The Beauty of Christmas
Chuck Sligh
December 18, 2016
TEXT: Matthew 1:18-2:2 – Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
INTRODUCTION
ILLUS. – Guess what—There really is a Scrooge! Listen to this from a newspaper article a few years ago:
Yes, Virginia, there is a Scrooge. His name is John Denny and he lives in the house with “Scrooge lives here” spelled out in white lights on the roof.
“Christmas come and Christmas goes,” said Denny, of Sauk Rapids, Minn. “I don’t see why we all go crazy for it. For me, the post-Christmas letdown starts with the first Visa bill, and that come about the end of November.”
Last year, he gave his wife, Sandy, coal for Christmas. His children, Chrissy and Rob, call him Scrooge. So this year he gave himself the name by putting the sign on the roof.The Scrooge business really got its roots three years ago when Denney looked at the many houses around his and noticed they were all ablaze with decorative lights during the holiday season.
He wanted to be different, so he put up a sign that said, “Bah, humbug.”; the next year the sign said, “Go Grinch.” This year, Denney wanted to put up a sign saying “Scrooge, let Timmy die,” but his family thought that was going too far. “They wouldn’t let me do it,” he said. (Source: December 12, 1993, Stars and Stripes.)
Well, few people, with the possible exception of Scrooge, or the Grinch who stole Christmas, could dislike Christmas! Now some things, like drunkenness, and the rampant materialism that’s associated with Christmas—those things I do not like.
But I thoroughly enjoy most everything else of the festivities and activities of Christmas. I love…the lights, the special music, the holiday food, Christmas trees and decorations, the fun and games, the gift giving and receiving, the football games, and the special times with family and friends.
Most of all, I enjoy celebrating the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ—my closest friend of all. Christmas is truly a beautiful time of celebration if Christ is kept first.
Central to the beauty of the Christmas season are three things found in the Gospel accounts of the Christmas story, which I would like us to consider today.
I. FIRST IS THE STAR OF CHRISTMAS – Matthew 2:1-2 – “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
Illus. – When I think about the star of Christmas, I’m reminded of the story of the children in a Christmas pla Each child was given a placard with a large letter of the alphabet printed on it. Here was the plan: they were all supposed to stand in a certain order to spell out the words B–E–T–H–L–E–H–E–M S–T–A–R. However, the star section got their letters out or order, and the result was that they spelled out B–E–T–H–L–E–H–E–M R–A–T–S!
The Bible tells us that the wise men saw a unique star in the east and followed it to the place where Jesus lay. But these wise men were very discerning men. They apparently knew that this star represented the long-awaited Messiah. They asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
But the real star of Christmas was not the star the wise men saw in the sky. The real star of Christmas was the Person to whom the star led.
Listen to the prophecy of the Messiah in Numbers 24:17a – “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel…”
You see, the real Star of Christmas is Jesus Christ Himself. John 1:7 says that John the Baptist “…came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light [speaking of Jesus], that all men through him might believe.”
JESUS is the Light that shined through the entire world so that all may believe.
But many people have never placed their faith in Jesus Christ and have never had their eyes opened spiritually to see the Star or Christmas. If you have never put your trust in Jesus, then the Bible says you are in spiritual darkness.
In John 3:10, we read, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
This describes our condition without Christ. By nature, we love darkness, even if we do many good things, and our deeds are evil.
But Jesus is the light that leads us out of the darkness.
In John 8:12, Jesus said, “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” – In Jesus, you can find light.
Turn with me to Acts 26:18, where he explains by he preached: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. ” – This passage promises you four wonderful things if you come to Jesus, the Star of Christmas:
1. Your spiritual eyes will be opened. – That is, your blinded spiritual eyes will be enlightened so that you can truly love, understand, appreciate and serve God.
2. Second, you will be “turned from darkness to light.”
A blind person cannot turn to the light because he has no discernment of the light or darkness.\ Once Christ opens your spiritual eyes, you turn from the darkness of Satan’s sin and deception to the light of truth and holiness.
3. Third, you will “receive forgiveness of sins” – All your sins, past, present and future are forever and irrevocably forgiven—washed away by Jesus Christ.
4. Finally, you will receive “an inheritance.”
That inheritance is eternal life. Jesus said in John 3:36 – “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
If you will turn from your sin, and receive the Star of Christmas—the Light if the world, you will have the promise of eternity in heaven with God!
II. A SECOND THING THAT MAKES CHRISTMAS ESPECIALLY BEAUTIFUL IS THE SIGN OF CHRISTMAS.
What is the sign of Christmas? It is found in Isaiah 7:14 – “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
What was the sign?—It was the fact that a “virgin shall conceive.” The sign of Christmas is the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
Look back at our text in Matthew 1:18 – “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is one of the most important doctrines in the Bible.
Why?...
1. First, because it proves the deity of Jesus Christ (that is, that he was and is God) – Matthew 1:18 says – “…she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
That last phrase means that Jesus had no earthly father. God the Holy Spirit was the one who planted the seed in Mary. Therefore, though Jesus was one-hundred percent HUMAN through Mary, He was also one-hundred percent GOD through the Holy Spirit.
2. Second, the virgin birth is important because it means that Jesus could live a sinless life.
Why?—Because if he was virgin born of the Holy Spirit, He was the Son of God, and God is not capable of sinning.
The New Testament clearly teaches the sinless perfection of Jesus Christ on this earth:
a. Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus was “…in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
b. 1 Peter 1:19 describes Jesus as “…a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
c. 1 Peter 2:22 tells us that Jesus “…did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:”
Jesus could be perfect because as the virgin born Son of God, He did not inherit the sin nature all of us have.
