John 3:16 – “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”[1] This is the mission of God. The most memorized verse in the Bible. We quote it, we read it, and we hear it many times. It is expressed so much that little thought is put into the mission. Christopher Wright reminds us in The Mission of God’s People that this is God’s mission. Because it is God’s mission, He has chosen how to accomplish His mission. God’s way of achieving His mission is not the way parents would choose as a plan. But God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit’s plan always was. They always knew the whole world because they created them. They love what they created… you. Just as they chose the world by creation and out of love, they gave the world a choice to love in return. They offered eternity with them by a simple choice. Believe in Jesus, the Son of God, as Lord and Savior. But the plan was so much deeper than just a choice. The plan included a blood sacrifice that Jesus made with His own life. God gave up His Son to death so the world could have life. This is God’s mission.

            As believers in God’s mission, we are invited to participate in His mission with Him. There are several aspects of our involvement with God’s mission:
     1) The idea that the world's Creator, the Holy Trinity, would create us to include us in their relationship with them is unfathomable. We were created by God out of His love for us. Every individual in the world is special because we are His creation. Understanding and embracing that truth only causes us to worship God and His Glory. Because of God’s mission, believers choose to worship God. Jesus said, “But an hour is coming, and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”[2] Jesus said genuine worship comes from the heart through understanding God's truths. We journey through this life, learning about God and growing in the knowledge of His mission. When that occurs, it is natural for us to worship the Creator.


     2) Believing that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord caused a transformation in our lives. Paul reminds us, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved and gave himself for me.”[3] Our old life was put to death, and now we live our life by another source, the Trinity. As we learn and grow in knowledge and wisdom about the Trinity, it begins to impact how we live out our lives. It is not a matter of being taught how we should live our lives but a more natural living out of our journey by the grace administered through the Spirit of God. When the universal Church learns about a spirit-filled life, the mindset changes from legalism to grace. This is the real adventure when we begin to trust God rather than relying on our own strength and abilities. Grace has two aspects to it. There is grace that brings salvation through Jesus. The other aspect of grace is the ability to live each day through God. We will spend the rest of our journey here on earth learning to live in this grace of another source.


     3) Learning to live out of this grace changes our lives. Paul encourages the Church to “Do everything without grumbling and arguing,  so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life.”[4] Peter also says, “But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.”[5] These scripture passages are typically taught as commands to obey in our behavior. But if the Church understands it is about their identity rather than their behavior, these truths become very natural. The Church has been made holy and blameless because of what Jesus did on the cross. We must rest in this truth and just “be” rather than “do.”


     4) When believers discover their identity in Jesus, a transformation in the mind takes place, significantly impacting their behavior. Joy is already present in the Spirit but is now discovered by the believer. It is realizing they are forgiven and made holy. They know they are the righteousness of Christ—not just that God views them as righteous, but they have been made righteous… past tense. When this realization has occurred, it becomes natural for them to talk about the best news ever. Knowing your identity in Christ becomes the most incredible “evangelism tool” and becomes more than just information being communicated. When the Church knows its true identity, it begins to express the Good News to those around it. Our world is being taught that it is more about them than others. So, this focus on what they can become through Jesus is attractive to them.


     5) As the Church grows in spiritual maturity, it is natural for the believers to edify and disciple one another. God intended the Church to live together in community, which was intentional as it created a desire for others to be included in this group. Nobody would want any part of this community if it is focused on something other than God's intentions. This is displayed in the Bible through the role of the Pharisees. For the Pharisees, it was all about their behavior. Their behavior dictated more about what they would become and their role. This is the opposite of God’s intentions. He made believers supernatural beings; we naturally behave and accomplish things from that transformation. As a body of believers, we are to teach and encourage our fellow believers in their identity so they may live out of this daily grace supplied by God. Proverbs says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.”[6]

     6) The final intention of God’s mission is that the Church lives together in community and fellowship so they can provide for the needs of one another. This is modeled in Acts, “Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”[7] This is the model church as God intended it to be. We are to live together in harmony and help one another walk this journey here on earth.

