CHRISTMAS 2024 (Kent Smith Notes 12/22/24)
TOUCHED BY GOD
BEING MOVED
BY THE MOMENT
BY THE MANAGER
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We’ve become somewhat numb to the miracle of the Virgin birth.
I fear that we have lost the WONDER of what God was doing, and the raw earthiness of a first birth in a crowded town where the only accommodations were a stable.
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LUKE 2:6 - 7 THE BIRTH OF THE SON OF GOD
The manger may not be what you thought
Instead of a wooden trough it may have been a hard stone cut out hold feed.
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Mary and Joseph were betrothed, and Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:26 after Joseph’s dream “he took her as his wife.”) In other words the marriage contract between families was completed, though the marriage was not consummated.)
They arrived in Bethlehem after travelling from Nazareth in Galilee to register for the census. A trip of about 70 miles, taking likely at least 4 days considering Mary’s condition. And that is walking about 18 miles a day!
We do not know how long they were there, but it would likely take several days to complete their registration.
There was no room in the inn because all those of David’s descendants had come to Bethlehem to register.
THE FAMILY TREE
The Bible records the names of at least 8 of the wives of David, and at least 20 children are named in the Bible. (1 Chronicles 3:1-9)
2 Samuel 5:13 says, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to David.”
Finally, the Bible states that from David to Jesus there were 14 additional generations. (Matthew 1:17)
A lot of folks for a small town.
The days were completed, and Mary gave birth to a son, and wrapped him in cloth, and laid him in a manger. Luke 2:6
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THE MAGI RESPONSE
A RADICAL ADJUSTMENT OF PLANS
BEGAN WITH A CHANGE OF PURPOSE.
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Matthew 2:1-2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
When you consider all the plans you have made or are considering – what’s your purpose? “We have come to worship Him.”
Your destination is directly determined by your direction
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
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The shepherd response
Moving from:
Fearing
To Seeking
To Finding
To Sharing
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The shepherds were told:
A savior has been born, you will find the baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger. (Lu 2:12)
So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary, and Joseph, and the baby as he lay in the manger. (Lu 2:16)
The Journey to faith begins with an exposure to a new truth.
When truth is shared it often creates a sense of anxiety and curiosity..
When anxiety is overcome, new possibilities are exposed.
When curiosity takes root, discovery is sought.
When diligent in discovering, truth becomes evident.
When the truth is found, our reality is transformed, and we are compelled to share.
Geocentric - Earth is the center
Helio centric – Sun is central
Flat earth vs. Spherical earth
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MARY’S RESPONSE
TREASURED ALL SHE HEARD AND
PONDERED IN HER HEART
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Treasured: to keep closely and deeply: to preserve, to keep, mentally to remember.
Our memories are containers of what we believe.
Sometimes they contain truth, and sometimes lies.
Pondered: To put things all together, to attempt to understand and make sense of things.
To ponder is to give serious consideration to the truth of our understanding
AND to the implications for our daily life and future.
Oftentimes young people do not ponder the life altering implications of their choices. Adults usually define this as acts of immaturity.
However as adults we often become so cynical that we often don’t believe that we can actually make significant changes that will have a lasting impact.
We stop pondering the deeper significance of our lives, and ignore the potential to be used of God in powerful ways still today!
This may not be immaturity, but it is certainly irresponsibility.
Ponder on what is God’s purpose for your life, and be wise enough to adjust your plans to fulfill God’s purpose.
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