The Holy Spirit & Christmas

THE HOLY SPIRIT

& CHRISTMAS

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. Two Aggies moved to a northern Canadian island. At Christmas they boarded a ferry off the island and went deep into the woods on the mainland, searching for a Christmas tree.

2. After hours of subzero temperatures and a few close calls with hungry wolves, one Aggie turned to the other and said, "I’m chopping down the next tree I see. I don’t care whether it’s decorated or not!"

B. THESIS

1. When we think about Christmas as it's described in the Bible, we think about the shepherds in the field, the Magi from the east, the trip of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and the murderous plots of King Herod.

2. But one thing that is overlooked is the role of the Holy Spirit in orchestrating most of the different events surrounding the birth of Christ.

I. THE H.S.’ ROLE IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY

A. JOHN THE BAPTIST’S PARENTS

1. Zechariah, his father was told about his son, “…he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.” Lk. 1:15.

2. Elizabeth, John’s mother, when she met the Virgin Mary, “When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Lk. 1;41.

3. At John’s birth, “His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied…” Lk. 1:67.

B. SIMEON AND ANNA

1. Simeon, a prophet, “Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.” Lk. 2:25-29.

2. Anna also was led by God’s Spirit to be involved in that great moment.

3. But the Holy Spirit's largest role is found in an event that we have yet to mention; the miraculous birth of Christ!

II. THE CONCEPTION OF THE CHRIST-CHILD

A. THE EARLY CHURCH

1. THE APOSTLES’ CREED: “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary...”

2. To an unbelieving world – who don’t believe in a Creator and miracles – the Virgin Birth sounds like myth and impossible.

3. Why did the Early Church believe it? Because:

a. It was prophesied in the OT and therefore expected.

b. There was never a time that the church did NOT believe in the virgin birth. The writing of Gospels date back to the lifetimes of the original followers of Jesus. There was no adequate time for the growth of a myth surrounding the birth of Christ. (compare that to the miraculous conception stories surrounding Buddha which began-5-10 centuries later!)

c. The Virgin Birth and miraculous conception are compatible with other beliefs about Christ and His mission in coming to this world.

B. THE HOLY SPIRIT & THE CONCEPTION

1. "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Lk. 1:34-35.

2. When Mary’s pregnancy was discovered, Matthew describes it as, “…she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” Mt. 1:18.

3. This was confirmed to Joseph her husband in a dream, when God told him, “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.” Mt. 1:20.

C. HUMOR: Is Jesus Still a Baby?

1. A girl of ten years went with a group of family and friends to see the Christmas light displays at various locations throughout the city.

2. At one church, they stopped and got out to look more closely at a beautifully done nativity scene.

3. "Isn't that beautiful?" said the little girl's grandmother. "Look at all the animals, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus."

4. "Yes, Grandma," replied the granddaughter. "It is really nice. But there is only one thing that bothers me. Isn't baby Jesus ever going to grow up... he's the same size he was last year."

5. Hopefully, Your concept of Jesus has gotten bigger – He is a bigger God than when you 1st met Him!

III. 5 REASONS THE VIRGIN BIRTH (HOLY SPIRIT CONCEPTION) WAS NECESSARY

A. IT’S IMPORTANT AS A SIGN

1. Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a SIGN: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

2. Several times during the Old Testament, God promised to deliver his people through supernaturally born deliverers. Their birth was foretold and sometimes involved the miraculous.