Christ’s Birth—The Simple Things

 “It is always the simple things that change our lives.” (copied)
“The greatest truths are the simplest.”  (copied)
"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." (copied)

Intro:  The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is one of the most profound foundational doctrines of the Scriptures.  It takes the miraculous and makes it possible.  It takes the seed kernel of Old Testament prophecy and produces a thriving plant.   It removes the intervention of man and substitutes the intervention of God.  Each prophecy and event in the birth of the Messiah is a major event, yet the path to every major event consists of individual stepping stones of faith and practice.  Let’s consider some of the Simple Things that eventuated in the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I. The Genealogy (Matt. 1:1, 16, 17)
    A. Jesus had a line of ancestors as to His humanity.

    B. That line of ancestors included Abraham, the father of Judaism, and King David, the ruler of Israel, arranged in 3 groupings: 1) From Abraham (origin) to David (rise to power),  2) From David to the Captivity (fall from power), 3) From the Captivity to Jesus Christ (ultimate deliverance).

    C. This line of ancestors presents Jesus, not as the claimed illegitimate offspring of Mary, but puts Jesus’ birth under the protection of Joseph’s sterling name and royal lineage.  (ISBE)

The simple act of recording the history of generations secures the lineage of Jesus Christ as to His Person and work as regards His humanity.
(What spiritual genealogy is being recorded based on your family tree?)

II. The Espousal (Matt. 1:18; Lk. 1:27)
      A. Espoused = Betrothed, or engaged to be married. There was commonly an interval of ten or twelve months, among the Jews, between the contract of marriage and the celebration of the nuptials,  yet such was the nature of this engagement, that unfaithfulness to each other was deemed adultery.  (Barnes)

The espousal or engagement of couples takes place daily in every culture around the world.  This espousal was no different than the others except for the two people involved, Joseph and Mary.  Both were chosen by God because God could depend on them.  And because of them, Christ was born.
(What purpose and plan did God have for you and your spouse, and have you been dependable?)

III. The Meditation Before Decision (Matt. 1:19, 20; Lk. 1:29; 2:19)
       A. Minded (Matt. 1:19) = boulomai is rather to have in thought, to intend, to be determined. Boulomai sometimes means no more than to have an inclination.

       B. Joseph thought (Matt. 1:20) = to bring to mind, revolve in mind, ponder; to think, to deliberate

       C. Mary cast in her mind (Lk. 1:29) = to bring together different reasons, revolve in one’s mind, deliberate.

       D. Mary pondered (Lk. 2:19) = to bring together in one’s mind, confer with one’s self.

Thinking things through, a simple exercise.  Neither Joseph or Mary took lightly the things revealed to them by the angels.  Both deliberated and analyzed all they heard in light of what they knew.  These were not hasty people making hasty decisions, but saints of God who relied on the O.T. Scriptures to give meaning to their decision.  Hence they had full assurance that the message they heard was from God, and concerned the Christ.
(What amount of thinking things through and/or meditation in God’s Word do you spend before making decisions that will affect both you and those around you?)

IV. Sleep (Matt. 1:20)
       A.  A dream cleared up all Joseph’s concerns about Mary (Matt. 1:20, 24). 

Sleep, a God-ordained appointment with rest.  God knows man’s needs and has provided this time of physical refreshment.  Though Joseph’s mind was full of questions, he slept.  As he slept, God provided peace regarding the birth of Christ.
(In times of decision, can you trust God enough to pillow your head in peaceful sleep?)

V. Obedience (Matt. 1:24-25; Lk. 1:38)
     A. Joseph did as the Angel of the Lord said (Matt. 1:24, 25)
          1. Took to himself his wife (Mary)
          2. Knew her not

     B. Mary did as the angel said (Lk. 1:38)
          1. Accepted her role as the handmaid (bondwoman) of the Lord

Obedience, the cornerstone of a Christian’s walk.  These simple acts of obedience to God’s will resulted in the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Obedience, or the acting upon that of which you are convinced, will lead to the results God wants in you.  Are you living in obedience or are you toying with obedience?)

VI. Observant (Matt. 2:2)
       A. The Magi saw the star in the East and followed it
            1. To see = to turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything; to pay attention, observe; to see about something; to ascertain what must be done about it
           2. Are come = to come from one place to another

The Magi represented the Gentile world, come to worship a Jew as King.  When they observed God’s will and followed God’s “star” they found what they were looking for—the Christ Child.
(Are you observant of God’s purposes in putting something or someone before your face?  Do you recognize the “handwriting on the wall” when God has prepared a situation for you or you for a situation?  Do you actively look for God’s purpose in placing you where you are?)

