A Saviour Has Been Born | Luke 2:10-11
INTRODUCTION
I wish you a blessed Christmas. As the world celebrates Christmas and as we remember the birth of our savior Lord into our Lord, let’s embrace the profound truth that He is Emmanuel—God with us. May the light of His presence dispel any darkness, and may His peace reign in your homes. Rejoice in the gift of salvation, and may the spirit of Christmas dwell in your hearts throughout the year.
Luke 2:1-20
The Roman Census
1 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Good News To The Shepherd
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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. 12 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,
14 “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.”
Shepherd’s response to the Good News
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. 19 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.
This is the account of the first Christmas
The birth of our Saviour Jesus happened in our world. It is a town named Bethlehem. In Bethlehem, A Saviour has been born.
Luke 2:1-20
1 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.
Luke 2:11
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
The birth of the Saviour Jesus happened on a real day, place, and time. A day in history. Not a day in some mythological, imaginary story, but a day when “Caesar Augustus was the emperor of Rome and Quirinius was governor of Syria.”
It was a day planned for eternity before the creation of the world. Indeed the whole universe and billions of galaxies were created for this day and what it means for human history. This was a day declared before the foundations of the world.
Galatians 4:4-5
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
The birth of Jesus happened in the fullness of time. The perfect time was appointed by God before the foundation of the world.
Bethlehem, the city where Jesse, the father of David lived, was the great king of Israel. Bethlehem, the city that Micah prophesied over:
Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.”
It happened in a town. A real place. The birth of the Saviour Jesus Christ is real.
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Message Of The Angel: Do Not Be Afraid.
Luke 2:8-10
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Fear, worry, and anxiety run deep in all of us. People are afraid of being alone, of being unloved, of being abandoned. The most frequent command in the Bible is “Don’t be afraid.” It is repeated more than 300 times! The message of the coming of Jesus says to us very clearly, “Do not be afraid.”
Amid the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, the message “Do not be afraid” echoes through the ages, resonating with the deep-seated fears and anxieties that grip our hearts. As we navigate the complexities of life, fear often whispers insidious doubts—fear of loneliness, unlove, and abandonment. Yet, in the symphony of God’s Word, the refrain “Do not be afraid” emerges as a recurring melody, a divine antidote to our anxious souls.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus comforts his disciples when he broke the news of his soon departure:
John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
Christmas, at its core, is a proclamation that we are not alone. The birth of the Saviour Christ heralds the promise
John 14:18
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Picture the scene in Acts 27:23-24, where an angel appears to Paul in a storm. The celestial voice echoes through the storm:
Acts 27:23-24
23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’
Matthew 28:28
I am with you always, to the very end of the age
As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Christ, let us embrace the profound peace. This is not the fleeting peace of the world but the assurance of Christ’s perpetual presence with us.
This Christmas, let the timeless refrain “Do not be afraid” be our anthem. As we unwrap the gift of Emmanuel—God with us—may it dispel every shadow of fear, infusing our hearts with the radiant light of His love and unwavering presence.
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Good News That Will Cause Great Joy For All The People
Luke 2:8-9
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
What is the good news?
Jesus is the Saviour
Luke 2:11
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Matthew 1:21
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.
In Luke Chapter 2 Simeon is praising God, holding the child Jesus and he says:
Luke 2:30
For my eyes have seen your salvation.
Luke 2:36-38
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Jesus said during his earthly ministry:
Luke 19:10
The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Paul said:
1 Timothy 1:15
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.
As you read through the Bible the dominant theme is that Jesus came to save sinners. Jesus means “the Lord is salvation.” Mary’s Son would be the Savior and the only way He could save us from our sins was to die in our place. So bound up in the word “Jesus” is His saving death.
ILLUSTRATION
When the California gold fever broke out, a man went there, leaving his wife in New England with his boy. It was a long time before he succeeded, but at last, he got money enough to send for them. The wife’s heart leaped for joy. She took her boy to New York, boarded a Pacific steamer, and sailed away to San Francisco.
They had not been long at sea before the cry of “Fire! Fire!” rang through the ship. The captain knew that in a few hours every man, woman, and child would perish.
They got out of the lifeboats, but they were too small! In a minute they were overcrowded. The last one was just pushing away when the mother pled with them to take her and her boy. “No,” they said, “we have got as many as we can hold.” She entreated them so earnestly, that at last, they said they would take one more. Do you think she leaped into that boat and left her boy to die? No! She seized her boy, gave him one last hug, kissed him, and dropped him over into the boat. “My boy,” she said, “if you live to see your father, tell him that I died in your place.”
That is a faint picture of what Christ has done for us. He laid down his life for us. He died so that we might live. The mother went down to a watery grave to save her son. Jesus died so that he could save humanity.
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Glory to God and Peace on Earth
Luke 2:13-14
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Glory to God in the Highest and Peach on Earth.
Firstly, the coming of this child will be the greatest revelation of the glory of God even among the heights of heaven. Secondly, the coming of this child will bring peace to God’s people.
First and foremost, God is glorified because this child is born. And second, peace is to spread everywhere this child is received. These are the great purposes for the coming of Jesus. Glory ever-ascending from man to God. Peace ever-descending from God to man. God getting glory and us getting peace. That is the purpose of the incarnation. If you say I do not want the glory of God, you cannot get peace. God’s purpose is to give you peace by being the most glorious Person in your life.
CONCLUSION
As we bask in the joyous celebration of Christmas, let the resounding truth echo in our hearts: “A Saviour has been born!” Luke 2:10-11. This season transcends tinsel and lights; it heralds the arrival of Emmanuel—God with us. As we exchange greetings and gifts, let the ultimate Gift of salvation illuminate our homes. May the peace that surpasses understanding reign in our hearts, for Christ, the Messiah, has come. Rejoice in this timeless message, and may the spirit of Christmas dwell within us throughout the year. A Saviour has been born.
Life Application Points
- The Birth of Saviour Jesus is Real:
- Do Not Be Afraid:
- Good News That Will Cause Great Joy:
- Embrace the Purpose of the Incarnation: Glory to God and Peace on Earth.
Understand the profound purpose of Christ’s coming—to bring glory to God and peace to humanity. Allow God’s glory to ascend in your life, and in turn, experience the peace that descends from Him. The incarnation is God’s grand plan for both His glory and our peace.
In this Christmas season and beyond, may the truths of Saviour’s birth permeate every aspect of our lives. Let us not only celebrate His coming but live in the light of His presence, spreading the message of hope, joy, and peace to a world in need.
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