Sermons

Wrapping Your Heart around Him (Luke 2:1-20)

Gearl Spicer Gearl Spicer, December 5, 2021
Part of the The Gift Of Christmas series, preached at a Sunday Online service

Luke 2:1–20 (Listen)

2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David 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 praising God and saying,

14   “Glory to God in the highest,
    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.

(ESV)

Sermon Notes

The Gift Of Christmas
Wrapping Your Heart around Him
Luke 2:1-20
12/5/21

Is your heart fixed on God?

The gift of Christmas captures our hearts to see His love, joy and peace!

"But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people, for today in the city of David there has been born for you a savior, who Christ the Lord."vs.10-11

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with who He is pleased." vs.14

Three perspectives on One gift -

I. Joseph - A man who walked in obedience - vs.1-7
A. He understood authority and acted to protect and watch over the mother of Jesus.
B. He was privileged to witness the unwrapping of salvation for all mankind.

II. Shepherds - Humble men mesmerized be their view of the angels' announcement-vs. 8-15
A. The most humble were chosen to view the display of heaven.
B. They acted immediately in pursuit of seeing the manger.

III. Mary - A pure woman worthy of honor - vs.16-20
A. The testimony of the shepherds validated what was in her heart.
B. She reflected on the treasure she held in her hands.

Ultimate reality - Joseph, Shepherds and Mary would never be the same!

He waits for us to unwrap the same reality!

Will you unwrap it?

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