This is God’s mission for the New Covenant Church. Therefore, it is my personal mission as well. I not only have to battle the worldview, but I also have to battle (or avoid) the religiosity of the Church. God never intended for us to be religious. Jesus said, “ A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”[8] I believe that we can have a full and abundant life here on earth and not have to wait until we die and go to heaven. May God continue to reveal Himself and empower me to accomplish His mission.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Jn 3:16.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Jn 4:23–24.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ga 2:20.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Php 2:14–16.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), 1 Pe 1:15–16.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Pr 27:17.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ac 2:43–47.
[8] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Jn 10:10.

Reading of the Christmas Story

• LJ Shrieve

THE BIRTH OF JESUS
LUKE 2
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
 
THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGELS
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!
15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told. [1]

• “LJ, there is a lot going on in that story. What is the one thing in that story that is prominent for you… other than Jesus being born?”

 
2 Sets of Visitors at Christ’s Birth

• Shepherds -“8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”[2]
• You who? Yoo hoo! Who is he talking to? Shepherds.
• What is the sign to the shepherds? “This will be a sign to you shepherds.”
• Reading of the Mishnah – Brent Sutton
• Baba Kamma 7:7 They do not rear small cattle in the Land of Israel, but they do rear them in Syria and in the wastelands which are in the Land of Israel.
• They do not rear chickens in Jerusalem, on account of the Holy Things, nor do priests [rear chickens] anywhere in the Land of Israel, because of the [necessity to preserve] the cleanness [of heave offering and certain other foods which are handed over to the priests].
• They do not rear pigs anywhere.
• A person should not rear a dog, unless it is kept tied up by a chain.
• They do not set traps for pigeons, unless they are thirty ris (4 miles) from a settlement.[3]

 

• Why is that important? One regulation in the Mishnah “expressly forbids the keeping of flocks throughout the land of Israel, except in the wildernesses—and the only flocks otherwise kept, would be those for the Temple-services” (Bab K. 7:7; 80a).
• Map of Israel
• From Nazareth to Bethlehem – 90 miles
• From Jerusalem to Bethlehem – 5.5 miles
• Israel – 3 Slides
• Wilderness – 3 slides
• Modern Bethlehem
• Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and the surrounding fields were not in the wilderness where ordinary flocks of sheep were kept.
• Therefore, according to the Jewish regulations, the flocks under the care of the shepherds near Bethlehem must have been for the Temple-services.
• These shepherds watched over sheep destined as sacrifices in the Temple at Jerusalem.—that the shepherds that kept sheep in and around the fields of Bethlehem were not ordinary shepherds.
• They were shepherds hired by the temple in Jerusalem to prepare lambs for sacrifice in Jerusalem.
• “This will be a sign to you.” You who? “You shepherds that keep sheep destined for Passover, destined for sacrifice, you’re gonna find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.”

 

• “Wrapped in swaddling clothes,” four words, is one Greek word, “enswathed.”
• Now, why is that significant and why is that a sign?
• Traditional rituals done before burial may include:

 

• Taharah – A person who has died is ritually bathed so as to leave the world as pure as he or she arrived. Prayers and psalms are recited. The deceased is then dressed in tachrichim. To preserve modesty even in death, men perform taharah for men and women perform taharah for women.

 

• Tachrichim – A person who has died is clothed in a white cotton or linen burial garment. Today, many people are buried in their own clothes. Many men – and women, if they usually wore one – are buried wearing their tallit (prayer shawl). Many people are also buried with a small amount of earth from Israel under their heads.

 

• Sh’mirah – Traditionally, a Jew who has died is not left alone from death until burial. Sh’mirah can be translated as ‘watching’ or ‘guarding’ and a shomer – a person who guards the body – can be hired to perform this ritual.

 

• I’ve gotten this from Jewish guides and Arab guides, and when Jewish guides and Arab guides actually agree, I listen.
• I’d like to find it in literature, and I haven’t yet found it in the early literature, but the tradition that has come down through the ages is this: that it was culturally taboo for a woman to be buried in anything other than her own linens.
• And therefore, on a trip, a woman would take a strip of linen cloth with her, in case she died on the journey; she would be wrapped in her own linens for burial.
• It was culturally taboo not to be buried in your own linens. Mary is heavy with child.
• She comes from Nazareth down to Bethlehem. Having her own linen cloth in case something happened to her would be a natural.
• And when the baby is born, she wraps this baby in a cloth that would normally be used for burial, and lays it in a manger.

