But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:20 (CSB)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16 (CSB)
2) HIS BIRTH—Jesus is humble
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:6-7 (CSB)
3) HIS NAMES—Jesus is with me and saves me
Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
Matthew 1:21-23 (CSB)
But if this accusation is true and no evidence of the young woman’s virginity is found, they will bring the woman to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous while living in her father’s house.
Deuteronomy 22:20-21 (CSB)
The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.
Matthew 1:18-19 (CSB)
2. Fear of will I have enough
Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:7 (CSB)
3. Fear of where is this going
After they were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to kill him.”
Matthew 2:13 (CSB)
4 Things God says to help you overcome fear…
1. You are highly favored
And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:28 (CSB)
2. You Are Not Alone
And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:28 (CSB)
3. I have a plan
Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:31-35 (CSB)
4. I have given you the Holy Spirit
The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:35 (CSB)
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:41 (CSB)
What we can learn from the enthusiasm of the shepherds…
1. Hurry and Find
In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:8-16 (CSB)
2. Worship and Celebrate
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:20 (CSB)
3. Go and Tell
After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Luke 2:17-18 (CSB)
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:1-2 (CSB)
I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near. A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike down all the Shethites.
Numbers 24:17 (CSB)
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
2. Abounding Joy
When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.
Matthew 2:10 (CSB)
3. Fervent Worship
Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him.
Matthew 2:11 (CSB)
Then the angel told her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.
Luke 1:30-32 (CSB)
4. Extravagant Generosity
…Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11 (CSB)
5. Vigorous Protection
And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.
Matthew 2:12 (CSB)
