The Gifts of Christmas
Title: The Timely Gift
Text: Luke 2:1-20
Purpose: God has given us the gift of time. (Fourth in series)
(Audio of sermon available at www.wnaz.org)
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Introduction: Tis the season of giving gifts.
Types of Gifts
1.White Elephant Gift: Usually inexpensive, designed to get a laugh at a Christmas party
2.Functional Gift: New tires, kitchen appliance, underwear, socks or clothes. Designed to replace something that is broken, worn out or lost.
3.Romantic Gift: Jewelry, something personal, designed to illicit an emotional response.
4.Unusual Gift: Usually bought by a relative who lives far away, who you won’t see, and who doesn’t really know what you want. Usual response- Huh….
5.Returnable Gift: Something received, and while making complimentary thank you, thinking of how to unload, return or re-gift the item.
6.Re-Gift: A gift usually given to someone else because we don’t want it or can’t use it. It saves us money and time.
HINT: If you re-gift
a. Don’t give it back to the person who gave it to you
b. Check to see if there is a card, note or money inside first
c. Change the wrapping paper
d. Make sure you know what’s inside first before sending a thank you. Boxes and gifts don’t always match.
7.Timely Gift: Something you never would get for yourself, but once received, you acknowledge it’s exactly what you need.
With each of these gifts, there usually is a story or memory attached.
Some of the stories in our hearts and minds reveal a Norman Rockwell picture of the perfect Christmas.
a. It may have been the first time for a child or grandchild
b. It may have been the unexpected return of a loved one serving in the military.
c. Maybe it was the Christmas you got a new bike, or video game, or special doll that you still treasure.
d. Maybe it was the year the Children’s program at church went on without a hitch.
e. A special time of communion on Christmas Eve
f. Or the year it snowed, and made it a postcard morning.
But other Christmas’ are forever etched in our memories that are not so perfect.
a. This is the year it snowed TOO much, and relatives got snowed in at the airport
b. It was the year someone forgot to turn on the oven, so Christmas dinner was late, or burned
c. It was the year we forgot the batteries and it dampened the thrill of a new toy
d. Maybe this was the year a loved one is away serving in our Armed Forces.
e. Or maybe there is the loss of a loved one this past year, and this is the first year without them.
Sometimes it may be these Christmas’ where everything seems to go wrong that we find the most authentic of our Christian experience, when we discover the Christ child most firmly in our midst. (1)
The first Christmas would never make it into our anyone’s family photo album of the perfect holiday moments.
In Luke’s gospel, there are a lot of details about everything that went wrong when Jesus was born.
a. Joseph and Mary had to leave and travel on the road to get to Bethlehem.
b. There was no room for them in the inn
c. The Baby Jesus was born in a barn
d. Some random bunch of smelly shepherds break in on the new family.
But there is something special about the event. Because it is a timely gift.
James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above; coming down from the Father of heavenly light, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Galatians 4:4 “But when the fullness of time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a women, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”
When God sent his only Son, Jesus, it was at the right time.
TEXT: Luke 2:1-20.
QUESTION: What time is it for you?
Do you find yourself like one of the gifts we talked about?
a. White Elephant Gift: Listen, I’m just on the fringe with all this stuff. I don’t want to commit, I don’t want it to cost me anything more. I’ll give what I can, but I’m just in it to make me feel good.
b. Functional Gift: Jesus, I need you to replace something in my life which is broken. (Marriage or relationship/ financial instability/ unemployment or physical condition)
c. Romantic Gift: I need some emotion in my life. I’m so tired, and drained, even burned out. God I need a renewed spark in my life.
d. Unusual Gift: You question where or what God is doing, and you walk away saying …Huh?....
e. Returnable Gift: I’d just like to start all over and run away.
f. Re-gift Gift: We just want to repackage the problems in our lives, put a different tag on it, so that we don’t have to deal with it.
