Because Of Christmas...

Because of Christmas…

Various Scriptures

December 25, 2005

Introduction

My original intent was to just read the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke, but I got the feeling that I was supposed to share something different, so we’re going to briefly look at three gifts we get because of Christmas, or that we get because of what Christmas set into motion.

I’m not going to preach long today. I just want to give us something to chew on as we enjoy the rest of the day.

1. We have light.

John 1:9 –

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

We don’t have to walk around with the emptiness that comes from not knowing.

Not knowing why you’re here on earth. Not knowing if this life has any real purpose or if there’s anything beyond this life.

Not knowing whether or not there is anything or anyone else out there in the heavens. And if so, how can we know him?

Jesus came to give us answers to all that. And it’s because of him that we can not only know that there is Someone outside of us, we can know that he loves us, cares for us, and even provided a way for us to know him on a personal level, both here on earth and later in his presence for eternity.

Because of Christmas we have light. Secondly…

2. We have hope.

Matthew 12:17-21 –

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen,

the one I love, in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him,

and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

19 He will not quarrel or cry out;

no one will hear his voice in the streets.

20 A bruised reed he will not break,

and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,

till he leads justice to victory.

21 In his name the nations will put their hope."

Christmas brings hope for the nations, and also hope for the individual.

When nations are filled with people who call on Christ as their Lord, and live like he’s their Lord, then nations have hope.

But it takes the individuals of that nation.

The bottom-line here is that because of Christmas, we have hope – both for individuals and nations.

And lastly…

3. We have an example.

Philippians 2:5-8 –

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

7 but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!

It’s amazing to me how the Christmas season tends to bring out the generosity in some people, and the greed in others.

Interesting, huh?

But Christmas is the picture of self-less-ness of God himself. He came down in the form of a human. A baby human – helpless, and dependent on the care of human parents.

I’ve said before that Jesus could have stayed in heaven and let us get what we all deserve for our sins. But he chose not to, because of his love for us and his desire to bring glory to the Father.

He is our example – giving of ourselves for the sake of others and the Father.

Conclusion

Three things I think we should do with this information:

1. Enjoy it.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with just reveling in the fact that God loves us so much that he made it possible for us to know and love him, and to enjoy his benefits.

That’s a good thing, as long as it leads to the second thing we should do with it, and that is to…

2. Give thanks for it.

To enjoy it without taking the time to thank God for it is to display an attitude of entitlement, where you think God just kinda “owes” you these wonderful gifts.

Take some time today – to really concentrate on thanking God for his wonderful love shown in the Baby born at Bethlehem.

3. Give it.

I’ve been hitting on this all season, and well, I’ve been hitting on this for the last 5 years – we need to give it away.

Jesus is the light, and we need to take that light to the world.

You have the gift of eternal life if Jesus us your Savior – others don’t have it. So why not make the effort to help others have the greatest gift of all?