The Manger: A Simple Christmas

Return to Simple

Sunday December 6th, 2020 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Luke 2:4-5

THE PASSAGE:

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child (Luke 2:4-5)

THE MESSAGE:

The first Christmas was simple, yet miraculous.
In these uncertain times, we need a simple reminder of the first Christmas miracle, to finish the year strong, and press on to the new year with a bold and relentless faith.

BREAKING DOWN THE MESSAGE:

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (Luke 2:4)

• 1. You are Special. You are part of God's Special Plan
• Joseph and Mary returned to a simple place in Bethlehem to be registered. Bethlehem was small, little among the thousands of Judah, but it was special:

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." (Micah 5:2)

When you face obstacles, when you face giants, return to simple, return to the simple time you encountered God. It is in the simple time where you find and discover the courage to change, and the boldness and relentless faith to face the day.

1. Simplicity creates space for a Miracle.
2. Return to Simple. Return to a Simple Time to create space for a Miracle.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David (Luke 2:4)

• 2. You are Special. God Has A Chosen Path For You.
• Joseph and Mary made a long journey from Galilee, the city of Nazareth, into Judea, the city of David. This was the path they had to travel to find rest for their souls

"Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls" -The Oracles of the Prophet Jeremiah 16:6

1. Mother Teresa in her book "A Simple Path" said, "The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for."
2. The simple path to love is to go to a simple place of love, the place where you experienced your first love.
3. Take a Simple Path to a Simple Place
4. Taking a simple path to a simple place demands discipline. You can do that by avoiding distractions.

Choose a simple path to a simple place

1. Take a walk with those who feel unwanted.
2. Take a walk with those who feel uncared for.
3. Take a walk with those who feel unloved.
4. Talk a walk with people who feel lonely.

...because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child (Luke 2:5)

• 3. You Are Special. You Are A Child Of God

  Joseph and Mary returned home because he was of the house and lineage of David.

1. A simple home is not an ordinary home. Home is where the simple yet miraculous moments begin.
2. Return to your Simple Home.
3. Return Home over and over again.
4. A Simple Home creates and recreates life

APPLY THE MESSAGE

• 1. Return to that which is simple but not ordinary.
• 2. Return to a simple time, a time of your first love.
• 3. Return to a simple place, a place where you first experienced a miracle.
• 4. Return home, God always welcomes you.

Let us go back to the first simple yet miraculous Christmas.
The first Christmas was simple yet miraculous.
In these uncertain times, we need a reminder of the first Christmas miracle, to finish the year strong and press on to the new year with a bold and relentless faith.