Christmas 2022

The Christ Candle

The Candy Cane Story read by Marva Jean

Luke 2:1-7 Read by Dustin

Luke 2:1–7 NKJV

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into 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 wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Luke 2:8-14 Read by James D.

Luke 2:8–14 NKJV

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!”

The First Noel

Luke 2:15-18 Read by Scott

Luke 2:15–18 NKJV

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Angels We Have Heard on High

Luke 2:19-21 Read by Dustin

Luke 2:19–21 NKJV

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Mary Did You Know by Dustin

Joy the World

The Greatest Gift

As Paul neared the end of his ministry as recorded in Acts, he was traveling to Jerusalem where he would be arrested and ultimately sent to Rome when he appealed to Caesar.

Along the way he stopped and visited with the elders from Ephesus. As he thanked them for their support, he shared this:

Acts 20:35 NKJV

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Question: what is the greatest gift you have ever received?

Me:

If we are thinking clearely, we would realize that the greatest gift any of us received is the very first Christmas gift, Jesus.

That concept is what we celebrate today.

The greatest gift of all is Jesus

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

That greatest gift is what we remember as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper this morning.

Just last week we examined Isa 53. That passage pointed out the significance of that gift.

Isaiah 53:4–6 NKJV

Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:26

1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Let us celebrate the first and greatest Christmas gift!

1 Corinthians 11:27–32 NKJV

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

Pray

Lord’s Supper