CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FROM HEAVEN
ILLUSTRATION: Santa Letters
"Dear Santa, you did not bring me anything good last year. You did not bring me anything good the year before that. This is your last chance. Signed, Alfred."
"Dear Santa, there are three little boys who live at our house. There is Jeffrey; he is 2. There is David; he is 4. And there is Norman; he is 7. Jeffrey is good some of the time. David is good some of the time. But Norman is good all of the time. I am Norman."
OPENING: Christmas can be a stressful time for people.
• Stress = a force or a pressure that strains or deforms.
• One of the things is money – if you spend too much money on your credit cards, you spend the next six months paying it off.
• Another thing that can cause stress is family gatherings, or having no family, if you feel like you’re all alone. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one this year, that can put stress.
• Shopping can put pressure on you. There was a study done that said only 1 out of 4 women feel pressure when they’re shopping. All men feel pressure when they go shopping. A British Psychologist named David Lewis did a study and put men in a shopping mall and monitored their blood pressure rate and discovered that shopping is actually hazardous to your health. So guys I just gave you an ‘out’. The blood pressure rate rises to that of a fighter pilot going into combat. We could have told you that without the study – it’s a battle!
Have you heard people say, “Christmas isn’t about the presents?” I don’t agree with that!
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17).
THE BIG IDEA: Our Heavenly Father loves to give generous, lavish gifts to His children. He has many wonderful Christmas presents for everyone, and you don’t have to wait until December 25th to open them. God has something good for you this Christmas season!
THE CHRISTMAS STORY:
“1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 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, goodwill toward men!" 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” (Luke 2:1-20).
I. FREEDOM FROM FEAR:
“Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.”
• The first Christmas gift from Heaven that Jesus offers us today is freedom from fear.
• When the angel said, “Fear not,” he was telling us that to fear or not fear is our choice.
• People are full of fear and worry with today’s financial and economic crisis.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The LORD protects me from danger – so why should I tremble? When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident.” (Psalm 27:1-3).
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” (Psalm 46:1-3).
• The angel says to us today: “Do not be afraid!”
• No matter what is happening in our economy, no matter how many wars or rumours of wars or terrorism or financial crises take place, God is still on the throne!
• Fear is the opposite of faith. Faith is trusting God and His goodness.
• “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18).
• The more we know how much God loves us, the more we will trust, the less we will fear.
II. THE JOY OF SALVATION:
“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).
• The second Christmas gift from Heaven that Jesus offers us today is the joy of salvation.
• There is no joy that compares to knowing that your sins are forgiven!
O HOLY NIGHT:
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining; it is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
“1 Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3 When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone… 10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. 11 So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!” (Psalm 32:1-5; 10-11).
• This is why the Gospel is Good News – good tidings of GREAT JOY!
• You can’t find this joy in a bottle of Jack Daniels, or in a bag of weed, but only in Jesus!
• Because of Jesus, our sins can be forgiven, and we can be free from guilt and shame!
• Let’s remember to wish people a MERRY (joyful, joyous) Christmas!
III. THE GIFT OF PEACE:
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus IS the Prince of Peace!
Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27).
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
• Notice that Jesus did not say we would be free from trouble, but we could have peace.
How do we experience the peace God promises?
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).
This Christmas, God wants to bless you with three wonderful Christmas presents:
1. Freedom from fear
2. The joy of salvation
3. The gift of peace
Are you worried or fearful? Cast your cares on the Lord, because He cares for you. When you do this, you will find freedom from fear, and will receive His gift of peace.
ALTAR CALL:
Do you know the joy of salvation? You can receive His free gift of salvation today!
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
Special thanks to Pastor Dave Koop who inspired some of the introductory comments of this message.
