Introduction
Today we begin a Christmas teaching series called “The Spirit of Christmas.” What do you think the “Spirit of Christmas” is? (Allow responses)
Perhaps it might be best to begin with what the Spirit of Christmas is not:
Fully-loaded eggnog or other drinkable “spirits”
The ghost of Christmases past, present and future as portrayed by Charles Dickens
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, yuletide carols…
The smell of pine, cinnamon or gumdrops
Risking your life to hang the Christmas lights on your house
Waiting in line for hours so your child can sit on the lap of a complete stranger with bad breath wearing a red suit
Hundreds of presents equaling thousands of dollars neatly stacked beneath a parched, highly flammable pine tree
Fruitcake
Fighting your way through specials and clearance sales at the department stores
Eartha Kitt singing “Santa Baby”
Bath-robe clad children singing “Happy Birthday, Jesus”
It is not the belief-inspired ring of a jingle bell, a reformed Grinch, a lamp made out of a leg or an oversized Elf looking for his real dad in NYC
Re-gifting fruitcake
It isn’t even gift-giving, being with those you love, silent nights and harking angels. The truth is that many people have missed the true spirit of Christmas and have settled for the cheap, glittering, plastic, consumeristic substitutes.
This morning, we will discover “The True Spirit of Christmas” (show title) as revealed in the Bible which detailed the events surrounding the birth of Christ.
MESSAGE
We are going to briefly read through the main texts about and around the birth of Christ. I want you to listen for a theme.
Luke 2:10–14 (NIV) —10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:16–20 (NIV) —16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:22, 25-33 (NIV) —22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
Luke 2:36–38 (NIV) —36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:10–11 (NIV) —10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Did you notice the theme? Did you catch the true spirit of Christmas hidden in these storylines?
The true spirit of Christmas is worship.
When we look at the Biblical accounts surrounding the birth of Christ, we should quickly see that the common response is worship, praise, amazement, adoration (review).
The Christmas story reminds us that when the presence of the Creator intersects with the lives of His created the response should be worship.
What is worship? (Give examples of common answers)
There are numerous definitions of the word worship. Yet, one in particular captures the essence of true worship: Worship is to honor with extravagant love and extreme submission (Webster's Dictionary,1828).
The word comes from the old English worth-ship which means "to ascribe worth or value to something or someone.”
Worship is defined by the priority we place on who God is in our lives and where God is on our list of priorities.
Worship does not deal with what we make our bodies do — singing, kneeling, or praying. But worship consists of who we are, what our heart is feeling, what we truly value (which is determined by our time, money and energy).
Human beings are hard-wired for worship. Because of this, worship of someone or something is inevitable.
All people worship for worship is the fundamental difference between humans and animals.
God has placed eternity in man's heart (Eccl 3:11). This urge causes men everywhere to worship. If they are not worshiping the true God, they are worshiping a god of their own making.
Worship is not merely an aspect of our being, but the essence of our being as God’s image-bearers. As a result, all of life is ceaseless worship.
Everyone worships all the time. Atheists, agnostics, Christians, and everyone in between are unceasing worshipers. Everyone, everywhere, all the time, is always worshiping. While the object and method of worship varies, the act of worship does not.
Worship is continually happening. It underlies every action and attitude we manifest. It colors all our life and goes far beyond a couple of hours on Sunday morning.
Worship touches us all the time. Everything we do springs from our concept of what is important and valuable to us.
Practically, this means that while worship does include church services, singing songs, and various forms of liturgy, it is not limited by these things, defined only as these things, or expressed only in these ways because worship never stops.
Rather, we are continually giving ourselves away or pouring ourselves out for a person, cause, experience, achievement, or status.
Sadly, as the doctrine of the fall reveals, much of how we pour ourselves out and what we pour ourselves into in worship is someone or something other than God.
We worship ourselves, the rich & famous, created things, religious form, work, entertainment, wealth, and smart devices (technology). The most violated command of God is the very first commandment (no other gods). This is followed with the second command (idols).
So this begs the question. Who is missing from these Biblical accounts of Christ’s birth? Who did not show up to worship God Incarnate? Who should have known better? Who should have been in tune — anticipating such a glorious event? The religious people.
What were they worshipping instead of worshipping the Christ? Their old, dead religion? Their own selfish gain? Their identity based on their religion?
The True Message of Christmas is God with Us — Immanuel. God’s presence intersecting with man’s existence. Therefore, the True Spirit of Christmas must always be worship.
What is worship? To honor God with extravagant love and extreme submission. The test of true worship is the priority we place on who God is in our lives and where God is on our list of priorities.
CONCLUSION
Briefly introduce the remaining messages in the series.
This Christmas, I challenge you to return to the true wonder and awe and worship of the God who came to be with us.
