Series: Rhythms of Christmas:
What are rhythms? A strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.
Thesis: Christmas always has a rhythm to it! Something happens at this time of year – some call it the magic of Christmas or the Christmas Spirit. But Christmas brings a rhythm to it. My goal in this message is for you to get into rhythm with the Spirit of Christmas!
Introduction:
The world around us brings a rhythm with it – if you are at the ocean there is a rhythm to the waves – have you ever listened to the rhythm of the waves? Your heart has a rhythm to it and if it gets off its rhythm you will know it. There is rhythm to a degree when you are listening to clocks – especially the ones that do the tick tock-tick tock-tick-tock sounds. You need rhythm to be a good dancer if you lack the connection with the rhythm of the music then you will mess up as a dancer. Being in rhythm is essential in this life too!
There is also a rhythm to playing music and if you get off rhythm people will know it immediately. Just ask any musician!
This month you will hear and experience the rhythms of Christmas: There will be bells ringing, bells inside and outside the stores and you will hear them on the corners of streets – usually by the Salvation Army! You will smell the rhythm of Christmas in the holiday meals and cookies.
There will be Christmas Music on the radios, in the elevators and in the stores and you hear Christmas music in the malls. Carolers will be singing along with choirs in concerts and even in neighborhoods. There will appear the Christmas lights on many homes and nativity scenes will arise across the landsape of our communities. All displaying the true rhythm of Christmas. We will see in store displays and on Social media the rhythm of Christmas. Commercials will seek to intice you to buy the Christmas Spirit. The Christmas movies will start playing on the Tv and even new Christmas movies will come out in the theaters. Christmas cards will start coming in the mail. Christmas will be in the air and it will also be all around you as you look and listen!
If you listen to the Spirit of Christmas you will connect with the true rhythm of the Spirit this season.
The rhythms of Christmas seem to usher in the Christmas Spirit – some will embrace the rhythms of the season – yet others will fight against it saying, “Bah Humbug!” But the rhythms will play over and over again seeking to influence and take root in the hearts of the listeners and lookers.
The truth is rhythm is all around us. Music has rhythm, poetry has rhythm, dancing has rhythm, seasons have rhythm but what about your life? Is it in rhythm to the Spirit of Christmas. Christmas is a time when the usual rhythms of life change around us and even inside of us. Yes change occurs in our own rhyhtm as we take the time to focus on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the true reason for the season! I am praying that you will read, see, hear, taste, smell and experience the true rhythms of Christmas! Jesus is at the center of these rhythms.
I pray that you will be in sync to the Christmas rhythm and experience it through the Christmas story of Jesus. We need to experience the rhythm of Christmas through His divine rhythm and learn how those rhythms can be synced up to the soundtrack of our life today. Jesus is the only source to sync us into a rhythm with God and the Holy Spirit!
God wants you to enter into the true rhythm of Christmas and experience the most amazing rhythm of life itself – Jesus personally and intimately!
You may be thinking even asking how do I get into the real rhythm of Christmas – How do I get into rhythm with the true Spirit of Christmas?
Lets first look at a classic Christmas Song:
The authorship of the worship song "O Come, Let Us Adore Him" has been attributed to various groups and individuals, including: The most recent version by Passion and it is a powerful and deeply resonating worship anthem that has touched the hearts of millions around the world. Written and composed by Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and Ed Cash, this song captures the essence and true meaning of worship during the Christmas season. With its compelling lyrics and captivating melody, “O Come Let Us Adore Him” invites listeners to come, behold with adoration and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
The words of this song can also be linked back to St. Bonaventure in the 13th century or King John IV of Portugal in the 17th century, though it was more commonly believed that the text was written by Cistercian monks. However, the hymn known as “O Come All You Faithful” seems to be connected with “O Come Let us Adore Him” and was actually written by John Francis Wade in 1743. The words do vary and are different but some make this connection between the two songs.
O Come Let Us Adore Him:
O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ, the Lord
O come all ye faithful
Come let us adore Him
O come all ye faithful
Come let us adore Him
Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
Sing all ye citizens of heav'n above
Glory to God
Glory in the highest
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore Him
Christ, the Lord
O come all ye faithful
Come let us adore Him
O come all ye faithful
Come let us adore Him
O sing hallelujah
Come let us adore Him
O sing hallelujah
Come let us adore Him
Yes Lord, we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to Thee be all glory giving
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ, the Lord
O come all ye faithful
Come let us adore Him
O come all ye faithful
Come let us adore Him
O sing hallelujah
He alone is worthy
O sing hallelujah
He alone is worthy
O come all ye faithful
Come let us adore Him
O come all ye faithful
Come let us adore Him
O sing hallelujah
He alone is worthy
O sing hallelujah
He alone is worthy
He alone is worthy
I see 3 steps from this worship song we need to do this Christmas Season to get into the true rhythm of Christmas and connect rhythmically with the Spirit of Christmas this year!
