Opening illustration: Play video of Office Christmas.
Introduction: We know that the church is supposed to be about Christ's mission on earth - preaching the gospel, making disciples, baptizing and teaching them. But have you considered that it is God who is the true Missionary? The story of Christmas shows how God's missionary heart sent Jesus to be our Savior. You can share that message of hope this Christmas with your congregation.
What is the MISSION of CHRISTMAS?
1. JOY to the World (Isaiah 9:3,6-7; Luke 2:1-7)
The opening line of “Joy to the World” is sometimes sung incorrectly as, “Joy to the world! The Lord has come.” That is not what Isaac Watts wrote. He wrote, “The Lord is come.” Watts was not describing a past event (the birth of Jesus) but rather looking forward to a future event (the return of Jesus). The main point of Psalm 98 (which Watts himself clearly understood) was not about the first coming of Jesus, but, rather, about His Second Coming! And that’s precisely what the song is about. It speaks of Jesus’ final coming to earth when “the Savior reigns” and when “He rules the world with truth and grace.” Watts longed for that glorious final day when the “nations (will) prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.”
Even though Isaac Watts may not have ever envisioned his song being sung at Christmas time, I think it is a wonderful tribute to his work. Indeed, the first advent of Jesus stands as a historical guarantee that His Second Advent is just around the corner. Indeed, the birth of Jesus and the return of Jesus are “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Joy is certainly one of those stock phrases of the season. You could send a Christmas card to people with the simple word “joy” emblazoned on the front and a picture of your family inside and it would be enough. But what does “joy” mean? Joy must be like happiness, but somehow deeper.
Perhaps we can gain some wisdom if we think about the opposite of joy which would be grief. Grief is related to sadness, but sadness is short – your team loses a chance to make the playoffs, you score a grade lower in a class than you were thinking, you couldn’t get tickets to the Star Wars opening this past weekend. Grief is different. You mourn when you lose someone you love, when your marriage falls apart or when your dreams are shattered. You move through these and you can learn to cope in this new reality, but you are never the same. The mark of that grief never leaves you even as we move through the good times of life, a tinge of the reality lose is with you.
So, joy is like that on the other side. There is a satisfaction, a peace, a rejoicing deep in our souls that is there even when we go through hard times. Joy is a happiness that leaves a mark, a goodness that stays with you. We know only too well what causes grief. What could ever cause us joy?
2. FEAR NOT (Luke 1:30; Matthew 1:20; Luke 2:10)
Observing the consternation and confusion she was in, he calls her by her name, signifying that she was well known to him, as the saints are to the ministering angels, who are often sent unto them, encamp about them, and do them many good offices; and bids her not be afraid, he had no ill design upon her, nor brought any ill news to her: or "found grace with God."
What is about to happen in your life is of the Holy Spirit: [nothing happens in our life without God’s intervention OR Him allowing it]. In Matthew 1:20, fear was eating up Joseph as Mary was pregnant before marriage as he knew he was not the physical father. In that context it was shameful and worthy of stoning to death of both of them.
Therefore, Joseph receives a message from the angel that Mary was pure in the eyes of God and what happened to her was a God thing. A body was thus prepared pure and holy, and free from the corruption of sin, in order that he might be qualified for his great work the offering of a pure sacrifice to God. As this was necessary in order to the great work which he came to perform, Joseph is directed by an angel to receive her as pure and virtuous, and as every way worthy of his love.
The mission of Christmas is to bring us joy. When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, they were very afraid. Probably the shepherds, realizing their own sinfulness, were expecting a message of judgment, of doom. But the message is “Fear not.”
Some people think they are doomed to live a life of sadness, despair, despondency, fear and hopelessness. They live in fear of others, of failure, of what others think; fear of the future. This year may have been a year of deep disappointments and sadness for you, but great joy is offered to you this Christmas. God wants you to have great joy.
The message from the Savior is of Good News. It comes to all people (Luke 2:10). This includes you and me. Take this very personally. God is speaking to you this Christmas. He is telling you, “Fear not.” Joy is knowing no fear. God is offering you salvation through Jesus, the Savior. Knowing Jesus as your personal Savior will bring you great joy, which nothing or no one in this world can take away.
If you have been coming to church and are still living in fear, here is the mission of God for you:
? You are afraid. That shouldn’t surprise you. The truth may hurt, but the truth also sets you free. Much of your life has been reacting to your fears.
? You may have created for yourself a downward spiral, reacting to your fears and separating yourself from God and others. The gift is being able to recognize your downward spiral, stop running away and start running toward the God of Christmas. The upward spiral will take you closer to God and others.
? You can create for yourself an upward spiral. You can move forward. You don’t have to stay locked by whatever you are afraid of. You can move forward. And there, God incarnate, God among us, waits for you just like he waited for the shepherds.
Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people, for unto you is born a savior who is Christ the Lord. And, what is he to save us from, if not our fears. Fear not!
3. GIVE US JESUS (Luke 2:10-12; Matthew 1:21-23)
The God of all grace is given the name “Jesus” (Matthew 1:21). To hear a person’s name is often to think of his or her main achievement. For example, to say the name “Bill Gates” is to think of computers and Microsoft. To say the name “Einstein” is to think of the theory of relativity. To say the name “Shakespeare” is to think of literature. To say the name “Churchill” is to think of leadership in wartime. To say the name “Manning” is to think of American football.
What comes to your mind when you hear the name “Jesus”? This is the name given to the God-man at His birth. The angel said to Joseph that Jesus is to be His name. Jesus is the Greek form of the Jewish name “Yeshua” (Joshua). “Yeshua” means Yahweh saves. So, every time Mary and Joseph called “Jesus,” the message was being proclaimed of Savior, Rescuer, Deliverer.
Do you now understand why Jesus Christ came to Earth? Do you understand that salvation, joy, forgiveness of sins and eternal life come from the God of Christmas? Do you realize that in order to be right with God you must trust in Jesus Christ personally and receive forgiveness and salvation?
Illustration: Bob Vernon, formerly with the Los Angeles Police Department, tells of how the department would test bullet-proof vests—and demonstrate to rookie officers their value—by placing them on manikins and then shooting round after round of bullets at them. They then checked to see if any of the rounds penetrated the vest. Invariably, the vest would pass the test with flying colors. Vernon would then turn to the rookie officers and ask, “So, who wants to wear the vest now instead of the manikin?”
Application: Intellectual understanding and making a personal commitment are very different! You may understand the mission of Christmas intellectually. But you may never have personally trusted in Jesus Christ.
You know about Christ, but do you know Him?
You understand in your head, but has it impacted your heart?
You have religion, but do you have a living personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
This Christmas will you receive the gift of salvation? This is the mission of Christmas.
What is the mission of the triune God for this season?
What is your mission during this Christmas season?
