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And when the days of their purification were to be fulfilled according to the Law of Moses, they brought him into Jerusalem to stand him before the Lord ... and to give a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. [Introduction] I want to paint a word picture for you.  Two thousand years ago, not only was Jerusalem hustling-and-bustling with nearly 80,000 people ... the temple complex that Herod built was huge! ... We’re talking nine city blocks ... you know, an area that spans First Christian Church down to the Church of God Holiness and from Trinity to the City Park. There are people coming and going to offer their sacrifices. There are merchants selling their animals for the daily sacrifices. Meanwhile, members of the Sanhedrin are gathering along Solomon’s portico to discuss politics. Some say this portico was about 300 yards long and 20 yards wide with columns (pillars) rising 100 feet tall. Meanwhile, rabbis have...

And it came to pass, as the angels went away into the heavens, the shepherds began to say to one another, we should go to Bethlehem and see this promise that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they went with haste and they found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger (vv 15-16). [Introduction] Do you remember seeing those “portraits” of Jesus that depict him as a handsome, white man, with a neatly trimmed beard, and flowing locks of long, golden hair? There was a time I didn’t like seeing our Lord portrayed this way. It seemed to be so disingenuous. How could Jesus have blonde-hair, blue-eyes and flowing locks of golden hair? The Mother of Our Lord is a Middle Eastern Hebrew, who almost certainly had olive-brown skin, dark hair and eyes. And Isaiah will remind you that [Jesus] had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him (Is 53:2).  Brothers and sisters in Christ, what I read to you from the lecte...

And the shepherds were in that region, living outside and keeping watching at night over the flock. And an angel of the Lord stood over them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they feared with great fear (vv 8-9). 3. We began this night hearing the result of a thief entering the garden where Adam and Eve lived. This thief was a slick, swindling, snake. He knew how to flatter with his tongue. He came like a con man who bilks people out of their hard-earned dollars. He told the man and the woman that they were missing out on a great deal of knowledge that God was keeping from them. All they had to do was eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then they would know all that God knew. Then they would be like God (Gen 3:5).  Turning from God’s words to his own deceitful words ... this thief ... this devil ... the adversary ... the Satan ... robbed man and woman. And he enticed them to add to God’s Word ... to try to speak like God ... to be like God ... be their ow...

Rejoice in the Lord at all times. Again, I will say, Rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is near ... [so] let no one worry, but let your requests be made known towards God in all prayer and supplication with thankfulness, and the peace of God ... [the peace] that surpasses all understanding ... [it] will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (vv 4-7). 2. The prisons of the Roman Empire were terrible places, sleepless places, dark and dank places, dungeons of despair. They were known for poor ventilation and a lack of natural light, and therefore life, especially if you were confined in one of the inner rooms. The prisoners were chained to the wall. The iron shackles binding them would chaff and corrode the skin over time. Those who had no friends or family to care for them had grim prospects. Their diet was not intended for health, but bare survival. So it should surprise you that most prisoners ... if they did not become sick and die ... wished themse...