The True Gift of Christmas is Jesus!
Matthew 1:18-25
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, [1] because he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel" [2] --which means, "God with us." 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
1)What Christmas is really about.
This Christmas season let remember that…
-Jesus us the reason for the season!
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People are rushing to get the hottest toy.
-2 days after Christmas they are broken.
-2 months after Christmas we are still paying
the bills.
God doesn’t want to buy us the hottest toy
–He doesn’t even want to give us what we think we need
·It would only disappoint us like the broken
Christmas toys, which were supposed to bring
happiness.
God being such a loving Father gave us the best gift ever!
·The opportunity to be saved from the sin of this world.
·The opportunity for eternal life after death – in heaven.
God’s gift to us is JESUS!
-He came to bring us salvation!
-That is the greatest gift you can receive
this year!
***If you cannot afford the
-Latest play station for your kids
-or the hottest tickle me doll.
-or all the other things advertisers promise
happiness with.
(don’t worry)
-That’s okay don’t be depressed
-give them your love and teach them to be thankful for all they have!
If you don’t get a lot of Christmas gifts this year – don’t be discouraged – just remember...
-- “It’s not your birthday anyway you’re celebrating –
it is Jesus’!”
The only gifts Jesus wants to receive this year is:
-The gift of broken hearts laid at his altar – looking
for a Savior to fix them.
2)Even Jesus’ name as a baby reveals that He was God’s
gift to us!
This passage of Scripture called the God Child by 2 names.
-Jesus
-Emmanuel
Jesus means: “The Lord Saves!”
Emmanuel means: “God is with us!”
God gave us a Christmas gift –which you won’t find on the shelves at Target
- That even the wealthiest could not afford.
God gave this gift to the whole world – Rich & Poor, Red, yellow, Black, tan, & White
*God came to live with us (Emmanuel)
*God came to save us (Jesus)
If we want God to be with us / If we want Jesus to Save us….
-We must unwrap the Gift of God’s love in our hearts
– by believing in Jesus …Accepting His salvation… and
living for Him!
3)It is not about what you have this Christmas but WHO
you have.
When Jesus came He did not come in a pretty box with a bow tied on it.
-He came wrapped in swaddling cloths (rags!)
When Jesus came He was not placed under the Christmas tree
- He was placed in a manger (a trove where animals are
feed)!
THOUGH HE WAS A KING -Jesus had less at his birth – than any of us in the room have!
-His family was not depressed by their poverty … they
were excited that
God had blessed them with a miraculous baby!
Jesus had come to someday save them from their sins!
-Just as his name declares. “The Lord Saves!”
*It was not about what they had but Whom they had!
If you Let gifts, toys, $, Christmas trees, Candles, and decorations – rule the season you will become depressed by what you lack!…and what you have
-But if you let Jesus be the reason for the season- you will have JOY that others without Him cannot understand!
This year….
-Let Jesus save you if you have never given Him your
life.
-Let Emmanuel, God with us, be with you!
-The Gift God Gave us is Jesus!
-It’s His birthday – So lets celebrate for Him!
Don’t forget…
-Jesus is the reason for the season!
-And He desperately wants the gift on knowing
you more intimately.
