The Child Is Here
This blog post is Part 4 of our Christmas series entitled "It's Christmas Y'all!" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN.
Message Date: December 22, 2024
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Luke 2:11-14
Have you ever paused to consider just how so very many involved in this most wonderful story were entirely and wholly surprised and astounded at the events surrounding the birth of the Christ-child? First, there was Mary:
Luke 1:26-38
Then, Joseph:
Matthew 1:18-21
And as we studied two weeks ago, there was the shepherd, Riko, along with the other sheepherders in the field nearby Bethlehem:
Luke 2:8-10
And too, even the King of Judea, King Herod was completely blind-sided with the news of the birth of the Savior of the world:
Matthew 2:1-6
Everyone in this story is astonished at the news of this one, this Child, who has come to be born. Everyone... except one: God. God was never surprised at any part of this story! Look at the last statement the angel of the Lord said to Mary upon notifying her that she is to be the mother of the Son of the Most High:
Luke 1:37
The last words from the angel to Mary are too words to all of us declaring that God’s plans and ways will never fail. To what “word” is the angel referencing here? Well, there are hundreds of statements and prophecies about Jesus throughout the pages of the Old Testament. The first marker we see in Scripture happens right after Earth’s first couple disobey God:
Genesis 3:15
Adam and Eve disobey God. Because of this, God Himself makes it abundantly clear that a Savior is to arrive, coming from the seed of the woman, Eve. This seed pointed to the very Son of God, the Christ. God wasted no time to communicate to us that His Son would come, and that this seed would be the One to come and to crush the head of the serpent, the great deceiver, Satan. The doctrinal importance of what happens here must not be overlooked, nor considered lightly Church.
The virgin birth is the unmistakable proof that salvation for humanity can never come through any act of humanity.
It is the supernatural working of God Himself. And this was evident at the very beginning of Jesus’ life when, as Paul wrote in Galatians:
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4-5
The arrival of the Christ was a surprise to all, to all, except His heavenly Father. This was not a moment of happenstance. This was not an aligning of the stars; a coincidence; an accident; a fluke. No! So very many Scriptures point to exactly this moment in history:
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Hosea 11:1
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
This spectacular moment of all moments spanning the history of time on Earth – the moment when God became man; when heaven came to Earth; the most wonderful of times at the most wonderful time of the year! There is one word in this story that I presume you have read over and again during your time on Earth, specifically during this time each year, each Christmas season. I suppose this a word you have read time and again... yet, have rarely, if ever paused to consider it’s significance. This is not a word that necessarily “pops” or stands out; yet it is proof to us as students of the Word why every word of God’s Word is so very important to the story. I wonder if you have noticed this word. The word is recorded in:
Luke 2:11
Today / Greek /sēmeron/ n. = today is the day; this very day; this appointed day
Isn’t this so very good, y’all?! It is this day, the day we celebrate the birth of the Christ, that is the day! All of the commercials, the lights, the parties, the shopping, the food, the gift wrapping, the tree trimming; the singing; the celebrations... All of this is because of this truth: Today is the day! This day happened, was ordained, was spoken to be...
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11
On this day, Caesar Augustus was the emperor of Rome. Quirinius (creer-iEn-us) was the governor of Syria. Herod was the King of Judea. Shepherds were in fields. Animals bedded in a manger. Guests consumed Inn rooms. Therefore, Mary and Joseph had no guest room. All of Scripture has been to direct us to this moment, this very moment on this appointed day.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16
I draw your attention to these words written by Paul to the Church in Colossae. Listen again: “... all things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16
Notice the word “for” used in Colossians 1.
For/ Greek / eis / pp. = a marker; a specific purpose at a specific time
Luke reveals to us that this is exactly what happened when he writes that, it was at this occasion when the “time came for the baby to born.”
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. Luke 2:6
Notice yet another important word in the Greek that continues to prove to us that this moment in time, during this most wonderful time of the year, was of no coincidence... of no happenstance:
Came / Greek / pimplēmi / v. = to be completed; to be fulfilled
Paul too wrote to the church in Galatia:
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman... Galatians 4:4
Set / Greek / Chronos/ n. = from the beginning of time
Marker after marker, evidence of evidences, set forth since the beginning of time that it would be:
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11
This day, today, did not happen just in any city. No! It happened in a very specific city!
