Christmas

Luke 2:1-6  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 ¶  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Intro:

          In the first Christmas we find some things we need to keep in all of our Christmas celebrations.

I.       A TIME OF CELEBRATION:

                        1. By the Angelic host of heaven; Lk 2:13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

                        2. By the lowly shepherds; Lk 2:15  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

II.      A TIME OF APPRECIATION:

                    1. By the family of Jesus;

                   2. By the shepherds;

                    3. By the wise men; Matthew 2:1  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

III.     A TIME OF JUBILATION:

1. When the gift of God is accepted; Luke 15:10  Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

2. When the gift of God is shared; Psalms 126:6  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

CHRISTmas or Xmas?

Text:    Matthew 1:18-25

Intro:

            CHRISTmas or Xmas?      Why do we celebrate Christmas ?   What is the REASON for the season ?  Where does the modern day methods of celebration come from ? How should a Christian celebrate Christmas?

            Seems, that it is time that we returned to the Holy Scriptures and examined the real purpose of Christmas and how it should be properly celebrated.

I.... CHRISTMAS IS A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: Matthew 1:18,25

1. It is Jesus, the Saviour´s  birthday, which is; v-21

a. A Mighty Promise, ISA 7:14    Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

b. A Miraculous Performance, vs 18,25

* there is the law of nature to overcome,

* there is the law of God to honor, Lev 20:10   ¶ And the man that committeth adultery with [another] man's wife,  [even he] that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

c. A Merciful Provision, v-21

* called for his perfect life, his substitutionary death, his resurrection

II... CHRISTMAS IS A BIRTHDAY VENERATION: Matthew 2:1,11

1. It is Jesus´ veneration, homage, adoration, worship,

a. The Shepherds, the Angel and the Heavenly Host, Luke 2:9,17

b. The Gentile wise men, astrologers probably, vs 1,2

c. The scribes and chief priests, vs 4,6

2. It is Jesus´ sanctification, recognition, acclamation,

a. The wise men worshipped him, v-11

b. The wise men´s gifts to him testify of His Position;

* the gold indicates kingship (King of Kings, Rev.19:16)

* the frankincense indicates priesthood (Great High Priest, Heb. 4:14,15)

*Frankincense (is a glittering and odorous gum, obtained by incisions into the bark of a peculiar tree. The ancients procured it chiefly from Arabia and others from the East Indies .)

* the myrrh indicates sacrifice (Perfect Offering, Heb.10:14

*Myrrh, (a gum which comes from a tree found in Arabia and Abyssinia . It was much valued by the ancients as a perfume, Ps.45:8,  also a spice, a medicine, and a means of embalming.

Jn.1939  And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40  Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.)

III.. CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION:

1. Should be a time of worshipping the Lord Jesus, Himself,

2. Should be a time of sharing the Lord Jesus with others,

3. Should be a time of Christian Fellowship with family and friends.

USE OF TREES:

Evergreen trees have been worshiped as a symbol of life at least since the days of ancient Babylon . Tree worship often was a source of struggle as the church tried to eradicate pagan religion by chopping down sacred groves.

JER 10:2,5  " Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not  dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at  them.  For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the  axe.  They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.  They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good."

The Christmas tree as it is known today is a fairly recent addition, developing in the early 17th century in Stasbourg , France , and spreading through Germany and into northern Europe . The evergreen tree trimmed with lights and other decorations was derived from the so-called paradise tree, symbolizing Eden , in German mystery plays.

The Christmas tree was introduced from Germany into England in 1841 by Prince Albert , consort of Queen Victoria . From there it accompanied immigrants to America .

***Copied from December, 1995 Baptist Standard

Begotten or Forgotten?

Text:   Acts 2:3636  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

I.   CHRIST'S BIRTH:  (Luke 2:1-14 KJV)  "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria .)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth , into Judaea, unto the city of David , which is called Bethlehem ; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

              a) No room for Him in the inn, [Still no room for Him today’s activities].

              b) A King but no throne, just a manger,

              c) A need but no time,

The wise men came seeking a Person with the power for a purpose. And wise men still seek HIM today.

II.   CHRIST'S TEMPLE EXPERIENCE :  (Luke 2:41-52 KJV)  "Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.  And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.  And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem ; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.  But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.  And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem , seeking him.  And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.  And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.  And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?  And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.  And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth , and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

     A) They went supposing, he was with them in place of knowing he was.

B) They sought Him in the wrong places & things.

C) They found Him about the Father’s business in the Temple communicating with the professors.

THE WAY TO HAVE JESUS IN YOUR COMPANY IS TO BE ABOUT THE FATHER'S BUSINESS.

III. CHRIST'S ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM :  (Luke 19:28)  And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem .  And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,   Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.  And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.   And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.   And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?   And they said, The Lord hath need of him.  And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.  And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.   And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;  Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.   And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,  Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.  For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,  And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.   And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.  And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,   And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him. 

           1) Here is a false commitment demonstrated,

           2) Receives with the mouth expression,  but rejects with the life.

IV. CHRIST'S TRIAL BEFORE PILATE:  (Luke 23:13-26)  And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,  Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:  No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him.  (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)  And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.  But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.   And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.  And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.  And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.  And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.  And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

          1) Some are here that  were present at the birth,

           2) Notice the love of HIM even now, (Luke 23:34)  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?  IS IT CRUCIFY HIM?  AWAY WITH HIM?

Or as Thomas cried, “my Lord and my God”?