The gift of Christmas 2015
Luke 2:8-15
Introduction-
We are 5 days away from Christmas!
I hope that you have a good handle on present buying, have at least bought the food, and you have a game plan on how you will get to see or talk to those that are important to you.
I said last week that I watch the actions of others.
I see most live their lives depressed and in trouble spiritually.
Truth is, it hurts to see people like that, we have the answer, and His name is Jesus Christ.
I watch them run from God who is the very person that they should be running toward and the one they need the most in their lives.
God coming down, leaving heaven was the most amazing and revolutionary thing that will ever happen on earth.
God being God, came in human form so that He could redeem mankind.
Isaiah tells us- “He was sent” to proclaim freedom to those held captive, heal the brokenhearted, mourn with those that hurt, and release people from darkness.
The Old Testament shows God as powerful, aggressive, and a no-nonsense God who is jealous and demands us to follow Him.
God has a plan- He chooses to come, to redeem us because we cannot do it on our own.
He comes humbly and was born in a stable, raised by loving parents, that never had a relationship with each other till after He was born.
A miracle incarnation that reveals God will go to extreme measures to show each of us how much he loves us. I am going to ask you this morning, do not accept or settle for anything less than an intimate relationship with God because if you do you will cheapen it to our standard instead of God’s love and standard.
Luke 2:8-15 read from Bible
The night that God came was a night like every other night. The shepherds were doing what shepherds do, they were guarding their sheep.
The scripture tells us that it happened at night.
I believe, to show us that God can break through the darkest of nights, illuminating the sky with a message of hope.
“I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people, today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is the messiah, the Lord.”
Have you ever forgotten anything?
Sure we have!
It is easy to forget.
It is easy to get our priorities mixed up
It is easy to lose the true meaning of something if we do not stay focused.
Illustration-
You know who gets Christmas right? Charlie Brown
Picture Charlie Brown picking out an ugly tree, branches falling off and everyone mocking him for getting the ugly tree.
In despair, he says that he doesn’t know the true meaning of Christmas. His friend Linus informs him by quoting our text. (read it like Linus would)
(8) “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about the child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
And this folks, is what it is about!
It is about the gift of God.
It is about God with us.
It is about God caring for us and loving us.
God could have come into a royal family, where nothing is to good for the God of the universe, but he chooses to come and announce his birth to lowly shepherds and being born in a dirty stable that nobody cared if he came or died. No room in the Inn of live!
Shepherds were not the most liked people.
They were dirty, reputation was bad, they were thieves.
Displaced socially because it was easier for them to talk to sheep than people, spiritually they were unclean and not allowed to go into God’s temple. It was a dangerous job so most rough and tough guys.
Max Lacado (Applause from heaven)
Ordinary night with ordinary sheep and ordinary shepherds. And were it not for a God who loves to “hook” and extra on the front of ordinary, the night would have gone unnoticed. The sheep would have forgotten, and the shepherds would have slept the night away.
The angel came at night because that is when the lights are best seen and that is when they were most needed. God comes into the common for the same reason.
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called, not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God shows the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
It is where rough characters get called to preach the gospel.
It is where God shows His love to the un-loveable and makes them feel like they are important.
It is where God overlooks the past of the dirty and down and out and offers them a better way.
It is where nobodies become somebody’s.
Because somebody said you are somebody. Amen.
If we truly believed at that darkest moment, that God would shine his brilliant light on us and tell us to not be afraid, that a savior was born, he has come to save us- We like those dirty shepherds would respond joyfully.
We could not keep living the way we were, but would be forced to see for ourselves.
(15) “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see the thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
That God would love us that much- maybe we need to respond- let’s go check this out!
Maybe we would be okay being a fanatics !
Maybe the greatest gift this year will not come in a box!
Maybe it is in the manger. That we would respond to God by loving him like he loves us.
Maybe this year, the greatest gift you can give is saying “I am sorry”
Maybe this year, the greatest gift is saying “I forgive you”
If we really grasp Christmas – “peace on earth, goodwill toward men” begins with us.
Maybe the world would say that is a bit fanatical, but it could change our lives forever.
God says, here is my gift, it is not just a baby in a manger, it is an offer of forgiveness and salvation.
A love not only to God, but reflected back to people around us.
You want peace? It is found in Jesus Christ for your life, it is a relationship with Him.
You want peace with others?
That same relationship of love and forgiveness is shown to those who don’t deserve it.
Just like you don’t deserve it, Jesus did it anyway.
Illustration-
If a celebrity was coming here next week, the place would be full.
If Jordan Smith who won The Voice this week was to be here, people from all over would come to hear what he had to say, try to touch him, get their picture with him.
But what if a homeless man came here, smelled when he came in, walked to the middle aisle? Would we go to him? Would we welcome him? Show him the attention we would a celebrity? (Pause) I would hope so! The contrast is striking! But God loves them the same. He came for both!
“Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
Jesus did not preference any group-
He came to the least to show we all matter to God.
All matter to God!
That would be the sign Jesus would carry at a demonstration- All matter to me!
I think there is a sermon here-
I am moved by the compassion of Jesus for each one of us.
Don’t let Satan deceive you into thinking you were excluded from that because you are not!
He had you in mind, when he came. He gave his best and wants you to respond.
Closing, but give me a minute
What better time than at Christmas to restore that relationship with God?
Many battling God over something that happened in their life. He wants you to respond.
Let’s go see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.
What say you this morning? Want to accept His gift?
What about this morning realizing the forgiveness that has been given to us by God when we don’t deserve it. How about extending that out to someone today?
Long time friendships destroyed over words.
Maybe today you could say I am sorry and truly mean it to restore relationships.
Maybe today you could say I forgive you. Restore what the devil has stolen.
The love offered by God to us who are undeserving, must be given to others so that the peace only God could give can come to us.
God brings peace at Christmas time and every day after.
I believe that the word of God tells us that there will always be terror, crime, violence, but we don’t have to be afraid, we do not have to live in unrest.
We do not have to live without the peace of God, or the forgiveness of God.
“Let’s go see this thing that has happened.”
Merry Christmas everyone!
We hope to see you at Christmas Eve service, but let’s allow God to change our lives and make this Christmas different.
“The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Amen.
