of all time is a Frank Capra film called It's a Wonderful Life. Anybody see it?
Now there are several scenes in It's a Wonderful Life that are just really powerful and every time
I see it I get choked up. So you know there's the scene where everything is falling apart for George
Bailey and he gets mad with his kids. You know that whole scene where he yells and runs upstairs
and kind of lays into Zuzu's teacher, that whole thing. I could see myself in George Bailey. I'm
wondering if you can too. And then there's the whole scene at the end where George Bailey, second
least on life, he comes home, we're going to deal with the consequences and he's met by grace, met by
love. Room full of people. But the scene that chokes me up the most is this one. Mr. Gower,
the pharmacist, gets a telegram. His son's been killed in action. He's trying to drink away
his sorrows. And as he's drinking he fills a prescription and he fills it wrongly. He actually
puts poison in that jar. The young George Bailey sees it all. And when Mr. Gower gives the pills
to George to deliver, George doesn't deliver it. He comes back to the shop. Mr. Gower gets
a phone call. Why didn't they get their pills? Do you remember the scene? Mr. Gower yells.
He slaps George upside the head. Gives him a permanent deafness in his right ear. Remember that?
The young George Bailey whimpering, crying, saying, I know you didn't mean to do this. I know you
didn't mean to do this. I know you didn't mean to poison this. And there's that scene where he
undoes the lid, tests it, and his countenance changes. He knows what he's done. And he knows
that this boy has just rescued. This boy has just intervened. Well, these scenes are well-acted,
aren't they? And so you're watching and you're believing it, right? You're affected by it. You can
identify with it. They're powerful scenes. And these scenes from It's a Wonderful Life,
they affect us, don't they? But here's the deal. And at the risk of popping a sentimental bubble,
It's a Wonderful Life, actually did not happen. It's just a movie. It's a moving movie. Bedford
Falls was actually Seneca Falls, New York. The screenplay was based on a short story that was
first written on a Christmas card. Moving it is. But it never really happened. This morning,
I want to show you a few scenes from a story that actually happened. The real account of the
birth of Christ our King. And these scenes that you're going to see this morning
are to have an effect on us. So would you turn in your Bible to Luke chapter 2? I'm going to read
verses 1 through 21. And then I'm going to walk you through it. So let's hear God's Word together.
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 to his town, went up from Galilee and 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 a swaddling cloth 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 fear. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David
David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you. You will find a baby wrapped
in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was the angel, with the angel, a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth.
Peace among those with whom he is pleased. When the angels went away from them into heaven,
and 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. And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph
and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told
them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary
treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all that they had heard and seen as it had been told them. Verse 21, and at the end of
eight days when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived
in the womb. This is not make-believe. This is not a Hollywood production. This isn't the creation of
someone's mind. It actually happened. There really was a baby miraculously conceived in a
virgin. And born in an animal stall. Who is Christ the King. The birth of this baby was announced by
angels. Three titles. Savior Christ and Lord. This baby was fully God and fully man. As Odd Thomas just said,
the only theanthropic one. Theos God. Anthropos man. There's only one. His name is Jesus.
He's alive and he's reigning. So there's six scenes I want you to see in this passage.
We start in Rome. Then we find ourselves on a dusty road. Then we find ourselves in an animal stall.
And from there we go to a field outside of Bethlehem. Then back to the animal stall. And then the last
scene is eight days later. You ready? Let's go to Rome. Luke chapter 2 verses 1 through 3.
Luke begins the birth of Jesus' birth in Rome. He starts with a decree that went out from
Caesar Augustus. Caesar Augustus was the first Caesar under which the Roman Empire began to worship
its Caesar's. Caesar's as gods. A savior of sorts. And Luke begins by pointing us to who is in charge of the
known world? Humanly speaking. It was Caesar Augustus. It was Caesar Augustus who ushered in the Pax Romana,
the peace of Rome. An extended time of peace for the Roman Empire. But don't be mistaken.
This peace was a peace by force. A peace under threat. As if Romans, there was a common understanding.
