Description

The Newborn King
Sunday, January 11th, 2026
Christ Covenant Church – Centralia, WA
Luke 2:1–20

Prayer

O Father our soul blesses You for the birth of Your only-begotten Son. Grant that we like Mary may keep and ponder these things within our heart, and that we like the shepherds may return to our labors tomorrow, glorifying and praising You for all we have seen and heard. Bless now the preaching of these good tidings of great joy which shall be for all people, to the glory of the undivided Trinity, One God forever, Amen.

Introduction

Well, this morning we celebrate Christmas in January. After five sermons in Luke chapter 1 to prepare us for Christ’s birth, we come now to that moment in which God Himself enters our world.

• Now unlike you and I who did not choose where we would be born, or when we would be born, or who our parents would be, or what circumstances might attend our birth, God selected every single detail of how He would personally enter His own creation. Here in these verses we have the Author of all entering His own story.
• Now for those of you familiar with the Christmas story, it can be easy to overlook just how odd this whole scene is. Of all the possible details that we might like to know about the birth of God, what does God draw our attention to?
• Notice that Mary and Joseph have zero words of dialog here. Jesus himself says and does nothing, except lay swaddled in a manger. Luke under the inspiration of the Spirit chooses instead to tell us about taxes, Caesar, angels, and shepherds. In fact, the only words of dialog in this scene are from angels to shepherds, and from shepherds to one another.
• Why is this? Why did God choose to enter our world this way and not another? This is the question we shall ponder together as we consider the mystery of Christ’s birth.

Outline of the Text

Our text divides into four basic sections.

• In verses 1-5 we have The Occasion for Christ’s birth.
• In verses 6-7 we have The Birth.
• In verses 8-17 we have The Celebration.
• And then in verses 18-20 we have The Contemplation of all these things.
  • The Occasion, The Birth, The Celebration, and The Contemplation.

Verses 1-5 – What was the occasion of Christ’s birth?

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world (οἰκουμένην) should be taxed.

• Recall that Caesar Augustus (aka Octavian) was the first Emperor of Rome. And it was under his rule (27 BC – 14 AD) that the empire enjoyed a good measure of military peace, what would become known as the Pax Romana.
• As a sign of this “worldwide” dominion, all of Caesar’s subjects were required to register. This refers to some kind of universal census in order to be taxed. Verse 2 goes on to say…

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

• So what is the political occasion of Christ’s birth? An empire-wide census, where the people of God, and the land that God had promised to His people is now under Roman dominion, they must pay tribute to Caesar.
  • This is exactly what God promised would be happen if Israel broke covenant with Him: Foreign powers would rule over them.
  • And it is under this foreign power’s decree that Jospeh and Mary must travel to Bethlehem, which also happens to be the birthplace of King David.
• So we have here a contrast being setup between two kings: the greatest of all earthly rulers, Ceasar Augustus, and the ruler of all creation, the Lord Jesus.
  • Whereas Caesar is taxing the whole world, and requiring them to travel to their hometowns to be registered. Christ, the Son of God leaves his home in heaven and comes down to earth. The one who created and owns everything (the cattle on a thousand hills, the breath of Caesar), subjects himself to Caesar’s taxation. And he chooses Bethlehem (which means House of Bread), as his birthplace. Why? Because Jesus is the bread from heaven, the bread of life, the one who gives to the world his own body and blood to redeem us from our sins.
    • As Jesus will say later in John 6:55-57, For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
    • No man ever spoke this way, and no Caesar ever ruled this way. But Jesus is no mere man, Jesus is the God-man, and the God-man is a giver of life.
    • God says in Isaiah 55:8-9, My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.
• Summary: So whereas our thoughts take us to our own imagined ideal conditions in which we might like to be born, God chooses by different criteria. God chooses according to what will be most expedient for our salvation.
  • God chose this moment in time, to show us the difference between man’s ways and God’s ways, between man’s kingdom and God’s kingdom. Who is Caesar? Caesar is a taker. But who is God? God is a giver, whatever you give to God He gives back more. Caesar makes peace through force of arms; God makes peace through sacrificial love. Caesar exalts himself with worldly pomp. God humbles himself unto death on a cross.
  • Already the words of Mary’s Magnificat are being fulfilled.  Recall she says in Luke 1:51-53, God has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
  • Even in the way God enters this world He preaches the gospel to us. He shows us that the way of salvation is by humility, meekness, and the trampling of human pride.
    • It says in Psalm 25:9, The meek will he guide in judgment: And the meek will he teach his way.
    • And Jesus will say later to the Pharisees in Luke 16:15, For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. And this is true even in Christ’s birth.
  • So yes, Caesar has his kingdom and Caesar has his peace. But it is not the everlasting peace that only God can give. It is not the peace of a good conscience, of forgiveness and assurance, of a sincere faith, and love that proceeds from a pure heart. That is the true peace and true life that Jesus gives to the meek.
• This brings us to verses 6-7, where the birth of Christ is recorded. And notice how humble this scene is.