3. Third, the virgin birth is imnportant because it means that if you have believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you can be assured that Jesus was a suitable sacrifice to pay the penalty for your sins.
You see, if Jesus were not virgin born, He would have had a sin nature and could not have lived a sinless life. Consequently, He would not be able pay for our sins on the cross if He too were sinful. It would have just been another sinful person like you and me on that cross. Only a pure, spotless, holy, righteous sacrifice could be made for our sins. In the final analysis, we would still be in our sins and under God’s judgment of God the Father if indeed Jesus had not been virgin born.
BUT PRAISE GOD HE WAS!
III. A THIRD THING THAT MAKES CHRISTMAS BEAUTIFUL IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS.
Matthew 2:2 talks about the wise men.
JOKE – By the way, you know what the occupation of the wise men was, right? (You southerners in the congregation will enjoy this!) They were firemen. We know this because the Bible says they came from “A–FAR.” (Southern for “a fire.” ?
Well, whatever their occupation truly was, there was something they did that created for us the SPIRIT of Christmas.
What is the spirit of Christmas?—Why, it’s THE SPIRIT OF GIVING. They brought gifts to Jesus and established a long Christmas tradition that has been practiced in every Christian country to this day.
Jesus said – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35b) But the greatest gift of all was the Lord Jesus Himself.
Paul said, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15) – The Greek word translated “unspeakable” in the KJV means “inexpressible” or “indescribable.”
Jesus said in John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…”
I’ve had some exciting Christmas gifts in my life
Illus. – I remember one year as a boy, wanting and getting a walkie-talkie for Christmas. – Wow!—That was one of the best Christmases ever!
Illus. – One year I got a train set with the little plastic trees,…little plastic houses,…plastic grass,…little plastic cars,…little plastic bridges…and little plastic people with a little plastic baby carriage,…well, you get the idea. – That was fun to play with for weeks.
Illus. – Another year, I got a complete soldier outfit—fatigues, helmet, play rifle, boots…the whole kit-and-caboodle. – How excited I was!
Yes, I’ve had some exciting gifts in my lifetime. But nothing compares to the inexpressible, indescribable gift of Jesus Christ!
Not only has God given us the indescribable, inexpressible gift of Jesus, but He also has given us the wonderful gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Do you view salvation as something that you earn through good works or religion, or as a totally free gift? The Bible repeatedly tells us that salvation is a gift, using that very word to describe it:
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
It’s the wonderful gifts of Jesus Christ Himself and His free gift of salvation which contributes to the spirit of Christmas, and makes Christmas such a wonderful season.
CONCLUSION
Once you sweep away all the trappings of Christmas, all the festivities, and all the external trappings, you get right to the essence of Christmas.
These are the things that make Christmas a beautiful season for me:
1. The Star of Christmas—Jesus Christ Himself, my Savior, my Lord.
2. The Sign of Christmas—The virgin birth of Jesus Christ, which proves His deity and guaranteed that He could live sinlessly and be an adequate substitute on the cross for our sin.
3. The Spirit of Christmas—The spirit of giving.
What you give to someone this Christmas season could bring him or her great joy and happiness. But it will pale by comparison with the great gift God has given to us. He has given to us the precious, unspeakable gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
How about you: Have never received Jesus as your Savior: The Star of Christmas can change your life forever and give you the most precious gift of all—salvation, forgiveness of sins, a new nature and a new life.
Illus. – There is a true story of two families living side by side in the mountains of Kentucky many years ago. The two families had been fighting and quarreling for years— The feud started when Grandfather Smith’s cow jumped over the stone fence of Grandfather Brown and ate his corn. Brown shot the cow. Then one of the Smith boys shot one of the Brown boys.
In fact, he shot two of them, while the Browns had shot only one of the Smiths. Bill, the oldest in the Brown family, decided to even up matters, especially since it was his own father who had been killed.
But then Bill was called away to the First World War. While he was away, his mother had a hard time providing for the family.
One Christmas, Tom, the head of the Smith clan took his wife and children to church. Usually he stayed outside, but it was so cold, he decided to go in and wait. The sermon was on Christ, the Prince of Peace. The message was a powerful one that penetrated his hard exterior and at the invitation, he walked down the aisle to be gloriously saved.
On the way home, he passed the home of the Browns, and he began to realize what a crime he had committed in killing the breadwinner. You see, that’s what happens when you’re saved by God’s grace.—You get a new nature and new desires, and the Holy Spirit begins to show you right from wrong and you have a new desire to please God.
Tom Smith prayed, but he did much more.—He decided to secretly to help them. He hired a small boy to carry a basket of food to the Browns every day.
When Bill came home and heard of the kindness, he decided to find out who the generous helper was. So he followed the little boy one day home, and the next day he followed the boy to see where he went to get the food.
He was flabbergasted when he saw that the boy went right to the Smiths’ home, and out he came with his basket of food. Bill Brown knocked on the door and standing in front of him was Tom Smith.
“Shoot me, Bill, if you want to. You certainly have a right.” Bill stood speechless for a moment, and then he told him he had come to thank him for taking care of his family while he was gone.
Then Smith explained what had changed him. He had heard the story of the first Christmas, the story of the Prince of Peace. The Prince of Peace—the Star of Christmas—changed his life forever. It changed him from a fierce man—a murderer—to a man of love and peace.
Maybe you’ve never done anything so bad as murder, but if the Star of Christmas can change the heart of a hardened murderer, he can change you. Come to the Light. Come to Jesus.
