What is Christmas

Dec 23, 2018 – What is Christmas  - Isaiah 9:6

 

Intro:  Christmas is observed by billions around the world.  For many Santa will be the central figure, giving gifts will be the main activity and good will to all will be the primary meaning.  But what does Christmas reason mean?  For some it is anticipation, preparation, recreation, frustration, prostration and recuperation.

 

1.  For Isaiah looking at it 700 years before the event it looked like this. 

 

a.  For unto us a child born, unto us a son is given.  Isaiah saw this child as a gift, for himself and all mankind.  Do you view Jesus and the salvation as a gift?  A gift you did not deserve and could never have earned.  You know what the best Christmas gift is, “it is being in the presence of a family all wrapped up with one another.”   He saw Jesus as the Son.  Matthew saw Jesus as the Son of God.  Luke and John Saw Him as the Son of Man.  The Father saw Him as a beloved Son in whom He was well pleased, which He testified at Jesus’ water baptism, transfiguration and in the temple just before Jesus died.

b.  Christmas is a testimonial.  It testifies of man’s need, that we have a sinful condition

and our need for a saviour.  We could not save ourselves so Jesus became our substitute.

c.  Christmas is a testimonial to God’s love.  John 3:16 is the succinct statement of what Christmas means. 

d.  Christmas is God’s love responding to man’s need. 

c.  It is a testimonial to the obedience of Jesus Christ. 

 

2.  Isaiah saw the future as a time when, the government will be on His shoulders.  When Christ is truly Saviour and Lord.  There is a new King on the throne of our hearts.  A new sheriff in Dodge, a new potentate in our world.   Who sits on your throne?  It will be shown by how you think, speak, act and live.  What is real exciting that not to far in the distance future this government will be here on earth.

 

a.  Christmas it a tribute of the saving power of Jesus Christ, 

 

1.  People of every generation have celebrated Christmas. 

2.  People of countries around the world celebrated Christmas.   

3.  People of every generation and country have been saved, because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Heb 13:8

 

b.  It is a tribute to the keeping power of Jesus Christ.  This is my 44th Christmas. 

 

1.  We can trust Jesus to face us.  John 1:12.

2.  We can trust Jesus to keep us.  John 6:38-40 and 1 Pet 1:4-5

Christmas was the time where God shock the world with a babe and not a bomb.

 

3.  Isaiah saw this person as the Wonderful Counselor.  We can go to Jesus with anything and He can guide through the Holy Spirit.  James says if we lack wisdom we can ask of God who gives it to us liberally.  He will help us.

 

a.  Jesus is the Mighty God.   Mark presented the deity of Jesus Christ and proving by what He did.  John presented His deity and then explained it as Jesus being God with a face.  Jesus being 100% God and man.  The perfect mixture and balance of humanity and deity. 

b.  Everlasting Father. Jesus is the author of salvation.  He is integrally connected with the Father.  When you see the Father you see Jesus and vice versa.  The trinity is a mystery.  Yet there are so many illustrations for it, water as a gas, liquid and solid.  Body, soul and spirit, earth, water sky, past, present and future.  He is the Head of the Church, First Born among the Resurrected, Father of Salvation.

c.  Lastly, Isaiah saw Him as the Prince of Peace.  One who gives peace that the world can’t give and the world cannot take away.  E.C. Mckenzie wrote.  “Christmas carollers sing about Peace on Earth, but they don’t tell where to find it.”  My response to that statement is in the arms of the Prince of Peace.  He is the giver and administrator of peace.  Jesus is also known as the Prince of Life.  The irony of  Christmas can be that it is a time to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace by giving our children replicas of bombs, guns, rockets, machine guns, video games that glorify killing and tanks.

 

4.  Lastly Christmas is a time of thanksgiving. 

 

a.  We should be thankful for God’s provision.  Christ came to save sinners.  1 Tim 1:15 

 

1.  The Holy Spirit came to reprove sinners.  Jn 16:8

2.  The gospel is given to direct sinners.  Rom 1:16

3.  The church is called out to call sinners to Christ.  Matt 28:19-20

 

b.  We should also be thankful for the freedom.

 

1.  To preach the gospel.  There are dozens of countries around the world that do not allow this.  In many in fact it means deportation, imprisonment and even death. 

2.  To respond to the gospel.  In many countries and cultures to become a Christian is an offence punishable by imprisonment, seizure of property, loss of family and again death.

3.  So let us thankful today.  Remember showing good will towards all men is the spice of Christmas.  Also remember how you spend Christmas is more important than how much you spend.