Dreaming Of A Right Christmas Series

1. Christmas is coming – is that good or bad? Christmas is Controversial:

a. Seculars: “Too religious.” Religionists: “Too secular.”

b. Puritans refused to celebrate Christmas – felt it trivialized the message of Jesus’ coming

Stress of: Partying and alcohol consumption; travel; disrupted schedules; $$ costs of Christmas [PragerU: $1 Trillion in sales between Thanksgiving and Christmas

BTW, we can still have peace: Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

c. Associated with pagan activities of Saturnalia; the rebirth of Mytherus, both on December 25

d. Idolatry of trees – Jeremiah 10:1-4

2. Christmas celebration is not in the Bible, although the story of the birth is

a. Only ones in scripture who celebrated their birthdays – Pharaoh in Genesis 40:20; Herod in Matthew 14:6

b. No clear command for us to celebrate the birth formally

c. We are not told the date, even the exact year – probably 4 BC

d. BUT – there is no command for Jews to meet in synagogue on Sabbath, yet we know Jesus participated in synagogues – [Capernaum; Magdala; Nazareth; etc.

e. No command to celebrate Hanukah (Feast of Lights) But Jesus did – John 10:22-23

f. Early Third Century Christians began speculating about Jesus’ Birthday; Fourth Century focused on December 25 as an alternative to Pagan activities

g. Kings and Queens of England celebrate their birthdays on the second Saturday of June since King George II in 1748 – not their actual birthday but formal recognition

3. So, what should we do about Christmas?

a. Be respectful to others’ points of view – Romans 14:5-8 5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

b. Rejoice over the Messiah’s birth – all year

[Celebrate Thanksgiving Day but are thankful every day (1 Thessalonians 5:18); why not for Jesus?

4. Matthew 1:18-25

I. Rejoice in Obeying God

A. Joseph and Mary Obeyed God in Difficult Circumstances

B. Jesus Would Obey God All the Way to the Cross and Resurrection – Mark 14:32-42

C. How Do We Compare Our Obedience to God?

1. Jesus was formed in Mary

2. Jesus is to be formed in us – Galatians 4:19 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!

Is He? How do you know?

II. Honor the King Who is God

A. The Shepherds Honored the King at His Birth – Luke 2:8-20 [ Manger

1. Glorified God

2. Had to tell

B. The Wise Men Honored the King After His Birth – Matthew 2:1-12 (“house”)

1. Scripture-Fed; Spirit-Led Journey

2. Gifts – Gold, Frankincense; Myrrh – but THEIR PRESENCE more than Presents

C. How Do We Honor the King Because of His Birth?

1. Our Gifts? Financial contributions and more

2. Selves – Macedonian churches – 2 Corinthians 8:5 they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

III. Respect the Savior Sent by God

A. “Yeshua” and “Yoshia” (Matthew 1:21) – Why He Came – Luke 19:10

1. A Long Time in Coming – Galatians 4:4

2. Fulfilled Prophecy – Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

B. What Would the World Be without Him?

1. Great impact

2. Set years by Him – BC; AD

C. What Would YOU Be without Him?

1. Easy to get sidetracked over controversies, even Christmas controversies

a. Non-biblical, not anti-biblical

b. Can be overshadowed by the secular