VII. Troubled (Lk. 1:29, 34)
         A. Mary was troubled
              1. At the angel’s saying (v29)
             2. At the seeming impossibility of it (v34)

When Mary was troubled she asked questions to clarify her situation.  She wanted the blessings of God, as the mother of the Messiah, but she also wanted understanding.
(God will explain, in His Word, that of His will that troubles you.  God will reveal, in His Word, the seeming ease of what you consider the impossible.  Did you seek understanding during the difficult times of life?)

VIII. Governmental Decree (Lk. 2:1-6)
         A. How God can use an ordinance of government to fulfill His purpose
              1. The decree went out (v1)
             2. All submitted (v3)
             3.  Joseph obeyed (v4)
                  a. Mary followed her husband (v5)
             4. God’s purpose was accomplished (v4, 6)

It was this decree of a hostile government that was used by God to place Joseph and Mary exactly where He wanted them in order to fulfill His purpose in the virgin birth of Jesus.
(What, seemingly, setback or change of plans has God put in your pathway to return you to His pathway?  How do you react when your plans are suddenly and severely altered?)

IX. Days Accomplished (Lk. 2:6)
       A. Mary and Jesus’ days were accomplished (fulfilled, or filled to the full) (v6)

Or, “And it came to pass.”  The fulfilling of the days of a normal pregnancy are not unusual in or of themselves.  God has appointed “times” for every season.  This was the “season” for the birth of Christ.  Notice the totality of the days, made up of one day at a time. 
(Some days go by quickly, some slowly, but each day is a fulfillment of God’s purpose in your life.  Do you maximize the days that God has given to you, or do they just slip away?)

X. Delivery  (Lk. 2:7)
      A. The common act of bringing forth a child, but in this case, He was no ordinary child.
            1. Mary was “great with child” (v5)
            2. Mary fulfilled the days of her pregnancy (v6)
            3. Mary brought forth her firstborn Son (v7)

The birth of a child is a common occurrence, yet it can have far reaching results.   In this case a supernatural conception resulted in a normal/natural birth.  Christ was born in the same manner as every other normal delivery.
(What have you done with the upbringing of the children that God has entrusted to you?  Have you or are you preparing them for a life of obedience to God?)

XI. Laid in Swaddling Clothes in a Manger (Lk. 2:7, 12, 16)
       A. Mary provided for Jesus what she could under the circumstances (v7)

       B. What Mary provided became a sign to the shepherds (v12)

       C. What Mary provided became a confirmation to the shepherds (v16)

       D. Where Mary provided for Jesus brought security to the shepherds

Swaddling clothes (strips of cloth) were commonly used during this time to wrap babies.  Mary came prepared with these.  But the placing of her newborn in a manger was not normal except under the circumstances.  But each of these simple things because supernatural signs to the shepherds as they sought out the child Saviour. 
(Do you serve God with what you have or are your waiting to serve Him until you get what you don’t have?  What if God wanted to use what you have as a sign to someone seeking a Saviour?)

XII. Shepherd’s Normal Activity (Lk. 2:8)
         A. Abiding = a active word
              1. In the field
             2. Watching the sheep
             3. Despite the time or circumstances of day or night

God has many purposes in keeping us busy.  What appears to be normal, everyday, back or mind breaking work can turn into the fulfillment of God’s purpose for you or another.  The shepherds were where they were supposed to be, doing what they were supposed to be doing—and they were the first to see the Christ Child.  Further, the birth of Jesus was humble.  The parents were humble.  The surroundings were humble.  The first witnesses were likewise humble.
(Do your humble beginnings or circumstances keep you from serving God as you ought?  If you are busy for Him, God will manifest blessings you would not receive in any other way.)

XIII. Made Known to Others (Lk. 2:17)
          A. What the shepherd’s saw of God’s plan and purpose, they repeated.
               1. But they did not repeat what they saw (experienced), but what they heard from the messengers of God (v11).
               2. What they repeated, they repeated abroad (make known thoroughly)

What a simple thing, to tell others of what you have heard.  The shepherd’s could not keep to themselves the Babe in the manger.
(You share things all the time, but is the subject God’s Word?  Do you have a testimony of God’s continuing grace in your life?  Are you telling it “abroad”?) 

Conclusion:  Were it not for the “simple things” the birth of Jesus Christ would not have taken place as it did.  It is not the Devil who is in the details, but the Almighty God, therefore we should be interested in the simple things of our lives.