Overview:
Luke 2:1-7; 2 Corinthians 9:15
The Christmas story details God’s inexpressible, infinite, awesome Son, sealed in perfection from His conception to His birth, wrapped in love, and provided by God’s grace as a gift to each one of us. From a past of pristine perfection and spotless purity in which Jesus existed throughout eternity past, He arrived on this planet—birthed in an animal enclosure with sheep grazing nearby . . . an enclosure that reeked with the odor of manure and urine and the earthly stench of sin.
Many of us know this incredible story better than we know the lines from Clement Moore’s piece, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Have you ever wondered why God has us return every year to hear this familiar story? Because He wants us to know how much He loves us.
Message Summary:
In "God Sends His Son," Pastor Chuck Swindoll reflects on the profound humility of the Incarnation. He contrasts the "pristine perfection" and "spotless purity" in which Jesus existed throughout eternity past with the gritty, "reeking" reality of His arrival on earth. Birthed in an animal enclosure filled with the stench of manure and sin, Christ’s entry into our world serves as the ultimate evidence of God’s grace. Swindoll explores why God has us return to this familiar story annually: to remind us that we are deeply loved and that no environment is too "messy" for God’s presence.
Message Key Facts:
- The Eternal Context: Before His birth, Jesus existed in perfect unity with the Father; His arrival was a transition from glory to a setting of deep humility.
- The Providential Census: The decree of Caesar Augustus for a census was the secular tool God used to move Mary and Joseph to the prophesied location of Bethlehem.
- The "Inexpressible Gift": As described in 2 Corinthians 9:15, Christ is God’s gift to humanity—a gift that is infinite, awesome, and provided entirely by grace.
- The Reality of the Manger: Rather than a sanitized, picturesque scene, the birth likely took place in a cave or enclosure used for animals, characterized by the sights and smells of a fallen world.
- The God of Grace: The Incarnation proves that God does not wait for us to clean up our lives before He enters; He comes to us in the midst of our need.
Message References:
1. The Historical Setting (Luke 2:1–5)
Swindoll explains how God orchestrates world events to fulfill His specific promises.- A Secular Decree: Caesar Augustus thought he was merely counting people for taxes, but God was using him to fulfill prophecy (Micah 5:2).
- The Long Journey: Mary and Joseph’s difficult trip to Bethlehem demonstrates that following God’s plan often involves physical and emotional hardship.
2. The Humble Arrival (Luke 2:6–7)
The Creator of the universe entered the world not in a palace, but in a place reserved for livestock.- Wrapped in Love: Despite the poverty of the surroundings, Jesus was "wrapped in cloths" and cared for with maternal love.
- The Fullness of Time: Jesus was born at the precise moment required by the divine calendar, showing that God is never late.
3. The Stench of Sin and the Scent of Purity
Swindoll draws a powerful contrast between the "earthly stench" of the stable and the moral purity of the Child.- God Among the Mess: Christ was birthed in a setting that reeked of manure and urine—a vivid metaphor for the sin-sick world He came to save.
- Identification with Humanity: By being born in such a low place, Jesus identified with the lowliest of people.
4. The Reason for the Return
The message concludes by asking why we revisit the Nativity story every year.- A Yearly Refresher: We return to these lines because our hearts are prone to forget the magnitude of God's affection for us.
- The Greatest Gift: The story is a reminder to stop and "thank God for His inexpressible gift."
Primary Scripture References
- Luke 2:1–7: The historical account of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
- 2 Corinthians 9:15: Paul’s exclamation regarding the "inexpressible gift" of Christ.
- Philippians 2:6–8: The theological background of Christ emptying Himself to take the form of a bondservant.
- John 3:16: The motivation behind the gift: God's love for the world.
Practical Application
To rightly celebrate the gift of God’s Son, you are encouraged to:- Receive the Gift: A gift is only effective if it is accepted. Ensure you have personally responded to God's grace by trusting in Christ.
- Acknowledge the "Mess": Don't wait until your life is perfect to draw near to God. He chose to enter a stinking stable; He is willing to enter your current struggles.
- Express Gratitude: Make 2 Corinthians 9:15 your prayer this week, thanking God for the gift that words cannot fully describe.
- Trust God's Orchestration: When you see world events or personal circumstances that seem chaotic, remember Caesar's census—God is still using all things to fulfill His purposes.
