Read the passage Luke 2
1. Scripture records a decree by man given a greater mission by a loving God. (1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.)
2. Man is unaware of God’s intent and great work, blinded by his own focus on himself.
(2 And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)(3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.)
3. God moves men and human events to accomplish divine purpose.
(4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)(5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.)
4. God’s work in its season is irrepressable, unstoppable.
(6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.)
5. God’s resolve always exceeds physical limitations.
(7And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.)
6. Hope is pictured and represented in unusual and unexpected ways, and places. Humility is God’s specialty.
(7And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.) (8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
7. Heaven is ready to grant great hope to those having no hope.
(9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.)
8. Biblical hope is of divine origin but may be fixed in the temporal.
(10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.)
9. True Biblical hope is fixed or rooted in context of the Savior.
(11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.)
10. Joy displaces sorrow and fulfills hope.
(10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.)
11. Biblical hope unites the heart to Christ.
(12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.)
12. The great riches of heaven forever settle the hope lying in the heart of the child of God.
(13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,)(14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.)
13. Hope is a gift from God to the heart weighted with need.
(14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.)
14. Hope leads to a great story to be told to others of the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. (15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.)
