • Born Gaius Octavius in 63 B.C. – he was the grand nephew of Julius Caesar…
    • Adopted by Caesar at his death – giving him the name Caesar (later become a title)…
    • The 1^st great emperor of the Roman Empire – brought great prosperity – ‘Pax Romana’…
    • He was given the name ‘Augustus’ meaning – ‘worthy of reverence’…
    • Augustus commissioned 3 censuses during his 41-year reign…
    • Most believe the census was meant to count the people in the Empire – for taxing…
    • It was not a tax in itself – but it told the Empire how many people it could tax!
    • Recorded as the 8^th greatest achievement of his reign – ‘Acts of Augustus’…
    • 28 B.C. / 8 B.C. / 14 A.D. – the census recorded here in Luke is likely the 8 B.C….
    • It would have taken time to count a whole empire – several years – starting with Rome…
    • Jesus was likely born around 5-7 B.C. – towards the end of the several year long census
  • While Quirinius was governor of Syria… vs. 2
    • The accuracy of Luke’s account has come under attack due to this detail…
    • We know from historical accounts that Quirinius ruled from 6-7 A.D. – 10 years later!
    • Does this mean Luke was wrong – more importantly – the Bible is wrong – NO!
    • It turns out Quirinius had more than one term in Syria – ‘reelected’ as it were…
    • It is thought his 1^st ‘term’ was during the 8 B.C. census – the time of Jesus’ birth…
    • Whenever we find an apparent ‘mistake’ in the Bible – it means we need to dig deeper…
    • The Word of God is inerrant – has no mistakes – we can have absolute trust in it!
  • 2^nd – The month of Jesus’ birth…
    • The Roman Census in Judea would likely have taken place during warmer months…
      • The Roman rulers knew taking a census in winter would have been impractical…
      • A census would also take place after the harvest season that ended in late August…
      • Early fall – to limit the effect on the economy – for good weather and good roads… 
    • The shepherds had their sheep outside at night…
      • In Bethlehem in December the average temperature is between 7° and 0° at night…
      • Shepherds did keep their flocks out at night during the months of April-October…
      • But would not be found ‘living’ in the open fields at night in December…
    • The date of December 25^th comes from tradition – not from history…
      • In fact there was no recorded celebration of Jesus’ birth for the 1^st 300 years…
      • December 25^th was the celebration of the Roman pagan – ‘Sun Holiday’…
      • The day was ‘Christianized’ when Rome converted to Christianity….
      • So Jesus was likely born in September/October between 5-7 B.C.
      • Not that the day is important – we should celebrate the gift of Jesus every day!
      • But many of the things we believe to be ‘Biblical’ are just traditions…
      • That is why it is so important to study our Bibles – learn what God’s Word says!
  • 3^rd – the place of Jesus’ birth – the city of David – Bethlehem!
    • It would have appeared Jesus would be born in Nazareth – where Joseph & Mary lived…
    • But everyone had to return to his or her ‘ancestral’ city for the census – perfect timing!
    • That meant Joseph had to go to Bethlehem – the city of King David…
    • Mary – now married to Joseph – went along as well – VERY pregnant…
    • So Jesus was born exactly where the Bible said – in Bethlehem – Micah 5:2
    • Whether it is the place of Jesus birth – or the promise to provide our daily needs…
    • If God’s says He is going to do something – it is not a question – but a fact!
      
• 2^nd – The passover lamb… vs. 6-7
  • Born in a barn…
    • Bethlehem was a small town – overflowing with people for the census…
    • Think if everyone born in Himamaylan – had to come back for a census…
    • The little hotel – Harry’s – would be complete overwhelmed quickly…
    • The only option was a stable for the pack animals out back – likely a small cave…
    • There in a cold stone manger – surrounded by smelly/noisy animals…
    • The King of Kings – creator of heaven and earth – entered the world!
    • This might seem a strange way for God to enter the world – but it makes perfect sense…
  • Bethlehem was only about 9km from Jerusalem…
    • Bethlehem was a little town – only known for a couple of things…
    • The birthplace of King David – and the place where the Passover lambs were raised!
    • Jesus THE Lamb of God – I Peter 1:19 – was born in a stable in Bethlehem!
    • Jesus did not come to in a palace to be King to conquer and rule…
    • He came as a Lamb – that He might be the sacrifice to take away the sin of all men!
      
