Plan for Christ's Coming
Luke 2:1-14

Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem

1Now in those days a decree went out from (A)Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of (B)all [a]the inhabited earth.

2This was the first census taken while [b]Quirinius was governor of (C)Syria.

3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

4Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because (D)he was of the house and family of David,

5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

7And she (E)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.

8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And (F)an angel of the Lord suddenly (G)stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

10But the angel said to them, "(H)Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a (I)Savior, who is [c](J)Christ
(K)the Lord.

12"(L)This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14"(M)Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men [d](N)with whom He is pleased."

Galatians chapter four, verse four tells us, "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son." With those simple words, the apostle Paul sums up much of the Old Testament. The fullness of time refers to all of God's preparations for sending Jesus Christ into the world to die for our sins. The Father's hand was organizing world events to bring about the most powerful incident ever. The story of Christ's coming is the story of human history.

Pleased by Noah's faithfulness, God saved his family from the worldwide flood. That preserved the Messianic line through Shem. (Genesis 7:13; Luke 3:23-38) Later, after the Israelites made it to the Promised Land, they ended up losing it. Eventually the Persian king Cyrus defeated their Babylonian captors and allowed the Jewish people to rebuild Jerusalem.

With Alexander the Great's conquest of the known world, the Greek language spread, giving people a common tongue. More time passed, and the Roman conquests ushered in a new era of peace. Traveling became easier as good roads were built, and the seas were safe to sail.

Then, when the time was right, Jesus Christ was born. He would be crucified and resurrected in the rebuilt city. His Gospel could be shared in a common language and carried to faraway countries. Now, many centuries later, you are able to learn about a heavenly Father who loves you so much that He sent His precious Son to redeem you from your sins. God guided human history so you could be saved!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your son to die for our sins. Even though we certainly don't deserve it, you wanted us to be able to spend eternity with you in Heaven. How truly blessed we are. My greatest wish this holiday season is that I may follow your will and desire to help to bring others to Jesus. Please guide me and give me the words to help me do that.

I know some don't believe in hell, but I know that it is a real place with real suffering. It saddens me greatly that so many will choose to spend eternity seperated from you and in hell. Please help me to warn as many people as possible before it's too late. I don't want anyone to have to spend eternity suffering when they could be in paradise with you. Help me to bring glory to Your name.

I love you.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.