What Should We Celebrate At Christmas

Text: 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us).

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus ( ESV). [1]

Introduction: As we come to the close to these holy habits that we have been sharing since October we come to the last one. We the people of God should be, as James the brother of our Lord Jesus said, “Doers of the word and not just hearers only.” We do the word by having the proper habits. The inward habits of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study. The outward habits of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service. And finally, the habits of confession, worship, praise, and lastly celebration.

The habit of celebration comes just at the right time of our series. Right at the Christmas tide. Right at the Sunday before we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. St. Augustine of Hippo said, “The Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot!” What an amazing statement. The Christ like person should be a “praise to Jehovah” from the top of her of his physical body to the bottom of it (head to foot).

Richard J Foster in his chapter on Celebration said, “Celebration is at the heart of the way of Christ.” But is this right? We know that the savior would be, a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. But in His sacrifice (sorrow and grief) we know that there is reason to celebrate. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life ().

So, in the midst of all that is going on in the world, nation, and community we still celebrate the birth of Christ. We should know that December 25, 05 is most likely on the birth certificate of the Lord but it is the date that we Christians in the western branch of the faith have set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. But what is it that we are celebrating?

Background: This morning’s text gives us some background concerning this most amazing birth. But before we get into the text come with me to its background. The prophet Isaiah wrote centuries before the birth of Christ, “Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign, Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when He knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good ( ESV).”

Body

I. Celebrate the spirit of Concern.

a. The concern of Joseph for Mary. Joseph was a just man and was concerned with Mary’s reputation. He didn’t want her embarrassed. He was going to really do the right thing during that time. Back then fornication was a capitol crime. She could have been stoned to death. says He could have done this divorce in the public, but he was a just man.

b. The concern of the angel for Joseph. Don’t make this mistake and put her away. Don’t be afraid to take her as your wife.

c. The concern of God the for the world.

d. The spirit of concern for others should reign during the Christmas season. We should all celebrate this spirit in the power of the Holy Spirit. Which leads me to my next burden.

II. Celebrate the spirit of Cooperation.

a. The cooperation between Mary and the Holy Spirit – How can this be, since I haven’t known a man (and don’t plan to until I marry Joseph). The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God.”

b. The cooperation between Joseph and the revealed word of God. Hear with me the angel of the LORD. “All this took place to fulfill what to Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel (which means God with us). When Joseph woke from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: . . .” cooperation with what the word of God said.

c. The spirit of cooperation is clear principle that should be celebrated during the Christmas season. We should cooperate with the movement of the Holy Spirit during this season. We should always endeavor to be used by the Holy Spirit. But this cooperation should always be traced back to the “word of God.” Don’t let anything that is not in the word of God pull you off-sides.

III. Celebrate the spirit of Completion.

a. Joseph completed what he started. “he took his wife but knew not until she had given birth to a son. And he called His name Jesus.” What started out as a betrothal ended up as a marriage. What began as a promise ended up as a completion.

b. Mary completed what she started. She gave birth to the Son of the Most High God. What started out as a message from the angel ended up as the most amazing birth ever recorded in human history. The birth of one that is unique among the beings ever born. Not one born part human and part divine, like the Nephilim; the off-spring of the sons of God and the daughters of men (). But Jesus born one hundred percent God and one hundred man. She completed her part.

c. Jesus completed His first part. He didn’t sent an angel to do His part. He came Himself to fulfill the Divine assignment that was given to Him in eternity past. He became Mary’s little lamb born in a manger and the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world. What he started before the foundation moved into the stable in Bethlehem and then to the streets of Nazareth, and then to the streets of Galilee and then to the streets of Jerusalem. Up the Via Delarosa to the Mt. Calvary to an old rugged cross, to a three day borrowed tomb. Only to go back to His original home in glory.

d. But Y’all He is coming back!!! So let us celebrate what has passed, but also what is yet to come!

Conclusion: Celebration gives strength to life. Celebration is the path to joy. Celebration should be carefree in its display. Celebration should be practiced in concert with other believers. Celebration should be practiced in the presence of God every time we come before God!

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .