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OPENING VIDEO: Christmas Chaos (2:36)
Christmas Facts
If you gave someone all the gifts of the 12 days of Christmas, it would equal 364 gifts
Jingle Bells was originally written for Thanksgiving, not Chrsitmas
Christmas trees are grown in all the states, including Hawaii & Alaska
The Statue of Liberty was a gift the US from France on Christmas Day in 1886.
It weighs 225 tons and you can pretty much consider it the biggest Christmas gift in the world.
Tonight’s message is called: Christmas Interrupted
Interrupt: to cause a break or pause in uniform or flow
First Christmas Chaos
Caesar Augustus
Caesar Augustus
Brought “peace” to a region that had gone through decades of war, destruction, brutality, and immorality
Augustus means “exalted” or “sacred” - this was a big deal because Rome had been a republic governed by laws, but now they were shifting into an empire governed by an emperor
The world Jesus was born into was hungry for a savior.
They had a “political savior” but that wasn’t enough
In while Jesus is on trial he makes a statement to Pilate (another roman official) that he doesn’t have any power except what has been given to him from above.
The same can be noted about Caesar Augustus…he may be powerful on Earth but he was still a pawn in God’s plan
Why were they registered?
The Census wasn’t just for simple record-keeping or statistics, it was to efficiently and effectively tax everyone in the Roman Empire
They would send everyone back to their hometown to help soften the blow to the fact that they were sending their money to the government
The trip from
Luke 2:3
The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was 80 miles.
Can you imagine being pregnant and riding a donkey 80 miles?
Luke 2:3-
Swaddling Cloths & a Manger
Swaddling Cloths & a Manger
Swaddling cloths literally means torn strips of fabric
Manger is a feed trough for animals - this is key for the shepherds (many kids would be in swaddling cloths, but not many would be found in a feeding trough)
Stable was most likely a cave
Interruptions can bring PEACE
Interruptions on the first Christmas
Mary - became pregnant before she was married - she was most likely around 17 years old
Joseph - was engaged to Mary and was now confused about how his fiancé is pregnant
Roman Empire - every person had to return to their hometown to be counted and taxed
King Herod - the overseeing king of the Jews is told that the true King of the Jews has been born in Bethlehem.
Wise Men - traveled following a star to see the Christ.
Risked their lives by not reporting back to Herod.
Shepherds in the Field - quietly tending to their flocks and the sky is ripped open with an angelic host
Mary & Jospeh - are told in a dream to depart to Egypt because Herod was trying to kill all baby boys under 2 in Bethlehem.
Pretty much every detail of Jesus’ life had been written down and prophesied about.
Yet, when He finally entered the world, it brought interruptions throughout the world.
God is interrupting your flow
Shepherds & You
Cool Fact: the shepherds of Bethlehem were know to care for the temple flock.
These were the lambs and goats that would be used as a sacrifice to the Lord in the temple.
While they were busy taking care of the lambs of sacrifice, little did they know God was about to show them the one and true sacrificial lamb!
At times we can view the interruptions as a disruption, but if we look a little closer and give God the opportunity, He can reveal something to us greater than we could ever have imagined.
Finding Peace in the interruption
The angels were proclaiming...
PEACE :: this word has so much deep meaning, and it would be way easier for me to show you this video...
VIDEO: Peace; The Bible Project Advent Series (3:30)
Thriving in the Pause
“How you finish one season will determine how you start your next one”
What does pursuing God really look like?
In other words, where would you like to be and where are you?
Are you willing to sacrifice some personal things to grow your relationship with God this season?
God is bringing a pause to your life, He wants to interrupt your flow so that you can rely on Him alone.
He wants to bring PEACE (wholeness, completeness) to your life.
Pastor Tom talked about this on Sunday
Some of you have had an intense school year already.
Many of you are stressed out right now finishing projects, writing papers, studying for exams - on top of that schedules are full of events.
It’s time to take a pause...
…breathe...
…rest...
…find peace (completeness, wholeness, not lacking anything)
Life’s Interruptions
There are interruptions taking place in your life right now - do you see them as opportunities or obstacles?
Relationships - family, friends
Medical or Health
Financial
Each interruption can be seen as something that is hurting you, or you can take the situation and learn everything you can, fully rely on God throughout it all.
It’s the interruptions that will ultimately bring you to peace (completeness, wholeness, lacking in nothing)
In the midst of all the chaos and interruptions, the overwhelming response was obedience.
Obey: “to do it the first time”
Devo Time
WORD FOR 2019 - what word will you choose to define 2019?
My word: INTIMACY
Testimony: currently finding myself being called to do more.
This is the same feeling I have had in the past when God chooses to grow my faith and open opportunities.
(I do not feel like He is calling me away in any form)
Take the next 5 minutes and do a self-examination.
Think about a word that you want to define your next season.
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