THE TRUE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS
December 5, 2010
Hebrews 1:1-3
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWNS
Key Truth China is a viewed by North American Company as a consumer paradise. Untapped markets for their products. But sometimes their advertising miscommunicates when it translated into Chinese. A&W Rootbeer That frosty mug sensation Feel like your face is frozen American Express Don’t leave home without it Stay home with it Burger King Have it your way Reject the socialist ideal Florida orange juice A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine Drink orange juice or go blind Kentucky Fried Chicken Finger-lickin’ good Tastes like human fingers McDonalds You deserve a break today You deserve to be beaten Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun Two complete cow patties, common sauce, cabbage, fermented milk, cucumber, roots, on a steamed bun. The True Glory of Christmas is typically miscommunicated by culture. Not just our culture, but by every culture. The celebration of Christmas in Asia usually involves imported western traditions, but in Japan those traditions have been shaped by commercial interests. The holiday places special emphasis on romantic love, so it’s a day to spend with a sweetheart or spouse. Bakeries sell Christmas cakes as traditional sweetheart treats. And you might have to make reservations to get a table at KFC. Yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken. The fast food franchise let it be known that fried chicken is traditional for the Christmas feast. And so it is -in Japan. T.S. If we are going to uwrap the Glory of Christmas we must key in on what it is meant to communicate to us. THE TRUE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS LIES IN THE MESSAGE COMMUNICATED TO US. In a Chapter dedicated to reminding us of the Greatness of Christ, the writer of Hebrews helps us focus on that true glory with two sentences. Turn with me to . . . Hebrews 1:3 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. NIV I. The True Glory of Christmas is a Celebration of What Jesus Reveals of God 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, A. Jesus is the shining forth brightly one of everything God is. Heb 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, * We know God not through the Law * We know God not through ceremonies or rites * We know God not through religion or church Each of these may reveal some things about God, some truths, but never the full picture. Imagine having only abstract, amateur reproductions of a Masterpiece. Would you appreciate the Mona Lisa if you only had and abstract of it. Would you be awed by its beauty or wonder? We know God through the shining forth brightly one, Jesus the exact reflection of who he is. B. Since Jesus is the shining forth brightly one of everything God is unwrapping the Glory of Christmas must center on him. * not through personal experiences * not cultural interpretations * not our personal traditions. Imagine having been giving the Mona Lisa and exchanging it for our version, our drawing of it. Christmas declares the glory of God’s nature * He is the one in control of all things, holding them together by the power of his will. * Christmas declares His glory. II. The True Glory of Christmas is a Celebration of What He Has Done. 1:3 After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. NIV A. That God understood our plight B. That God planned for our redemption C. That God completed the work D. That God declared his love for Humanity Rom 5:8 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. NIV Author and speaker Brennan Manning has an amazing story about how he got the name "Brennan." While growing up, his best friend was Ray. The two of them did everything together: bought a car together as teenagers, double-dated together, went to school together and so forth. They even enlisted in the Army together, went to boot camp together and fought on the frontlines together. One night while sitting in a foxhole, Brennan was reminiscing about the old days in Brooklyn while Ray listened and ate a chocolate bar. Suddenly a live grenade came into the foxhole. Ray looked at Brennan, smiled, dropped his chocolate bar and threw himself on the live grenade. It exploded, killing Ray, but Brennan’s life was spared. When Brennan became a priest he was instructed to take on the name of a saint. He thought of his friend, Ray Brennan. So he took on the name "Brennan." Years later he went to visit Ray’s mother in Brooklyn. They sat up late one night having tea when Brennan asked her, "Do you think Ray loved me?" Mrs. Brennan got up off the couch, shook her finger in front of Brennan’s face and shouted, "What more could he have done for you?" Brennan said that at that moment he experienced an epiphany. He imagined himself standing before the cross of Jesus wondering, Does God really love me? And Jesus’ mother Mary pointing to her son, saying, "What more could he have done for you?" The crushing of the Lord of Glory Jesus is God’s statement of his Love for us. Christmas is the Celebration of the truth that no matter we go through this question is settled. Does god really love me? THE TRUE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS LIES IN THE MESSAGE COMMUNICATED TO US. Pursuit in the Word Since Jesus is the True Glory of Christmas, make a commitment to reread his story, one of the Gospels. Begin it this week and finish by Christmas Eve. As you pick our Christmas cards this year, pick out and send cards that make a clear declaration of His glory. Pursuit in Prayer Begin an advent prayer log, every day write down one thing God did through Jesus for which we absolutely indebted. And celebrate them in prayer. Begin with these three. * God choose to become like us. * Jesus experienced the full range of humanity, so he understands when we hurt. * Jesus birth changed the course of all humanity. Pursuit in Relationship Set a date, plan a gathering, get together with another pursuer of God’s Glory and just discuss the word that God became man. Don’t stop with a pursuer, look for a seeker, a searcher to share your discoveries with. Pursuit in Service Pick a Neighbor, a shut in a friend and intentionally enter their world this week. Do something for them. Throughout December we’re rebuilding the Benevolence accounts. Give up a lattee, a burger, one lunch out and give to benevolence as you leave. Sign up to help with Food Bank or Angel Food.
