Introduction:
A pastor received a Christmas card with a note in it, from a lady in his congregation. He said she was very complimentary about his preaching and compared him with Chuck Swindoll. She finished by writing, "I think you are one of the really great preachers of all time." Later that day, when he showed the note to his wife, she asked, "Who is that woman?" He replied, "She is a very intelligent woman in the congregation who loves great preaching." He then asked his wife, "How many great preachers do you suppose there really are in the world?" She replied, "One less than you think."
Have you ever imagined how does this world look like if Jesus were not born in that manger in Bethlehem around two thousand years ago? No Churches; and definitely no Christian institution of any kind. Red Cross does not exist; World Vision and World Relief are never heard of; the Salvation Army is not even mentioned. All these charitable organizations exist today because it was the first Christians, followers of the risen Lord, who initiated a life of charity. Thalasius, a third century Christian monk, founded the first asylum for the handicap children. He lived in a time when the Spartans killed their children who were born handicap. Apollonius, a third century merchant, founded the first pharmacy, dispensing medicines free of charge. Fabiola, a devoted Christian lady, founded the first hospital. To further mention the top universities, Harvard, Yale and many more, were all founded by people who have firm faith in Jesus Christ – the main character in our Christmas celebrations.
As we ponder about how are we to prepare for this year’s grand Christmas celebration, what are the things that mostly come to mind? We have lavishly decorated our homes with Christmas trees, colorful lanterns and lights glitter our gates, main doors, foyers and windows. Others have finalized their itineraries when, where and how they would hold and host parties such as reunions, homecomings, and the like. Whether or not we are prepared, there is only one thing that is definite. Christmas is coming to town!
Proposition:
1. For Christmas Day, God Reserves His Place
2. For Christmas Day, God Reveals His Promise
3. For Christmas Day, God Releases His Power
To us (who believe), Christmas is a preparation for Life. To Jesus (our Savior), Christmas is a preparation for Death. Several notions that we need to ponder, and meditate upon, as we look ahead to Christmas Day:
1. For Christmas Day, God Reserves His Place
How ironic that God chose a teenage girl, poor as she was and from a town of ill repute (Nazareth of Galilee), to become the earthly mother of the majestic Only-begotten Son of God. But God’s choice is neither based on human achievement nor social popularity. Look deeply how God chose and reserved a place for Christ to be born:
a. It’s a place that was Pure.
The Bible describes Mary as a "virgin pledged to be married", "parthenos" in the Greek text, which means an "unmarried daughter or girl". And girls of that age, in that time, were believed to be sexually unblemished by men according to customs and traditions. The prophet Isaiah (7:14) saw Mary hundreds of years ahead, and Luke referred to what Isaiah saw (1:27) and confirmed what had been written in the book of the prophet. It was a reservation that God made based on a moral standard that God Himself has endowed.
b. It’s a place that was Prophesied.
When the angel proclaimed, "you who are highly favored", "charitoo", in Greek text, he meant that Mary received grace from God. The root word in the Greek text is grace "charis", and it means that Mary was accepted by God on the basis of God’s choosing, and then endowed her with special honor to be used as a human instrument through whom the Savior of the world would be born. It was not something that she deserved but an absolute work of God without any iota of human merit. Prophesies, in the Old Testament, are messages from God directed to His people through a prophet – God’s mouthpiece. The prophet Isaiah gave the Christ several titles (9:6): Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Luke summed it all up, "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end." (1:32,33). It was a reservation that God made based on a scriptural standard that God Himself has proclaimed.
c. It’s a place that was Prepared.
How comforting are the angel’s words, "The Lord is with you". This is not merely a presence that stays beside you; it is a presence that is closely associated and personally involved in you. The Greek word that is used here is "meta", not "para", which is more than just an accompaniment. This is the same presence that is described by His name, "Immanuel", meaning God with us (Matt. 1:23). God had been preparing Mary from the time of her birth until that moment of the angel’s announcement. It was a reservation that God made on the basis of His eternal sovereignty that to God alone we must ascribe.
