Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Luke 2:16&17 "16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child." We are trying to imagine what Mary, the Mother of Jesus experienced. She was a young mother. The months of her pregnancy were stressful as family and friends didn't believe her story. Next, traveling to Bethlehem for the census. And, then going into labor when they had NO place to stay. Giving birth in a barn and laying her newborn in a manger, where the livestock ate! Next, strangers began showing up, saying the heavens opened up and a choir of angels were singing the praises of her newborn. It's an incredible situation from every perspective. The more you think about it, the more amazing we realize it is. Mary had to wrestle with these mysteries and the harsh reality of the events that happened. She had to ask "Why me?" She experienced these thi...

Luke 2:7 "And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." We want to try to imagine what Mary, the Mother of Jesus felt. All that happened in her life. She was a young mother. The last few months would be stressful as family and friends didn't believe her virgin conception. Next, traveling to Bethlehem for the census. And! Going into labor when they had NO place to stay. Then today's verse, "And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." She had to wrestle with these mysteries and the harsh reality of the events that happened. She had to ask "Why me?" She experienced these things and could not know how it all came together. She had to trust God. We need to take inspiration from Mary. We need to trust God. He is our hope. He is our everything...

1 Corinthians 13:12  "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." We don't know. The events and experiences of our lives can seem a little mysterious to us. We often find ourselves asking "Why?" And, sometimes asking "Why me?" Today's verse uses the metaphor of a window pane or mirror to describe the current state of our understanding and the future state of spiritual knowledge. Just as a mirror reflects an image imperfectly, our understanding of God and spiritual truth is incomplete and imperfect. We see glimpses of God’s nature and character, but our knowledge is limited and distorted, like a reflection in a cloudy or tarnished mirror. In contrast, “but then face to face,” in the future, we will have a direct and unobstructed encounter with God. We will be able to look back on our past and see the pattern and plan for our lives. It will all make sense from the ...

Luke 2:19&20 "19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." Have you even been part of something REALLY BIG? Afterwards, you told your family and friends all about it. It becomes a memory you will never forget. Something you will think about for the rest of your life. That's what happened with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Thankfully, Luke wrote down some of her memories for you and me to read. And, the shepherds, it sounds like they could not keep quiet about their experiences. It would not be a stretch of our imagination that there would be a shepherd or two around when Jesus is preaching. Maybe in the crowd excitedly telling people, "I was there when He was born!" The shepherds experienced angels' unbridled praise and celebration of the birth of the King of All Creation. He holds the universe together...

Luke 2:9&10 "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. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." "GOOD TIDINGS! GREAT JOY! TO ALL PEOPLE!" Angels from heaven announcing the birth of the Prince of Peace! This is an incredible moment in human history! The announcement was made in an empty field out in the country, in the middle of nowhere. The only witnesses were a flock of sheep and their no account shepherds. When GOD was born into human flesh, He was not born in a mansion or a castle. He was not born in a big city into a family of movers and shakers. Nope. Our God was born into a scandalous situation, a virgin birth. Into a family that was poor and powerless. They were from a small town no one knew about. And, literally born in a barn, not even born in a home! It was a tumultuous time. Israel was...

Luke 2:7&8 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Jesus is the Prince of Peace. The PEACE that Jesus brings us is NOT an end to fighting between people. Jesus brings PEACE between us and GOD. Jesus is the perfect representation of God’s character and nature. Jesus is our mediator, High Priest, and King! Jesus is the means by which God reconciles all things to Himself, making PEACE through His sacrifice on the cross. It's beyond incredible that the Creator came to save His creations! AND!!! When He came, He was not born in a mansion or a castle. He was not born in a big city into a family of movers and shakers. Nope. Our God was born into a scandalous situation, a virgin birth. Into a family that was poor and powerless. They were from a small town no o...

Colossians 1:19&20 "19 For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." We can't overstate Jesus's PREEMINENCE. He is GOD. All the superlatives we can come up with will fall short of His GREATNESS. One measure of His renoun is that His incarnation was foretold. Over seven hundred years before Jesus's birth, the prophet Isaiah wrote about the Messiah. One of the names Isaiah recorded was the Prince of Peace. A name we commonly hear during our Christmas celebrations. It's easy for us to hear the word "PEACE" and wish for the absence of wars and conflict. It's a great sentiment, PEACE treaties should be celebrated. We need to strive for tranquility and avoid wars. The PEACE that Jesus brings us is NOT an end to fighting between people. Jesus brings PEACE betwee...