But, just maybe you’re like…
g. Timely Gift: Maybe Jesus is exactly what you need today.
That’s just it. Jesus is the answer to your life’s questions.
I. The timing was right even in a broken and hurting world.
Why?
a. Because the Jews had been dispersed (2)
i. Throughout the Roman Empire, the Jews had been dispersed.
ii. So when evangelism started in Christianity after Jesus’ ascension back to heaven, the good news was able to be spread quickly because of the hot pockets of Jews.
iii. Had they all stayed in one location, they would not have had the success they did.
b. Legal Environment
i. Because the Roman Empire was so massive, the Romans had acquired all kinds of cultures.
ii. The Romans would allow them to function and to carry on their heritage as long as they would say, “Caesar is Lord.”
iii. But the Jews refused, and never would say that.
iv. It got to the point, that they made an exception for the Jews.
v. Shortly after they no longer had to say, “Caesar is Lord,” Jesus was born.
c. Political Climate
i. With Julius Caesar, there had been all kinds of civil war. But after his assignation 25 years prior, and with the election of Augustus Caesar, peace began to break out.
ii. They began to build roads and highways so it was easy for early Christians now to travel throughout the Roman Empire.
d. Cultural Climate
i. Since the Tower of Babel, everyone spoke different languages. But because of the work of Alexander the Great, who truly was a world conqueror, much of the world now spoke GK.
ii. And GK is what the N.T. is written in. The common language of the people.
e. Philosophical Climate
i. People like Plato, Aristotle, and other GK philosophers had raised more questions than answers.
ii. So when Christianity came, it was like a breath of fresh air.
Question: Into your broken and hurting world, could it be that because of the grace of God, he wants to break into your world this morning. To bring stability and order, and a peace that only he can bring.
Maybe the gift of time is for you today.
II. Jesus is the gift to people with questions
a. Mary had questions
i. Her marriage had not yet been consummated
ii. She would give birth to her son in an occupied territory
iii. The census has totally disrupted all their lives
iv. No support system in Bethlehem
v. Housing situation was inadequate
And if you look at the other people, they all had questions too…
a. Zechariah and Elizabeth: Why after so many years did God bless them with a son?
b. Joseph: Should I take Mary to be my wife, now?
c. Shepherds: Why come to us, we’re no one important.
But what I’ve found is that sometimes the smallest question is the hardest. Why? Why me….Why now…
We like to have answers, and we like them now.
You see, God’s timing does not always fit our schedules. The journey doesn’t take a few days and end at the stable, it takes a few years. The promise is not fulfilled the day after it’s given, it’s filled in the last hour.
- The magi waited 2 years to see the king
- Simeon waited his whole life
- Israel waited 100’s of years
Question: What are you waiting for?
- Are you waiting for a loved one to find Christ?
- Are you waiting for a loved one to find you?
- Are you waiting for peace?
- Are you waiting for direction?
I think one of the temptations we have when we are waiting for God’s timing is to take matters into our own hands. To rush God, force God’s hand and get things moving.
Scripture says…
Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. The will walk and not faint.”
Philippians 4:6 “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.”
So when God answers:
No: Then grow
Not yet: Go Slow
Yes: Go
III. Jesus was the gift to the outcast Shepherds
a. Even though they were in charge of keeping the temple sheep, they were not necessarily looked upon as favorable.
b. Could it be that Jesus, born of humble beginnings in a stable, identifies exactly where you are today?
Question: Have you ever felt unacceptable?
- Didn’t have the right clothes to wear to school
- Never hung out or were invited to be with the popular crowd
- Never had the latest gadget (i.e. iPhone/ Xbox) you always had last year’s model
- Maybe always wearing hand me down clothes
- Or maybe felt like no one ever took you seriously when you had something to say
- No one valued you opinion
- You feel like you’re always in the minority rather than the majority.