Verses 6-7 – The Birth of Christ

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

• These are all the details God wants us to know. Mary gives birth, Jesus is her firstborn son. Mary herself wraps him in swaddling clothes; indicating there is not a nurse there assisting her and/or the birth was rather painless. Mary herself also lays him in a manger (a feeding trough for animals). And why? Because there was no room for them in the inn, (the house). They are outside (in a barn or in a cave) where the animals are.
• This is God’s chosen way of entering His world. And He chose this as His nativity scene (His icon for our remembrance) to teach us about the higher ways of His kingdom, to reveal from the beginning of His earthly life, the meekness and lowliness of his own heart (Matt. 11:29).
• Let us attend to a couple details here.
• Why is God laid in a manger? What is signified by Christ laying in the place where animals eat grass and hay?
  • It says in Isaiah 40:6, All flesh is grass. And what has God chosen to assume and redeem though Christ? Our flesh. Our nature. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: But the word of our God shall stand for ever (Is. 40:8).And here in this manger what do you have? The Word made flesh. God made grass.
  • And so if Jesus is the food in the manger, then what are we?
  • Animals. Beasts. Sheep and Oxen. Goats and Rams. We are those creatures who listened to the Serpent, and who need the image of God restored in us so that we may share in God’s dominion.
    • It says in Isaiah 53:6, All we like sheep have gone astray.
    • It says in Isaiah 1:3 of our ignorance, The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib (manger); But Israel does not know, My people do not consider. In other words, the animals are smarter than us when we sin.
    • And likewise in Psalm 73 it says, So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee…Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion [my food] for ever.
  • So God has chosen to cure us of our beast-like ignorance. To heal us of our animal passions and the irrational cravings of a carnal mind. And he does this by making Himself food for us. By assuming our flesh, and that without sin, and by making his pure and spotless body food for the lowly.
  • God chooses to lay where simple creatures may go to eat. The gospel is not that complicated, it is as simple as repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus. Come and eat. And we see in the book of Acts that when simple people, like Peter and John feast and feed upon Christ, they become bold and wise unto salvation.
    • For Luke says of them in Acts 4:13, Now when the [Jewish leaders] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
    • So have you been with Jesus? Have you repented of your own willful ignorance of the grace of God? Have you forgotten who your Master is, and what will actually nourish your soul? Have you wandered like a sheep from the fold of God? If so, return. Those who come earnestly and honestly He will by no means cast out.
• So already at Christ’s birth, our future salvation is foreshadowed. Do you remember what will Jesus later sing from the cross? The words of Psalm 22 which recalls his birth. He prays, But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God. Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help. Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. They gape at Me with their mouths, Like a raging and roaring lion…Save Me from the lion’s mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me…The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever!
  • Notice that Jesus is surrounded by animals (literal and metaphorical) at his birth and at his death. Some surround him because of malice and envy like lions to devour. And others because they love Him and worship Him and want their soul to be satisfied.
• Moreover, we notice another detail that foreshadows the death of Christ. Where was Jesus born? Outside the house, because there was no room inside the house.And so also Hebrews 13:12 says, Jesus suffered outside the gate, outside the walls that should have welcomed him in. And so while in David’s hometown no room was found for David’s Lord, David’s Lord will later say, In my Father’s house are many rooms (mansions)…I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2).
  • The God who is left outside in the dark of winter, is the God who shall die to turn every winter into a Christmas celebration, and to turn every season into a season of light and harvest, joy and gladness.
  • And this brings us to verses 8-17, where the first celebration of Christmas takes place. And notice who does God choose to share the news of His birth with?

