Displaying Christ's Character During Christmas

Luke 2:6–7 NKJV

6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

pray

Confession of Faith

I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God! The victory is mine! I have it now! I can see it through the eyes of my faith! In Jesus Name

Intro:

As we begin this season of celebrating Christmas - I want to remind each of us that Jesus did not come to stay in the manger, but he came to live in our hearts!

Let’s start with the end in mind!

The end result of the first Christmas was Jesus Christ!

Today, if you want to experience true Christmas and share true Christmas with others we must first remember we must not seek only Christmas but Christ.

Look at it from a different perspective! A second Half perspective!

The first half we spent :

Celebrating Christmas buy illuminating lights on our places of residence, business, and even in our front yards! We said it was to illuminate the brightness and the glory of Christmas!

The first half we spent : We set up manger scenes to retell the humbleness and sacrifice that represents Christmas

The first half we spent : We spent inviting family and friends over for days of to feast on food and leftovers

The first half we spent : We spent buying presents to show our love and charity!

The first half we spent : We never sat and told the story of our Saviors birth, but we told the story of obesity, financial problems, guilt, regret, depression etc...

The first half we spent : We spent telling the story of a holiday, but never told the story of holiness!

So in the second half - if it’s our desire to bring Jesus Christ to Christmas, then let’s look at what contributed to the first Christmas!

Four characters That Brought The First Christmas.

Willingness

Humility

Praise

Giving

1. Willingness - Mary: Her Willingness for the birth

Luke 1:35–38 NLT

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

What did that mean?

Mary would have to submit herself all of herself to God.

Mary would need to submit how she walked to God

Mary would need to submit how slept to God

Mary would need to submit how she ate to God

As any woman who has given birth - Pregnancy demands all of you - not part of you

Many of us stop the Christmas story at “according to thy word”

According to thy word

means:

The way we walk is submitted to your Word

The way we talk is submitted to your Word

What we do is submitted to your Word

Where we go is submitted to your Word

Who we hang with is submitted to your Word

What I do with my time is submitted to your Word

Before Jesus can be in your Christmas he has to first show up in you!

We must become the ones to say - “Let me introduce you to Jesus”

We must be the ones to tell the story of how he changes your life

We must be the ones who will live so that people see Jesus in our lives

We must be the ones ready to change the world for Jesus

We may be the only Jesus someone will every see!

We must be the ones all in - totally submitted for Jesus!

In order to celebrate Christmas we must be willing to let Christ BE BORN IN US!

2. Humility - Joseph

Matthew 1:19 NKJV

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Matthew 1:25 NKJV

25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

The Bible doesn’t say much about Joseph.

He is depicted as the guy at the back of the manger.

But he displays this character - humility

The definition of humility-

1. Freedom from pride and arrogance;

2. Humbleness of mind;

3. A modest estimate of one’s own worth.

4. A deep sense of one’s own unworthiness in the sight of God,

5. Self-abasement,

6. Submission to the divine will

Joseph didn’t think about his ego!

He could have stoned Mary to death

What hid from a space of humility is that he did not physically touch Mary until God had completed the work he started in her in the culmination of the birth Jesus Christ!

Did people talk about him - yes but he remained humble

Did he understand all that was going on - nope, but he remained humble

Did he do what was directed by God? yes and he remained humble

Was his reputation at stake , yes but he remained humble

This Christmas, We need to forget ourselves and Foster and Nurture someone else chance for Jesus Christ to be born in them

Most Christmases are ruined, because they never allow others to experience the birth of Jesus in their lives

Philippians 2:3–4 NKJV

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

3. Praise - The Shepherds & Wise Men

Luke 2:17–20 NKJV

17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Both brought praise

Shepherds brought word of God

(Mary already knew) Sometimes you need to hear it again!

Take the word of God to Christmas this year!

Sharing your Praise and the giving the gift of the Word of God depicts the true character of Christ during Christmas

4. Gifts - Wise Men Brought Gifts

Matthew 25:34–40 NLT

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Give the Gift Of Love – Bless someone in need,

Give the Gift Of Love - volunteer to help,

Give the Gift Of Love -pray for someone who is in trouble –

Give the Gift Of Love -Exercise the gift of Giving During this Christmas time