1. Luke 2:1-17 5 Reasons Christmas Should Blow Your Mind

2. Luke 2:1-7 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.

3. Luke 2:1-7 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.

4. Luke 2:1-7 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 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.

5. 1. Rugged Birth

6. Micah 5:2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

7. CHALLENGES:  Kingdoms 2. A Subversive Birth Matthew 5:3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

8. CHALLENGES:  Kingdoms  Pride 2. A Subversive Birth James 4:6b “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6b “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

9. CHALLENGES:  Kingdoms  Pride  Tradition 2. A Subversive Birth Matthew 15:8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Matthew 15:8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

10. 2. A Subversive Birth CHALLENGES:  Kingdoms  Pride  Tradition  Religion Matthew 23:25 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! Matthew 23:25 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! Hebrews 4:14,16 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14,16 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

11. 3. Heartless Rejection As a baby! His whole life John 1:11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. John 1:11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

12. 3. Heartless Rejection Rejected by: World authorities His own people His own friends us! Jesus’ response: Luke 23:34 But Jesus was saying, “ Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 But Jesus was saying, “ Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

13. 4. Who he chose Luke 2:8-10 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.

14. The Three Shepherds

15. 4. Who he chose 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His… 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…

16. 5. His mission God has a rescue plan He can be born in your life! John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

17. COMMENTS & QUESTIONS?