Luke 2:1-7(NLT) 1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
1. The promise fulfilled
General Douglas MacArthur – I said, to the people of the Philippines whence I came, I shall return. Tonight, I repeat those words: I shall return! after his arrival in Australia from the Philippines (1942-03-30) – I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil. on landing in Leyte, Philippines (1944-10-17)
First promise of redemption – Genesis 3:15
The power of Satan broken
The curse of sin broken
The release of redemption and restoration for man
2. Both God and man
O Holy Night – Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger; in all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease.
The full rights and privileges of the God of the universe
The full capacity to experience the challenges and vulnerabilities of man
The greatest potential of heaven released to dispel the greatest despair of man
3. Essential obscurity
Coach Jim Caldwell – Best record of any rookie coach in NFL history – played for Iowa – assistant coach for several college teams – head coach at Wake Forest from 1993-2000 – built to one winning season – record at Wake Forest – 26-63 – 1-10 one year – 7-5 best year – worked under Bill McCartney – Joe Paterno – Tony Dungee
The hope for the extra-ordinary to emerge from the ordinary
The precision of a defined moment
The contrast of heavenly and earthly thinking
4. A new world order
Industrial Revolution – late 18th century – led to the Technological Revolution which produced the Information Age which is being overtaken by the Attention Age – marked by the ability of individuals to create and consume information instantly and freely as well as share it on the internet using social media – blogs – myspace – facebook – youtube – twitter – LAST SUNDAY ON YOUTUBE
How Jesus came was not what people expected
Set in motion the release of God’s Kingdom on earth as He walked the earth
Will ultimately replace all other kingdoms
It is a Kingdom generated in the hearts of men – built on relationship