Luke 2:4-5
For in Bethlehem, a mere 6 miles directly south of Jerusalem. 90 miles south of Nazareth, Micah prophecies in the Old Testament:
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2
In Luke 2, the angel exclaimed that on this day would be born a Savior! There, at no other time in all of time for us here on this planet, will such a moment ever be repeated again.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11
Too, imagine what such news to hear would have been like for Joseph in Matthew 1. For here, the angel says to Joseph:
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
There is much every parent aspires to hear about their child; from their child; for their child. Joseph had the distinct pleasure of hearing this about His Son:
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
It is in this moment of the story, Church, where the greatest story ever becomes undoubtedly... ...personal!
For it is here, the angel announces, where this Child, Jesus, is not merely to be born on Earth; not solely chosen to come on this day to this place... No! It is here that the angel announces the reason for which this person, this Christ-child, on this appointed day and in this specific place has come. It is all for this: “... he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
Imagine how emotional this moment must have been for Joseph, a father-to-be, to hear that it is his son, Jesus, this baby of whom his wife, Mary, is carrying... Imagine Jospeh hearing such news from an angel that your child is coming, not merely to bring you great joy and create wonderful memories and grow into a young boy, and then into a man, and then into a family of his own... But.. to hear that this child, your child, is coming to actually save people from their sins! How very moving. How extremely emotional such a moment must have been! It is for this very reason that Jehovah God sent His Son, Jesus to Earth... For only God can forgive sins against God.
Have you ever noticed that it was one angel of the Lord who announces the reason for which this Child is to be born in this location and on this day? Yet, when the moment arrives for the announcement as to the result this Child’s birth is to have on all peoples, there is no longer but one angel praising God and sharing the results of Jesus’ arrival on the world:
Luke 2:13
Now appears a “great company of the heavenly host,” in unison, who want all of humanity to know and comprehend what is happening and of what will happen as a result of the birth of the Christ! Look at what they say will be because of this ordained and chosen moment in time:
Luke 2:14
Do you notice the two outcomes in the reality that today is the day; this very day; this appointed day?
Because the Christ has come:
1. God receives glory.
2. Humanity receives peace.
First, because of this most wonderful moment in time, God is glorified. Secondly, humanity is the recipient of peace. There is no greater, more prodigious and all-inclusive exemplification of the glory of God, even among the highest of all the heavens than that represented and revealed in the coming of the Christ-child. For through this coming, God is to be glorified. For through this coming, humanity is to receive peace. Earlier I shared with you the words of the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament who prophesied over the coming of the Christ. Read his words again:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Notice what he continues to reveal:
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:7
After hearing what I have just shared, and after reading what we have just read, answer this question... Because today is the day, the appointed day, upon which Jesus has been born in this city of David, who receives peace? Does all of humanity receive peace? No! They do not. Now... I will say, as one who loves all, and desires for all to experience the most blessed life; as one who loves to be generous to others and see that all, that everyone, has the life they desire; the life of which they dream... I want all, everyone, every person... I want you, to have peace in this life. But take note, unfortunately, it is not “all” – all of humanity, who is the recipient of such peace of which the heavenly host proclaim on this Christmas morning. Notice, the angels declare that it is a specific people upon whom such a God-ordained peace is privileged:
Luke 2:14
This peace is reserved for... for “those on whom His favor rests.” In the NIV translation of the Scriptures, this passage reads:
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14 NIV
In the NASB translation of the Scriptures, this passage reads:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. Luke 2:14 NASB
In the ESV translation of the Scriptures, this passage reads:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! Luke 2:14 ESV
So... does this mean that God does not offer access for or allow certain people to receive His peace. Some believe, “Yes.” I believe, “No.” I believe, as Paul wrote to tell Timothy:
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
I am of the belief that Scripture is clear that: God desires for all to receive His peace. Yet only those who choose to receive His gift of peace by trusting in Him as Savior will, in fact, experience the peace He freely offers. Notice what Jesus one day says about this very choice given to each:
When you enter a house, first say, Peace to this house. If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Luke 10:5-6
The key word here? Promotes:
Promotes / Greek / huios / v. = one believing in and emphasizing Jesus
Notice that this Greek word, huios, is a verb on which the ownership of action is on the believer, not the Creator. So Jesus Himself is stating here that the one who “promotes,” or the one “believing in and emphasizing Jesus” is the one upon whom rests the peace of the Lord.