• 3^rd – An unusual audience… vs. 8
  • Those in attendance at the birth of Jesus (we have all seen a nativity)…
    • The baby Jesus (most important) – Mary & Joseph (and a bunch of animals)…
    • Angels – the Wisemen (Magi from the east) – more than 3 – there were 3 gifts…
    • So far the list is whom we might expect at the birth of the King of Kings…
  • But then we find the shepherds…
    • You’d think the most important event in history would have a proper reception…
    • Surely the announcement of the birth of the King of Kings would be…
    • To the Caesar of Rome – rulers of nations – powerful officials – the worlds elite!
    • But why just to simple lowly Shepherds…
  • Imagine the scene – the event of all events – the birth of the Messiah!
    • Angels had been preparing for millennia – waiting for this very moment…
    • The multitude of heavenly hosts – army of Angels were ready to make their debut…
    • The clouds of heaven pull back – to reveal and audience of – a few shepherds!
    • This was not the Roman Coliseum – just a field with a couple poor sheepherders…
    • You might be led to think something was wrong – wrong place / wrong people…
  • No one even liked Shepherds – despised and un-trusted…
    • Among Jews at the time of Christ’s birth – shepherds were held in very low esteem…
    • According to tradition (Talmud) – shepherds weren’t allowed in court as witnesses…
    • They were considered liars / thieves  – they were the outcasts of their day…
  • God choose the least likely of all men – to see Jesus – and tell others about Him…
    • Why does God choose the least likely – so people don’t see us – they see Jesus in us…
    • Like Peter and John before the leaders of Israel (the very ones who killed Jesus)…
    • * Acts 4:13 – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
    • God uses the ordinary….
      • We often get the impression God looks for the brightest and the best to use…
      • Unless we are well educated, hansom, smart, influential, rich  – can’t be used…
      • But God looks for the Shepherds – the simple – the outcasts
    • So people see Jesus in us…
      • When God saves us – uses us – people look and see Jesus in us!
      • If the powerful – influential – speak – we tend to listen to them – see them…
      • But if the humble – simple – speak powerfully…
      • We tend to wonder who is speaking through them – we see Jesus in them!
• 4^th  – The Good News… vs. 9-14
  • The Angel of the Lord appeared to the Shepherds – and they were VERY terrified!
    • I bring ‘good tidings’ – euaggelizo – literally – THE Good News – evangelism…
    • Of ‘Great Joy’ – megas chara – GREAT gladness – for all people…
    • Born in Bethlehem – Christ the Lord – only here in the whole Bible…
  • Too often we have the idea that the Good News – Gospel – is complicated…
    • * Luke 10:21 – “Then Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit and said, ‘O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike.’”
    • Turns out the Good news is so simple even a child can understand it…
    • The simple message of salvation – everyone is a sinner – penalty is death – hell…
    • Jesus – God almighty – came to live as a man – and died for everyone’s sins…
    • If we believe He paid the price for sin for us – and rose again on the 3^rd day…
    • Then we get to go to heaven! Good News indeed! Simple!
  • Believe and Confess…
    • How can someone be saved – believe and confess…
    • * Romans 10:9-10 – “Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
    • There is nothing to do – no specific place you have to be – it is THE gift of God…
    • You have to accept the gift – God will not force you to take it…
    • It is a matter of faith – believing in your heart Jesus died for YOU…
    • Then let everyone/anyone know you accepted Jesus – Salvation!
       
• 5^th – Spreading the Word… vs. 15-20
  • Having gone to see Jesus for themselves – shepherds told everyone what they had seen!
    • They had been given the message of salvation – the Good News…
    • They did not keep it to themselves – they had received it – to tell all people!
  • How can they know unless someone tells them…
    • We have this GREAT GIFT of salvation – the gift everyone needs!
    • If you had an AMAZING gift to give – how would they get it if they didn’t know about it
    • * Romans 10:13-14, 17 – “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? How shall they hear without [someone to tell them]?  …So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
      • The only way for our family / neighbors friends to be saved is to believe…
      • But if they do not know – not just the name of Jesus (religion) but relationship…
      • How can our family / neighbor / friend – believe in Jesus – unless we tell them!
      • How can we tell them – by giving them the Word of God!
    • How – open your mouth…
      • Acts 8:35 – “Then Philip opened his mouth, and… preached Jesus!”
      • So often we are nervous about sharing our faith with others…
      • We think we need to have all the answers to all the questions…
      • It is God who speaks through us the words that are needed…
      • All we need to do is be willing to open our mouths – share Jesus!
      • This Christmas – be a Shepherd – give the greatest gift ever…
      • Tell others about the real reason for Christmas – salvation through Jesus!
  • Mary kept all these things – pondering them in her heart…
    • The fulfillment of God’s Word – the messiah born exactly where the Word said…
    • Born in a stable in Bethlehem – the Lamb of God come to take away the sin of the world…
    • Announced to the least likely of all men – simple poor shepherds…
    • The Good News – the simple message God has given us the free gift of salvation…
    • We like Mary are left to ponder these things in our heart – share them with every one!