Part 4: The Meaning of Christmas
CHRISTMAS AT CRESTVIEW
PART 4
Luke 2:1-7
1. THE HISTORICAL TRUTH OF CHRISTMAS.
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.” Luke 2:1-3 (NIV)
2. THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… The true Light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” John 1:5, 9 (NIV)
Christmas is God’s plan to deal with the darkness of sin, evil, suffering and death, for good.
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:4-7 (NIV)
Jesus steps down to lift us up.
“When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord… and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons.’” Luke 2:22, 24 (NIV)
Jesus is poor.
Jesus is rejected.
Jesus came in weakness and humility.
“He was despised and rejected—a Man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down. And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for His own sins! But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5 (NLT)
3. THE ONGOING PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS
“The greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11 (NIV)
(a) We can follow Jesus’ example of humble service to others.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.” John 15:18 (NIV)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (NIV)
(b) Christmas teaches us to hope in all seasons.
“How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.” Hebrews 2:3 (NIV)
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
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This Week’s Reading Plan and Blog/Podcast:
YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan:
“Christmas: Jesus is Born” (3 Days)Blog and Podcast: “Christmas: Hope in Every Season”