Hey, don't rock the boat and everybody will be happy.
But if you rock the boat, you will find a Roman legion on your front doorstep before you can say Pax Romana.
So look at what Caesar does. He issues a decree that everyone in the Roman Empire must register.
Register for what? Probably a tax. It takes money to run an empire.
And in order to register, everybody must go to their place of birth.
And so in verse 3, everybody goes.
Caesar speaks. Everybody listens.
Everybody obeys.
He issues a decree and everybody obeys.
Caesar exerted some kind of power, didn't he?
It's impressive.
He issues a decree. It's obeyed.
And one is left that he is in charge.
What he says goes.
Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem as a result.
Because Joseph is a descendant of David.
Which means Bethlehem was his hometown.
But we know there's more to this than meets the eye.
There's someone greater than Caesar who's orchestrating all these events in order to carry out his purpose for the fullness of time.
What was to happen in Bethlehem would be of cosmic and eternal proportions.
All heaven has been waiting, anticipating the birth of the Christ.
Let me just read you the prophecy I read earlier.
700 years earlier.
Micah 5.2.
It speaks of where the Messiah would be born.
The long-awaited king.
And then it also says something about who this king is.
But to you, O Bethlehem, Epapha,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.
Messiah. King.
Whose origin is from of old.
From ancient days.
The one to be born in Bethlehem would be a king.
And not any king.
This is actually the ancient of days being born.
God in the flesh.
Emmanuel.
There's someone greater than Caesar orchestrating these events in Luke chapter 2, 1 through 3.
What God had said 700 years earlier,
He is bringing it to pass.
So scene 1 begins in Rome with a guy claiming to be a God,
a savior of source, who ushers in a kind of peace.
He's issued a decree,
but we know that it's actually God at work.
God's in charge.
Caesar is fulfilling God's purposes.
And the God who was reigning over the nations back then,
is reigning over the nations today.
Same God.
So we move to scene 2.
Verses 4 and 5 of Dusty Road.
Joseph and Mary are on their way.
They are heeding Caesar's decree,
who we actually know is God's will.
God is getting something done.
So remember,
Mary conceived this child in Nazareth.
And Nazareth is in the northern part of Israel.
And Micah 5, 2 says,
the Messiah needs to be born in Bethlehem,
which is due south.
About 60, 70 miles south.
And so this decree by Caesar is actually God's means
by which he's getting this 14-year-old pregnant girl
from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill Micah 5, 2.
Is that amazing?
Well, as the crow flies,
it would have been 60, 70 miles.
But we learn from John 4,
Jews have nothing to do with Samaritans.
And in order for Mary and Joseph to go straight down,
they'd have to go through Samaria.
So they probably took kind of a route that started south
and they went around Samaria and back through to Bethlehem.
So it was probably 80 or 90 miles all said and done.
Now, imagine.
Guys, this is going to be more difficult to imagine for you.
Ladies, this might be a little easier for you.
Imagine a 14-year-old girl who is nine months pregnant
without her mother,
having to travel 80 to 90 miles,
either by foot or on donkey.
It would have been very uncomfortable,
to say the least, don't you think?
Physically uncomfortable,
emotionally uncomfortable.
Can this baby be coming today
on this road?
What you need to see is that this 80 to 90 mile journey
was God's sovereign plan
being worked out step by step.
According to Caesar's decree,
they're going to go register for a tax.
According to God's decree,
they're going to fulfill Micah 5-2.
The Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem.
God's making it clear
that this baby boy
is going to be of the line of David.
Fulfilling the promise of 2 Samuel 7
in which God promises to David,
you'll always have someone on the throne.
You're going to have one day a forever king
reigning forever on your throne.
So this 80 to 90 mile journey
on a dry and dusty road,
it's essential.
It's an essential part of God's plan
for the fullness of time.
God's in charge.
He's bringing it to pass.
He's bringing to pass
His plan of salvation for all people.
Scene 3.
We get to an animal stall.
And when we get there,
we're hearing a baby crying.
Joseph and Mary
arrived safely in Bethlehem.