 

• Now, why is that significant?
• The Mishnah goes on to talk about a site in Bethlehem called Migdal Eder.
• There’s two references to Migdal Eder in the Old Testament.
• One is when Rachel dies; he buries Rachel on the way into Ephrathah or Bethlehem and at a site called Migdal Eder.
• Migdal Eder means “the tower of the shepherds, the tower of the flock.”
• The Mishnah describes that there was a well-known place that was called “the tower of the flock” or “the tower of the shepherds” where baby lambs would be birthed, and older lambs would be prepared for burial– excuse me, be prepared for sacrifice.
• So it just so happens—hint, hint—that God picks a group of shepherds, that birthed lambs and prepared lambs for sacrifice, to be the ones who would hear, “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior who is Messiah,” κύριος [kurios], “Christ the Lord.” “And this will be a sign unto you shepherds, you kind of shepherds, you’re gonna find the baby wrapped in a cloth lying where baby animals normally are put.”
• Because at night, in a stable– don’t get your theology from a Christmas pageant with a little wooden  crate box.
• Do you know what a sheep or a goat or a cow would do with that little box? It’d be in splinters.
• But they made mangers out of the limestone, or they etched on the back of the cave a shelf, and that’s where they would feed. But at night, they would pick up the baby animals and place them there so they wouldn’t get trampled at night.

 

• “You’re gonna find a baby wrapped in a cloth, very possibly normally used for burial, lying where a baby animal lies.”
• Other than at age 12, when Jesus is in the temple duking it out with the leaders, the next announcement that we have is John 1:29 by John the Baptist, “Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.”
• When you go back into Luke, it uses the word ῥῆμα [rhema] and ῥήματα [rhemata], which is a term for the spoken word, because the shepherds go back witnessing, they go back wondering, and they go back worshipping because of everything that had been told them concerning this child.
• Significant announcement, significant announcement to shepherds about redemption that God will provide.
• By the way, the second time Migdal Eder is used, it’s used in Micah chapter 4 about verse 8, which tells you that when Messiah returns to Jerusalem, Jerusalem will be called “the tower of the flock, the tower of the shepherd.” Now, why is that significant? Because Bethlehem is called the City of David; and Jerusalem, when David takes over the Jebusite city, that becomes known as the City of David: the place where he was born, and the place from which he reigned. Migdal Eder, the place from which He was born, and Migdal Eder, the place from which He will reign. Hmm.

 

• Wise men, Matthew chapter 2. The wise men see his star in the East. What would have ever connected a star in the East to a Messiah who should be worshipped?
• A star will arise that will be the symbol of a king of Israel who will be in domination over that territory, over that region.
• Now, don’t get your theology from Christmas music, either. The little song, “There’s a Star in the East”?
• They saw the star while they were in the East and came westward, okay?
• If they went east, it took them a year and a half to get around the world, okay, all the way around. But they saw the star while being in the East.
• They come west, and they come to the house, not the manger. And they don’t see an infant, βρέφος [brephos], but they see a small child.

 

• When they come, they come to Israel; they talk to the chief priest. “Where’s the Messiah to be born?” They tell him it’s in Bethlehem of Judea, and so the wise men come, and that star not only brought them to Israel, not only did it bring them to Jerusalem, but it’s a supernatural star—not a Halley’s Comet or anything like that—because it led them to the house where the baby and the parents were staying.
• Now, what do they say? “We’ve come to worship Him who’s been born King of the Jews.” What gifts do they bring? Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
• Gold is a gift worthy of a king.
• Frankincense is sacrificial incense. It’s incense for the altar.
• And myrrh is burial fluid, burial spice.
• Now, I don’t know about you; the last time we brought a housewarming gift to a couple when we were visiting them, it was not a bottle of embalming oil.
• We wouldn’t do that. What would that be saying?

