THE CAROLS OF CHRISTMAS: Away in a Manger 12-17-23

THE CAROLS OF CHRISTMAS: Away in a Manger 12-17-23

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Christmas

 

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

               Luke 2:1-12 NIV

 

“Away in a Manger” by unknown (often attributed to Martin Luther for vv. 1  & 2)

 

Away in a manger,

no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus 

laid down His sweet head; 

The stars in the sky 

looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus,

asleep on the hay.

 

The cattle are lowing,

the Baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus

no crying He makes,

I love Thee, Lord Jesus,

look down from the sky,

And stay by my cradle

till morning is nigh.

 

Be near me, Lord Jesus,

I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever,

and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear

 children in Thy 

tender care,

And fit us for heaven, 

to live with Thee there.

CC. Traditional, nd, CCLI 519150 

 

I.  THE BABY KING OF BETHLEHEM

 

”Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.“

               Luke 2:11 NIV                                                                                                    

 

               A.  Jesus was not born in Jerusalem, the capital city.

               B.  Jesus was not born in a palace.

               C.  Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a stable.

 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

               Matthew 2:1-6 NIV

 

II.  THE BABY KING WRAPPED IN CLOTHS

 

               A.  Jesus was given a common robe for an uncommon child.

               B.  Jesus was given a simple attire for God in the flesh.

               C.  Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a stable wrapped in cloths.

 

”As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.“

               Matthew 11:7-8 NIV

 

”For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.“

               Hebrews 2:17 NIV

 

III.  THE BABY KING LYING IN A MANGER

 

”For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.“

               2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV

 

               A.  Jesus was born in a stable.

               B.  Jesus was given a manger for a cradle.

               C.  Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a stable wrapped in cloths lying in a manger.

 

”In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.“

            Philippians 2:5-11 NIV

 

One well-known Christian author, James Montgomery Boice, eloquently documents amazing things Jesus’ virgin birth, sinless life and sacrificial death accomplished for mankind as an amazing sign of His love.

 

Jesus endured a human birth to give us a new spiritual birth.

He occupied a stable that we might occupy a mansion.

He had an earthly mother so that we might have a heavenly Father.

He became subject so that we might be free.

He left his glory to give us glory.

He was poor that we might be rich.

He was welcomed by shepherds at His birth so we through our new birth can one

day be welcomed by angels.

He was hunted by Herod that we might be delivered from the grasp of Satan.

That is the great paradox of the Christmas story. It is that which makes it irresistibly attractive. It is the reversal of roles at God’s cost for our benefit.

               James Montgomery Boice. "The Christ of Christmas" (Chicago: Moody, 1983) p. 59.

 

CONCLUSION

 

Jesus was the king of heaven brought to earth.  He was the son of God clothed like a commoner.  He was the Lord of all sleeping in an animals trough.   The Word of God became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”

 

”The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.“

               John 1:14 NIV

 

Richard Myers tells the story of being a reservist and being called back to active duty in Fort Monmouth, NJ, canceling his Christmas plans with his family in IN. Feeling low, he turned on the radio and heard an appeal from the Post Office for volunteers to answer letters sent to Santa. He went and poured over the letters, choosing four and bought the requested gifts.

 

His first was a family in Harlem, a wife who had written the letter on behalf of her children and her husband a discharged serviceman. They reluctantly accepted the gift and he went on his way. The next was from Kathleen whom he found living in a very large, luxurious brownstone. He explained that he was Santa’s helper and assured her that Santa wanted her to know that she would not be forgotten. Her mother thanked Richard and said, "Thank you. We can give her toys but we cannot give her the joy of this experience." The third was William who had written from Spanish Harlem. He couldn’t find the address but ended up meeting a single mother with five children and gave her enough money to buy presents for each.

 

The fourth letter was from Lucille, a young mother who wrote that she was separated from her husband and hoped that Santa would help bring gifts to her children. When Richard knocked on the door, he was surprised to see a man answer. It seems they had gotten back together and they invited him in and had a wonderful conversation as he shared his experiences of the day.

And then he writes, "All day I had traveled about on buses and the subway. My feet were soaked from the snowy streets. There had been no spectacular experiences. In fact, several had been awkward. There had been only one real case of need. But for one whole day, I hadn’t thought of myself and had enjoyed myself thoroughly. When I went to bed that night, there was a glow inside me because deep down, I had found Christmas by giving it away."

               From a sermon by Tim Smith, “The Gift with a Cost”, 10/19/2009.

 

INVITATION

 

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.