What Does Christmas Mean?

What is Christmas?

Mt. 1:18 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, 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 Immanuel"--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. (NIV)

• Christmas means many things to different people.

(1) A holiday (2) Giving Gifts (3) Receiving Gifts (4) Business opportunity…

• If our world needs anything today it is a clear understanding of the MEANING of Christmas!

As a Christian I have four responses to Christmas…

1- At Christmas I Celebrate a BIRTH.

1.) Jesus’ BIRTH was not like any other birth in history. He was born of a virgin!

2.) Why a Virgin Birth? [To provide a sinless man - sin affected all men Rom. 5:12-14]

3.) Jesus’ birth produced a being Who is both GOD and Man.

What a marvelous mystery!!!! [Heralded by Angels, Attended by Kings,…]

4.) With all of the rush and WORRY it is easy to forget Christ even at Christmas. [No Room]

5.) I need to be reminded that God has sent His Son into the world to RESCUE man.

2- At Christmas I Concentrate on GOD As A Father.

1.) Remember Jesus came to bring a lost world back to God the FATHER.

2.) Christmas is a statement of God’s CONCERN for man. [Agnostic]

3.) A Christmas that focuses on tree and trim really misses the POINT.

4.) The message is that God really does CARE about His creation!

“Peace on earth, goodwill toward man.” (Lk. 2:8-14)

3- At Christmas I Communicate a STORY. (Consider a Saviour)

1.) The story of a Saviour. The word Saviour means - one who comes to SAVE. [Deliver]

2.) He came to save His people from their SINS. (Mt.1:21)

3.) Jesus Christ the SON of God is “The Saviour”. (Acts 4:12, Jn. 14:6)

4.) What a great opportunity for me to let Jesus SAVE me from my sin!

5.) The Bible says, “All have SINNED and come short of the glory of God” (Rom.3:23)

6.) Because this is true all men need a Saviour!!!

4- At Christmas I Anticipate Christ’s SECOND Coming.

1.) Jesus promised during His preparation for death that He would COME again. (Jn. 14:1-3)

2.) What better time for Jesus to return for those who are waiting for Him than when they are

BUSY… Celebrating His birth, Concentrating on the Fatherhood of God, Communicating the story, and anticipating His Arrival?