Thesis sermon: We need to worship the Lord by coming to Him, then focus our eyes on Him and behold Him, then with our hearts adore Him. If we do these three things we will start to be in rhythm with the Spirit of Christmas.
Texts: Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 2:1-12
Luke 2:1-20:
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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.”
15 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.”
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.
Matthew 2:1-12:
The Magi Visit the Messiah
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Introduction by Swindoll:
Years ago I received a Christmas card from Insight for Living and from Chuck Swindoll. He highlighted the importance of going into the Christmas season with the right approach to Jesus and to the Christmas Season. He highlighted “O Come Let Us Adore Him” This Christmas worship song and hymn tells us how we should approach the Lord Jesus this Christmas season. There is a three step approach to worshipping Jesus which he highlighted and which I want to highlight to you today! If we choose to do these three things then we will be in rhythm with the Spirit of Christmas.
I . First we must “Come” to Christ if we want to worship Him.
A. It means we leave our normal pattern of doing things to make time to come to Jesus! We change our rhythm!
a. Sometimes we discover that the rhythm we are in is a large rut and we have to choose to get out of the rut.
i. Matthew 11:28-30:
1. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"
b. This rut is created by our minds, our hearts, our emotions or even our actions.
i. We repeat the same mistakes over and over – we do the same things over and over and we refuse to break the cycle we are trapped in.
ii. The Christmas story tells us to leave were you are at and what you have always done and come to Jesus!
1. You have to choose to leave the old ways and come to Jesus – it means travel – it means breaking your routine – it means leaving your comfort zone and going to a new place.
B. Luke 2:15,16 – The Shepherds are an example of this.
a. The Shepherds have and angel appear to them at work!
i. It’s a supernatural sign with divine singing and the introduction of the rhythm of the Messiah who has descended to the earth – the shepherds are invited to come and see Jesus- to leave their everyday world and see a miracle.
ii. Yes God can send an angel to your work place to say – Hey guys come check out Jesus!
1. Yes, people have received divine calls to leave the place they are at to go to a new place to experience the ryhtmn of the Spirit of Jesus!
b. The angel was sent not to a king but to shepherds at work. Don’t miss this point! The message came to the nobodies in the field not to the leaders of Israel!
i. This should lets us know that just because our jobs are routine does not mean we cannot have a heavenly encounter at work!
1. We need to work but be open when the Spirit comes to go to a place to see Jesus!
ii. The Shepherds did not just listen to the announcement they responded. They went to Bethlehem.
1. They broke their normal pattern and left the field to go find the reason for this season!
a. You need to do the same!
2. Bethlehem name signifies the House of Bread.
a. It was a fitting place for the Savior to be born- He was the true manna. He was the Bread of life which had been delivered to earth from Heaven. He was a special delivery.
i. Micah 5:2
3. The shepherds came to Jesus – You too must break your normal rhythm of life if you want a divine encounter with Jesus!
4. The shepherds came to Jesus to receive eternal life! The Bread of life!
a. James 1:22 says to be a doer of the Word not just a hearer only!
c. The key to see here is they came! The first step toward worshipping Jesus and getting into the rhythm of the Spirit of Christmas is you must COME to Him.
i. Are you following me – break the pattern of your life – and come to Jesus so you can get into rhythm with Him!
ii. Not only did the Sheperds do this so did the wise men!
1. The Sherherds journey to Jesus was most likely only a hour or so away! But the wise men broke their normal rhythm of life to go find Jesus months in advance some say years in advance.
C. Matthew 2:1-12 – The Wise men as an example.
a. The Magi (wise men) followed the star and came to Christ and by the time they found Jesus he was about 2 years old.
i. Sorry to bust open your nativity scenes – the wise men came 2 years after the birth of Jesus according to Scripture!
ii. They stopped their regular routine and sought after the King of kings so they could worship Him. It took them two years to mind the Messiah!
1. You could say their two year journey was set in motion by the star they saw- it called them to leave their home and get into ryhtmn with the Spirit of Christmas.
2. Are you willing to do this to come to Jesus?
3. Are you willing to take a journey?
iii. These men came from the east to seek out the King –the Messiah.
iv. They saw a star and followed it. They did not ignore it they chased after it.
1. The star is a symbol of a Prince – Jesus is the Prince of Peace!
a. Do you need peace this season? Come to Jesus!
b. Rev. 22:16 tells us that Jesus is the “…Bright and Morning Star.”