Illustration:
A Sunday school was putting on a Christmas play which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. One boy wanted very much to be Joseph. But when the parts were handed out, a boy he didn’t like was given the role, and he was assigned to be the inn-keeper instead. He was pretty upset but didn’t say anything to the teacher. During the rehearsals he thought what he might do the night of the performance to get even with his rival. Finally on the night of the performance, Mary and Joseph came walking across the stage. They knocked on the door of the inn, and the inn-keeper opened the door and asked them grumpily what they wanted. Joseph answered “We’d like to have a room for the night.” To the surprise of all, the inn-keeper threw the door open wide and said, "Great, come on in and I’ll give you the best room in the inn!" For a moment the poor Joseph didn’t know what to say. Thinking quickly, he looked inside the door past under the innkeeper’s arm and said, "My wife is not going to stay in a dump like this. Come on Mary, let’s better go to the barn." And once again the play was back on-track.
We may have made a long list of preparations that entails tedious work to accomplish but Christmas preparation is to reserve our hearts that offer a pure, prophesied, and prepared accommodation for Jesus Christ, the Christ of Christmas.
2. For Christmas Day, God Reveals His Promise
The birth of Jesus Christ was one event in Biblical history that the Old Testament prophets were avid to see with their own eyes, in their own time. The incarnation of the Son of God was firmly planned in the heart of the Father, even before the beginning of time. And from the moment that Eve had the first crunch of her bite of the forbidden fruit; the Son of God had taken the actual first step to the cross. The prophets only recorded what God already promised, in His Word, to redeem the fallen man.
a. It’s a Promise of a Surprising Child.
Matthew gives us a record of this announcement with an Old Testament reference (Matt. 1:22,23; Isa. 7:14). It was the birth of a surprising child because the birth of Jesus Christ breaches the borders of science and logic – a virgin will give birth. The birth of Jesus is absolutely unusual, literally impossible, biologically weird, logically improbable, but historically accurate. That’s how God fulfills His promises. When our lives seem flat and dreary, remember this, our God is the God of great surprises.
b. It’s a Promise of a Saving Child.
"You are to give him the name Jesus" (Lk. 1:31), "Yeshua" in Hebrew, meaning, "Jehovah is Salvation". Again, Matthew gave an explanation on why his name shall be called Jesus, "because he will save his people from their sins" (Matt 1:21). He is not only the Savior who saves us from the penalty of sin, but also from the powers and possibility of sin. That is the magnitude of the saving power of this child, Jesus Christ, the Christ of Christmas. Have you relied on him for your salvation, perhaps for your restoration, or probably for your spiritual nutrition?
c. It’s a Promise of a Sovereign Child.
Luke gives us the details, " The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end." (1:32,33). The thorns and the cross on Mount Calvary made him worthy for the throne and the crown in glory. If you are in times that you seem to not know how to manage your daily chores, come to Calvary and bear with him the thorns and the cross, so that you can share with him the throne and the crown.
Illustration:
A rich businessman was bed-ridden, terminally ill. His doctor says he only has three months to live. He was once an active member of his church’s youth ministry but somehow lost his focus on spiritual things for business opportunities. While pondering on how to write his last will and testament, he remembered his pastor and the youth ministry in his old church. He called up for his pastor and asked that he be prayed over by the whole congregation for healing. The pastor came, prayed for him and assured that the whole church, too, will pray for his healing. Before the pastor left, the sick businessman whispered to the pastor, "If the Lord heals me, I promise that I will donate one million dollars to the church". The pastor and his church prayed fervently, although the pastor did not tell his congregation about the million dollars. Miraculously, the sick businessman got well. Days, weeks and several months passed but there was not even a ten dollar banknote from the rich man. One Saturday evening the pastor and the already-well rich man coincidentally met at Starbucks. The old pastor, in his best smiles, approached the grinning rich man and asked, "You’ve been well as I could see, but how about the million dollars that you promised to donate to our church if the Lord heals you?" The seemingly surprised rich man asked the pastor, "Did I promise to donate a million dollars if the Lord heals me?" "God is my witness, you did, son!" the pastor replied. The rich man answered with a whine, "Sorry I was so sick that I did not know what I was telling".
