Big Message; Little Notice
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
"Christmas" is an annual holiday celebrated by many...
Millions commemorate the birth of Jesus on this day. Many consider it one of "the most holy" of religious holidaysWere you aware that...?
Christians in the NT did not celebrate the birth of Jesus as an annual observance. Most Protestant churches did not begin celebrating Christmas until the 19th century. As for the actual day of Jesus' birth...
There is no indication given about when Jesus was born.
What do we know about the birth of our Savior?
Scripture simply states
it happened in the days of Caesar Augustus
while Cyrinius was governing Syria - Lk 2:1-2
According to Mark Copeland: Sextus Julius Africanus popularized the idea that Jesus was born on December 25 in his Chronographiai, a reference book written in 221 AD. - Wikipedia,
"Christmas"However, Orthodox churches celebrate the birth of Jesus on January 6th or 7thMany churches today do not celebrate "Christmas" per se...
Christmas Liberty…
Our Agreement is in Christ, and his Gospel.
They are content to abide in the apostles' doctrine - Ac 2:42
They note Paul's warning regarding religious holidays - cf. Ga 4:9-11
They value Jesus' warning regarding the traditions of men - cf. Mt 15:9
This is great and we love them and expect that they love us too. So why do we observe and recognize the birth of Jesus. To keep our attention on the birth and life of Jesus. Christmas allows us the privilege of acknowledging Immanuel God with us.
AS PROPHESIED
BY ISAIAH...
His birth and name (Immanuel) signified God would live among men - Isa 7:14; cf. Mt 1:23
It would portend the establishment of the kingdom of God - Isa 9:6-7
BY MICAH...
His birth in Bethlehem would give Israel a new Ruler - Mic 5:2
His reign would bless not only Israel, but even the ends of the earth - Mic 5:3-5
[The significance of Jesus' birth is that God has dwelt among men, and subsequently established His kingdom or reign that now reaches to the ends of the earth! Next, notice its significance...]
AS PROMISED
TO JOSEPH...
His birth and name (Jesus) signified salvation from sin - Mt 1:18-21
As John the Baptist would later announce: "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" - Jn 1:29
TO MARY...
His birth and subsequent reign would fulfill the promise made to David - Lk 1:26-35; cf. 2Sa 7:12-13
It would also fulfill the promise found in Daniel - Dan 2:44
[Again, the significance of Jesus' birth is that God was about to establish His kingdom promised by prophets and angels. But also, that He came to save us from sin! Finally, consider its significance...]
AS PROCLAIMED
BY ANGELS...
His birth presented to the world a Savior and Lord - Lk 2:8-12
It offered peace and goodwill to men (or, peace to men of goodwill) - Lk 2:13-14
BY SIMEON...
His birth would result in giving light to Gentiles and glory to Israel - Lk 2:25-32
It would also result in the fall and rising of many in Israel, along with revealing of many hearts - Lk 2:33-35
BY ANNA...
She, like many others, were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem - Lk 2:36-38
She spoke of how Jesus' birth had great significance for them
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
The significance of the birth of Jesus is that it made possible...
The establishment of the kingdom of GodRedemption and salvation from sin for both Jew and GentilePeace and goodwill among menOf course, such things would not have been possible without the subsequent...
Don’t get it out of Balance
Suffering and death of Jesus on the cross
Resurrection and ascension of Christ to the right hand of God
Sending the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into all the truth
Which may be why Jesus did not ask His disciples to commemorate His birth...
But His death
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
Which they did weekly, not annually - Ac 20:7
Whenever one reflects on Jesus' birth, they should ask themselves: "He came to be my Lord and Savior, to save me from sins and reign as King in my heart; have I fulfilled the significance of His birth by responding to the significance of His death and resurrection ...?" - cf. Ac 2:36-38
