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Point of Grace Church
PGI - December 24, 2023 Sunday Service
In our church we aim to make it feel like a home, where strangers feel they are part of the family, where smiles are overflowing and hugs are natural, because we believe that life is a journey, and that we are simply channel of blessings. In our church we value three things, gratitude because it's the proper response to God, excellence because God expects nothing less, and grace because we all need it.
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Point of Grace Church
15601 Sheridan St, Davie, FL 33331, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
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CCLI License # 1613304
CCLI License # 1613304
December 24 | Luke 2:1-21 ISG
Why The Manger is Good News
Luke 2:1-21 (ESV)
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, 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.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.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.
The Text in Context
With this scene, the fulfillment of the angel Gabriel’s announcements (1:11–20, 26–37) is complete. Both John and Jesus have been unexpectedly conceived, celebrated in prophetic songs, and born in remarkable circumstances. Each is already revealed as having a central role in God’s plan of salvation, but the angel’s words now emphasize that the good news is centered on the Messiah rather than on his forerunner.
Historical and Cultural Background
Luke’s account of an empire-wide census does not fit comfortably into the period when Herod was still king of Judea (1:5; cf. Matt. 2:1). The first recorded Roman census in Judea (not in the empire as a whole) was in AD 6, ten years after Herod’s death, when Judea had been newly incorporated into the Roman province of Syria, under Quirinius. There is evidence from Egypt of a later census that required people to return to their ancestral homes, but no such provision is known in the rest of the empire. Perhaps Luke is referring here to a local census that was part of Caesar Augustus’s empire-wide reorganization of the provinces. Luke’s mention of a “manger” has led most Western readers to assume that Jesus was born in a stable, and that idea has become fixed in our Christmas traditions, even though Luke does not speak of a “stable.” Rather, an ordinary Palestinian village home was a one-room house in which the animals were kept on a lower level (not in a stable), with the mangers set along the side of the family’s living area. The manger was therefore part of an ordinary living room, and there is no basis in Luke’s account for the sentimental idea that Jesus was born excluded from human society. Since Bethlehem was Joseph’s ancestral home, we may assume that they were staying with relatives.
Theological Insights
“Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus is much more than a memorable story for children or the script for nativity plays. The words of the angel in 2:10–11 provide its theological focus. The “good news” is focused not so much on Jesus’s birth as such, but on the role he has come to fulfill, as the promised Messiah and the source of salvation. This salvation is in the first instance for “all the people” (Israel), and Luke’s account, unlike Matthew’s, introduces no non-Israelites into the nativity scenes. But the song of the angels also offers a hint of blessing for the whole earth, and Simeon will make this theme explicit in 2:31–32.This is a story of contrasts. The imperial pomp and political dominance of Caesar Augustus contrast with the humble village home in which the new world ruler is born. He is born in the royal “city of David,” but he is there only as a visitor, without even a proper guest room. Although the news of his birth comes in an astonishing manifestation of heaven’s glory, it comes to the most ordinary of mortals, agrarian workers, probably dirty and smelly. All this speaks of the God of the Magnificat, who brings down rulers from their thrones but lifts up the humble. The first are last, and the last first.
Why The Manger is Good News
Luke 2:1-21 (ESV)
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, 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.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.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.
The Text in Context
With this scene, the fulfillment of the angel Gabriel’s announcements (1:11–20, 26–37) is complete. Both John and Jesus have been unexpectedly conceived, celebrated in prophetic songs, and born in remarkable circumstances. Each is already revealed as having a central role in God’s plan of salvation, but the angel’s words now emphasize that the good news is centered on the Messiah rather than on his forerunner.
