Christmas through Their Eyes
“Christmas through MARY’S Eyes”
Luke 1:31-33 & 2:6-7, 19
Introduction: Show pictures of optical illusions. What do you see?
Today we are beginning a series of sermons that will help us see Christmas through the eyes of various people. When we see Christmas I hope all of you will see CHRIST! When we look at Jesus, people see different things.
Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman, and MercyMe wrote the following is a song entitled, I See Love:
Some see a teacher standing on a hill speaking words of wisdom.
Some see a healer reaching out his hand to give sight to a blind man.
Some see a dreamer wasting his life on what can never be.
Some see a fool dying for his dreams.
But I see love, I see love Light of heaven breaking through.
Well I see grace I see God's face shining pure and perfect love.
As we look at these verses from Luke 1 & 2 I want us to see what Mary saw when she looked at Jesus. So come with me as we see “Christmas through MARY’S Eyes.”
To Mary…
1. Jesus was a King to serve. (1:31-33)
“Name him Jesus” – His name means Savior. We will talk more about this next week as see Joseph’s viewpoint because the emphasis in this passage is on His role as King.
“He will be great” – Sometimes people wonder if their rulers be it king or president will be good or not. Towards the end of their terms people begin to talk about “legacy building” – for what will they be remembered?
Answer is given here – to paraphrase Tony the Tiger: He’s GRRRREAT!
Jesus would be great in His love, great in His compassion, and great in His sacrifice. He would live a great life, teach great parables and give great sermons. He would heal with great power and be a great example. He would die a great death and would be resurrected in great power. He would give the great commission and ascend to a great height. He will come again in great glory. And He longs to make great changes in your life and in mine, if we will but let Him. --Brian Bill, Pastor, Pontiac Bible Church
“He’s the Son of the Highest” – A clear reference to God. Also remember what the angels said to the shepherds?
“Glory to God in the highest!”
“Throne of His father David” - Here is a reference to Him being Messiah. He came through the lineage of David. Promised in 2 Samuel 7:12-16.
v. 33 – “His kingdom will not end” – Jesus’ reign as King is forever and ever.
Sometimes we see an end of one leader and the beginning of the next and we are saddened that it is over. We can see the next is going to be worse and thus are lives are going to be more difficult, BUT JESUS REIGNS FOREVER!! His “term in office” will never end!
He is King of kings and Lord of Lords!
Are you serving Him as your King?
2. Jesus was a Son to nurture. (2:6-7)
“Time” – Literally the end of nine months of carrying this baby inside her.
But I also think it is a good reminder that Jesus came at just the right time.
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)
Jesus came at the time when Rome was at its zenith and the spread of the gospel could go quickly around the known world on roads built by Rome!
God’s timing was impeccable and at just the right time Jesus was born!
“Gave birth” – Jesus was born. He was not hatched or found in a cabbage patch. Nor did He just suddenly appear out of thin air. He was fully human just as He was fully divine (“Son of the Most High”).
“Wrapped and placed” – He needed someone to nurture and care for Him. Strips of cloth was wrapped around Him to keep Him warm.
As the hymn writer wrote: “Fullness of God in helpless Babe”.
This is why Herod was inspired by Satan to try and murder Him while He was still a toddler! He is helpless and could be struck down if not for the intervention of God and His caring human parents.
This should remind us that Jesus knows how to care for you because He had someone to care for Him. He knows what it means to care for someone.
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:3-5 (NIV)
“No room in the inn” – The world did not care, but Mary did and Jesus does. “Let every heart prepare Him room.”
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)
Jesus cares for you. Will you let Him? Will you go to Him and cast all your cares on Him?
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)
Wrapt in His swaddling--bands, and in His manger laid,
The hope and glory of all lands is come to the world's aid.
--John Keble (1792–1866), English churchman and poet
3. Jesus was a Treasure to cherish. (2:19)
What do you think about Christmas? Is it a stress inducing season? Is it a time of increased activity? Is it a period of increased debt?
NO! Christmas is a Treasure named Jesus!
“kept” – She held on to these memories and reflected on them. She put them in a safe place.
Like we do with something that we consider a treasure. We lock it away in a place for safe-keeping and then bring it out and show it to people that we love.
“pondered” – weighed them in her heart. She considered each of these thoughts and kept that which was most important. “Weighty matters”
My goal is… that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3 (NIV)
Conclusion: Mary illustrates that hungry heart that wants to understand the depth of this great salvation. --John MacArthur, Pastor, Grace Community Church
What is Jesus to you? As you look at Him do you see something different than the world around you?
Is He your King?
Is He the One that cares for you – your burden bearer?
Is He your precious Treasure?
