CHRISTMAS

THE FOCUS OF CHRISTMAS

Matthew 1:21 KJV (WS)

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

We note three things about the focus of Christmas which is Christ. This is the Biblical focus. The unbelieving world focuses on other things at Christmas besides Jesus Christ.

FIRST—THE WONDER OF CHRIST

“She shall bring forth a son.”

The birth of Jesus Christ was the most famous birth that ever happened in this world.

In fact our calendars are based on the birth of Christ. We have BC which means “before Christ” and AD which means after Christ.

The letters AD are from Latin words but the point is the birth of Jesus Christ is that which divides time and history.

The world hates this but they have to abide by it on their calendars.

The world has filled Christmas with many things that are not related to Christ, but the fact remains that if Jesus Christ has not been born, Christmas would not be.

SECOND—THE WORD FOR CHRIST

“Thou shalt call his name Jesus.”

The name “Jesus” is a great name.

It is in Greek “Hesu” and in Latin it is “Jesu.”

In the Old Testament Hebrew it is “Heshua” which we translate “Joshua.”

The name Joshua and the name “Jesus” are the same.

Many years ago in Detroit, I heard a man swear, “Oh Heshua.”

He must have been Jewish, for Heshua is certainly Jewish The name Jesus is probably heard more today, in our language, as a curse word than as a name of our Blessed Savior.

That shows the lack of respect that many have for Jesus Christ.

THIRD—THE WORK OF CHRIST

“He shall save his people from their sins.”

The main work of Jesus Christ was that of a Savior from sin. In fact, the meaning of his name “Jesus” (Heshua) means “Savior.”

Jesus was named for His work. Most folk do not appreciate His work.

The people of Jesus’ day wanted deliverance from Roman tyranny.

But they were not interested in deliverance from their sins which is a worse tyranny.

Today many are more interested in Jesus as a healer of their illnesses and a savior from economic problems than the Savior from their sins.

Most people do not view their sins as something from which they need to be delivered.

But Christ did not come primarily to save from physical illness or to prevent material bankruptcy.

His primary work is to deliver from spiritual sickness and from spiritual bankruptcy.

The greatest work Christ can do for you is to save you from your sins.

That is your greatest need.

You may have many needs today, but none are as important and as great as having your sins forgiven.

And that is the main work of Jesus Christ.

That is the main reason He came into this world.

Christmas should celebrate more the reason of His coming than all the unsanctified sentimental garbage that passes as Christmas celebration.

Had not Christ been born to remove our sins, there would be no Christmas whatever.