Away in a Manger - Audio

Big Idea - The story of Christmas is easily the most familiar in all the Bible. And Luke 2:1-7 even more so. But, we can confuse familiarity for understanding. What is the message of Luke 2:1-7? Do we really know what the point of the story is? It records Jesus’ birth, but is Jesus even the main character in this story? Who is the story really about? More importantly, what does this story tell us? What is the real point Luke is making here? The story is about Jesus, but only indirectly. The main characters in the story are Joseph and Mary - it is really about them! Jesus isn’t even named. He is referred to only as the baby and Mary’s firstborn child. But, the story is about 1) God who is Sovereign even over the most powerful world leader, who in the end do God’s bidding, 2) Jesus meets the qualifications for Messiah - of the line of David, but the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth demonstrate that Jesus came as a slave, waving the rights and pomp of His position, and 3) even though the fulness of the incarnation meant Jesus was of the lowest status, He is still Lord and Master over all who would follow Him. He will dictate and govern those who follow Him, and that often means a path that is difficult and challenging.