Christmas

Luke 2:10–11 CSB

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

INTRO—

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” (Andy Williams…Bing Crosby…)

CHRISTMAS (especially what WE say about Christmas from the biblical perspective/context…)

is why…in part—even LARGE PART…the faith statement of this creed is important. Getting (understanding) Christmas right (ly), continues the development of our personal confession — “I believe”…”We believe” = What God’s word says.

[[And if you believe the folklore of the Council of Nicea…Nicholas played a significant role in defending/advocating orthodoxy!]]

NICENE CREED

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ…

for us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven;

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary

and was made man;

**FOR US AND FOR OUR SALVATION…

WE BELIEVE: He Came Down from Heaven

John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”

John 6:30–31 ““What sign, then, are you going to do so that we may see and believe you?” they asked. “What are you going to perform? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, just as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.””

Jesus…conversing with miracle following crowds [who then turn on him as just Joseph’s son].

John 6:32–33 “Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, Moses didn’t give you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”” [U = v 33]

John 6:39–40 “This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me but should raise them up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.””

Coming down from heaven is an essential context for knowing the Messiah…and true salvation.

ONLY ONE!

He Became Incarnate

“By the power of the Holy Spirit…”

Luke 1:35 “The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…GOD accomplishes the miracle and miracles necessary for our salvation.

Matthew 1:18 “The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 1:20 “But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

ONLY ONE!

From the Virgin Mary

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.”

Prophecy!

Luke 1:30–34 “Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?”” [U = vv 31, 34]

Fulfillment!

Matthew 1:20–23 “But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”” [U = v 20]

ONLY ONE!

And Was Made Man

John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:15 “(John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ ”)”

Philippians 2:7 “Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man,”

ONLY ONE!

CONCL—

Luke 2:8–14 “In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!”

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

INVITATION:

Salvation

Christmas

John 1:14 CSB

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.