This is verses 6 and 7.
But it turns out when they arrive,
a lot of other people have showed up
because they've got a register too.
And so there's no open rooms at the inn.
Apparently there was just
one inn in Bethlehem.
Bethlehem was not a big town at all.
Now imagine with me,
here is a modern interpretation
of this event.
Joseph and Mary
pull up into Bethlehem
in his well-used F-150
because he is a carpenter.
They pull up into Bethlehem
and they see the neon light
above the only inn in Bethlehem.
And it's called
the Bethleh Inn.
Do you see it?
And as they pull up,
they're both looking at the vacancy sign
in neon.
And as they pull up,
there is vacancy.
And as soon as Joseph puts it in park,
guess what turns on?
No vacancy.
Their hearts would have dropped
when they heard the news.
Imagine,
she's nine months pregnant.
They show up,
there's no place to say.
Mary's thinking,
where am I going to have this baby?
Joseph's thinking,
where's she going to have this baby?
Nobody seems to care.
So Joseph and Mary
are left to make the most
of what's available to them.
And so they
probably settle down
in some kind of animal stall
or cave
that's connected to this inn.
It would have been
very rough.
Stale hay.
Dirty animals.
It would have been
smelly.
And then the time
came for Mary
to deliver this baby.
And remember,
she's 14
and her mom's not there.
It would have been tough.
I mean, seriously,
Joseph is there.
And with the baby,
a new smell
enters the stable.
There's the stale hay.
There's the dirty animals.
And now the smell of birth.
This was very surreal.
Our king was born
in the humblest of places.
He was not born
into prestige,
power,
or privilege
like Caesar.
Our king was born
to a peasant
in an animal stall.
When Christ was born,
he in no way
ceased to be God.
Rather,
it was the eternal God
who took on human flesh
what he did give up
was the glory
that was his in heaven.
He made himself nothing.
He went from
the glories of heaven
surrounded by angels
singing his praises
to stale hay
in a stable
surrounded by
lowing animals.
It was quite a change of venue.
He made himself nothing.
He became one of us.
Why?
So that he
can identify with us
in every way
yet without sin.
He understands.
He's walked in our shoes.
God became a man.
God.
What happened
in this animal stall
in one sense
was very ordinary.
But it was also
extraordinary.
Because the eternal God
for the first time
took on human flesh.
We sing this song,
O come all ye faithful
at Christmas time.
And it's got this line,
very God
begotten,
not created.
And we're singing
about Jesus.
Very God.
He's God.
Begotten,
not created.
What's being said there
when we sing that
is this.
This child is fully God
and fully man,
born of a virgin.
But when Jesus was born,
it's not as if
the second person
of the Trinity
came into existence
at that moment.
He already existed.
What we're singing about
when we say
very God begotten,
not created,
it is that
the second person
of the Trinity
is taking on
for the first time
flesh.
This is unbelievable.
Begotten,
not created.
God became a man.
He took on flesh
in order to be
our Savior.
So what we see happening
in scene three
is that the birth
of Christ
took place
in the humblest
of circumstances.
Which stands
in stark contrast
to what's going on
in Rome.
The King of Kings
and the Lord of Lords
was born
in a very humble
little town
of Bethlehem.
And God's Word
was fulfilled.
Micah 5.2
Fulfilled
as God said it would be.
The Ancient of Days
had been born
that day.
Scene 4.
This is verses
8-14.
A field outside
of Bethlehem.
It's a dramatic
change of scenes.
We move from
an animal stall
to an open field.
Shepherds
are tending their flock.
It's evening.
Now,
if you were to rank
a shepherd
in social standing
at that time,
they would have come
in a click
above lepers.
They were despised
and looked down
upon because
of their occupation.
They were seen
as perpetually unclean
because they were
always with animals.
So it's very important
to note
that when the
angel of the Lord
comes to announce
the birth of Christ
the Messiah,
he appears
to shepherds.
nobody's.
But God knows
and loves
nobody's.
God is interested
in the most
ordinary of people.