2. The star was glowing from Heaven and these men packed up and followed it – not knowing were it would led them. But something inside them told them to get into the rhythm of following this star!
a. Note: This was not a common place phenomenon.
b. Note: The star was unusual and it drew their attention.
c. Note: This star moved and it lead them to Jesus.
d. Note: It was a supernatural star which lead to a supernatural Prince and King.
v. They followed the star because of Daniel’s influence years earlier. They knew of the Prophecies of the Coming Messiah – The coming King of Kings.
1. They took upon themselves the task of seeking out this King.
a. They wanted to see the King! The King of Kings! The Lord of Lords!
2. Truth: A person who wants to worship the truth will seek out the King of Kings. They will break out of their rhythm of life and seek to be in ryhtmn with the Spirit of Jesus!
3. They will come to Him no matter what they have to endure to get there. They will travel to see Him!
a. They will stop their daily routine to go find Him!
4. They knew they where seeking the King of the Jews.
a. The Savior of the World!
T.S.- The first step in Worshipping Christ and getting into rhythm with the Spirit of Christmas is to “Come” to Him! Are you willing to come to Jesus – are you willing to move toward Him – are you willing to break your routine to see Him! The Second step in the process of of getting in rhythm with the Spirit is to “Behold Him.”
II. The second step in worshipping and getting in rhythm with the Spirit of Jesus Christ is to ‘Look upon him” to “Behold” Him.
A. To Behold something Hebrews 12:2:
a. 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
i. What does it mean to fix our eyes on something?
1. We lock and load our eyes and our mind on Jesus!
2. We cannot turn away – we have to keep gazing at Him – we want more of Him!
3. The original Greek word used here is "aphorao," which means to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something else. In this case, that something—or rather, someone—is Jesus. This implies an intentional and continuous focus on Jesus, placing Him at the center of our thoughts, actions, and decisions.
B. Luke 2:16-18 the Sheperds are an example of this:
a. The Shepherds were the first to arrive, they got to see Jesus 1st - They beheld Jesus in the manger and gave Him their full attention. They looked at Him in amazement. They looked at Him in awe and wonder.
i. I believe they could sense the powerful presence of God.
1. When they looked into the face of Jesus!
ii. When you gaze on Jesus are you awe struck?
1. This is a good question – are you awe struck?
iii. How do I know they were awe struck? – Because they went out and told everyone else what they saw – they told of who they saw – result: then others wanted to see Him – to behold Him in awe and wonder!
1. They wanted to see the Messiah because of the testimony of the Shepherds!
iv. They experienced the Word of God that had become flesh. Love personified was lying in that manger – they saw it – they experienced it!
1. John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
a. Have you beheld the glory of Jesus – have you seen him in all his glory!
i. Question: Are you in awe of Jesus?
b. People in Scripture according to the Gospels said they were in awe of Jesus!
i. They were amazed by Jesus – Jesus fort he most part was respected and praised! People were amazed at his miracles, His teaching, His actions, His mercy and grace!
2. Revelation 1:10-18: have you seen him like John saw him?
a. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
i. John revelas to us – that this is what it means to behold Jesus in His glory – trust me when you do this - you will want to be in rhythm with Jesus and His Holy Spirit.
ii. When you really Behold Jesus you will fall to your knees in reverence and awe of the Great I Am.
C. Matthew 2:10,11 the Magi are another example of those who Beheld Jesus:
a. The Magi also beheld Him. Thye looked with awe and wonder on Jesus as a toddler!
i. They bowed to Him as a toddler – He was the king of Kings and the Lord of Lords!
1. They could see what He was going to do – he would heal the broken hearted, set people free from sin!
2. They could see him healing the hurt, giving sight to the blind.
3. They could see Him declaring the message of salvation.
4. They could see He would be the living sacrifice for the sins of the world!
a. Can you see Him - Jesus– can you look into eyes and behold His glory – people?
b. Question: Are you getting a vision of Him being unveiled to you today!
i. Do you see him in His glory?
ii. They gazed in adoration and honor to him.
1. Quote – “Through Christ’s coming we see as in a mirror the spotless excellent and loving face of God.” Clement of Alexandria.
2. When you see Jesus you see God the Father!
iii. They too (The Magi) sensed His presence in an awesome way.
1. Do you sense the presence of God – can you see Him – He is here!
a. You have to open your spiritual eyes to see Him!
iv. When you take the time to behold the Messiah you to will sense His presence in an awesome way.
1. You will see things that you have never seen before!
T.S.- First we are to “Come” to get in ryhtmn with Jesus then we are to “Behold” Him (Gaze upon him with awe and wonder) then next we need to “Adore” Him!
