1. Butterworth Gospel Hall Christmas Service, 2007 The Creatures at Christ's Birth Luke 2:8-24 By KC Ung

2. The Creatures at Christ's Birth Our Brother kind and good, Was humbly born in a stable rude, The friendly beasts around Him stood, Jesus, our Brother, kind and good.

3. The Creatures at Christ's Birth "I", said the Donkey, all shaggy and brown, all shaggy and brown, "I carried His mother up hill and down, up hill and down, I carried her to Bethlehem town." Bethlehem town." "I", said the Donkey, all shaggy and brown. all shaggy and brown.

4. The Creatures at Christ's Birth "I", said the Cow, all white and red, all white and red, "I gave Him my manger for a bed; I gave Him my hay to pillow His head." to pillow His head." "I" said the Cow, all white and red.

5. The Creatures at Christ's Birth "I", said the Sheep with the curly horn, with the curly horn, "I gave Him my wool for a blanket warm, He wore my coat on Christmas morn." "I", said the Sheep with the curly horn. with the curly horn.

6. The Creatures at Christ's Birth "I", said the Dove from the rafter's high, from the rafter's high, "I cooed Him to sleep so He would not cry. so He would not cry. We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I." "I", said the Dove from the rafter's high.

7. The Creatures at Christ's Birth So every beast, by some good spell, by some good spell, In the stable rude was glad to tell, was glad to tell, Of the gift He gave Emmanuel, The gift He gave Emmanuel.

8. The Creatures at Christ's Birth These animals were privileged to share the Birth of Christ.

9. Luke 2:1-7 Luke 2:1-7 And it came to pass in those days, that … Joseph also went up...out of … Nazareth…unto the city…called Bethlehem…to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And it came to pass in those days, that … Joseph also went up...out of … Nazareth…unto the city…called Bethlehem…to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Did Mary ride a donkey to Bethlehem? Did Mary ride a donkey to Bethlehem? Did Mary arrive in Bethlehem the night she gave birth? Did Mary arrive in Bethlehem the night she gave birth? Was Jesus born in a stable? Or a barn? Or a cave? Was Jesus born in a stable? Or a barn? Or a cave? Common Misconceptions of Jesus Christ’s Birth

10. Matt. 2:1-12 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him… And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Lk. 2:8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Lk. 2:8) Did three kings riding camels come to Jesus' birth? Did three kings riding camels come to Jesus' birth? Was Jesus born on December 25, or in December at all? Was Jesus born on December 25, or in December at all? Why do many Christians celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, if that is not when He was born? Why do many Christians celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, if that is not when He was born?

11. b. It was a Sudden Exposure. a. It was a Strange Encounter Encounter A. THE SHEEP SAW THE SIGHT They saw the glory of the Lord.... Luke 2:8-14 1. And they were Afraid. Lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid Luke 2:9

12. because of the Angelic Announcement: good tidings of great joy While shepherds watched their flocks 1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night All seated on the ground All seated on the ground The angel of the Lord came down, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. And glory shone around. 2. “Fear not!” said he – for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind, – Had seized their troubled mind, – “Glad tidings of great joy I bring “Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.” To you and all mankind.”

13. While shepherds watched their flocks 3. “To you, in David’s town this day Is born of David’s line Is born of David’s line The Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord The Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord And this shall be the sign.” And this shall be the sign.” 4. “The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed To human view displayed All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid.” And in a manger laid.”

14. While shepherds watched their flocks 5. Thus spake the seraph – and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Appeared a shining throng Of angels, praising God, who thus Of angels, praising God, who thus Addressed their joyful song. Addressed their joyful song. 6. “All glory be to God on high! And to the earth be peace! And to the earth be peace! Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men Begin, and never cease!” Begin, and never cease!”

15. a. It is Universal in Character. which shall be to all people b. It is Universal and Cosmopolitan. because of the Angelic Announcement: good tidings of great joy 2. But they were Assured... Fear not: Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10, 11

16. b. It is Universal and Cosmopolitan. i) A Unique day in the Calendar this day ii) A Unique City the city of David Micah 5: 2 iii) A Unique Christ He is to be Saviour and Sovereign

17. 2. But they were Assured... a. It is Universal in Character. b. It is Universal and Cosmopolitan. c. It is Unto you - a Commitment by God to all those who would accept.

18. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. a. The Saviour's Birthplace. 1. There was no Room. The Shed became … The Shed became … Lk. 2:7 B. THE CATTLE SHARED THEIR SHED B. THE CATTLE SHARED THEIR SHED Because… Luke 2:7,16

19. B. The Cattle Shared Their Shed 1. because there was no Room; The Shed became…Lk. 2:7 The Shed became…Lk. 2:7 a. The Saviour's Birthplace i. The Miracle of the Babe in Swaddling Cloths at Birth. i. The Miracle of the Babe in Swaddling Cloths at Birth. ii. The Miracle of the Babe in a Manger. ii. The Miracle of the Babe in a Manger. b. A Sacred Place

20. B. THE CATTLE SHARED THEIR SHED because... 2. There was no Recognition. Lk. 2:7 Or CHRIST replaced by Or CHRIST replaced by Santa Claus What is Xmas to you? CHRISTmas (  mas)?  Or Christ Crossed out?

21. B. THE CATTLE SHARED THEIR SHED 1. There was no Room. Lk. 2:7 2. There was no Recognition –.. He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree ( I Pet. 2:24) Cf. The Christmas tree they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns and put it about his head. Cf. The Red- Robed Santa, the Holly and the Mistletoe. www.didyouknow.cd/xmas/

22. 1.There was no Room. Lk. 2:7 2. There was no Recognition because man was... a. Too Pre-occupied with his own Pleasures with his own Pleasures b. Too Satisfied with his own Person and his own Possessions. Possessions.

23. Have you any room for Jesus? Chorus: Room for Jesus, King of glory! Hasten now, His word obey! Swing the heart’s door widely open! Bid Him enter while you may! Have you any room for Jesus, He Who bore your load of sin? As He knocks and asks admission, Sinner will you let Him in?

24. Have you any room for Jesus? Room for pleasure, room for business; But for Christ the crucified – Not a place that He can enter In the heart for which He died? Have you any time for Jesus As in grace He calls again? Oh, “To-day” is “time accepted,” To-morrow you may call in vain.

25. Have you any room for Jesus? Room and time now give to Jesus; Soon will pass God’s day of grace; Soon thy heart be cold and silent, And thy Saviour’s pleadings cease. Chorus: Chorus: Room for Jesus, King of glory! Hasten now, His word obey! Swing the heart’s door widely open! Bid Him enter while you may!

26. The Creatures at Christ's Birth A. THE SHEEP SAW THE SIGHT B. THE CATTLE SHARED THEIR SHED C. THE DOVES SPOKE OF SPOKE OF SACRIFICE Luke 2:22-24 SACRIFICE Luke 2:22-24

27. C. THE DOVES SPOKE OF SACRIFICE 1. Thus, the Sacrifice of the Sinning Mother. of the Sinning Mother. The Significance and the Sacrifice: Mary had to bring a dove for a sin offering and another dove (the rich, a lamb) for a burnt offering for: a. Salvation - Christ, the Saviour. a. Salvation - Christ, the Saviour. b. Sanctification - Christ, the Lord. b. Sanctification - Christ, the Lord.

28. 2. Jesus Christ was our Sin Offering and also our Burnt Offering and also our Burnt Offering (Heb.10) II Cor. 5:21 C. THE DOVES SPOKE OF SACRIFICE

29. 3. The Sacrifice of our Selves a. We also need to bring the Sin Offering (Christ) for our Salvation b. and also our Burnt Offering (Rom. 12.1, 2) for our Sanctification. C. THE DOVES SPOKE OF SACRIFICE

30. The Creatures at Christ's Birth For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

31. Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus! 1. Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, When Thou camest to earth for me; But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room, For Thy holy nativity. Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus! There is room in my heart for Thee; Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, come! There is room in my heat for Thee.

32. Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus! 2. Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang; Proclaiming Thy royal degree; But of lowly birth cam’st Thou, Lord, on earth, And in great humility: 3. The foxes found rest, and the birds had their nests In the shade of the forest tree; In the shade of the forest tree; But Thy couch was the sod, But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee. O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee.

33. Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus! 4. Thou camest, O Lord, with the Living Word That should set Thy people free; But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorns, They bore Thee to Calvary. Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus! Thy cross is my only plea; Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, come! Thy cross is my only plea.

34. Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus! 5. When heaven’s arches shall ring, and her choirs shall sing and her choirs shall sing At Thy coming to victory; At Thy coming to victory; Let Thy voice call me home, Let Thy voice call me home, saying, “Yet there is room, saying, “Yet there is room, There is room at My side for thee!” There is room at My side for thee!” And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, When Thou comest and callest for me. x 2 x 2

35. The Creatures at Christ’s Birth A MEANINGFUL REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST’S BIRTH AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR