For those of us who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, Christmas is a time to focus on His birth - the great reality of the incarnation, God becoming a man, that tremendous incomprehensible miracle of divine energy that brought God into human history. But because of the complexity of all that is happening around us, and because Satan has cluttered up Christmas with so much needless paraphernalia, most people will miss Christ this Christmas – God’s great gift to humankind (John 3:16).
Let us revisit the Christmas story as it is told in Scripture, and learn from the mistakes of the people of the day
The Innkeeper missed Christ because of ignorant preoccupation
Background (Luke 2:7)
Application
Herod missed Christ because of jealous fear
Background (Matthew 2:1-3)
Application
The chief priests and scribes missed Christ because of prideful indifference
Background (Matthew 2:4)
Application
Jerusalem missed Christ because of religious ritual
Background (Luke 2:8-38)
Application
The Romans missed Christ because of their idolatry
Background (Luke 2:1)
Application
The people of Nazareth missed Christ because of familiarity
Background (Luke 4:16-30)
Application
Conclusion
We have been presented with six reasons why people, whether Christian or not, might miss Christ at Christmas.
For those who are Christians - behind all of these reasons is one deeper reason - worldliness (1 John 2:15-17).
The way for Christians to reconnect with Christ this Christmas is for them to:
1. Repent (Revelation 1-3)
2. Submit again to Christ and be renewed in your mind (Romans 12:1-2)
3. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 1:9; Matthew 5:6;
1 John 5:14-15; Hebrews 11:1,6)
4. Spend extended time with Christ (Philippians 4:4-13)
5. Pursue holiness (Ephesians 4:17-24)
For those not-yet-Christians - behind all of these reasons is the one deeper reason - unbelief. People refuse to believe.
John 1:10 says that "... the world was made through Him, but the world did not recognize him."
John 1:12 says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
If you've been missing Christmas, all you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ and receive Him as Lord, and He will become a reality in your life this Christmas. Connecting or reconnecting with Christ by making Him the centre of your life will provide for you a fresh view of the infinite, a new hope and certainty for your future, and an opportunity to experience the abundant life on a daily basis and you will personally enjoy the greatest Christmas gift of all.
For Reflection and discussion
1. Christmas celebrates God giving Jesus as the most important gift of all for humankind for in receiving Jesus into our life we can have both full and overflowing life now and eternal life forever in God’s presence. How do you really feel about Christmas?
2. If you haven’t experienced that reality, go back over the message outline and apply the steps outlined to really receive Jesus into your life? If you find this difficult contact one of the pastors who will lead you through the steps outlined.
3. How could you make this Christmas meaningful to those close to you who do not know Jesus Christ personally?
4. Think of some ways in which the thanksgiving and jubilation toward God for the gift of Jesus could be expressed in your life.
5. Spend time in prayer and quietness reflecting on the importance of the gift of Jesus in your life.
Christmas greeting and reflection from pastors Jay and Ric.
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7
As we make those last-minute preparations for Christmas, and stress out as we rush around trying to find the most appropriate gift for family, friends, and others, let us not forget that we are really celebrating the very best, most appropriate, and perfect gift ever given – that of Jesus Christ, to fallen humankind. Through the birth, death, and resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, we can receive the gift of salvation, the gift of eternal life, and the gift of God’s Holy Spirit within – to empower us for abundant living right now. Jesus really is God’s incredible gift to us. If God has given us the perfect Christmas present in Jesus, what can we give Him in return? Certainly nothing that is material will be good enough.
Christian Rosetti, a nineteenth century poet in England, knew what would be appropriate.
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what can I give Him – I give Him my heart!
May this Christmas be very real in our lives as we in response to the greatest gift ever given, give ourselves afresh, unreservedly to Jesus Christ, and also share with others the good news of this fantastic gift that they can also personally receive. May our focus be not so much on what we get but on what we give in response to God’s unreserved giving. Why not plan to share your Christmas celebrations with others less fortunate than yourself, or with those who will not have others to share with? Why not limit your expenditure on gifts and give the otherwise excess to people in poverty? Why not as a family, make up a box of gifts for another needy family and pass it on to the church for distribution either locally or internationally? Christmas for Christians is a time of recognizing and responding to God’s fantastic gift of Jesus. Let us each reflect the Father heart of God this Christmas.