With child-like wonder and amazement, we all look forward to the sights, sounds, drama, and emotion that Christmas inevitably brings ..... But what would it have been like to be in Bethlehem for the very first Christmas? Would you have expected the Savior, King, and deliverer promised in Scripture to arrive unheralded by men, born in a lowly stable, surrounded by animals and society’s outcasts? ...... Why did God choose to bring the Savior into the world in such a way? Why did He pick lowly shepherds to be the witnesses of this divine beginning? And what can you learn about your own salvation from the response of those who witnessed the birth of Christ? ..... In The Promise of Christmas, John MacArthur answers those questions and more as he takes you back in time to first-century Israel. You’ll rejoice with the angels at the wonder of God’s plan of redemption fulfilled in the humble birth of God’s Son.
Luke 02:01 .. now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus .. that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth 02:02 .. this was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria 02:03 .. and everyone was on his way to register for the census .. each to his own city 02:04 .. Joseph also went up from Galilee .. from the city of Nazareth .. to Judea .. to the city of David which is called Bethlehem .. ......... because he was of the house and family of David 02:05 .. in order to register along with Mary .. who was engaged to him .. and was with child 02:06 .. while they were there .. the days were completed for her to give birth 02:07 .. and she gave birth to her firstborn son .. and she wrapped him in cloths .. and laid him in a manger .. ......... because there was no room for them in the inn
Luke 02:08 .. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night 02:09 .. and an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them .. and the glory of the Lord shone around them .. and they were terribly frightened 02:10 .. but the angel said to them . . . do not be afraid .. for behold .. I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people 02:11 .. for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior .. who is Christ the Lord 02:12 .. this will be a sign for you .. you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger 02:13 .. and suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying 02:14 .. glory to God in the highest .. and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased
Luke 02:15 .. when the angels had gone away from them into heaven .. the shepherds began saying to one another . . . ......... let us go straight to Bethlehem then .. and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us 02:16 .. so they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph .. and the baby as he lay in the manger 02:17 .. when they had seen this .. they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child 02:18 .. and all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds 02:19 .. but Mary treasured all these things .. pondering them in her heart 02:20 .. the shepherds went back .. glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen .. just as had been told them
Luke 02:21 .. and when eight days had passed .. before his circumcision .. his name was then called Jesus .. ......... the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb