The Glorious Birth Of Christ Series

THE GLORIOUS BIRTH OF CHRIST

Open: History and Lyrics of “What Child is This?”

What child is this who lay to rest

On Mary's lap, … He is sleeping

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing

Haste, haste to bring him laud

The Babe, the Son of Mary

The Holy Scriptures contain the story and revelation of the coming of the King of Israel. Throughout the Bible, this incredible event is documented, declared, prophesied, and promised over and over. … making sure that every man, woman, boy and girl knows (without any doubt) that the Birth of Jesus is the greatest story ever told.

The plan of God to redeem the world is all about the Christ Child, and the Christmas Story that transcends all of time.

God sent His only Son to be born in Bethlehem. At that very moment, all of mankind glorifies “the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in the manger”. There are many passages of scripture that proclaim the glory of the Coming of the King. This includes what was written by the Apostle Paul to the Church at Philippi

TEXT: Philippians 2:5 – 7

I would encourage us all to make this time of Christmas a special time to draw ever closer to Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God may want to do something very special for you and your family this Christmas. Christ deserves our attention everyday of the year, but Christmas should be an exceptional time of the year for us (as we sense the wonderful presence of Christ.)

Consider this: God works on us all in various ways at various times of the year. It has been my experience that God can easily catch us off guard with what He has planned for our lives. God challenges everyday of the year.

Here is the reason why God does some of the things He does:

God desires for you and I to be more like His Son everyday.

Notice Verse 5 (of our text), “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. Simply put, we have a lot in common with Christ. Did you know that:

1. Christ came to Earth much the same way you and I came to Earth.

2. Christ lived on Earth much the same way we live.

3. Christ (also) left this Earth much the same way we will one day leave this planet.

God intended our lives to similar to the life of Christ.

God intended you to be Jesus. And that is why God sent Jesus to Earth. That is – for Christ to experience life on Earth much the same way you and I experience life.

Let me explain:

There are two primary periods of time in the Life of Christ:

The EXALTATION of Christ, and the HUMILITY of Christ…

1. The Exaltation of the King:

Luke? ?2:13-14????

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

??We know that it wasn't just the angelic host (that glorified Christ). When the Christ Child came to this Earth, the Wise Men followed the Star to Bethlehem. These Wise Men came from the East to bring the Baby Jesus Gold, Frankincense and Myrh. And, when they saw the Christ Child, the Wise Men fell down and worshipped Him.??????

This was a special time in history and in the Life of Christ … when He came to Earth…the first time. The EXALTATION of Jesus was never greater than the first time He came to Earth.

Well, that is, until the Christ comes to this Earth the Second Time. This Second Time – Jesus won’t come to lie down in a lowly manger clothed in humility. When we see Jesus come to the Earth the Second Time, there will be shouts of adoration and praise that will be heard throughout the Universe!

Revelation? ?19:6? ???????

“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!”

Revelation tells us - that moment of the highest of praises, we will see Christ

riding on a white horse, His eyes will be as a flame of fire, and on his head will be many crowns…and out of His mouth goeth a sword…and on His thigh will be written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

All Praise and Glory be to Jesus when He came to Earth the first time, and (Praise and Glory) when He will come to Earth the second time!

God has a plan for redemption that began in Bethlehem, but the Christmas Story did not end there. In order to accomplish these great and glorious things, Jesus had to face: