Lessons from the Nativity [Margaret] Christmas Eve am
Isaiah 9. 6-7
Lesson: Before God does anything He always tells his servants prophets
There are 300+ prophecies that predict the coming of and the details of the life of Jesus the Messiah
Verse ….says “This will happen because the Lord of Heavens armies has dedicated himself to it”
God made his plan quite clear from the time of the fall
Satan was always nervous when a man arose who looked like the one who “would bruise his head”
Hence the edict from Pharaoh that all the baby boys should be killed
The command of Herod to kill all the babies under 2 years if age
Satan believes the word of God!
Luke 2 37 “with God nothing will be impossible
Is 55 11 His word will not return to him void but will accomplish that which he has spoken
When God speaks a matter then it will happen
ECF
“The city will be built out to its boundaries”
“you will have the multitudes”
“A church for the nations”
Giles “You will be a pastor”
Luke 1 26-38
Lesson:: faith in God’s word essential to receiving the blessing of God
The birth is announced to Mary
Mary was told that she was a highly favoured lady, and she heard the news that all the Jewish mothers since the Messiah was expected all had longed for
The favour of God was upon her
She was a young woman… probably 13 or 14
Who had simple faith
‘Be it unto me according to you word’
This should be our attitude too
Contrast her attitude with Zachariah, who was struck dumb for unbelief…a learned priest steeped in OT study… And. they had been praying for a child! (v 13)
he knew better
For with God nothing shall be impossible…the work of the Holy Spirit
V 45 blessed is she who believed for there will be a fulfilment of those things which were told her from the Lord
Matthew 1. 18-25
Lesson: God will always speak to both parties in a relationship He preserves unity
Man and wife example: wanting a baby
Our example: of house buying
Joseph was shown to be a man of principle a truly fit choice
Luke 2 1-7 Census time …
Lesson: God’s will is always accomplished through natural circumstances too
Bethlehem literally means ‘the house of bread’
Luke 2 8-20
Lesson: Don’t forget the excitement of the event!
The Announcement of the angels was that the war between man and God was over, and that God’s favour would be freely available to all men
IT WAS>>>BIG BIG NEWS
Bigger than we can ever realise
When the second world war was over people were crying shouting partying and kissing complete strangers strangers in the street etc
Heaven burst out into earth in the same way
But the ordinariness of what the shepherds would see could easily be missed
Luke 2. 22-40…Temple 8 days
Lesson: There is no such thing as a coincidence God orchestrates everything
They met Anna and Simeon who had been in faith for this event all along and ‘just happened to be there!’
Lets be in faith for God to organise things for us too
