FOUND---LUKE 2, MATTHEW 2

Christmas is a time when things are found.

·        Some find the Christmas spirit.

·        Some find children to be better behaved.

·        Some find blessings in Christmas programs and services such as this one

Thinking back to the first Christmas, it was a time when things were found by those who were participants in the Christmas story.

Perhaps it would do us good this evening to reflect on the things found that first Christmas. It might help us to find some things ourselves.

I.          MARY AND JOSEPH FOUND A SON--Luke 2:7 - And 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.

A-Luke 1:30-37

B-Matthew 1:18-21

II.        THE SHEPHERDS FOUND A SAVIOR   

A-Luke 2:10-14  

B-Romans 5:8 

C-Luke 2:15-20  

D-John 1:12-13

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,

All seated on the ground,

The angel of the Lord came down,

And glory shone around, And glory shone around.

“Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread

Had seized their troubled mind.

“Glad tidings of great joy I bring

To you and all mankind.  To you and all mankind.

 “To you, in David’s town, this day

Is born of David’s line

A Savior, who is Christ the Lord,

And this shall be the sign, And this shall be the sign.

 “The heavenly Babe you there shall find

To human view displayed,

All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,

And in a manger laid, And in a manger laid.”

 “All glory be to God on high,

And to the Earth be peace;

Good will henceforth from heaven to men

Begin and never cease, Begin and never cease!”

III.       HEROD FOUND A STUMBLINGBLOCK---Matthew 2:1-3 - Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, [2] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. [3] When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

IV.       THE WISE MEN FOUND A SOVEREIGN---Matthew 2:2 - Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

A-Hebrews 13:15

B-Romans 12:1