Historical and Cultural Background
Luke’s account of an empire-wide census does not fit comfortably into the period when Herod was still king of Judea (1:5; cf. Matt. 2:1). The first recorded Roman census in Judea (not in the empire as a whole) was in AD 6, ten years after Herod’s death, when Judea had been newly incorporated into the Roman province of Syria, under Quirinius. There is evidence from Egypt of a later census that required people to return to their ancestral homes, but no such provision is known in the rest of the empire. Perhaps Luke is referring here to a local census that was part of Caesar Augustus’s empire-wide reorganization of the provinces. Luke’s mention of a “manger” has led most Western readers to assume that Jesus was born in a stable, and that idea has become fixed in our Christmas traditions, even though Luke does not speak of a “stable.” Rather, an ordinary Palestinian village home was a one-room house in which the animals were kept on a lower level (not in a stable), with the mangers set along the side of the family’s living area. The manger was therefore part of an ordinary living room, and there is no basis in Luke’s account for the sentimental idea that Jesus was born excluded from human society. Since Bethlehem was Joseph’s ancestral home, we may assume that they were staying with relatives.
Theological Insights
“Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus is much more than a memorable story for children or the script for nativity plays. The words of the angel in 2:10–11 provide its theological focus. The “good news” is focused not so much on Jesus’s birth as such, but on the role he has come to fulfill, as the promised Messiah and the source of salvation. This salvation is in the first instance for “all the people” (Israel), and Luke’s account, unlike Matthew’s, introduces no non-Israelites into the nativity scenes. But the song of the angels also offers a hint of blessing for the whole earth, and Simeon will make this theme explicit in 2:31–32.This is a story of contrasts. The imperial pomp and political dominance of Caesar Augustus contrast with the humble village home in which the new world ruler is born. He is born in the royal “city of David,” but he is there only as a visitor, without even a proper guest room. Although the news of his birth comes in an astonishing manifestation of heaven’s glory, it comes to the most ordinary of mortals, agrarian workers, probably dirty and smelly. All this speaks of the God of the Magnificat, who brings down rulers from their thrones but lifts up the humble. The first are last, and the last first.
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https://open.spotify.com/show/1PtjmWN3kTOagTfG1QPnbT?si=f76ab3059e7049beFinancial Report for the month of October.
Giving: $ 13,985.30
Expenses: $ 11,075.00
----------------------------
Surplus: $ 2,910.30
Financial Report for the month of November.
Giving: $ 8,980.00
Expenses: $ 8,187.50
-----------------------------
Surplus: $ 792.50
Giving: $ 13,985.30
Expenses: $ 11,075.00
----------------------------
Surplus: $ 2,910.30
Financial Report for the month of November.
Giving: $ 8,980.00
Expenses: $ 8,187.50
-----------------------------
Surplus: $ 792.50
Reference: Excerpt From Luke, R. T. France
Discussion Questions
1. Read Luke 2:1:21 and identify the current Roman Emperor when JEsus was born. What is the political climate and how does it affect the coming of Messiah as good news?
2. Why do you think the good news was sent to the shepherds? Given the political climate of waiting for a Messiah, does this sound like the story of Exodus? (Exodus 2:1-10)
3. Just like Immanuel, the shepherds were given a sign (2:12). Why do you think the manger is good news?
4. In 2:21, Jesus was circumcised. If circumcision was part of the old covenant, what was the sign and symbol for the new covenant?
5. How does the simple manger be a sign of good news even to you today?
Prayer
Lord, give us the understanding to see the world as it is and to understand the good news of your salvation. Lead us to the pathway of righteousness, the pathway to save the world so that we can follow your direction. Open opportunities for us to testify your good news and lead us to the people who need it. Amen.
1. Read Luke 2:1:21 and identify the current Roman Emperor when JEsus was born. What is the political climate and how does it affect the coming of Messiah as good news?
2. Why do you think the good news was sent to the shepherds? Given the political climate of waiting for a Messiah, does this sound like the story of Exodus? (Exodus 2:1-10)
3. Just like Immanuel, the shepherds were given a sign (2:12). Why do you think the manger is good news?
4. In 2:21, Jesus was circumcised. If circumcision was part of the old covenant, what was the sign and symbol for the new covenant?
5. How does the simple manger be a sign of good news even to you today?
Prayer
Lord, give us the understanding to see the world as it is and to understand the good news of your salvation. Lead us to the pathway of righteousness, the pathway to save the world so that we can follow your direction. Open opportunities for us to testify your good news and lead us to the people who need it. Amen.