Man forgets many promises that he makes, to God and to his fellow men. But God never forgets. The best and most meaningful Christmas meditation is to believe in your heart that God will fulfill His promises in Jesus Christ, the Christ of Christmas.
3. For Christmas Day, God Releases His Power
Luke provides us with clear details with regards to the power of God that was released for the miraculous conception of His Son, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." (1:35). Luke used the Greek word, "eperchomai" to explain the manner by which the Holy Spirit would come and perform the miracle. This is the same word that the Lord Jesus used when He promised to his disciples, before His ascension, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8 ). The coming does not only refer to the arrival of the Holy Spirit, as the word "eperchomai" implies, but it also mean the absolute control and influence over Mary’s entire life and humanity – body, soul and spirit. It will be then that the power of God will overshadow her. In like manner, the power that is mentioned in this verse refers to the "dunamis" power of God – the power that God used when He created the universe, the power that God demonstrated when He parted the Red Sea and made a dry highway for the Israelites, the power that Jesus used to calm the storm, the power that conquered death on Christ’s resurrection, and the power that justifies a sinner who comes by faith in Jesus Christ. There is so much in this "dunamis" power of God.
a. The power to Conquer our Doubts.
It might not be that easy for Mary to believe what the angel had said, for she knew very well that that would be impossible – she knew she was a virgin. But the following verse (v. 36) explains how practical this "dunamis" power is. A proof was provided – Elizabeth, who was barren and had passed the menopausal period, was already six months pregnant. God knew very well that the limited human reasoning will always contest the viability of God’s power. If you still have doubts that God can do anything beyond what reason can explain, look at the entire creation how they all move in perfect balance and harmony.
b. The power to Carry-out His Desires.
"For nothing is impossible with God". (v. 37). Nothing can practically thwart the plan of God. He declares and the entire universe obeys. The governor of the universe, with His infinite attributes, rules in perfect balance – merciful and mighty, holy and gracious. The incarnation of His Son was the embodiment of all His infinite desires. In Christ, from birth to his resurrection, was a complete revelation of who God is. The prophet Jeremiah, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer. 29:11).
c. The power to Craft our Destiny.
God has already established our destiny. It is, however, our duty to submit to His sovereignty. All Jewish women knew that a Messiah is coming. The greatness of this Messiah would somehow convince us that each Jewish woman wished to be the chosen vessel through whom this prophesied deliverer would be born. But study carefully the answer of Mary to the angel, "I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.." (v. 38). Mary referred to herself as a "doule", a female servant under oath; a servant who obeys even without clearly understanding the order of the master, but fully trusting that the master’s order is not only for the glory of the master but also for the good of the servant. The apostle Paul called himself a "doulos", a male servant of the same kind. (Rom. 1:1). Our success in the Lord’s work relies solely on the power of the Almighty God.
Illustration:
It was quite astonishing to the lumberjacks when the chainsaw was first introduced. The amount of work that several muscled-men (with their long razor-sharp timber saws) can finish in a day can be accomplished by a chainsaw in several minutes. One day a lumberjack, in his mid-fifties, who was totally engulfed by the chainsaw’s performance, approached one chainsaw salesman who was demonstrating his merchandise in a forest. He asked the salesman, "The blades of my saw are much bigger and sharper than the blades of this thing; but what makes it cut a log better and faster than my saw?" The salesman replied, "It’s not the blade sir, it’s the power of its machine that runs it!"
We all plan for a comfortable retirement, and for that reason we strive and struggle a lot, trying to employ all the powers that we have - acquired knowledge, earned education, developed skills, and amassed properties. But all our efforts that sometimes render us hefty returns are limited to this earth. Christmas celebration is to rejoice in the power of the love of God when He gave to us Jesus, the Christ of Christmas!
Conclusion:
Christmas is definitely coming to town! Whether or not you’re ready, we will have Christmas on December 25. But what preparations are you making for that big day? Or is it a big day to you, remembering the day when the Son of God came into the flesh and prepare to march to Calvary for our redemption from sins? The best preparations that you can make: Reserve a place in your heart and accommodate Jesus; believe that God will fulfill all His promises; and rejoice that God will release the power of His love in the birth of Jesus, the Christ of Christmas.