 

• That is the Christmas story…
• Shepherds who are raising sheep for the purpose of being sacrificed.
• Mary, uses a burial linen to wrap her baby in swaddling clothes.
• The wise men bring sacrificial incense and burial spices.
• Not all the world will see this baby boy they are celebrating these next weeks, came as one one-time sacrifice for all of our sin.

 

• And that Messiah is worthy of worship. “We’ve come to worship Him who has been born King of the Jews.
• Two visitors that emphasize: one the redemption, and the other the right to be worshipped as the King of the Jews rather than crucified.[4]

​
[1] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Lk 2:1–20.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Lk 2:8–12.
[3] Jacob Neusner, The Mishnah : A New Translation (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1988), 519.
[4] Class Notes from Dr. Mark Bailey of Dallas Theological Seminary. “What is God Doing on Earth for Heaven’s Sake, Part 2,”, Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics.

1. What is/are your past Christmas Family tradition(s)?

Jeremy & Danielle - On Christmas Day, we and  Jeremy's family gather at his parent's house.  Jeremy's mom starts our festivities by inviting everyone to sit in the living room together while she reads to us from her bible.  She is very intentional about the passage that she chooses and beautifully ties it to family, Christ's birth, and all that is on her heart.   We then eat together, do a white elephant exchange and play games/cards.
Scott & Jenny - Christmas Eve service all together @ 11:00 after family  gathering.
Bill & Anna - Traditions are spending Christmas Day together with the family and cooking Prime Rib
JD, Beth & Hannah - when our children were younger, we would always let them open one gift. Not their biggest gift but usually something they could play with.
We would go to the grandparents (Jd or Beth’s parents depending on where we were that year) and have Christmas with them, then go to Christmas Eve service. Service always seems to bring us back down from the chaos of the season and really focus on what’s really important.
JD and Beth would always end up staying up wrapping presents well after midnight. (You might call it procrastination)
 

1. What is/are your current Christmas Family tradition(s)?

Jason & Sasha – Getting read Twas the night before Christmas before bed. We still do this with our kids, even in teenage years they are excited for this.
Jeremy & Danielle - Even though the kids are grown, they still spend the night at our house so that we can get up in the morning together.  We usually have lasagna or chicken paprikash for dinner, play games, do a puzzle, watch a movie...
Jerimiah & Lynnae - We have a lot of Christmas traditions! We start off the season doing Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes with the kids. We also always find a way to give and be generous in some way.  The kids have a "Cousin Christmas" with their cousins and they all buy and exchange gifts for each other. We always wear coordinating or matching Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve and Day. We do Christmas activities as a family (Christmas at the Zoo, Winterlights, driving around looking at Christmas lights).
Jonathan & Monica - We wrap matching pajamas for the kids to open on December 1st. We do morning cookie baking with grandparents each mid-December. We love driving around and looking at neighborhood Christmas lights on random evenings and visiting White River Christian Church's drive up light show. We dance party to Christmas music after dinner alot of evenings. We do Christmas Eve with grandparents at their house.
Jayci & Silas - Currently, we go and see family on Christmas Day. However, since I have met Jaci we have made it a tradition also to see her grandparents, somewhat distant family, her dad and stepmom, and also her mom.
Brandon & Madison - Celebrate Christmas adam (dec. 23rd) with madison's family . Christmas eve we split between madison and brandon family - so we will do christmas eve afternoon with madison family and then go over in the evening to brandons grandmas. Sleep at our own house and split christmas day between the pruetts and cartwrights.
Frank & Lisa - Baking day with my daughters and their families with the highlight being having the 6 grandchildren ages 2-11 to ice sugar cookies. Always a fun mix of pools of icing, generous sprinkles, spit and snot. There is always a yellow snowman in honor of my dad.
Gathering with small group for breakfast-for-dinner pitch in, reading of the Christmas story, and white elephant exchange with gifts like the most difficult jigsaw puzzle (a box of sawdust) – See Photo
 

1. How have you incorporated Luke 2 into your Christmas season?

Jason & Sasha - Luke 2 was always recited by my Grandmother (by memory) up till her passing.  The next year my Nephew took the helm (on his own) and has recited it ever since
Bill & Ann - As far as Luke.  Incorporated in a informal way.    Watch Charley Brown Christmas
 

