TEN REFLECTIONS ON CHRISTMAS
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OUTLINE
1. SAVIOUR
2. SHINING
3. SURPRISE
4. SANCTITY
5. SUBMISSION
6. SIMPLICITY
7. SAFETY
8. SIGNS
9. SINGING
10.SHARING
THE MESSAGE
TEN REFLECTIONS ON CHRISTMAS
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1.SAVIOUR
The Lord Jesus Christ came to this world as a Saviour to save us from our sins. He gave His life and shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins . We must receive Him into our hearts for the salvation of our soul.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Matthew 1:21
" She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Luke 2:11
" Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
2.SHINING
The Lord Jesus Christ came to this world as a shining light to bring revelation to those living in darkness. When we receive Him into our hearts , a divine light will enter our lives which will show us the path that we must walk in this life .This light will lead us in the path of peace and prosperity.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Luke 1:76-79
" And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
Luke 2:28-32
" Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
Isaiah 9:2
" The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. "
3.SURPRISE
The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ brought surprises to His people. Zechariah was not expecting to see an angel but the Lord sent him a pleasant surprise with the good news that he would have a son even though he and his wife were already old. Mary was not expecting an angelic visit , much less that she would be the mother of the Messiah. But the Lord had a wonderful surprise for her and elevated her status in life. The Lord has surprises for us too and his blessings can come when we least expect it . The Lord can deliver us from our trials and tribulations in such a sudden and astonishing way that it may look like a dream for us.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Luke 1:11-12 ,29-30
"Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. "
" Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God."
Luke 2:9-10
" An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. "
Psalm 126:1-2
" When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
Acts 12:1-11
" It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him.
Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.
They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."
4.SANCTITY
The Lord chose people who lived a life of sanctity and purity to play a part in the birth of Christ. Zechariah and Elisabeth were upright and blameless people. Mary and Joseph were living a life of purity and righteousness. Simeon and Anna were righteous and devout people. These were the people whom God chose to use . If Mary and Joseph had been living an immoral life , they would not have been chosen to be the earthly parents of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord is looking for holy and sanctified people whom He can use for His glory.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Luke 1:5-6 , 26-27
"In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly."
"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary."
Matthew 1:19
" Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. "
Luke 2:25 , 36-37
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. "
"There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying."
2 Timothy 2:20-22
"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.
If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
5.SUBMISSION
Mary and Joseph were submitted to the laws of God. They were faithful to obey the commandments of God given through Moses.They circumcised the baby Jesus on the eighth day according to the law of Moses and named Him Jesus according to the instruction given by the angel. They offered the sacrifice required of them. They returned to Galilee only after they had done everything required by the law of the Lord. They faithfully went to the Feast of the Passover every year. The Lord wants to use such people even today . We must be faithful in obeying His commandments and faithful in giving to the Lord our sacrificial offerings and faithful to participate in worshiping Him.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Luke 2:21-24 ,39-43
"On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated 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."
"When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.
After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it."
Hebrews10:25
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. "
6.SAFETY
The Lord Jesus was protected by God from all the attacks of the enemy to destroy Him. The Lord sent His angels with timely warnings to Joseph to remove the baby Jesus to safety. When we are in the plan and purpose of God , the Lord will protect us from all the attacks of the enemy.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Matthew 2:12-15 , 22-23
"And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,
where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."
" But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,
and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."
Proverbs 3:26
" for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. "
Psalm 121:7-8
" The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
Psalm 91:9-11
" If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge-
then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; "
7.SIMPLICITY
The birth of Christ was clothed in simplicity and humility. The Son of God was born in a manger because they was no room in the inn . The Lord sent His angel to Nazareth which was a town despised by the people to a simple young woman named Mary.The Lord Jesus was born in a poor carpenters family. Jesus was the lamb of God , yet he was born in a poor family who could not even afford to offer a lamb as a sacrifice but could offer only a pair of doves. The Shepherds were a despised community and were not even allowed as witnesses in court. Yet the birth of the Good shepherd , the Lord Jesus was revealed to the humble shepherds and they were the first ones to give their witness to the people about the birth of the Messiah. Celebrating the birth of Christ in ostentation and wasteful luxuries is far removed from the true meaning of His birth. Instead we should use it as an opportunity for us to grow in humility.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Luke 2:6-9 ,16-18 ,24
"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 room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."
"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them."
"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."
Leviticus 12:8
" If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’ "
Luke 1:26
" In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,"
John 1:46
"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip. "
Matthew 13:54-57
"Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked.
"Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?
Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"
And they took offense at him. "
8.SIGNS
The birth of Christ was accompanied by signs to enable His people to find Him. The Magi from the east were led by a star to the baby Jesus. The gifts brought by them was significant . Gold signified Jesus as King , incense signified Jesus as priest and myrrh signified His sacrificial death and burial. The Shepherds were given a sign to identify Jesus. Simeon prophesied the opposition that Jesus would face in His lifetime on earth. The Lord guides us by signs. Whenever our enemies fail to triumph over us , it is sign of the Lord’s favour on our lives.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Matthew 2:1-2 ,9-11
"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
" After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. "
John 19:39
"He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds."
Luke 2:12
" This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:34-35
" Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Psalm 41:11
" I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me."
9.SINGING
The birth of Christ was accompanied by singing and worship unto the Lord . Mary and Zechariah and Simeon sang prophetic songs which contained profound truths and revelations. The angels sang of the glory of the Lord. The Lord wants us to praise and worship Him with songs and thanksgiving. We should not speak words of murmuring and complaining against God. Instead we must praise Him with a heart of gratitude whenever we come into His presence.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Luke 1:46-55
" And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."
Luke 1:67-79
"His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—
to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
Luke 2:13-14
" Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:28-32
" Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
Psalm 100:1-5
" Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
I Corinthians 14:26
" What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. "
10.SHARING
The birth of Christ is the supreme example of sacrificial giving. God gave His most precious possession , His only Son in order to save us from eternal damnation. This proved the great love of God for us . We must also love God with such a devoted and sacrificial love . True love would be revealed in our actions. The Lord wants us to demonstrate our love in action by helping others and giving generously from our resources. In this way we would store a great reward for us in eternity.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Romans 8:32
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? "
Luke 14:26-27
" If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."
I John 3:18
" Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
I Timothy 6:17-19
" Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
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