Keep protection near, And danger afar. Keep light near, And darkness afar. Keep peace within, Keep evil out. Keep hope within, Keep doubt without. May you be a bright flame before me May you be a guiding star above me, May you be a smooth path below me And a loving Guide behind me
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancé, who was obviously pregnant by this time. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. – Luke 2:1-6
1. GOD’S TIMING WAS PAINFUL The marriage was not consummated.
The birth was in occupied territory. The census disrupted all their plans. There was no support system in Bethlehem. The housing situation was inadequate.
2. GOD’S TIMING WAS PROPHETIC Emerge victorious. “From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." – Genesis 3:15
2. GOD’S TIMING WAS PROPHETIC Come from the nation of Israel.
“I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others.” – Genesis 12:2
Come from the tribe of Judah. “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will obey.” – Genesis 49:10
2. GOD’S TIMING WAS PROPHETIC Come from the house of David. “For when you die, I will raise up one of your descendants, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” – 2 Samuel 7:12-13
2. GOD’S TIMING WAS PROPHETIC Be born of a virgin. The Lord himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel—`God is with us.' – Isaiah 7:14
2. GOD’S TIMING WAS PROPHETIC Be born in Bethlehem.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” – Micah 5:2
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. – Romans 5:2
To be like Jesus, this hope possesses me In every thought and deed, this is my aim and creed To be like Jesus, this hope possesses me The Spirit's helping me, like Him I'll be
Lord, I will lift mine eyes to the hills Knowing my health is coming from You Your peace You give me in times of the storm You are the source of my strength, Hallelujah And You are the strength of my life, yes You are I lift my hands in total praise to You Lord, I will lift mine eyes to the hills Knowing my health is coming from You Your peace, You give me in times of the storm You are the source of my strength You are the strength of my life I lift my hands in total praise to You You are the source of my strength You are the strength of my life