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| Detail of stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
A. His Earthly Parents
Found favor with God -- Luke 1: 28, 30
Took on a great responsibility
Chosen for faith and character, as well as family line
Readily accepted God’s will (v.38)
B. His Identity
“..you shall name Him Jesus.” (v.31)
He will be great (v. 32)
(He) will be called the Son of the Most High (v. 32)
God will give Him the throne of His father David (v. 32)
He will reign forever (v. 33)
C. His Virgin Birth
Verse 35
“ … the eternal son of God took to Himself a genuine, though sinless, human nature and was born as a man, without surrendering in any aspect His deity.” -- Charles C. Ryrie
D. His Presentation
1. To the Shepherds -- Luke 2:8-20
a. Outsiders of society
b. Responded in faith to the angel’s message
c. Found and humbly worshiped Christ
d. Were filled with joy and returned praising God and telling everyone they met
2. At the Temple -- Luke 2:21-39
a. Formal Presentation -- According to Law
b. Prophecy of Simeon
c. Anna’s Devotion
E. The Timing of His Coming
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5, NKJV)
Fullness of time: Fulfillment or prophecy, Roman peace, Messianic expectations, worthy family members in the line of David living in Israel, readiness of people to respond. Above all, a time of God’s choosing.
F. His Purpose in Coming
To save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21)
There is no other who can save us (Acts 4:12)
Immanuel -- “God with us” (Matthew 1:23/Isaiah 7:14) (Virgin birth)
He sends the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18).
Jesus will come again in power and glory (Matthew 24:29-31).
God shows undeserved favor toward mankind in offering salvation through the sacrifice of the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). At Christmas, we celebrate the gift and blessing, that grants believers favor with God and eternal life with Him through His Son, in which He is glorified.
This great purpose overshadows all other considerations, great as they may be.
II. The Celebrations We See Around Us
A. Less Emphasis on Christ
B. Determined Effort To Exclude Christ
“Holidays,” not “Christmas”
C. Open Hostility Against Christianity
More rejection of the Bible
How dare Christians try to keep Christmas for themselves?
Political opposition to Christianity
III. The Celebration We Should Experience
A. Focus on Christ
B. Additional Meanings
1. Gifts, especially for children
2. Expressions of compassion
3. Expression of desire for peace
4. Family traditions
5. Food
IV. Don’t Forget What The Essence of the Celebration Is
A. The Birth of the Savior
Without Christ, the Celebration Is of a Different Character -- More like Halloween or Valentine’s Day
B. Tolerance of Others Who Don’t Share Our Beliefs
-- Respect the freedom of others
-- This does not mean regarding all beliefs as equally correct
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