What is Christmas?

Introduction

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.” ( RSV)”

What is Christmas?

“What is Christmas?” Most people would answer with descriptions of Christmas trees and wide-eyed children anxiously waiting for Santa to show up. They might mention Christmas caroling, shopping, and maybe watching their favorite Christmas movies. And what about the abundance of Christmas cookies and treats? Are all those things what Christmas is about? Yes, but only peripherally.

Let us remember that Christmas is so much more. There is a great need for us to take a moment, reset, and be reminded of the true importance of the day that changed history forever.

Let us remember that Christmas is so much more. There is a great need for us to take a moment, reset, and be reminded of the true importance of the day that changed history forever.

Big Idea: Does your view of Christmas truly celebrate God's amazing gift of love?

Interrogatory: How does your view of Christmas compare with what our wold says — how does it line up with what the Bible says?

Transitional: There is no shortage of opinions about Christmas in our world, even among people that don’t know Christ

What do unbelievers say about Christmas?

Unbelieving historians

It’s not uncommon for people to want to rewrite, reinterpret, or ignore history as it actually happened

Some would like to erase the story of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem.

They relegate the story to legend, or a mixture of truth and religious fanaticism

They probably feel pretty smart compared to the millions that believe in Jesus’ virgin birth and miraculous life

Of course, these unbelieving historians have no satisfactory explanation of Jesus life - the indisputable power of influence He has had on mankind.

Think about it — Jesus was born in very humble and precarious circumstances

He grew up among the lower class, lower income level of society, never attended a school of higher learning, never ran for office, was never a war hero, etc.

He was a travelling preacher -- never endorsed by organized religion

He had a great talent for getting on the last nerve of community and religious leaders…incurring their wrath

He died the death of a common criminal — on a cross between two admitted thieves

He died the death of a common criminal — on a cross between two admitted thieves

The world has NEVER been the same since the day Jesus was born in that Bethlehem stable.

“An artist once drew a picture of a winter twilight – the trees heavily laden with snow, and a dreary, dark house, lonely and desolate in the midst of the storm. It was a sad picture. Then, with a quick stroke of yellow crayon, he put a light in one window. The effect was magical. The entire scene was transformed into a vision of comfort and cheer. The birth of Christ was just such a light in the dark world.” (Nuggets of Life, compiled by Leo Bennet, no. 33, November 1956).

...What do unbelievers say about Christmas?

Unbelieving everyday people

Go into Walmart or or Target a day or two before Christmas --- you might see more men in there than usual b/c they have put off Christmas shopping until the last minute. Now they are frantically digging for something to buy!

Chances are…he

Bah! Humbug!

Many others, men and women alike, if you asked what they think about Christmas, would complain about the crass commercialism…probably have very little belief, if any, in the true Christmas story

I don’t really know what to think — Christmas is probably just a figment of someone’s imagination

But they still celebrate with their kids…they still promote Santa…they still do all the “Christmassy” stuff

I am an athiest — so Christmas for me is just a time to be with friends and family

But they still get into all of the peripheral Christmas stuff…for whatever reason

What does the Bible say about Christmas?

Application

What does the Bible say about Christmas?

Since the Bible is God’s revealed and inspired word…Christians believe that...

Christmas is the undeniable expression of God’s love

John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God set the example of giving for all of us - we don’t deserve it, but He did it anyway because of His great love. We could never reciprocate

God set the example of giving for all of us - we don’t deserve it, but He did it anyway because of His great love. We could never reciprocate — the gift of Jesus.

In that spirit, it is a good thing for us to give to those that are struggling and have no way to pay us back…that’s God’s love

…what does the Bible say about Christmas? …the undeniable expression of God’s love, and...

Christmas is the undeniable expression of God’s love

Christmas is the joyous celebration of what God did

He gave His one and only Son to come to earth - revealing that God is indeed a God of love

Some say that Jesus was a historical figure, a good man, but no more the Son of God than you and I are God’s children

Some say that Jesus was a historical figure, a good man, but no more the Son of God than you and I are God’s children

Once we have experienced a relationship with Him and witnessed His power at work in our lives, we recognize Him as the Son of the living God — that He is fully God and fully man — both divine and human - able to identify with our human needs and challenges while at the same time able to save us and make us brand new in Him.

…what does the Bible say about Christmas?

…what does the Bible say about Christmas?

Christmas reveals God’s purpose in redemption

That whoever believes on Him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life

Through the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem on that silent night, God set into motion his plan for saving sinful people who were totally unable to save themselves.

God willingly, in the person of Jesus, identified himself with human misery, making Him vulnerable to be “tempted just like we are”

Hebrews 4:15 NIV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

…what does the Bible say about Christmas?

…what does the Bible say about Christmas?

The hosts of Heaven announced Christ’s birth

Can you imagine being one of those shepherds watching their sheep by night…out in a lonely pasture, when out of nowhere the sky illuminated and the angels began to sing the sweetest carols ever sung

Transitional: What is Christmas…to you?

Transitional: What is Christmas…to you?

What do you say about Christmas?

This question is the one that should definitely strike home with each one here today. It’s not about what others say or don’t say about Christmas…what do you say about the significance of that event in Bethlehem’s stable so long ago?

What do you say in your heart?

Are you taking time to ponder the life-altering importance of what the birth of Christ means to you?

Your faith in Him gives you a brand new perspective on life, people, and the future

What do you say in your heart?

Can you imagine spending your energy in life trying to deny Jesus is the true Son of God, or simply running from that truth as fast as you can?

Maybe worse, claiming to believe but still running from the truth of who Jesus is and what that could mean if you would surrender to Him

What do you say in your heart about Christmas…more than that...

What do you say through your daily life?

Has the truth of Jesus birth changed the way you live each day?

Have you placed your faith in Him completely so that His Word and Spirit are your guiding light for living?

Illustration: I read the story of a sweet couple who were separated suddenly by death. On the night following his death, the new widow gathered her children together around the table at the evening meal and led them in singing the Doxology, which begins, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” Her strong faith shone so brightly in that situation.

Are you, by your life, revealing that the truth of Bethlehem’s stable resides in your heart?

Are you, by your life, reealing that the truth of Bethlehem’s stable resides in your heart?

CHALLENGE

Big Idea: Does your view of Christmas truly celebrate God's amazing gift of love?

Do you have a deep and abiding faith in your heart in the baby born in Bethlehem?

Has He been born in your heart?

John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 10:9–13 NIV

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

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