The Wonder of Christmas

Bible Reading Introduction

The answer to “Why do you love Christmas?” Is a simple one for us Christians.

Much like people might do with a Christmas tree or this time a year, I do not want to over complicate the matter.

“Never lost the wonder of it all”

If Christmas is just a nice legend, in a sense you are on your own. But if Christmas is true, then you can be saved by grace. - This is WONDERFUL

Reminder found in Hebrews

Chapter 1 is a declaration and celebration of God’s final word to the world — Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Chapter 1: something amazing happened in the coming of the Son of God.

1st command in the book of Hebrews is LISTEN! Hebrews 2:1 “1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”

My prayer and desire today is to help you not slip or drift away from the wonder of the birth of Christ.

There is not a pull to forget Christmas, but there is a real and significant pull from the true meaning of Christmas.

The message delivered to us from God is very serious. Hebrews 2:2 “2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;”

But now we are speaking of the matter delivered to us by the Lord and shared with us by those who heard Him. . Hebrews 2:3 “3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;”

This is what I wanted to study and find.

What was the largest portion of Scripture concerning the incarnation and what was the prescribed response that followed.

Another way to say it. After the tree is put back up in the attic, the wrapping paper is thrown away, how should the celebration of the incarnation shape our lives.

I did not start with the question “what do you want from Christmas?” but asking what does Christmas demand of us.

Where will we find this passage?

Would we find the teaching in the prophecy of the OT?

Would it be in the narratives of angels coming to Joseph and Mary?

Would it be at the birth of Christ?

We find it in the middle of a book to a church about how to live a life of true joy.

The theology of the incarnation remains relevant today and how we are to live out our lives.

Welcome you into the Wonder

Philippians 2:5–11 (KJV)

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This passage, nor any Bible passage has contradictions, but is filled with wonder. It is filled with truth-in-tension.

He is fully the King of the Universe but takes on the form of a servant.

He is all powerful but became obedient unto death.

He is equal with the Father but was laid in a manger

He born in obscurity but His name is above every other name

Isn’t it wonderful!?

We do not define something as a mystery to just dismiss it. / Aunt Nancy how did you get here from the store. “God works in mysterious ways.” I told her I didn’t want to be filled with wonder when I saw her diriving down the road.

Make room for wonder

It is fun to answer questions that you know. What’s the longest word in the Bible? What does God say about marriage? What does God say about..

When we ask questions we cannot answer we say “welcome to the wonder”

How did God create this world only with His spoken Word? Isn’t it wonderful.

How is Jesus both God and man? Isn’t it wonderful!

Joy to the world / Let every heart prepare Him room - Allow you heart to be filled with wonder concerning the incarnation

No Reputation

Our God became a baby in a manger, a man on the street, than crucified on a cross

Philippians 2:7 “7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

The manger would be a unique sign. Luke 2:12 “12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes………… lying in a manger.”

Someone could and did pass the Creator of the Universe on the sidewalk and said “that’s the carpenters son.”

Jesus lived His entire, sinless life in fashion as a man. Philippians 2:8 “8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Fully God

The baby in the manger was fully deity, the man on the street was the sinless Messiah, and the man on the cross is our Savior

Philippians 2:6 “6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”

He will humble Himself to the point He will have to learn to speak and He will say John 10:30 “30 I and my Father are one.” John 8:58 “58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

Jesus didn’t claim to be God? Tell that to those who tried stone Him because they found His claims to be blasphemous. John 8

If Jesus wanted us to believe anything other than the fact He is God He had many opportunities. John 20:28–29 “28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Probably the most staggering claim in all of Christianity.

Once you accept this than..

It is more amazing that He dies than it is that rose again

Walking on water takes backs seat to knowing He made water

All the other aspects of this time of year seem less fascinating and this becomes central to everything we do

The wonder of Christmas is not found primarily in the circumstances of the birth of Jesus, but in the identity of the baby in the manger

The Creator of the Universe whose creation is rebelling against. Comes to a place and time in history where a king is searching out and killing male babies. God does not come with a sword and might but comes as a small, baby, being cared for by teenagers in a manger. Isn’t it just wonderful?

His name shall be called Immanuel because God is now with us. Isn’t it wonderful?

The wonder of Christmas is not found primarily in the circumstances of the birth of Jesus, but in the identity of the baby in the manger

We have been given the son. Isaiah 9:6 “6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

John 3:16 “16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting

If the Shepherds showed up to the manger and decided to decorate it instead of bowing their knee before the Son of God we would think this was foolish. Let us not be foolish.

The purpose of the Incarnation is more than to just create wonder in our lives.

Because we are human we will die. That is what humans do. Plan accordingly.

Jesus was born and placed in a manger in Bethlehem so that one day He would die on a wooden cross in Jerusalem. Philippians 2:8 “8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

The manger was step one on the Calvary road.

The death of the cross

Christmas cannot be truly understood apart from the cross. Our meditations on the cradle must always find their way to the cross.

Our gift was not wrapped but was put on the cross. Galatians 3:13 “13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

Christmas Story: Because Jesus made Himself of no reputation and came to an inn unprepared for Him, I will one day walk into Heaven and hear "Trent, a blood-bought son of God, is home. There is a room prepared for you!"