1. What is the greatest present/gift you have ever received at Christmas?

Jerimiah & Lynnae - We got engaged on Christmas day! So that was definitely our greatest gift.
Loren & Lee – Well our anniversary is the 21st,  so I would vote for that. 
Jeremy & Danielle - Jeremy's favorite childhood gift was an Evil Knievel!
Frank & Lisa - Schwinn Sting Ray 20” bicycle
One of my most memorable gifts growing up was a set of 4 snow tires stacked next to the tree for the 1970 Nova that I was driving. Now that’s love!
Giant gifts from Frank!  So far, an apple watch (which may have saved my life because it let me know I had atrial fibrillation), an engagement ring and a honeymoon cruise. Can’t wait to see what he gets me this year 😊
Brandon & Madison - Madison - engagement ring, Brandon - first bobble head
 

1. What is the first Christmas gift that you can remember receiving?

Jayci & Silas - Jaci’s first Christmas gift that she can remember receiving was a toy vacuum cleaner.
Scott & Jenny - A dollhouse that my Dad made for me.
Jerimiah & Lynnae - Jerimiah - Thunder Cat sword
Lynnae - Baby Alive doll or Barbie mannequin head that I could style her hair
 

1. What is the one thing you look forward to during the Christmas season?
   Jason & Sasha - We both look forward to time with family, even the distant ones that for the rest of the year we don't mind their distance.  ( lol) and I look forward to the Fried oysters and oysters stew.

 

1. Do you have a favorite or sentimental decoration or ornaments that you look forward to displaying?

Frank & Lisa – There is a globe ornament Lisa and I bought at Disney that is sentimental.
I bought a craft kit to hand sew and embroider an angel tree topper. I quickly realized that I was in over my head and asked Grandma if she would finish it for me.  She agreed. Later, she gave me the beautiful topper wrapped in tissue in a gift box. My gentle Grandma who never, ever cussed said “Here’s your damn angel, don’t buy any more kits.” The angel is on top of my tree today, and she is much loved. –
Jerimiah & Lynnae - Jerimiah- Penguin stuffed animals and decor and my dad's Christmas mug
Lynnae- For our first Christmas married, my Nana (grandmother) made me a beautiful Santa with her mother's, my great grandmother's coat who I was blessed to know and loved very much. I love it because it has a piece of each of them.
Boys also have ornaments and a few for us over the years and those are always fun to look at each year.
Scott & Jenny - Our nativity set, our youngest daughter always sets it up. Our handmade ornaments that we have collected throughout the years.
Loren & Lee – We hide a pickle in the tree and the child who finds it gets a gift.  Lee - See photo
Jayci & Silas - We enjoy displaying our Christmas villages. Jaci’s mom has a tradition of gifting her a new village each year and it is fun to open the new villages each year and display them the next Christmas.
Jonathan & Monica - Monica: Snowbabies, nativity, and snowman collection / Jonathan: Christmas ornaments personalized from my preschool and elementary school principal each year.
JD, Beth & Hannah - we have a cabinet of Lenox Santa figurines that we have received from JD’s parents over the years and we keep them out all year long.
Jason & Sasha - We have a tree that was my Grandmother's that we still set up. And our glow mold nativity scene that was my Grandfather's
 