Like you
and like me.
It was nighttime
so it would have
been dark.
The angel of the Lord
appears and the glory
of the Lord
shone around them.
The shepherds,
verse 9,
were terrified.
They didn't know
what's happening.
This came out
of nowhere.
They were overwhelmed.
What's going to
happen to us?
The angel's quick
to comfort.
Fear not.
This angel hadn't
come to warn
or destroy.
This angel came
to announce
something wonderful.
good news.
Read to me
verse 10.
The angel
speaking to the
shepherds.
Fear not
for behold
I bring you
good news
of great joy
that will be
for all the people.
Good news.
Great joy
for all the people.
It literally
reads like this.
Fear not
for behold
I am good
newsing you
with great joy
for all people.
the Greek word
is
evangelizomai.
It's the word
we get
the word
from which
we get
evangelize.
It's like
the angel
is saying
hey I am
evangelizing you
with great joy
for all people.
I'm good
newsing you guys.
I'm
gospelizing you.
the angel
has appeared
to proclaim
good news
and what
is that
good news?
What is
at the heart
of this
announcement
of good news
for all people?
What is it?
Who is it?
It's all about
this baby.
Look at verse 11.
The angel
says
for
he's going to
point to the
content of the
good news.
For unto you
is born
this day
in the city
of David
a Savior
who is
Christ
the Lord.
In a very
short span
this angel
announces
the good news
and it has to do
with this
baby
and he gives
him three
titles.
Savior
Christ
Lord
Savior
this baby
is a rescuer.
As God
in the flesh
he would
rescue a people
from the
oppression
and tyranny
of sin
death
and the devil.
That's what this
little baby is going to do.
Christ
or King
this baby
is the long
awaited Messiah
the long
awaited King
of David
God
in the flesh
ancient of days
here today
the descendant of David
who would reign forever
on David's throne
this is the one
he is the King
of Kings
lying in that name.
he is the Lord
there is coming
a day
in which every
knee shall bow
and every tongue
confess
that this baby
is Lord
of all
master
of all
you know
the
in Matthew's account
the wise men
got it right
remember
they
bowed
before this baby
at the heart
of the gospel
is not a math
equation
at the heart
of the gospel
is a person
it's all about
Jesus
Savior
Christ
Lord
Emmanuel
Paul talked
about it this way
Colossians 1
28
Him
we proclaim
and that's
exactly what
this angel
is doing
this angel
is proclaiming
Christ
Jesus
is the
Christ
the gospel
is all about
the person
work of
Jesus Christ
there's more
going on here
notice that this
good news
about Jesus
brings great joy
for those who
receive it
it's the great
joy of salvation
those who would
put their faith
in this baby
and trust him
they would
experience the joy
of rescue
the joy of
redemption
the joy of
adoption
salvation
and this great
joy can be found
in no one
else but
Jesus
salvation is
found in no
one nowhere
else other
than Jesus
no other name
under heaven
by which man
can be saved
Jesus is that
name
this great joy
of salvation
found in Christ
is for all
people
Jesus
is the Savior
the King
the Lord
of all
nations
and he's
gathering for
himself a
people from
every tribe
tongue and
nation
a people that
see him for
who he is
and joyfully
turn from sin
and joyfully
trust in him
alone
for salvation
well let's go
back to the
field
the angel
says in
verse 12
hey go see
for yourself
I'm not
making this
up
this baby
which I'm
telling you
about
you can
go see
right now
he's wrapped
in swaddling
clothes
lying in a
feeding trough
at the
Bethlehem
in
if that had
not been
enough
look at
verses 13
and 14
the angel
of the Lord
that brought
this good
news
is then
joined by
a multitude
of heavenly
hosts
don't think
barbershop
quartet
of angels
we're not
singing glory
to God
in the highest
here in
four part
harmony
what's going
on here
is all
of the
heavenly
host
has
emptied
heaven
to
declare
and mark
this day
this is
monumental
this is
historic
for the
fullness of
time had
come
when God
