THE HOPE OF CHRISTMAS
LUKE 2:7; 21:27
Danish Philosopher Soren Kierkegaard tells the following story: Once there was a king who was very rich. His power was known throughout the world. But he was not happy because he wanted a wife. Without a queen, his vast palace was empty.
One day, while riding through the streets of a small village, he saw a beautiful peasant girl. She was so lovely that his heart was won. He wanted her more than anything he had ever desired. For many days he would ride by her house on the hope of seeing her for just a moment in passing.
He wondered how he might win her love. He thought, "I will draw up a royal decree and require her to be brought before me to become the queen of my land." But, as he considered, he realized that she was a subject and would be forced to obey. He could never be certain that he had won her love.
Then he said to himself, "I'll call on her in person. I'll dress in my finest royal clothes...wear my diamond rings...my silver sword...my shiny black boots, and my most colorful tunic. I'll overwhelm her and sweep her off her feet to become my bride." But as he thought about this idea, he knew that he would always wonder if she had married him for the riches and power he could give her.
Then, he decided to dress like a peasant, drive to the town, and have his carriage let him off. In disguise, he would approach her house. But somehow, even this plan didn't appeal to him. But at last he knew what he had to do.
He'd shed his royal robes...go to the village and become one of the peasants. He would work and suffer with them. He would actually become a peasant. And that is what he did. And he won his wife. This plot has been played out in numerous movies and stories...but the heart of this tale has much in common with the Christmas story.
It's a great illustration of how God sought to win the world. He sent His Son to earth as a lowly baby born to a common ordinary couple. He laid aside His royal robes and became one of us. And He did win His bride...the church.
And yet there are some very distinct and wonderful differences...because even though Christ set aside His royal robes and His majesty to become one of us...this great event in history was not done on the sly...it was heralded by the hosts of heaven. On that special night multitudes of angels burst into chorus and announced, "Hey everybody...a baby is born!"
I have absolutely no evidence to support it...but I can't help but think that the angels were actually singing the Hallelujah chorus. Handel was inspired to write it many years later but I have a hunch his inspiration came from a song the angels had already sung.
But not everyone heard that angelic choir that night...just a few shepherds on the side of a hill. In fact, not everyone even noticed a new star in the East...hung there by a proud Father announcing the birth of His Son...the Newborn King. Only a few Wise Men from the East saw its brilliance and followed its path.
Though Jesus claimed to be the light of the world, not every eye was open to receiving the glorious light of the Son of God. Some were blinded by their own religious forms and ideas....many were simply absorbed in the most basic reality of life with their eyes focused on just being able to make a living in a difficult world.
But things are surely different today, Right? We have the benefit of hindsight and the New Testament to tell us all about this great event and what it means to each of us. And as we look around our homes...our church...our community...it's clear that America is ready for Christmas.
The decorations are all up...the presents bought...the caroling completed. In just a matter of hours we'll be set to celebrate the Lord's coming as a babe in a manger. And it's great to look back and celebrate one of the greatest events in the history of mankind. We enjoy hearing the familiar passages that tell of coming of the Christ child.
But this morning I want to be a little non traditional and go beyond what would be normal for a Christmas Eve sermon. I want to look today at the gospel of Luke...because Luke not only gives us one of the most familiar passages concerning the coming of the baby in a manger...but he also speaks of an event where Christ would make an another appearance here on earth.
In Luke 2:7 he speaks of the first advent...READ v.1 7 But it was also under the same inspiration of the Holy Spirit that Luke penned the words about Jesus' next coming...Read 21:27
His first coming to Bethlehem brought great joy to many people...first of all, of course, to Mary and Joseph. But also to the shepherds...and the wise men...and Simeon...and Anna. And as Jesus grew and began His public ministry multitudes realized just what had taken place in the birth of this man.
It was the fulfillment of prophecy that people of this nation had hoped and dreamed of for hundreds and hundreds of years. When they realized the Messiah had finally come, they were filled with great joy and anticipation.
But His next coming will bring even greater joy at least it will to the child of God. Now, as we look all around it's obvious that America is ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus...but is America ready for Christ's next coming?
If we knew that the moment of His return could be tonight...would it make any difference in our lives? Would it change our plans for this holiday season? Wouldn't that be great if on the day we celebrate His first coming...He would come back to gather His saints and take them to be with Him? Wouldn't that be tremendous...Or would it?
Well, we don't know when that day will be, but through His word Jesus has made sure that we have the real message...and that message is this "I came once...and you can be sure I will come again."
Let's take a moment to consider just a few of the similarities and differences that exist between our Lord's first coming and His next coming. One thing that sticks out are the prophecies concerning His first coming.
Jesus' birth was announced 700 years before it happened by the prophet Isaiah. We all know the words found in Isaiah 7:14, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel."
500 years before His birth it was even prophesied where this event would take place. In Micah 5:2 the prophet says that, "You Bethlehem...though you are little, out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel."
