A Savior Is Born
Luke 2:8-20 (ESV)
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord (suddenly–AMP) appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David (Bethlehem vs.4) a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest (heaven), and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
John 1:14 (ESV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Such an announcement was a typical proclamation of the birth of a child to the royal family—for Augustus himself had been called a “savior” at his birth. But while the announcement of Augustus’s birth would have been first delivered to the members of the Roman Senate and other dignitaries, the privilege of hearing about Jesus’ birth first was given to ordinary shepherds.
Luke 2:8 ESV
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night (possibly sacrificial lambs).
By visiting shepherds, the angel reveal the grace of God toward mankind. Shepherds were outcasts, not allowed in the city and not trusted by the general public, for often they were thieves and considered unclean. Jesus would come, not to the proud and powerful, but to the outcasts, the humble, those considered “last” on the social lists. It is interesting because Jesus came as the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God.
Luke 2:9-10 (ESV)
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Heaven declares the greatest event in human history!
This good news would bring great joy, for it comprised everything for which the Jews had been hoping and waiting—the Savior had come.
The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.
Ralph W. Sockman
Luke 2:11 (ESV)
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
God was born, God entered His creation as a baby full of purpose, power and position. God was born to rescue us – that we might be born again!
Colossians 1:15-16 (ESV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
Micah 5:2 (ESV)
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Bethlehem – House of bread
Rachel died in Bethlehem and Benjamin was born there. Ruth was married there and David grew up there.
Luke 2:12 (ESV)
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger”.
Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
The shepherds were not told to look in a palace or in a wealthy home, they would not have gotten past the gates if they had.
Luke 2:13-14 (ESV)
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is the Prince of Peace and all those in Christ have peace with God!
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Luke 2:15-16 (ESV)
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
When heaven speaks to us it demands a response.
Luke 2:17-18 (ESV)
And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
Luke 2:19 (ESV)
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Mary had a lot to think about as she gazed into the face of her tiny child. So much to treasure or value and take in. So do we!
Luke 2:20 (ESV)
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
After hearing from Heaven and seeing the Christ child for themselves they returned never to be the same.
Closing Prayer