How To keep From Missing Christmas

Illustration:

Have you ever missed a big event that you were planning ror in your life?

Cali Otts Wedding

i knew all the details- because they were all over my office, I planned for it, I even bought a gift to give her at the wedding, But I completely missed the wedding in fact I showed up after it was already over.

Kids are you excited about anything that is happening this week?

How many of you love the Christmas Season? Its the most wonderful time of the year! ( that’s a good line- I should write a song.) Christmas is a joyous time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ - God Himself coming to earth in a fleshly body to dwell among men.

2. It is supposed to be a time of joy and a time to focus on the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, but with the holiday hustle and bustle of today, Satan has cluttered it, and most people will miss the real Christmas celebration and what it is meant to be.

• Some People will get so caught up in making sure that they have the perfect family gathering that they will miss Christmas.

Some people will sleep right through it out of utter exhaustion from shopping and baking, etc.

• Some will get so caught up in the commercialism and what gifts they are going to get, that they will miss the greatest gift ever given.

in one week from today - Christmas is going to come and go and the reality is that many people are going to miss the whole point of the celebration.

3. But guess what? The same thing happened 2,000 years ago on the very first Christmas morning.

Most of the people missed Christmas when Christ was born.

In other words, they missed the point, they got caught up in the wrong story.

And many people today are going to miss the true meaning of Christmas this year, too.

4. But it doesn't have to happen.

Every person that is here this morning can avoid missing Christmas.

Let's look into God's Word together at four examples of People who missed the First Christmas when jesus was born. and see how we can make sure that we don’t miss Christmas this year.

First, you must keep Jesus the center of your Christmas.

1. Luke 2:1-7

Luke 2:1–7 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Isn't this amazing? Christ is born in a manger stall because "there was no room for them in the inn."

The inn-keeper had quite an opportunity - to have the Son of God born in his inn, but he missed Christmas.

Why? Most likely because he was preoccupied with everything else going on around him.

Can't you just see him hustling about, serving his guests, fixing dinner, getting towels and sheets, trying to make sure all of his guest have everything they need so that that they would leave him a 5 star review after their stay

And Here comes Joseph and Mary, knocking on the door. He looks out and he is so preoccupied he doesn't even notice she's pregnant. He turns the sign around, "No Vacancy."

the Bible doesn’t say that he was nasty or hateful; he was simply preoccupied with his other guests that he missed one of the greatest days in history. He could have been right in the middle of the story and played a significant role.

People are the same today.

We get so preoccupied with getting the best bargains, buying gifts, wrapping them, fixing food, baking cookies, playing games with family, traveling, that we miss the most important thing about Christmas, and that is Jesus Christ.

Let's not be like the innkeeper. Let's not get so preoccupied with the insignificant things of the holiday that we miss the incredible and awesome reason for the season - and that is JesusJesus!

If we dont want to miss Christmas than then we must Keep Jesus the center of our Christmas.

Second, you must reject an attitude of self-centeredness.

1. Let's learn a lesson from King Herod.

Matthew 2:1–8 ESV

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”

• As we study Herod, we see that he was the King of Israel, not because he earned it, but because it was given to him from the Roman Empire. He wasn't even a Jew. But He was made their king to try and control them for the Romans.

In this text we see a man who panicked. He was afraid of losing his position. He was a political madman who sought his own glory.

and When the wise men didn't return, what did he do?

Matthew 2:16 ESV

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Herod was afraid that if Jesus was a true Jewish King that he would lose His own throne

Herod was a man who missed the glory of Christ's birth out of absolute, jealous fear. He was totally self-centered. It was all about him - period!

People haven't changed in 2,000 years. It is so easy at Christmas time to become wrapped up in ourselves.

Many people will be so consumed with fleshly pleasures and earthly gifts that they will miss the wonder of Christ's birth.

Let me remind you this morning that Christmas is about Christ, it is not about you or me.

Its not about the gifts You give or the gifts you get- Its all about the gift of Jesus that God sent mankind on that first Christmas Morning.

Christmas is a time to celebrate Him and His accomplishments and give Him glory and praise for coming to this earth to rescue us.

Trans: 3rd if you are not going to miss Christmas than you must realize your own need for a Savior.

Third, you must realize your need of a Savior.

1. Let's learn a lesson from the priests and scribes in this story

Matthew 2:4–6 ESV

and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

2. two Years after Jesus is born, Herod assembles ALL the Religious leaders of Israel and asks them a question. Were Christ would be born. and they told in Bethlehem because that is what the Scriptures tell us will happen.

These men were the religious leaders of Israel at that time, the theological minds of their day.

3. They knew the Scriptures and knew where Christ was to be born, but have you noticed who is not present in the Christmas story- Its these religious leaders.

it wasn’t because they were not welcome, it’s because they made absolutely no effort to go and worship Him.

The ones that should have been there first missed Christmas.

The ones who knew the story best missed the entire event.

4. Why did they miss it? Well I would say it was because of their own Pride!

When you think you're perfect and righteous and a cut above everybody else, you don't need a Savior.

