The Savior or the Season?

Merry Xmas Series  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  46:56
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Christmas is celebrated in many different ways with many different traditions all around the world.
In Australia, since it is in the Southern Hemisphere, it is celebrated on the beach and with a backyard bbq.
In China, Santa is seen most of the time with a Saxophone and he brings everyone peace apples.
In Denmark, it’s a tradition to dance around the Christmas tree, holding hands as a family while you sing Christmas songs, before you start opening presents.
In Greece, the traditional symbol of Christmas isn’t a tree but a boat. They will decorate a boat on December 6th, the feast of St. Nicholas, who in addition to his Christmas connections also happens to be the patron saint of sailors.
In Ireland, the Christmas day swim became a tradition some 40 years ago. It takes place on December 25, when families and friends gather at beaches and lakes across the island and take a plunge into the 50 degree waters.
In Japan, since 1974, when KFC launched a Christmas ad campaign, the traditional Christmas meal is KFC. KFC is now so in demand that the restaurant takes orders in advance to ensure everyone can get their fix.
In Syria, The camel is the star of Christmas. The camel takes the place of Santa in bringing gifts to well-behaved children, tracing back to the legend that camels carried the Three Magi to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus, who then blessed the creatures with eternal life. To welcome him, children fill shoes with hay and put out bowls of water on Christmas Eve.
In Venezuela, a tradition began in the 1950’s called las patinatas or the skating. From December 16th leading up to Christmas, Venezuelans would—across the country, but especially among poorer communities—celebrate nine days of masses at dawn, heading to church with their families via roller skates while singing Venezuelan Christmas hymns.
These are just some of the traditions from around the world. I’m sure many of you have your traditions that you like to participate in.
While these traditions are good, they often overshadow the true meaning of Christmas. Today, I want to take you through the Christmas story.
If you have your bibles, go to Luke chapter 2. I want to begin at verse 8. Then I will go to Isaiah chapter 9.
Luke 2:8–20 NIV
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Many people think the angels were singing here but it doesn’t say that. Verse 13 says, “praising God and saying.” The angels were speaking these words.
There are 34 books in the bible that speak about angels. 17 books in the Old Testament and 17 books in the New Testament. Angels are messengers. They praise God in Heaven and they do God’s bidding on earth. Only two times in scripture are angels found singing. At the beginning of creation before the fall and at the end. Job records one time and Revelation the other.
So, the only reference we have in scripture of angels singing is before the fall of man, before the curse and after the curse is removed. They aren’t singing when Jesus is born but they are saying very loudly.
I bet it frustrates the angels dearly to not be able to sing praises to our king and lord and I bet it frustrates them for us to not sing. We come into a worship service and sometimes people just sit there. We are redeemed by grace and we have the opportunity to sing praises to God and yet the angels are excited for their next opportunity.
Let me encourage you to sing to your Savior. Open up your mouth and let it go. God loves to hear you sing. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Who cares what anyone thinks around you? Sing with all your might. Because it is unto the Lord.
The shepherds were the lowest rung on the social ladder. Shepherds were considered ceremonially unclean because they couldn’t take a Sabbath. So they were despised by everyone. They were outcast. the lowest of the low.
These shepherds were the shepherds that raised the sheep that were used for sacrifice. These shepherds were the shepherds outside of Bethlehem and that was their job to take care of the sheep that were used for sacrifice.
Isn’t it interesting that these shepherds are going to see the lamb of God. This is the lamb that will some day be the ultimate sacrifice that will put these shepherds out of business. The lamb who will take away the sins of the world.
Isaiah prophesied many years before Jesus was born about a coming Messiah. Go to Isaiah chapter 9.
Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
There are no better Scriptures about the arrival of our Savior and Lord than these two passages of Scriptures. Our joy and hope can only be found in Jesus.
Sure our traditions make us happy, but that happiness is only for a season. That happiness passes after the holidays are over. True joy and hope are only found in Jesus.

A Season or A Savior?

As we are approaching the end of this Christmas season, it is so important that we not turn Christmas into merely a “season” of fun and rather we make it a celebration of salvation.
One of the reasons I had each of you pick up communion for your family on Christmas morning is because I want you to make Christmas about Jesus.
With all the busy-ness of the holiday, it becomes easy to get wrapped up in the festivities and we can miss out on our Savior’s presence.
Next Sunday will be a service of Worship. We will spend that Sunday worshipping Jesus. The entire service will be a worship service focused on Jesus. We will celebrate His birth and we will give praise to our king.

Keeping Jesus at the Center

This entire series has been about keeping Jesus at the center of this holiday. As you move to the next two days before Christmas, take some time and read Scriptures about this time of year. Take some time and spend it in prayer. See if you can take a moment and serve someone else. Then make it a point to share the Gospel message with someone.
The Shepherds rejoiced.
Luke 2:20 NIV
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
This was the long awaited Messiah. They rejoiced over the news they had heard.
You and I have good news to tell. We should make it a point to tell people about what Jesus has done in our life.
What is your story? What did Jesus do for you? You need to tell that story.
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