sent his
son born
of a woman
born under
the law
to redeem
those who
were under
the law
what the
angels knew
and what they
were singing
about
is that
this baby
is bringing
with him
a cosmic
eternal
change
they sing
glory to
God in
the highest
and on
earth
peace among
those whom
God is
pleased
they're saying
praise God
for his
glorious plan
of salvation
that brings
real peace
to real
sinners
praise God
for all
who willfully
bow their
knee and
experience
fullness of
peace
a full
and lasting
peace
not by
threat
but a
peace
by grace
the
Savior is
God's
gift to
sinners
and the
angels knew
it
they knew
that God
is changing
the course
of eternity
with this
baby
and they
glorify
God for
it
now
Jesus
wasn't
born so
that we
can have
a holiday
Jesus
wasn't
born
so that
you can
get out
of school
Jesus
wasn't
born so
that we
can boost
our economy
with all
sorts of
purchases
Jesus
was born
in order to
rescue sinners
from their
sins
that's why
he was
born
scene for
this baby
born
and it's
marked with
this angelic
host singing
God's praises
the first
Christmas
day
it's historic
God
has arrived
on the
scene
as a
man
right
according
to
plan
scene
five
back to
the animal
stall
at the
Bethlehem
Shepherds
are breathing
heavy
because
verse 16
they run
there
they're
obeying
what the
angel told
them to
do
go check
it out
and so
they go
and check
it out
they're
very aware
that God
has revealed
this to
them
they're
very aware
that this
is monumental
they arrive
at the
animal stall
and find
the baby
in the
manger
just as
the angel
said
and still
trying to
catch their
breath
they're just
saying to
anybody who
would listen
what the
angel had
made known
to them
what is that
that this
baby is
descended of
David
and he is
savior
he's the
Christ
he is the
Lord
this is
the Messiah
what I want
you to see
here is this
the response
verse 18
they wonder
verse 19
Mary
treasure
verse 19
again
Mary
pondered
verse 20
these
shepherds
go back
to their
fields
glorifying
and praising
God
it's a
worshipful
response
to this
news
this
newborn
king
brings
about
worship
in our
hearts
for who
he is
so what
should
characterize
your heart
this
Christmas
worship
wonder
that God
would become
a man
treasure
that God
became a
man to
save you
ponder
that this
was God's
plan from
before the
foundation of
the world
it's huge
glorify
and praise
rejoice
that this
Christmas
God has
revealed himself
to you
and that you
have bowed
your knee
to him
the king
of kings
and if you
haven't bowed
your knee
to him
what a
great
Christmas
it would
be if
you did
if you're
not a
Christian
would you
receive the
greatest gift
ever given
would you
receive
salvation
in Christ
by faith
alone
you just
need to
say I'll
take it
scene five
we see this
worshipful
response
scene six
eight days
later
were finally
told this
baby's name
Jesus
Joseph and
Mary had
obeyed what
the angel
had told
Mary to
name this
child
Jesus
literally
means
Savior
Jesus the
Savior
Jesus the
Christ
Jesus the
Lord
and just
in case
you've
forgotten
Jesus is
no longer
lying in
the manger
he lived a
sinless life
he died on
the cross
for sinners
like you
and me
he was
raised on
the third
day defeating
sin death
and the
devil and
he's ascended
into heaven
where he sits
at the right
hand of the
father awaiting
the day in
which he
returns and
when he comes
back you know
what he's
bringing with
him fullness
of justice
completeness
of peace
he wipes
out all
leukemia
no more
war
no more
tornado
tsunamis
cleans it
up
this baby
whose birth
we celebrate
this Wednesday
he would be
great
because he's
the great
I am
six scenes
of a real
story
not produced
by Hollywood
this is God's
plan
and our
response
is worship
the birth of
Christ our
King has
changed everything
so we
with the
angel
proclaim Jesus
as Savior
King
Lord
and we say
glory to God
in the highest
and peace on
earth to all
men who bow
their knee to
him
Merry Christmas
let's pray
thank you
for the
canát
see you
here
in the highest
game
what
said
y
a
kind