That is who Jesus comes to first; the shepherds
Look at his ministry:
- Samaritan women at the well
- Matthew the tax collector
- Mary Magdalene: outcast
1 Peter 5:7 “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.”
Question: What worries or cares do you need to give to Jesus this time of year.
IV. Jesus is the gift of good news for everyone.
A. Jesus gave us the gift of himself (4)
a. It’s the offer to know Jesus Christ personally
b. To have a friend, fellowship and relationship
Gifts are meant to be received. Have you received Jesus Christ?
- Do you have a relationship with him?
- Can you talk, confide, seek his counsel and direction?
- Do you feel at ease in His presence, like you would a close friend, or do you feel like you have to clean up your spiritual house before you welcome him in?
If the answer is no, you don’t have that kind of relationship, the good news is this morning, that you can.
All you have to do is ask: Confess your sins, ask for his forgiveness, and he will come into your heart. It can happen this morning.
B. A gift also has great value
a. Value is sometimes in the eye of the beholder
b. May mean nothing to one, but have great value for another
When you look in the manger, do you see just a figurine that represents presents under the tree; or do you see what the Hallelujah Chorus sings “the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
C. The gift also has to be received
a. It’s available to everyone, but it has to be received and opened.
b. God doesn’t force himself on anyone.
What would happen if you took all this time searching, shopping for just the right gift. Took it home, wrapped it nicely, and then waited with anticipation for them to open it. Then once you gave it to them they simply shoved it to the side.
John 1:12 says, “But to all who believed him and accepted hi, he gave the right to become Children of God.”
This Christmas, don’t leave him under the tree unopened. Don’t leave him placed on the shelf of years gone by when you first accepted him, but have become too distracted or busy. Take him with you. This is the time.
Conclusion: In this whole story there is a response:
Shepherds: v. 15 Come on, let’s go to Bethlehem. Let’s see this wonderful thin that has happened which the Lord has told us about.”
What would have happened if they’d not responded?
But because they did, v. 18 “All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,…”
Or Mary: Who quietly treasures these things in her heart and thought about them often.
God gave the gift of time…
a. Time to reflect - Past
b. Time to rejoice - Present
c. Time to remember- Future
Application: Think of how your life would be different if…
a. White Elephant Gift: Listen, I’m just on the fringe with all this stuff. I don’t want to commit, I don’t want it to cost me anything more. I’ll give what I can, but I’m just in it to make me feel good. (May this year, it’s that you take a step closer. You take Jesus down off the shelf and instead of trying to make room for him, allow him to be the room, and let him fill you with his presence.)
b. Functional Gift: Jesus, I need you to replace something in my life which is broken. (Marriage or relationship/ financial instability/ unemployment or physical condition) (You allow him to heal that which is broken, and to receive his forgiveness and grace. Because some people don’t want to be healed. But that’s not you.)
c. Romantic Gift: I need some emotion in my life. I’m so tired, and drained, even burned out. God I need a renewed spark in my life. (Maybe this year you find the joy and excitement all over again of loving and serving him. The sparkle of renewal and rekindled love)
d. Unusual Gift: You question where or what God is doing, and you walk away saying …Huh?.... (Rather than saying, Huh, you learn to trust his timing and accept his will by faith.)
e. Returnable Gift: I’d just like to start all over and run away. (Rather than running away, you nail down your faith, and make a fresh start)
f. Re-gift Gift: We just want to repackage the problems in our lives, put a different tag on it, so that we don’t have to deal with it. (Instead of repackaging your problems, you allow them to become part of your story of God’s grace in your life. That you become excited about giving away your story to help others.)
But, just maybe you’re like…
g. Timely Gift: Maybe Jesus is exactly what you need today.
Endnotes:
1. Leonard Sweet: Sermons.com "Have a Jolly Imperfect Christmas this Year."
2. John Maxwell: "A Gift Worth Waiting For"
3. Alan Perkins: "The Greatest Gift" Sermoncentral.com
