December 25 2022
Today, Sunday December 25
The Majesty, Mission, and Mistake of Christmas
Luke 2:1-20
“… Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord….”.
The three greatest and most significant days in human history began with the events of this day two-thousand years ago. The three days that impacted history, involved heaven and eternity, and changed everything forever was the day that the virgin birth of Jesus took place, the day that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and three days later, the day when Jesus resurrected from the dead and arose from the grave! The birth of Jesus has no real meaning without the other two days!
It is wonderful that we are celebrating Christmas day this year on a Sunday. The day that has been set aside already to remember that on the first day of the week when our Savior arose from the grave!
Yesterday we talked about the Mystery and Miracle of Christmas. Today, as we reflect on the real reason for the season, I want to mention three more things. First, the Majesty of Christmas, then the Message and Mission of Christmas, and finally the Mistake of Christmas!
The Majesty of Christmas! The Glory of heaven came down to earth! John says it so well in John 1. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men….. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-4; 14). The angels appear to the shepherds, the star guiding the wise men, and today the whole world celebrates His birth!
The Message and Mission of Christmas! Luke recorded the angel’s message: "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord….”. A good, gospel message that will produce great joy and peace in anyone and everyone’s heart when they receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior! This message never grows old, and the mission is always the same! We must tell the world about God’s great love for all of us! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
The Mistake of Christmas! “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” No room for Jesus! I can’t imagine the emotional feelings of Joseph and Mary as they went from inn to inn looking for a place to sleep and to give birth to Jesus. At every inn they were turned away and told “there was no room” for a weary pregnant lady to give birth to her baby. Later when Jesus presented Himself to His own people, they rejected Him too. “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12).
The greatest mistake anyone can make is to reject Jesus as their Savior! The greatest decision anyone can make is to make room in their heart for the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as their Savior! Have you ever made room for Jesus in your life? Do you make room for Him to live His life through you every day?
I trust today that you will worship and celebrate Jesus, Who is the real reason for the season!
God bless!