“Jesus Came Into the World” Luke 2:4-7

S-1522 1MWIA/3C Hymns: #350; #357; #345, #74

Texts: Genesis 3:8-15; Acts 16:6-10; Luke 2:1-7

Theme: “Jesus Came Into the World” Luke 2:4-7

Question: “Who is coming to your home this Christmas?” (11^th sermon at Trinity).

Fellow travelers on our journey to eternity, Grace and peace are yours from God our Father, and the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. The text is the Gospel lesson.

“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into 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 wife, who was with child. {6} So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. {7} And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. “(Luke 2:4-7)

INTRODUCTION: In Nomine Iesu

Precious Bride of Christ, as the Church year begins another Season of Advent, which means coming; we thank God for it. This evening, we pray the Holy Spirit help us prepare our hearts and minds to receive the King of kings, and Lord of lords. It is during this blessed Season that we are given the opportunity to grasp another view of the eternal love of God, which moved Him to give us His greatest possession—His Son, Jesus Christ to redeem the World. The message of Advent is a message from the Lord Himself. It is a message from the Lord’s heart, so full of love that even people wandering in sin and darkness will hear it and trust the Lord, for their salvation.

Shortly after the fall of man into sin, God in mercy walked among them in the Garden and promised that He would send the Savior to crush the serpent’s head and His heel will be bruised. That is the first promise of a Deliverer to rescue fallen humanity.

The prophet Isaiah, 700 years before the birth of the Savior, said: “Trust in the Lord to keep His promises-to come among His people, to give us holiness in exchange for our sins, and to bring justice to a broken society”. It will be a new day. PAUSE.

Every Advent Season we get ready to celebrate the truth that God kept His promise at Christmas. The baby Jesus is the Lord who has returned to His people, who is living among us, who trades His holiness for our sins, and who is healing our unjust society.

Tonight, we begin our first journey in worshiping the King of the world as we trod to Bethlehem. About 2000 years ago a son was born into this world-to homeless parents in an old, historic town called Bethlehem, in an occupied territory called Judah. Only the boy’s family knew then that Jesus was God’s gift-His Son, who was destined to die as the Lamb of God, our Savior.

The world was silent then about His coming. The angels announced His coming to lowly Shepherds in Bethlehem’s fields. This evening as we peer into the manger, we see the poverty level of this family and our Emmanuel. The Son of the eternal God was born in borrowed cave. A cave designed for animals, but the Savior is humble enough to lower Himself to the lowest part of the earth, so that He might lift us up to the highest part of the world-heaven. PAUSE.

I have fond memories of my childhood life in Israel. We had a close-knit family. Love was dished out often. I so enjoyed father coming home from work. He would pick me up, hug and kiss me and asks me about my day. On the rare occasion dad was late, things weren’t quite right. I got concerned about him. And would wait for him to come home to give me the hug and kiss.

Things haven’t been right in this world since the Fall into sin. God’s Old Testament people watched and waited for the coming of the One who would overthrow the wrongs that sin let in. Throughout all generations people waited for His coming. Some would even cry out to God “How long Oh Lord before You Come?”

Scripture even testifies to some people who were waiting for the long expected Messiah. Children of Abraham like Simeon and Hannah watched for the Son of Man’s coming as they busied themselves reading Scripture and worshiping in the Temple, waiting to sing, “My eyes have seen Your salvation” (Luke 2:30).

Advent marks the first coming of the Babe of Bethlehem. The Son of Man came and set things right by humbling Himself as mankind’s substitute. Advent takes us back yet again to His coming into our world of sin, and death and disease. Born in a stable He took on the form of a servant to live, die and rise from the dead to rescue us from everything sin ruined.

This evening we give thanks that He came into the world as a lowly Child to be the Savior of the world—who would pay the price of our redemption on Calvary’s cursed tree. The wood of the manger is exchanged into the wood of the cross; so that we, who are sinners, might be made right with God.

The Child of Bethlehem by His first coming has changed our lives forever. This humble and poor child came into the world and has made us rich in grace and mercy. Through His death and resurrection has given us new and eternal riches, that can’t fade or be destroyed. He through His victory over our enemy has made us rich in His righteousness and love. He through the empty tomb has given us a new and living hope that is ours throughout all of eternity.

To look at the manger and to hear the message of Advent is to listen to God Himself describe how much He loves us. To look at the manger in the entire sweep of that redeeming purpose, is to witness the ultimate expression of the supernal grace of God our Savior. It is to witness the Son of the Most High identifying Himself with sinful men, in order to bear their guilt and accomplish their redemption.

So dear friends on this first Midweek Advent Service, we behold the Lamb of God who has come in accordance with the promise of God, to take away our sins. He came into our world-this sin infested world so that we, who are without His grace would be doomed forever. And yet by His mercy have been invited through the gift of Holy Baptism to come and dwell in the glory of heaven. May we through the might of the Spirit of God, live our lives as His redeemed children enriched through His grace and mercy.

Therefore, the Holy Spirit calls us to watch for the Son of Man to come back to earth. When He returns, He shall return as the King of kings and Lord of lords. He will return with power and great glory. He will not be despised and rejected. He will come as King eternal. He will make all things right. He will do away with sin, death and the power of the devil.

Like faithful Simeon and Hannah, we busy ourselves in Scripture, worshiping God, and living every day with our eyes waiting His second coming—soon. With the Church militant we cry out, “Come Lord, Jesus, come quickly! Amen.”

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA