Christmas at SDSU

Intro:

I love Christmas! Share some of my favorite traditions.

What are some of your favorite Christmas Traditions?

Christmas = Christ-Mass

Christ = Annointed one = Messiah = The one prophesied about in the Old Testament.

Mass - Religious service or festival.

1. Christmas is the celebration of the Christ being born.

Illustration: Remember being a kid and looking forward to that special gift?

Luke 2:25 ESV

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Simeon - Righteous and devout Jew

Those like him were waiting for something, the “consolation of Isreal”

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 2

Israel’s consolation spoke of the comfort and hope the people had in regard to God’s plan for his people, but, more specifically, it referred to Messiah’s role in that plan.

Isaiah 61:1 ESV

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Luke 2:26 ESV

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

This was the deep desire of his heart, to see the the fulfillment of these prophecies.

Intimacy with God was strong. His hope was in God.

The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would get to see the Christ.

2. Christmas reminds us to RECEIVE the Christ.

Illustration: Think back to your gift. You needed to receive it.

Luke 2:27 ESV

And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,

Luke 2:28 ESV

he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

He took him - Play on Words with a double meaning.

Took - Physically

Took - Received him spiritually

In his heart

as the Christ

3. Christmas points us to the PEACE God brings through Christ.

Luke 2:29–32 ESV

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

“in peace” - Because this was the fulfillment of what he had longed to see his whole life.

“your salvation” - God’s plan of salvation.

“all peoples” - Not just one type

Gentiles… Israel - Contrast

Not just for the religious type.

Jesus came for YOU.

Illustration: Back to that gift… did it bring you long term peace? Has it sustained the joy and satisfaction that your heart was searching for?

4. Christmas foreshadows the SACRIFICE Christ would make in order to save us.

Luke 2:33–34 ESV

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed

Predicted the future results of the life of Jesus.

Jesus made some radical claims:

He was the way to God (John 14:6)

Whoever believed in him would be saved, and whoever did not would be condemned (John 3:18)

Matthew 10:39 ESV

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 2

In considering the gospel about Christ, many in Israel “fell” eternally due to unbelief and others rose by faith to eternal life.

Like a sign, posted up for all to see, but that many would despise.

Luke 2:35 ESV

(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

He predicted that Mary would experience such pain, like a sword piercing her soul.

Maybe it was because he was familiar with the prophecy from 700 years before Is. 53:7

Isaiah 53:7 ESV

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

One of the most painful things a mother can experience, is watching her child suffer.

The sufferring of Jesus:

Social sufferring

Physical sufferring

Spiritual sufferring

Why did he need to suffer and die?

We needed a Savior.

We have all sinned and, because of that, been separated from God.

There is a penalty for sin - Death

physical and spiritual

Hell

Only a perfect sacrifice could take our place.

God became a man.

Took our place.

He didn’t need to, he chose to. Because of his great love for you.

So that you wouldn’t need to experience the consequence of your own sin.

He took death upon himself. So that you don’t need to go to hell.

What will you do with Jesus?

This is what really matters in the end.

Other things will not last: Posessions, house, car, career, grades, resume, reputation, accomplishment.

The gift of Christ Jesus will last forever.

What’s your next step?

Repent, believe and receive the gift of salvation throught Christ.

Join a Discovery Group.

Celebrate the meaning of Christmas this year.