December 26, 2021
Christmas Sermon
SOME TRUE REASONS FOR THE SEASON
Second Sermon
Luke 2:8 - 20
Introduction: I wonder what Christmas means to a mother who has lost her husband, who must take care of 3 or 4 children, working every day, never quite getting everything done, never making ends meet? What does Christmas mean to her?
I wonder what Christmas means to the 8o year old man living in poverty, in a hut, who knows nothing about shopping malls or Christmas trees? What does Christmas mean to him?
I wonder what it means to little children in orphanages with smudges on their cheeks, and sparkling eyes that look up, hoping to get adopted when couples walk in? What does Christmas mean to them?
I wonder what it means to missionaries who are half a world away from families and friends, who are sacrificing so much to take the precious gospel message to others who have never heard? What does it mean to them?
I am sure it means different things to different people.
To merchants it is the busiest time of the year. Stores stay open longer and hire extra people to accommodate all the shoppers. It means more profit, hopefully enough profit to see them through lean times ahead.
For some employers it means a Christmas bonus, a little more money in their pockets to do things that they want to do.
For many teen-agers and adults, it is time of fun and parties. For children it is a time of impatience, with time seeming to pass so slowly, as they wait for Christmas morning.
What does Christmas mean for you?
Sometimes I get the feeling that we are like the folks who decided to throw a party to honor a very special friend. They sent out invitations, decorated the hall, and had the food catered. All the people came together at the designated time, but to their surprise, the guest of honor was not there.
Finally, they made the embarrassing discovery that no one had ever invited the guest of honor.
I wonder if that happens at Christmas time. Do we go through all the decorating, and buying presents, and preparing elaborate meals, but somehow forget whose birthday it really is?
No matter what you have grown up believing or what your tradition was, I am here to tell you that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! Amen!
Listen up church!
Old Santa is not the reason!
St. Nick is not the reason!
Rudolph the red-nose reindeer is not the reason!
Kissing under the mistletoes is not the reason!
Chestnut roasting over an open fire is not the reason!
Jack Frost nibbling at your toes is not the reason!
BUT JESUS CHRIST IS THE REASON!
Christmas without Christ is just mas. Do you know what mas is? Anybody hers know? I don’t know. I thought somebody here would know.
Friends, only with Christ, can you truly celebrate Christmas.
Thank God for the Bible! In His holy, inspired, infallible Word, God sets the record straight where Christmas is concerned! He gives us, in no uncertain terms, the true reasons for the season. Jesus is the main reason for the season. Allow me to share with you some of the true reasons for the season.
I.
Christmas Is A Time For Giving
v. 11
A. For God To Give His Son To Men - What a beautiful foretaste of the
salvation to come: God gave the first message of His Son to
common shepherds, those looked upon as sinners. The Savior was coming
to call sinners to repentance; therefore, the first announcement of His
coming was given to sinners.
B. For Men To Give Their Souls To God - Nobody likes to receive a gift and
then give nothing from themselves in return. God gave His Son to die for
sinners. If we are to give a gift to the Lord, what would it be?
There were two groups in connection with the birth and early life of the
Lord who gave themselves to Him - The Shepherds, Luke 2:8-10 and the
Wise men, Matt. 2:2-12.
We all have that someone on our gift list who seems to have everything
already. They are hard people to buy for. What do you give someone who
has everything already? Think about it, what can you and I give to God? He
doesn't need our money. He can get by without our talents. He doesn't
need a fruit basket, or a new tie, or some socks or handkerchiefs. In fact,
when you get right down to it, none of us really possesses anything anyway.
You say, "I own my house!' Just stop paying the taxes for a few years and
see who owns it! You say, "I own my cars!" Again, stop paying the insurance
car note and see who controls that car. You say, "Well, I own my money!"
Just let the economy crash and then tell me what you have left. There is only
one true possession that we each have, and it is our soul. Have you given
your heart to the Lord?
1. Christmas Is A Time For Giving
II.
Christmas Is A Time For Good Tidings
v. 10
A. The angel came with the message of "'good tidings" Literally, the phrase
comes from the word from which we get our "evangelize." The message of
the angel was a message of salvation. He came to proclaim the glorious
news that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem.
B. This message is a message of hope! The shepherds were considered social
outcasts. They were considered unclean by their religion and were
typically uncouth, dirty, and vulgar men. They were the type of men that
no one wanted to be around. They were forbidden from seeking God in
the temple, but God brought salvation to them!
C. The message hasn't changed! The Gospel is still a message of hope. You
maybe one who has committed some really terrible sins. You may feel
that God wouldn't save you. You may feel that you have no hope. You
think that you are beyond the scope of God's saving power. Well, let me
tell you this morning that God arms are wide open, for you to come in and
be saved.
1. Christmas Is A Time For Giving
2. Christmas Is A Time For Good Tidings
III.
Christmas Is A Time For Glorifying God
v. 13-20
A. After the first angel finished his speech, he was immediately joined by a
vast multitude of the heavenly host and they lifted their voices to give
glory and praise to the Lord. Host: (Army of angels; 10,000 x 10,000)
B. May I remind you that Christmas, along with Easter are tremendous times
for the children of God to demonstrate their faith. After all, even though
Christmas has been secularized and commercialized, it is still a day set
aside to commemorate the birth of the King of Kings! Let us join our
voices with those of the angelic host and declare the great glory of God.
C. After the shepherds met Him, this became their mission. They went
about telling others about Him, glorifying the Name of the Lord. The
shepherds had spread the message but note a shocking fact. The
shepherds alone are seen praising God. No one else is seen seeking or
praising the Savior.
The shepherds were praising God for what they had heard and seen. They
had reason to praise God. (How many hear and see, yet never respond
and never praise God?) What are you doing to glorify the Lord this
Christmas?
Responsive Reading: Luke 2:8-20
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