They thought, "We don't need to go running down to Bethlehem; we are pretty good people.” In fact, If God was going to send the Messiah, He would do it through us and not common carpenter.

Theses men didn’t go looking for Jesus because they didnt want a savior- they were very comfortable in their religion and didn’t want that to change.

People haven't changed in 2,000 years. People still today think, "I'm not that bad. Jesus is for people who need help. I can make it by myself.

I have said it often, but Americans we have a big disadvantage when it comes to our need for a Savior- Why because I beleive that the American dream has kept many people from seeing their need for a Savior.

Africa- They want a savior- they want someone to step in and radically change their lives

America- We dont want radical change- We like our jobs we like our houses we like our cars our boats our hobbies and bank accounts- We are a very comfortable people. and dont want anyone changing what We got.

Many People's attitude today is "I believe in God and the Bible So,. I'll be alright. My good works outweigh my bad so why wouldn’t I make it to heaven."

These are the words of someone who doesn’t see their need for a savior- These are the same words that the religious leaders used 2000 years ago.

But the reality is that we all need a Savior-and You cannot have Christmas without a Savior.

Just like the religious leaders who felt like they didn’t need a SaviorPeople today seem to miss a few verses in the Bible

Romans 3:10 ESV

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

7. Knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus are two completely different things.

I knew about Cali’s wedding, In fact I knew all the details about it because she had been planning it for months in my office. and telling me all the details. But for me to tell you about what actually happened at the wedding ceremony, I have no idea because i wasn’t there to experience the wedding.

The scribes and pharisees missed Christmas. They Knew about Jesus, they knew the Messiah was coming, but they did not Know Jesus because they where not there. They thought they were too good for Him

Fourth, focus on Jesus, not religious ritual.

1. The people of Jerusalem were steeped in religious rituals, but God chose to reveal the Savior's birth to a group of shepherds in a field.

Luke 2:8–14 (ESV)

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

• Jeruselem was only 5 miles from where Jesus was born in Bethlehem, In Jerusalem you had university students, the rich and elite, the religious leaders of the temple. The cream of the crop as far as fame and wealth went among the Jews.

Yet, When God announced Christ’s Birth He skipped right over Jerusalem and all its self glory, & went to a backwoods hill, where He found a bunch of  shepherds sitting there with their sheep, And He sent an angel to proclaim to them…. vs. 11-14

Why these shepherds? Why not the people of Jerusalem?

Because it was a city full of rituals and Religion and not a place for a relationship.

• They were so busy carrying out their rituals, they missed reality. The People missed Jesus!

• Think about it------ They were so busy worshipping the right God in the wrong way, they missed Christmas.

4. Things haven't changed. Satan had a good thing going then and he still does today.

Religion will damn people faster than anything else in the world.

Religion can do nothing about our sin problem. It gives us rituals to perform, but leaves us unchanged - still dead in our sins with no hope.

5. Religion gives people a "head knowledge" of Christ, but no heart knowledge.

People will do everything they can to be religious, but they miss Jesus Christ.

The People of Jerusalem could have been part of the greatest story of all times but because they were more concerned with religion and rituals they missed starting a relationship with the Savior.

Jesus is no longer in a manger or on a cross; He desires to be in a relationship with you.. But the reality is that too many People today are more interested in the rituals of religion than a relationship with the Savior, and just like the people in Jerusalem they will miss the real meaning of Christmas this year.

6. External rituals do not change our inward condition. Let's forget all the hocus-pocus of religion this Christmas season and get back to a relationship with Jesus.

BRING IT HOME

1. If we boiled it all down, everyone of these people missed Christmas for the same basic reason - They did not Believe in the gift God Gave mankind on Christmas.

2. What is Christmas really all about? It is about giving. It is about the greatest gift giver (God) giving the greatest gift (His Son).

The Son was born into a sin-cursed world and gave His life on the cross so that He could save our sinful souls and give us eternal life.

3. God wants to give you the gift of eternal life by receiving His Son - Jesus!

4. Illustration:

opt 1; Tell story about mom putting our names on the presence and how we would sneak in and try and peak at what we were getting and my mom telling us that even though its got my name on it it is not mine until they give it to me on Christmas.

opt 2 No TIME: Under the Christmas tree there may be a present with your name on it, but it is not yours until you receive it.

You cannot have a real Christmas story without John 3:16

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Some people will say, "I believe in Jesus and the cross, etc." But the real Question we each must answer is “have I Accepted and received God’s Christmas gift for me or is it still just sitting under the tree with my name on it?

So How do you accept the free gift that God offers us this Christmas?

5. You Simply agree with God that you need it and you reach out and accept it as your own. To Accept the gift of Jesus ,means that you turn to Jesus Christ in faith and trust Him, and Him alone, to save you.

Believe in your heart that He is the only provision for your sin. He is your only hope.

6. Do you want to avoid missing Christmas this year? then Remember - Christmas is all about Jesus. You cannot truly celebrate Christmas without Jesus being the central part of your holiday.