A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Luke 2:1-16 (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

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 there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, 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.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

If you are like me you probably have several nights in your life that you remember well.

1. The night I professed my faith in Christ and presented myself for believer’s baptism was a night to remember.

That night I gained,

A. A blessed relationship with the Son of God

I gained

B. A Beloved Family

The members of that local church.

2. The night I proposed to Anita was a night to remember.

3. I have some other nights to remember too.

A. Like the night I won my first soul to Christ.

What a thrill!

B. And the night I preached my first sermon

What a fright!

C. Or the night my boys were born.

But as great of memories as we might have, I am sure most will agree, that:

·  The night of all nights

·  THE night to remember

Is the night that God came to dwell as a man among men.

The night of the birth of Christ.

That was the night

I. GOD SET IN MOTION HIS PLAN FOR THE REDEMPTION OF MAN.

A. God had planned this thing before the foundations of the world.

·  Before He created the Heavens and Earth

·  Before He made Adam and Eve

·  Before the fall of man into sin, God had already planned out the method of man’s redemption.

Satan’s subtlety and Adam’s sin did not surprise God.

He knew what would happen and He had already worked out a plan to bring fallen man back into fellowship with Himself.

As early as Genesis 3:15 God forecasted the battle between the serpent and the seed of the woman, prophesying that the serpent would bruise His heel, but He would bruise the serpent’s head.

Peter said that the crucifixion of Jesus upon that Roman cross was ordained of God before the foundation of the world.

For nearly 4000 years between the fall of Adam and the coming of Christ, man waited for God to set in motion the plan which He devised so long ago.

It may seem like it was a long time to wait but it was not slackness, which made it tarry, but the perfect timing of God.

Galatians 4:4-5 says

“When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law…”

God’s plan is wise, well plannedand on schedule.

B. The night of Christ’s birth was only the beginning of the plan

It included:

·   Christ’s death on the cross for my sin and yours

·   Christ’s burial in the grave, and

·   Christ’s resurrection from the grave, leaving sin buried

and it concluded with

·   Christ’s ascension bodily into heaven where He now sits before the Father ever living to intercede for us.

The night of Christ’s birth was a night to remember because

II. IT WITNESSED THE ENTRANCE OF THE MOST UNUSUAL PERSON TO WALK THE EARTH

His name is Jesus(Saviour)

Or

Immanuel(God with us)

A. His Conception was Immaculate

Isaiah 7:14

Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call His name Immanuel

Don’t ever listen to those who try to teach away the virgin birth of Jesus.

We don’t worship the virgin Mary but we do recognize the miracle that took place in her.

Her child was born of God – not of man.

Truly “God with us.”

B. His Personality was Impossible

Being both fully God and fully man.

·  As man, he could suffer for our sins.

·  As God His suffering could be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

C. His Life was Impeccable

He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

If Christ had committed only one sin, the best He could have done was paid the penalty for His own sin.

Praise God Jesus knew no sin and God has made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

The night of Christ’s birth was a night to remember because

III. IT WAS THEN GOD SHOWED HIS LOVE TOWARD US

John 3:16

For God so love the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

I cannot, for all that is in me, understand why God would love sinful rebellious, ungodly man enough to give His Son for us.

But He loved us that much.

That love ought to compel us to a greater love of God.

When I was a kid we always opened our presents on Christmas Eve.

I can remember that I would react differently to different gifts.

A. There were some that I would put aside for something more exciting.

I might barely get out a thank-you.

B. Some I played with a day or two before I lost or forgot it.

C. But some were just the ticket 

·  Something I used every day

·  Something I never forgot about or

·  Something I took care of

God has given us the most valuable gift we could possibly get.

Salvation purchased through Christ’s blood and given to us freely.

I wonder how many of us treat it like a gift we 

·  Take, 

·  Say “thank you” and 

·  Then put down to go another way?

Or like a gift we play with a couple of days before we put it on a shelf until the next time we get into trouble?

·  Shouldn’t it be the gift that we live for every day?

·  Shouldn’t it be the thing that influences every thought and action we have?

Conclusion

I can look back over my life and remember some nights I will never forget and some I wished I could forget.

But the night we are remembering tonight outshines them all.

It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.