The Gift Of Christmas 2015

The gift of Christmas 2015

Luke 2:8-15

Introduction-

We are 5 days away from Christmas!

I hope that you have a good handle on present buying, have at least bought the food, and you have a game plan on how you will get to see or talk to those that are important to you.

I said last week that I watch the actions of others.

I see most live their lives depressed and in trouble spiritually.

Truth is, it hurts to see people like that, we have the answer, and His name is Jesus Christ.

I watch them run from God who is the very person that they should be running toward and the one they need the most in their lives.

God coming down, leaving heaven was the most amazing and revolutionary thing that will ever happen on earth.

God being God, came in human form so that He could redeem mankind.

Isaiah tells us- “He was sent” to proclaim freedom to those held captive, heal the brokenhearted, mourn with those that hurt, and release people from darkness.

The Old Testament shows God as powerful, aggressive, and a no-nonsense God who is jealous and demands us to follow Him.

God has a plan- He chooses to come, to redeem us because we cannot do it on our own.

He comes humbly and was born in a stable, raised by loving parents, that never had a relationship with each other till after He was born.

A miracle incarnation that reveals God will go to extreme measures to show each of us how much he loves us. I am going to ask you this morning, do not accept or settle for anything less than an intimate relationship with God because if you do you will cheapen it to our standard instead of God’s love and standard.

Luke 2:8-15 read from Bible

The night that God came was a night like every other night. The shepherds were doing what shepherds do, they were guarding their sheep.

The scripture tells us that it happened at night.

I believe, to show us that God can break through the darkest of nights, illuminating the sky with a message of hope.

“I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people, today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is the messiah, the Lord.”

Have you ever forgotten anything?

Sure we have!

It is easy to forget.

It is easy to get our priorities mixed up

It is easy to lose the true meaning of something if we do not stay focused.

Illustration-

You know who gets Christmas right? Charlie Brown

Picture Charlie Brown picking out an ugly tree, branches falling off and everyone mocking him for getting the ugly tree.

In despair, he says that he doesn’t know the true meaning of Christmas. His friend Linus informs him by quoting our text. (read it like Linus would)

(8) “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. 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. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about the child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

And this folks, is what it is about!

It is about the gift of God.

It is about God with us.

It is about God caring for us and loving us.

God could have come into a royal family, where nothing is to good for the God of the universe, but he chooses to come and announce his birth to lowly shepherds and being born in a dirty stable that nobody cared if he came or died. No room in the Inn of live!