Christmas 2021 Message 2

INTRO: During our Christmas thoughts this year we have mentioned the years of God's silence. The first time God breaks the silence is when an angel appeared to Zachariah when he served in the temple. Six months later, the same angel, Gabriel, appears to Mary. I do not know how much later, but yet again the angel appears to Joseph to inform him about Mary's condition and that he is not to be afraid to marry her. Nine months later, when Jesus had been born in Bethlehem, a multitude of angels appeared to the shepherds that were keeping watch over the sheep. These were the shepherds who had the special care of the sheep that were used for sacrifices at the Jewish temple.
After the wise men, or magi, had visited Jesus which was some time after He had been born, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and warned him to flee to Egypt. When Herod was dead the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream again, and they returned to Israel. That is six times the Lord visited Israel in a year or two. God is on the move once more.
The Christmas story is probably the most familiar story in the Bible to most of us. That is because at least once a year we are reminded of His birth. It is my view that He was born in the spring, not in the winter, and we do not know the exact date. But His birth has been commemorated at this time of year from not too long after Christ ascended to heaven. What we call the Christmas story has been told all over the world for almost 2,000 years. Through the commemoration of this day, this story has familiarized any searching heart with the only One that can save them from their sins