III. The third step in being able to worship the Lord and to get in rhythm with His Spirit is to “Adore” Him!
A. Scriptures which explain adoring Him:
a. Matthew 2:11: "They saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him".
b. Psalms 2:12: "To 'kiss the Son' in Psalms 2:12 is to adore and worship him".
c. Psalm 66:1–4: "All the earth will worship You. And sing praises to You; They will sing praise to Your name".
i. Adoration is a form of worship that involves more than just saying "I adore You". It's about humbling oneself before God, surrendering to His control, and adoring Him for who He is. Adoration should be reserved for God alone.
B. Luke 2:20 is an example of how to adore Him:
a. The Shepherd’s showed they adored Him by glorifying and praising Him.
i. This is why we worship him people!
b. They went out telling all what they had seen and heard.
i. They testified of Jesus to those that did not see Him!
ii. Are you doing this?
c. These shepherd’s were truly changed by what they had participated in and beheld and seen and experienced.
d. They had to tell all.
i. Do you have a passion to tell all about Jesus?
e. When you come to Jesus and “behold” him and “adore” Him you cannot but help talking about him.
i. When a person is in love with someone have you noticed you they talk about the most?
1. Do you talk about Jesus and what He has done for you?
C. Matthew 2:11,12 is another example of how to adore Him:
a. The wise men adored Him by bowing to Him and showing Christ respect and honor.
i. Have you bowed your knee to Jesus!
b. They bowed in reverence and worshipped Him in love and reverence.
i. Have you done this?
c. They presented themselves to Jesus.
i. Have you presented yourself to Jesus?
d. They presented sacrifices to Him:
i. They gave gold, frankincense and myrrh all very symbolic.
1. Gold was always given to kings. It signified a paying of tribute to king. Idea tithing here!
a. Symbol – Kingship
2. Frankincense – As God they honored Him with the smoke of incense.
a. Symbolized his Divinity
3. Myrrh – As a man that should die, for myrrh was used in embalming of the dead and was given to Jesus to show that this son of God would die as a gift to redeem mankind.
a. Symbol of His humanity
ii. Have you presented sacrificial gifts to Jesus?
1. Have you given your tithe and offerrings to Him?
2. Have you sacrificed for His kingdom?
D. To adore something means to wholeheartedly be in love with that person.
a. To adore someone means you will do anything they ask you to do?
b. In the Bible, the Hebrew word yirah is translated as "awe", but it can also mean fear, respect, reverence, or worship.
E. Application: Some other practical ways to consider if you really adore Jesus include:
a. How you think about Jesus?
i. Do you think about Jesus often?
ii. Do you long to hear from Him through the Bible and sermons?
iii. Do you long to talk with Him in prayer!
b. How you act toward others?
i. Do you love the people Jesus loves?
ii. Do you defend Jesus' reputation when others speak poorly of him?
iii. Do you obey Jesus in public and private?
iv. Do you love others unconditionally!
v. Do you have ajudgmental attitude or loving attitude to others?
c. How you feel each day?
i. Do you feel delight in Jesus? Does that delight overflow into acts of worship and obedience?
ii. Do you rejoice and experience joy in him daily!
d. How you respond to Jesus?
i. When you see Jesus, do you feel warmed and lift him high in your heart? Or do you have an attitude with Jesus!
e. How you care for your soul daily?
i. Are you conditioning your soul to delight in Jesus?
ii. Are you putting your soul within earshot of God's grace?
iii. How is your soul? Is it healthy and right with God?
1. Is it twisted and distorted?
2. Is it filled with mercy and compassion for others?
F. Some ways to adore God include:
a. Admiring nature and recognizing His Creative nature!
b. Dedicating a period of silence to the Lord with no Cell phones.
c. Reading scripture aloud alone.
d. Memorizing scripture.
e. Singing songs of praise by yourself.
f. Loving others as yourself.
g. Praying through a psalm daily for a month.
Conclusion: Do you really want to worship Jesus and get in rhythm with His Spirit then do the following:
Come to Him - Move from a place out of your routine to the place were the rhythm of His presence abides – move toward His presence.
• We are to reach out toward God and come – you know how -just follow the light.
a. Question: Do you see the light – it’s glowing for you?
Behold Him – Do you hold a view of Him for a long period of time. Do you gaze at Him? Do you give you undivided attention to Him because you are grateful to Him.
• We need to focus our attention on Jesus and Him only.
• We need to see Jesus and connect with him.
• We need to get in rhythm to the Spirit of the Lord with our life!
Adore Him – this means to love Jesus greatly and to give Him divine honor – reverence - awe.
• It means to love Him with your whole heart, mind and soul and all you strength.
• It means to give Him what is His – your heart – your soul and your mind!
• It means to give with the spirit of generosity to His kingdom and His people.