God’s peace is offered to the world. But not all of the world choose to receive it; to promote it; to emphasize it!
So, how does one become one on “whom His favor rest?” You choose to receive Jesus, this child of whom we celebrate during this most wonderful time of the year, as your peacemaker; as your Savior and Lord. If you are here today, and you have never done this, I cannot think of a greater moment than right here at this moment, during this most wonderful time of the year, for you to receive this peace that can only be given to you by the same loving God who sent forth His Son, born of a woman, to redeem the world.
Friend, you can have the assurance right now and forever more, that the God of peace, lives in you, lives in your heart, by just simply repeating these words: Jesus, I believe you were born of a virgin. I believe you came to earth and lived a sinless life. I believe you died on a cross for everyone, including me. I believe, as Scripture states, that you came back to life. And today, I give you my life. Today, on this day, I surrender my life to you.
What is most spectacular, is that for every person who prayed this prayer right now this morning... this too was of no coincidence! Just as Jesus coming, as Scripture states, today in the city of David... Just as God knew of this exact moment, this exact day when Jesus would come to Earth to save all of humanity... Just as God knew exactly when all of this would happen... He too knew that you, today, on this day, would pray surrendering your life to Him! How amazing is it to know that the same God that orchestrated Mary and Joseph and the angel and the heavenly host and the Magi and the baby Jesus to be born in a manger in Bethlehem 2000 years ago... Is the same God who orchestrated this moment, this day, this exact time for you to surrender your life to Him and to receive Him as your Savior! And in doing so, just as the heavenly host lit up that Bethlehem sky on that first Christmas morning... You too have the peace of the very God in you because today, on this very day, it is now you upon whom His favor rest!
And now... you, with your very life, are confirming what it is the great company of the heavenly host proclaimed to the shepherds living out in the fields nearby Bethlehem: Glory to God! Peace to you! You see, It’s Christmas Y’all! And at this most wonderful time of the year... A heart determined on exclaiming the glory of God will too be a heart in receipt of the peace of God. This is so very important for you and for me at all times of the year, but especially at this time of year. So... as Jesus reminds us in Luke 10 to “promote” peace, I ask you to consider this question:
What can promoting peace look like to you this Christmas?
1. Promote: Peace with yourself.
I am not sure that there is another time during the year under which our hearts can potentially be so very consumed with doubt and regret and loneliness than during this time of the year. Even with all of its wonder, there often is the potential during this time of the year for such inner personal struggles to surface; struggles that sneak their way into one’s mind to spread feelings of uncertainty and fear and regret and so very much more! Our hearts are often never more attacked than at this time of the year. Therefore, remember:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
When such emotions and feelings surface, you have to rage against them with all that you have, and all that God’s Holy Scriptures provide to you to promote peace within you. Do not let these negative emotions and feelings of the enemy rob you of the peace within yourself this Christmas.
2. Promote: Peace with others.
During this festive time of the season, there will no doubt be challenging moments and environments into which you venture as you spend time with friends and family. For some, you will be reminded of lifelong pains that seem to surface each time of the year in December as you spend time with those closest to you. For others, there may be new pains that present themselves as you journey through the next few days of the holidays. Remember this:
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
You cannot control every situation. You cannot control how others will respond in such situations. What you can do, though often much, much easier said than done:
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
3. Promote: Peace with God.
This is the pursuit necessary for the promoter of peace – for the one who follows the Christ. Without true peace between you and God, no other pursuit of peace matters.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
This Christmas, as you celebrate the good news of great joy for all people, do so promoting the very peace that can live within your heart at all times and in every way – the peace of the one true Holy God. For It’s Christmas, Y’all! May we celebrate that...
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11
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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.