SLIDE – Introduction
I want to talk a little while this morning about the Star of Christmas.
Now, I’m NOT talking about the Star that appeared to the Maji.
That Star they led from Mesopotamia over to Jerusalem.
That Star that King Herod couldn’t see and didn’t know about.
So, Herod called the religious leaders and wise men of Israel
to inquire about when and where this
new-born king was suppose to appear.
That Star that these religious leaders
and wise men couldn’t see either.
They knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
It appears that they KNEW,
but wasn’t LOOKING FOR the Messiah.
That Star led them to Bethlehem, to the place of the Messiah.
I’m NOT talking about that Star.
I want to talk about THE star of Christmas.
We can read about THE star of Christmas in Luke’s Gospel
Let’s read Luke 2:1-15
The Star of Christmas is not on the top of our Christmas Trees.
The Star of Christmas is not Santa Claus.
The Star of Christmas is not the Grinch (who tried to steal Christmas).
The Star of Christmas is not our good feelings,
not our good-will toward men, not our giving of gifts,
not our hope for peace, not our special parties, feasts, presents,
or any of the rest.
The Star of Christmas is found in our passage for today.
The Star of Christmas is found in Verse 11
Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.”
Let’s unpack and break this verse down a little bit…..
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.”
This Star of Christmas is born “unto YOU.”
Not the angels - they had no need of the STAR of Christmas’
His incarnation, his suffering, his death and his resurrection.
Some angels, having never fallen from their original state
into sin (as mankind did) – had no need of a Savior.
Other angels, who did fall into sin by following Satan in his revolt,
a Savior was never designed or provided for them.
Messiah did NOT take on Himself, their nature,
nor suffer in their stead.
It is NOT unto them (any of the angels), but unto you (mankind).
NOT only the mankind of the Shepherds (who heard this) only,
NOT for the Jews only, but unto the Gentiles also.
In fact, it is unto YOU – you, personally; as well as mankind in general.
Isaiah 9:6-7, “For unto US a child is born, unto US a son is given:
And the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and justice from hence forth even forever, the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.”
This Christmas Star “is born this day”
This Christmas Star had to be BORN –
Our spiritual linage came from Adam & Eve.
Adam & Eve were created in God’s perfect garden (Eden)
Satan tempted Adam & Eve to doubt God’s Word.
“…..hath God said?….”
Is that want God really said?
Is that what God really meant?
Maybe God said it – but that’s when there was Adam only.
Now there’s Eve –things have changed.
Maybe it was good then but not for now.
But God doesn’t change – and neither does His Word.
Adam & Eve sinned and died spiritually, began dying physically
Therefore, we are born in sin, dead spiritually & dying physically.
Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into
the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
Because Man sinned, the judgment of God is on MAN.
So Mankind needed a MAN to be born that was WILLING
and ABLE to pay our price.
We understand that EVERY man (or woman)
born in this life is born under sin.
So this Man, to pay our price, could not be born like all the rest.
This man would need to be VIRGIN born (not under sin).
Matthew 1:23, “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.”
The Christmas Star had to be born THIS DAY – in the fullness of time
Galatians 4:4-5a, “But when the fullness of time was come,
God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under
the law, to redeem them that were under the law….”
GOOD NEWS!! – This Christmas Start IS born this day unto you!
Romans 5:12, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:19, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were
made sinners, so by the obedience of ONE shall
many be made righteous.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.”
This Christmas Star “is born this day in the city of David”
Messiah will be born of the linage of King David – as promised!
King David’s hometown is Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:6, “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not
the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”
This descendant of King David (born in David’s hometown)
will be on the throne forever.
I Chronicles 17:11-14, “And it shall come to pass, when thy
days be expired that thou must go to be with thy father, I will raise up thy seed after thee …. I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom forever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.”
This promised One, that was BORN unto US, THIS DAY,
in the CITY OF DAVID, will fulfil prophecy –
every jot and tittle.
Not just His birth but EVERY prophecy given of Him.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.”
This Christmas Star “is a Savior.”
This Savior means to make safe, to deliver, preserve, to make alive.
A Savior is needed to save because we need saving.
We are all under the curse of sin – death (physical & spiritual)
Romans 3:23,
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death …..”
Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there
is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
John 3:17, For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn
the world; but that the world through him might
be saved.”
Those in need of saving (Salvation) need a Savior!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.”
This Christmas Star “is Christ the Lord.”
Christ is the word “Christos”, the anointed, that is the Messiah.
The one promised from Genesis 3:15 over, and over, and over …
The Lord is the word Kurios (koo’-ree-os)
The Supreme in authority, the controller, master, GOD!
The SAVIOR is the MESSIAH, who is, in reality, the LORD GOD.
CONCLUSION
Maybe this verse sounds, and means a bit more to us now….
Luke 2:11, “For unto you
is
born
this day
in the city of David
a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.”
I guess by now, you have figured out that
the Star of Christmas is Jesus Christ
Let’s celebrate Him this Christmas!!