Intermission (Selah)

As I said at the beginning. We would look at a passage about the incarnation but we would be looking at the response that is prescribed.

Philippians 2:5“5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

What does a response to a true understanding of Christmas look like in our lives?

Theology through explanation of the Text, examples shown, and a metaphor from in this chapter

Philippians 2:12 “12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

This week I was helped by an article by Jon Pratt (1) , Warren Fricks nephew, but I am also helped by the example of the Shepherds, the Wisemen, and others who recognized who Jesus is.

What do work & fear have to do with salvation?

Short Answer: “Absolutely nothing!”

Is Paul contradicting this truth? Certainly not.

Meaning: What does it mean to “work out your own salvation”?

Look at the Audience: Important to consider the audience. Speaking to “saints at the church.”

Look at the tense of salvation:

These people were saved from the penalty of their sin.

They are being saved the power of sin in this world.

They would be saved by the deliverance from this world.

This expression is used about 22 times in the Bible.

Working out is “showing or demonstrating”

It looks like the wonder of it all producing obedience in our lives. Philippians 2:12“12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Method: How does one accomplish this “working out”?

God is generating both the willing and doing of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 “13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Our sanctification is “Spirit-directed, gospel-driven, faith-fueled effort.”(2)

Motive: Why should we “work out [our] salvation”?

The bible is filled with motives for Christians to yield to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Brings glory to God Rom 15:7

It is pleasing God 2 Cor 5:9

It is allows us to be a good examples to others Heb 13:7

Demonstration of our love to our God. Matthew 22:36–37“36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

Now let’s reread this response to an understanding of the incarnation with this understanding. Philippians 2:12“12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

What about the “fear and trembling” part?

To “fear the Lord” means to be in awe and wonder of His greatness and love.

The shepherds fear, tremble, and kneel, than go and share this message.

Luke 2:15–17“15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”

These blue-collar, night shift workers were the first to be notified of Jesus’ birth and are an important part of the nativity story.

We start to learn about the response of people who recognize that God has become man and this baby is fully God.

The result of the first Christmas for the shepherds was a life of sharing the message.

The Wise Men give gifts that highlight the identity and mission of Jesus.

Matthew 2:10–11“10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

Gold as a symbol of kingship on earth

Frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity

Myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death.

The result of the first Christmas for the Wise Men were to provide what was needed for the world saving mission for which Jesus came.

The examples do not stop at the manger

A leper will fall to Jesus feet knowing he could be healed. Matthew 8:2

Not just lepers but rulers. Matthew 9:18

Woman boys at Jesus feet with fear and trembling and is questioned. John 12:3–5 “3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?”

Been saving up for this. Possibly would have been used for her dowry.

What seemed only reasonable to her seemed foolish to Judas.

Throughout the NT, world history, and our lives today there are those who come to Jesus with fear and trembling and those who dismiss Him.

At Christmas we say we are those that recognize His identity.

We are those who worship Him with fear and trembling, awe and respect, with wonder and worship.

ONE DAY there will not a choice to boy with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:9–11“9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Invitation to bow your knee today

We started with an invitation into the wonder of the incarnation. If you see Jesus for who he is you will want to bow your knee.

As we come to the manger today how will you respond.

The question you must ask is who is this baby.

To bow you knee means that you recognize that Jesus is worthy of worship.

Believer let us continue in our lives with a proper fear and trembling for His worthiness.

Here is the example that Paul gives us with his life. Philippians 2:17–18 “17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.”

Paul liked this word image. So do I. 2 Timothy 4:6 “6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

It speaks of the worthiness of God. As seen in the example of the woman with the precious ointment.

Upon the sacrifice and service of your faith

Paul references the faithfulness of those around him.

He sees their service to God as beautiful sacrifice to God.

In helping bring people to faith we giving honor the Lord and bringing to Him what He desires.

This is a way we get to demonstrate our love to Him.

On top of all this I want to be poured out

Not enough to just offer a sacrifice, Paul wants to be part of it.

Remember story of David asking for water from “near the gate of Bethlehem”

With David’s heart filled with gratitude for God he pours out what is costly. May the wonder of Christmas help us do the same thing today.

Isn't It Amazing The Way He Came? No Crown, No Throne, No Big Parade There Were No Fanfares Played, No Jubilant Display Isn't It Amazing How He Came? I Can't Believe That I Would Be The Reason Why He Came I Can't Believe He Left His Mighty Throne He Became A Pauper So That I Could Be A King Denied Himself, Then Made My Heart His Home

Time of Response

Believer, we have a decision to make.

Would you recognize that you have been holding onto you life very tightly.

Maybe you have even been as Judas and thought the sacrifice of others is unreasonable.

What is it that we truly celebrating?

To those who have yet to decide

This cannot be of only moderate importance.

As you stand and look inside the manger scene you have a decision that only you can make

Is this the son of God? If it is how can you keep from kneeling and worshipping.

Footnotes:

John Pratt - https://www.logos.com/grow/min-work-out-salvation/

Quote by Kevin DeYoung