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LUKE 2:1-11

I. "AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS, THAT THERE WENT OUT A DECREE FROM CAESAR AUGUSTUS."
        A. Who was Caesar Augustus?
                1. Caius Octavious.
                        a. Caesar by courtesy from great uncle Julius
                        b. Augustus a name created by Roman senate.
                2. First Roman Emperor.
                3. This man had sought to achieve hegemony.
        B. Why did he issue his decree?
                1. Because he was world ruler?
                        a. One man speaks and the world obeys.
                2. Small province of Judea, city of Nazareth a godly young maiden who was a
                   virgin had a remarkable experience.
                3. According to scriptures child must be born not in Nazareth but Bethlehem.
                        a. Since Joseph was of the house of David he must take his bride on 
                           the 60 mile trek to obey Caesar's command.
        C. Caesar, who thought he ruled the world, was in fact ruled. This child about to be
           born in one of the small cities of his kingdom is the one who is to attain true
           hegemony.

II. VS. 8-11. THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ANGEL.
        A. Who was this angel?
                1. Scripture doesn't say.
                2. I believe it is safe to assume it was Gabriel.
                        a. He seemed to been the angel to arrange the details of this event.
                                1. Appeared to Daniel.
                                2. Appeared to Zacharias.
                                3. Appeared to Mary.
                                4. Appeared to Joseph.
                                More important than his identity is his message.
        B. "For unto you is born... a Savior, Christ, Lord."
                1. Savior.
                        a. Jesus said "for Son of man came into the world to seek and to 
                           save..."
                        b. Paul said "for Christ came into the world to save sinners."
                        c. Word saved implies saved from or saved for.
                                1. Saved from what?
                                        a. Sin.
                                        b. Consequence of sin.
                                2. Saved for what?
                                        a. "For God so loved the world."
                        d. How was He to accomplish this salvation?
                2. Christ "the anointed one" divine anointing.
                        a. World has had many self-proclaimed Saviors only one Christ.
                3. Lord.
                        a. Prophesied "And God shall give unto Him the throne of His father 
                           David and He shall order it and establish it in justice."
                        b. Prophesied "His name shall be called wonderful."
                        c. Jesus prophesied "Then shall they see the Son of man coming in the
                           clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
                        d. Paul said "Let this mind be in you . . ."
                        e. In final verses of Bible Jesus said "behold I come quickly" and
                           every true child of His answers with John "even so come quickly 
                           Lord Jesus." "Thither will I go."

Light looked down and saw darkness.
Peace looked down and saw war.
Love looked down and saw hate.