“Christmas 2009”
December 20, 2009
Revelation 2:2-11
2At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Luke 1:26-35
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He 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, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[c] the Son of God.
Matthew 26:57-67
57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61and declared, "This fellow said, ’I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ "
62Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 63But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
64"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?"
"He is worthy of death," they answered.
67Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"
Do you remember when you first heard the phrase “Jesus is the Reason for the season”? We’ve heard it for years. I loved it when I first heard it. I’ve seen bumpers stickers with that phrase on it. I have seen billboards and signs proclaiming it. I have seen Christmas decorations and Christmas programs with it as the theme. But I have come to realize just this year that it is not true. Jesus ISN”T the reason for the season! YOU are!
Think about it! In our study of the book of Revelation the doors of heaven were opened a little bit and we got a glimpse inside. We saw Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, sitting on his golden throne in heaven. The 24 elders surrounded Him and a multitude of angels encircled them. Awesome creatures and fantastic colors and sensational sounds where there. Singing and praises filled heavens corridors. It must have been awesome to behold. And in all that was love - perfect love. In all that was joy - perfect joy. In all that was peace - perfect peace. I know that because that is God’s nature and the fruit of His presence.
Paul, in talking about Heaven said,
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9)
We do catch a little glimpse of what heaven is like through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, and what we see is awesome. Jesus could have remained in glory. Jesus could have continued to baste in the praise of angels. Jesus could have soaked in the love and joy. But He didn’t. Love for you compelled Him to leave the splendor of heaven. Love for you compelled him to leave the praise for the pain. Love for you compelled Him to leave the throne room for the manger; to exchange the incense of heaven for the stench of the stable. You were worth it to Him. Jesus said,
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God so loved - He gave. THAT was the first Christmas gift. I love giving Christmas presents and getting them, too. They are wonderful expressions of love. But Jesus was the best Christmas gift ever given.
About two thousands years ago angels came from heaven and sang the first Christmas carols to shepherds watching their flocks in the fields. Don’t you wish you could have heard the singing? That’s where the Christmas singing came from. Singing is a tradition of Christmas.
That first Christmas the shepherds and the wise men came together to worship the Christ-child. Now families gather together to celebrate with Christmas dinners and enjoy the love of one another.
I don’t think there was a Christmas tree or Christmas lights that first Christmas - but I know there was a star and a nativity scene. I know heaven and earth were celebrating - and I think we ought to. I love the celebrate of Christmas. We need to keep Christ in Christmas. Don’t let materialism and secularism crowd Him out. But understand this. Jesus isn’t the reason for the season. You are! You are that precious to Him. You are the reason He left the joy of heaven to suffer the abuse of sinful men. You are the reason He went willingly to the cross. It wasn’t nails that held Him there - it was love. Love for YOU!
This Christmas - would you celebrate? Would you praise the Lord? Would you realize that YOU are the reason for the season? And when you do - it will change your life. Live a life of gratitude for the Savior. Let your light shine for Him. Let your life be a fragrant offering of love. It’s the best Christmas present you will ever give. Merry Christmas everyone!
(pass out treats)
