Sermon Central
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Christmas Is ... Jesus
Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 26, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: Christmas is Jesus – God’s Gift to Us. God’s gift of His Son provides a new start in life for all who believe and follow Jesus.
Christmas Is Jesus
Do you have family traditions at Christmas time? When our children were at home we read the Christmas story before opening presents.
Last week at L.A. Fitness I asked several people if they read the Christmas story on Christmas Day. One gentleman said he didn’t, so I suggested he check out the story in Luke chapter 2.
Another man said he hadn’t read the Christmas story since his children were at home years ago. A third man said, “What is the Christmas Story?” I explained to him it was about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The other gentleman who said he hadn’t read the story for years chimed in and helped me explain the Christmas story to the gentleman who was in his late 60’s.
Christmas is about God so loving this sinful world that He gave His only son, Jesus as a Savior to all who will turn to Him for salvation.
Ever since the Advent of Jesus and wise men visited him in a house in Bethlehem presenting gifts of gold, incense and myrrh; Christmas has been about giving.
Christmas is Jesus – God’s Gift to Us
The Apostle Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift.”
God so loved He gave His one and only Son. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God.” John 1:1 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14
It’s hard for us to understand and comprehend the meaning of Philippians 2:5-8, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!”
The Incarnate Son of God submitted himself to human form and took on the flesh and blood of man. He was obedient unto death. He did not lose his own Divine powers, but held them in control. As a man, Jesus was tempted in every form as a man, yet was sinless.
Jesus came as the incarnate Son of God. Jesus became man by a miracle of God – born of a virgin – the only person fully God and fully man. Jesus didn’t have his beginning in a stable in Bethlehem, He stepped out of haven to become a human being and reveal the character of God and the truths of God. If you want to know God look to Jesus.
Lowly Shepherds watching sheep near Bethlehem were the first to get the news that Jesus was born. (Luke 2:8-14)
God’s gift came on a mission. Jesus came seeking. Jesus came seeking all who are confused, all who are searching for truth, and meaning to life. God not only gives you the greatest gift, Himself, He also gives you the gift of salvation.
Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
God’s gift of His Son provides a new start in life for all who believe and follow Jesus. Regardless of how bad or dark your past you have the opportunity to start anew. God specializes in giving second changes. The prophet Isaiah declared, “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Thought your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; through they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18
If someone came up to you on the street and asked you, “What do you think about Jesus?” What would you say?”
I asked a postal worker in a post office, “What do you think about Jesus.” He answered, “I don’t know,: and softly said, “I don’t Care.”
Other responses by people on the street gave various views about Jesus:
“Jesus means nothing to me!”
“Jesus was a good man.”
“Jesus Christ is a myth.”
“I could care less.”
“He was a real cool cat.”
“He was a prophet.”
“He is the Son of God.”
When you come to Jesus you can be assured He understands your situation. As a human person Jesus had feelings and emotions and personality.
Jesus experienced sorrow. Jesus took Peter, James and John with him to the Garden of Gethsemane and said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep me watch with me.” Matthew 26:37
Jesus experienced normal physical growth. “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.” Luke 2:40
Jesus experienced hunger, “Forty days Jesus was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.” Luke 4:2
