Hidden Christmas 1

Tim Keller’s Hidden Christmas

The Gift Nobody Wanted

Isaiah 9:1–2 ESV

1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

Isaiah 9:5–7 ESV

5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

National Lampoons Vacation

This movie is an American Treasure, Chevy Chase and his family (the Griswold). He wants to spend more time with his family and so they travel in a station wagon to have this experience. They experienced many set-backs but tried to make the most of this time.

one of the greatest moves in the movie is Chevy Chase’s character, Clark, and his expectation of a Big Christmas bonus. He’s made big plans for his family, wife, kids, remodeling of their home. . . and this bonus, This christmas bonus was the answer.

The mailman delivers the envelop with the company bonus, the entire family gathers around with expectations and then it happens..

He opens the envelop and it was not the gift he was anticipating. The large amount of money was not their; only a One year membership in the Jelly of the month club!

a full year of different jelly. Not what he was looking for.

when the world thinks about Christmas, it usually doesn’t get what it seeks. Around the holiday season, Christians and Non-Christians celebrate joy, a gift, but it’s wrapped differently.

we all sing joy to the world the Lord has come, let earth receive her king; Not everyone has surrendered.

we sing the hymns and carols bathed in Christian ideology but we don’t believe in the Gospel completely.

Although this is one holiday many share optimism of Peace, Joy, Hope and Love… the Gift of Christ gives us something more. His birth has given us life but .. .. this Gift of Life points to a reality that we were/are in desperate need of Help. Help with our selfishness and pride. Help with our wondering in darkness, a guide to help us. .. a lamp to our feet and a light to out path is what we need.

The shiny gift God gives is a peace only He can give in a world that is so dark.

Light

not just decorative but symbolic

Matthew 4:16 “16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.””

John 1:9–10 “9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.”

at christ’s birth: the world was dark (evil and ignorance)

violence, injustice, abuse of power, homelessness, grief, families ripped from each other

we try to fix darkness and evil with human strength. Only through the power of God will evil in our world be destroyed. Thinking we can fix ourselves leads to more problems.

It’s natural for us to look at someone or something. WHy not look to Jesus?

MAIN POINT:

Things are really bad and we can’t heal or save ourselves. Things are really dark but there is hope! Jesus

“what a friend we have in Jesus, oh what peace we often forfeit, what needless pains we bare. . because we do not carry. . . everything to God in prayer.

Light brings Life Beauty and Truth

light- Life

Acts 17:28 “28 for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’”

Light shows truth-

1 John 1:5–6 “5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

Light is beautiful-