Verses 8-17 – The Celebration

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

• Why does God choose shepherds to be the first recipients of this news, this gospel? For a few reasons:
  • 1. Because as Psalm 23 says, The Lord is my shepherd. God is the great shepherd of His people, and so he shares with his fellow shepherds (pastors) the news that they also shall teach.
  • 2.Because shepherds signify the Old Testament patriarchs to whom the promise of God’s kingdom was told.
    • What was David before he was king? He was a shepherd in the country of Bethlehem (just like these shepherds).
    • What was Moses before God spoke to Him from the burning bush? A shepherd, tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, priest of Midian (Ex. 3:1).
    • What was the vocation of Jacob and the original twelve sons of Israel? Joseph says to Pharoah in Genesis 46:32, the men are shepherds. And then two verses later we are told, they may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
    • What was Abel, the first martyr and prophet according to Jesus? It says in Genesis 4:2, Abel was a keeper of sheep.
    • So God chooses shepherds and faithful shepherds at that (those who are keeping watch over their flock by night) to be the first witnesses and human messengers of Christ’s birth.
    • This is the fulfillment of God’s promise to David, Moses, and the shepherds of Israel.
  • 3. Because the job of a shepherd is to feed the sheep, and where is the best food, the greenest pastures and the stillest waters to be found? They are in wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And so it is most fitting that God sends the angels to tell them where this food is found. We read in verses 9-17…

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

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

14Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

• There is much here but let us just highlight a few words these angels proclaim.
  • In verse 10 we see this is good news of great joy. The Triune God is eternally joyful in Himself and through Christ that joy is extended to others. How many others? The angel says, this is good news of great joy, which shall be to all people. God’s gospel is a universal invitation to rejoice, all are invited to come to the King’s feast.
  • While Caesar Augustus sent forth a universal decree to be taxed, God sends forth a universal invitation to receive the greatest gift. What is that gift? Why should we rejoice?
  • The angel says in verse 11, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
  • Three titles are assigned to Jesus: Savior, Christ, and Lord.
    • 1. Savior signifies the action of Jesus; He will save us from our sins. He will save us from the devil’s clutches. He will save us from eternal punishment. He will save us from our own fleshly desires. He will save us from ourselves. Jesus is the savior and His salvation brings us joy.
    • 2. Jesus is the Christ. Christ means anointed one. Jesus is the anointed king, the anointed high priest, the anointed prophet of God. He is the very word of God full of the Holy Spirit, full of grace and truth, He is the sender of the Holy Spirit together with His Father. Jesus is the Christ and those baptized into Christ are called Christians, little anointed ones.
    • 3. Jesus is Lord. That is, He is God. There is one God, eternally subsisting in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And Jesus is the Son who alone assumes our human nature. Fully human, fully divine, One Lord Jesus Christ.
    • To know Him and to understand Him, is the greatest of all gifts. And this is why the angels of heaven sing Glory unto him.
• It says in verses 13-14, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.
  • First observe that that word host means army. This is God’s angelic army come to announce the reason for the heavenly king’s birth. It is to make peace. It is show forth God’s favor (His good will). It is to invite the whole world to join them in singing, “Glory to God in the highest!”
  • Usually when an army shows up, that means war. That means battle. That means prepare yourself to fight. But when God’s army appears on earth, they come announcing peace.
  • And so from this moment onwards, the question becomes: How shall peace be made? How shall Jesus bring peace to a world living under Roman peace? What kind of peace does Jesus come to bring? How is the kingdom of God different from the kingdoms of this world?
  • These questions the gospel of Luke shall go on to answer. And as Colossians 1:20 says, He made peace through the blood of his cross. But at this moment in the story, there is only the promise of peace made, but no explanation how.
  • And this leads us to our fourth and final section of this passage, and where we shall close.

Verses 18-20 – The Contemplation

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

• First notice the response of all who hear this news. They wonder. They marvel. Do you wonder and marvel at birth of Christ? At the word of the angels, and the preaching of the shepherds?
• Second observe Mary’s response. God could have sent an angel directly to Mary (He had done it before), and He could have surrounded that stable in Bethlehem with angelic choirs. But instead, God sends the angel to the shepherds, his angelic choir appears to those out in the countryside. And it is the shepherds who come and tell Mary what the angels told them. These are the ways of God. He wants us to share in the sharing of good news, because in the sharing our own joy is increased.
  • And now here in Mary we see the joy of contemplation. The joy of gazing at the truth in our heart with delight. Mary treasures these things, she ponders them in our heart, she marvels at the mystery that she just gave birth to the Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord.
  • And so do you like Mary treasure what you hear? Do you meditate upon the Word, wondering and marveling at the mysteries revealed. Do you apply these truths to your own life and struggles, temptations and fears, looking to Christ as the source of your strength?
• What is the very first action of the blessed man in Psalm 1? His delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.
• It says in Psalm 119:97, O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: For thy testimonies are my meditation.
• It says in Psalm 63, My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, And meditate on thee in the night watches.
• Saints of God, do you meditate day and night? Do you ponder and treasure the things of God? Because this is the way to blessedness. This is the way to joy. May God grant you such holy and constant meditation of Him, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.