***Matthew 2:1-11
One of the phrases often heard in the Christmas holidays by Christians and non Christians alike is The spirit of Christmas. Many are mistaken about what the real spirit of Christmas is;
1. Its not something that you catch in December after the thanksgiving holidays like you would catch the common cold or the flu. This is not the real Spirit of Christmas.
2. Just like catching the flu is no good, catching or getting the spirit of Christmas in this manner is also bad for you and will most likely get a person into trouble or serious debt. I was recently at the mall and I heard someone say that; ?as soon as I go shopping I catch the Christmas spirit?. Have any of you gone shopping lately? As we get closer to Christmas people get more violent. They push and shove, they fight (Carmen and Myra saw a fight at wal-mart the day after thanksgiving because of a toy. Not kids fighting but parents).
3. The idea is that its Christmas and you have to get into the joy of the spirit. Charge it now and pay for it later.
4. The real Christmas spirit is not going out with the people at the office or with friends to get drunk and do all the things that you don?t normally do any other time of the year. To some this is the spirit of Christmas.
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WE SEE THE REAL SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS IN THE TESTIMONIES OF THE WITNESSES IN THE BIRTH OS JESUS;
#1) First we have the testimonies of the wise men. (Look at what they say in verse 2),
?Where is He that was born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him?.
· There are several things that show the Spirit of Christmas;
· 1. They came from very far seeking to catch a glimpse of the Lord.
· 2. They wanted to worship Him. If you want to have the right spirit at Christmas, You must have an attitude of seeking Him and an attitude of worship.
· 3.They came from far away (from the east verse 1, probably from the country that is now Iran).
· ? How far are you willing to step out of your comfort zone this Christmas to see the Lord and worship Him?
· The church suffers in attendance at Christmas because many rather go shopping than come to church to worship Him.
· But while others were shopping the wise men came to worship Jesus.
· The Bible doesn?t say much about the wise men. Only that they were wise and that they were from the east. Theologians say that they may have been part of a religious order in Iran that were knowledgeable in astrology( the study of the stars), medicine, and science.
· they were the scientists and the wise men of those days
· The right spirit of Christmas is a Spirit of wisdom . Make sure that you make wise decisions this Christmas as you shop for your friends and loved ones. Give them some thing that is going to help them. (some Christians give liquor for Christmas to their friends, this is not operating in the spirit of wisdom).
#2) There is the testimony of the star.
· The star is what brought them to Jesus in the first place. Verse 2, ?For we have seen His star?. It was the star or the light of Christ.
· The Spirit of Christmas is a Spirit that sheds light. Jesus said in Mathew 5:14, ?You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. (A Christian that is standing up for Jesus will not go by unnoticed). Verse 15, ?Neither do men light up a candle, and put it under a bushel (where it cannot be seen), but they put it on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house?(to all at work, to all in the church, to all in the street, to all in the family, to all). Verse 16, ?Let your light shine so before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven?. (When men see our good works it brings glory to God).
#3) The testimony of the Chief Priests and Scribes.
· Verse 5, ?and they said unto him, in Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet?.
· The real Spirit of Christmas is not one of fables and myths but of the word and truth.
· Tell your kids the real meaning of Christmas.
· Tell people what the celebration is really all about. Tell them what the word says about the birth of Jesus.
#4) The real Spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Joy. (Look at verse verse 10),
?When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy?. Christmas
brings joy because its about Jesus. This is why we sing ?Joy to the world
the Lord has come, let earth receive her King?
· Notice that it wasn?t just joy that they experienced but ? exceeding great joy?. It was out of the ordinary Joy!!!, it was lots of joy!!!, it was overabundant joy!!!, The kind that people would criticize you for. (Look at your neighbor and tell him; Excuse me but I?m about to exercise some Joy!!!
· They made fools of themselves in front of everyone. And it didn?t matter to them who was watching!!!
· They didn?t ask for permission to have joy or excused themselves but at that moment it was only them and God.
· (Look at your neighbor and tell him; excuse me but I?m about to make a fool of myself in front of God and praise Him!!!.
· They had all the reason in the world to make fools of themselves!!! Why not? We make fools of ourselves at the football game!!! Why not do it for Jesus?\
#5) The final point is that; The real spirit of Christmas is a spirit of giving
without expecting anything in return. ?It is more blessed to give than to
receive?.
· ?And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh?.
· These were presents that represented who He was and His life
· Gold represented His acknowledgement as a King. A sign of His royalty.
· Frankincense His deity. It was used to burn incense to God. A sign of His divinity.
· Myrrh represented His suffering. It was used to anoint the bodies of the deceased.
*Also the kingly, priestly and prophetical offices of Christ are represented in these gifts.
*Look at the progression in chapter 11; They saw Him, then they worshipped him, and they presented Him with gifts.
*?Have you given Him the glory for being King in your life, for being God in your life, and for all of the suffering that He endured for you???