But the next coming of the Lord has also been clearly announced. After only a few short years with His disciples Jesus announced that He would have to go away. This was something they neither wanted to hear or accept. How would they live without Him? All their hopes and dreams rested on this man.
But Jesus Himself told the disciples not to be worried, because even though He would be going away...He would definitely return. (John 14) Some of the most comforting words for any Christian should be those found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18 READ
Once again we can see the truth that began with a babe in a manger has a message that says, "I came once...and I will come again!"
Jesus' first coming changed the world. In just 3 1/2 years of ministry He turned the world upside down. Since July I've been attempting to show you the ministry of Jesus...what He taught and what it means to us...how it's to impact us in our lives and ministries. And what was that?
While He was here on earth He taught the principles of the Kingdom of God...He performed miracles...He battled Satan and his temptations...and He showed us a new and living way of life. Take a look at Hebrews 10:19 20 READ....
The birth of Jesus was not given so we'd have an excuse to decorate the house and give and receive presents from others. It wasn't so we could get a few days off work. It was to give us access to God through the shed blood of that one born in a lowly stable.
He was born in that stable so that He could die on a cross. It was not His birth...but His death on the cross where He defeated death and opened the way of salvation to all who will look to Him, believe Him, and then follow Him.
His first coming changed the world. But His second coming will also change the world. The Bible says the dead in Christ will be resurrected. And what a great and precious promise, especially at this time of year.
There are many here this morning who have felt the passing of a loved one this year...some very recently. And this Christmas season will be a difficult and lonely time as we gaze on that empty chair...as we gather together as families that have grown smaller.
In many ways this Christmas just won't be the same without that special person who is gone. But that is where as Christians we have even more cause for celebration during this season. Because those who had accepted Christ as Savior but have now gone to be with the Lord will one day very soon be reunited with us again.
And all Christians who are alive when Jesus returns will be instantly changed and given eternal bodies. When Jesus comes again weakness will be turned to strength...defeat will be turned to victory...and all our human frailties will give way to divine immortality. There will be no more pain...no more trials...no more tears...no more sickness...no more temptation...no more death.
When He comes the second time we will be changed. And it will happen quicker that the time it takes for a light to come on when the switch is thrown. 1 Corinthians 15:52 says it will happen in the twinkling of an eye. Thank God that He will come again!
There are other differences that are striking. When Jesus first came to earth His life was marked by humility. Born in a smelly barn, a stable...to parents of the normal working class...in a small town not known for greatness.
He was a man who wasn't too good for the downcast and the dregs of society. He ministered to the sick...even the lepers who were shunned by the religious as well as secular society. Isaiah speaks much of this suffering servant. And even in His last moments on earth He stooped to wash the feet of His disciples.
But in His next coming, oh it will be much different. He will be clothed with majesty. In Revelation 19, John saw it this way..."I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True...His eyes are like blazing fire and on His head are many crowns...He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood and His name is the Word of God. On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!! Hallelujah!!! Glory to God!!! That's exciting!!!
You see, Jesus came the first time to make Christians...but He's coming the second time to take Christians. And the important thing for us...especially during this time of year when our focus is on everything but the Savior...the important thing is to be ready!
And that is why Jesus came the first time. John wrote, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17) This morning you can be made ready by putting your faith in Jesus as Lord of your life. In fact, it's the only way!
In 1 John5:12 it says, "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." It's just that simple.
There are many who willingly acknowledge that Jesus was who He claimed to be...and yet they never make that conscious decision to ask Him into their heart and life. And because of that they are lost eternally.
Christmas is a time of celebration. And people of every possible background and lifestyle will join in this celebration. But for many it will be an exercise that will one day bring nothing but an eternity of grief. Many recognize the birth of the Christ child...but fail to realize the reason He came. They celebrate His first coming...but the second one will bring nothing but horror and shame.
Jesus' birth validated the claim of the prophets that the Savior would come...but it also validates the fact that He will come again...this time not as a babe, but as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will come first to gather His own...and then to cast those who have rejected Him as Savior and Lord to everlasting punishment separated from Him forever.
Today we have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in a way that will last for all eternity. It was John Wesley who once said, "What would you do if you knew you would die tonight?" That is certainly a question we all need to face.
But I want to leave you with this question...What if this day set aside to recognize His birth would be the very day He would return to claim His own? Would this be a day of celebration...or a day of horror and grief?
Jesus' first coming in Bethlehem is indisputable history...it's a proven fact. But His next coming in the clouds is undeniable prophecy. He came once...and He will come again. Open your heart to Jesus today.
If you do...you'll enjoy every Christmas as you celebrate His first coming...and the Holy Spirit will prepare you for Christ's next coming...and that will be an event you won't want to miss!
READ POEM.............
Jesus is the reason for the season...and the reason He came was to give us eternal life. Make sure you leave this place this morning with the greatest gift of all...your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life!
