The Real Christmas Story

(Micah 2:3, Isaiah 7:14, Malachi 3:1-4, Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 1:26-38,             Luke 2:1-15)

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christmas has become in many respects commercialized.  One of the negative effects of the “commercialization” of Christmas is that we have developed a very S___________________ version of the Christmas story.

According to scripture since there was no room at the inn, they stayed, and Mary gave birth, in a M___________.

When we think of a manger, most of us envision something that is attached or at least very close to the Inn.  In reality, this is very unlikely to be the case.

Most sheep mangers were actually in C____________.

We need to understand the T______ circumstances of Christ’s birth because there is a significant message contained within those circumstances.

God chose to bring our savior into the world via the H________________ circumstances imaginable, through a pair of poor, inconsequential, scared, powerless, teenagers.  And the place of his birth was a dark, soot stained, smelly cave that could not have been less culturally important.

Take away lesson:  God values humility so much that he made it a central theme of the life of his only begotten son.  This Christmas the best gift we can give back to God is to humble ourselves and seek to do the will of our Father to His glory just like that little baby born in a manger, Jesus.

Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.