KEEPING “CHRIST” IN CHRISTMAS
Luke 2:1-11
INTRODUCTION
How do some people spell Christmas. They write "X-Mas" instead of Christ. They are, in fact, leaving out the most important part of Christmas - "Christ."
Because the Greek form of Christ, is "Christos, and the first Greek letter in His name is the letter, "Chi," (which looks like an "x,"), they say that early Christians would sometimes abbreviate the name in their writings with the "Chi" letter of the Greek Alphabet.
However since most people know nothing of the Greek alphabet - we need to keep the "Chi" or the "X" out, and Christ in!
This morning I want to use the spelling of Christmas as an acrostic for my message - 9 letters in all, each one representing an important spiritual truth:
I. First, The Letter, "C" Stands For “CHRIST”
A. Without Christ there is no Christmas:
1. To many people December 25th is nothing more than a winter holiday, for they have determined to ignore Christ.
Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas – Schools have Winter Break instead of Christmas Break
Secular Songs instead of Songs about Christ – Nativity scenes banned in many states
2. When Mary came to Bethlehem to give birth to the baby Jesus, the Bible says there was "no room for them in the inn." Not much has changed.
II. The Second Letter "H" Is For "HOPE"
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
A. Without Christ this world has no hope.
B. Without Christ we have no hope.
III. "R" Is For “REDEEMER”
Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
Isa 59:20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
The word means “kinsman”; and it was a kinsman’s duty in eastern usage to vindicate and befriend his relatives. At the incarnation He became our kinsman, our near relative.
1. Jesus Christ is a Redeemer by Power. – We are captives, bound by the chains of sin. He came to set the captives free.
2. Jesus Christ is a Redeemer by Purchase. – You have this in many texts.
He gave Himself for us – Titus 2:4
Ye are bought with a price – I Cor. 6:20
He gave his life a ransom for all – I Tim. 2:6
IV. "I" Is For “IMMANUEL”
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matt 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
“GOD” – He is God
“WITH” – He is on our side.
“US” – He became man.
God with us – The virgin Birth – God became man
V. "S" Stands For “SHILOH”
“S” – is for the Star of Jacob
“S” – is for the Sun of Righteousness
“S” – is for the Shepherd of our souls
“S” – is for our Stronghold
“S” – is for our Surety
“S” – is for the Son of God
Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
1. He is the giver of Peace, of Rest
2. In the Days of Samuel – Shiloh was where the Tabernacle was, where the Ark was.
VI. "T" Stands For "TRUTH"
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
1. Jesus did not just tell us the truth or teach us the truth – He Is The TRUTH.
2. He is the Truth of all religions. He didn’t just come to show us the way, he is the way.
VII. The Letter "M" Stands For “MEDIATOR”
1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
A “Mediator” is one who reconciles two parties who are at variance.
VIII. "A" Stands For “ALL IN ALL”
Col. 3:11 – Christ is all and in all
1. He is all in creation
2. He is all in providence.
3. He is all in redemption.
4. He is all in grace and glory
5. He is in all events
6. He is in all places
7. He is in all knowledge
Is He your All? What men love best is there All.
IX. "S" Stands For “SAVIOR”
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Ill. of young girl going over Niagara Falls – A man leaned over with one hand on the rail and grabbed her hand and snatched her from the brink of death.
CONCLUSION
The acrostic I have used is my own. You can make one of your own - there are many different truths we can present about Jesus and what Christmas means to us. But, the most important thing is: "Do you know Him, and if you do, are you living for Him?"