1. Do you have a funny Santa story or pictures?

Jeremy & Danielle - Jeremy's Grandma made us a tree skirt for a wedding gift.  We still bring it out. We have a nativity that we have put out for over 25 years. Decorations come and go, but the nativity has always been a staple in our house.
Brandon & Madison - Madison - my dad stomped on the floor making it sound like Santa had landed on our roof. Brandon - Mom called the jewelry store at the castleton mall to see if the "real" santa was the one there that day so we could go get our picture taken with him.
Frank & Lisa - December 24, 2010- Audrey had yet to see Santa that year, so we set out to correct that problem.  We loaded a jolly group in the car and set out to find him.  Who would have guessed that he would be only a few blocks away waving to passersby on the side of the road!  We pulled over and asked Santa for a chat. Once we provided a chair, a life-long memory was made. Perhaps a bit of a traumatic one for Audrey. – See Photo
Loren & Lee - Loren - When I was 8 or so, I had become a doubter.   But that Christmas I got a left-handed catchers mitt.   I had looked everyone and never saw one.   Also, it was an expensive gift,  and my family was strapped.  So,  I was back in the believer camp for couple more years.
Show video
Bill & Anna - Best Christmas story.  When Mike was about 5.  Bill took him to meet Santa   Mike is sitting on his lap.  Santa says what is your name.  Without batting an eye, Mike says if you were really Santa you would know my name. 
JD, Beth & Hannah - when our children were small, JD would dress up in his Santa suit and go into their bedrooms after they were asleep. One year, we were at Beth’s parents and they lived on a busy street, JD went out to the street and waved at cars going by around midnight. It was corny but fun!
Jonathan & Monica – See photo
Jason & Sasha - We have a picture of Caleb and Grace on Santa's knee where Grace was balling her eyes out. Little did they know that the scary Santa was one of my uncles. – See photo
 

1. What are you looking forward to this Christmas?
   JD, Beth & Hannah - JD - just being with family, and enjoying Christmas with Addy (and having hot water finally🤣)

Beth - Giving gifts to others, spending time with family, and our family games
Hannah - serving others, worship and games with the family.
Jerimiah & Lynnae - Jerimiah - This year, like every year, I'm looking forward to spending time with my family. Lynnae - I'm looking forward to my mom and siblings being in town. We are so spread out now it makes me very happy when we can all be together.
 

1. What is your favorite Christmas carol or song?

Jonathan & Monica - Monica and Kids: Little Drummer Boy performed by For King and Country and Mary Did You Know by Mark Lowry / Jonathan: Welcome To Our World by Chris Rice

NOËL

• A term signifying the holiday season, Noël comes to us from the Latin verb nasci, meaning “to be born.”
• In the book of Ecclesiastes, the birth of Jesus is called natalis. (nativity)
• A variation of this word, nael, made its way into Old French as a reference to the Christmas season and later into Middle English as nowel.
• Today it refers both to Christmas and to Christmas carols.

PHILIPPIANS 1
3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.[1]
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. 14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word, fearlessly. 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my salvation, through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.[2]

• To rejoice you have to do more than just accept your circumstances.
• You have to trust and be thankful.
• The trust is based on the character of the one who began the good work (1:6).
• It is trust in the faithfulness which He has shown.
• For Paul, this meant trusting God because He chose him—an unlikely leader of the early church—to be an apostle.
• Without trust, what else would Paul cling to? Nothing.
• Too often our trust in the Lord is based on our own understanding, or only engages part of our heart.
• When the storms of life come, faulty foundations are destroyed.
• What we need to do is trust the Lord with all of our heart and not lean on our own understanding.

LUKE 1
5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.
8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”[3]
 
39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed! 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”
1joy – noun
1 - the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: delight
2 - a state of happiness or bliss
3 - a source or cause of delight[4]
Bible Dictionary – joy - A quality or attitude of delight and happiness, which is ultimately grounded in the work of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Among the many situations in which joy is experienced, Scripture recognizes as supreme being accepted in the presence of God.[5]
 
MARY’S PRAISE
46 And Mary said:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 because he has looked with favor
on the humble condition of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations
will call me blessed,
49 because the Mighty One
has done great things for me,
and his name is holy.
50 His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear him.
51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm;
he has scattered the proud
because of the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones
and exalted the lowly.
53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he spoke to our ancestors.[6]

• One of the greatest litmus tests for trust is thanksgiving, a theme that resonates throughout Philippians.
• If I’m afraid of my situation or grumbling about it, then chances are I’m leaning on my own understanding.
• This same perspective leads me to say my situation is wrong, unfair, or needs to change.
• If I’m really trusting God to be in control of all things, then this will be reflected in my perspective.
• I may not like my predicament, but I can still choose to trust God to accomplish His purposes no matter how dire things get.
• My choice to trust in God’s character enables me to give thanks for His provision even though it is not what I would choose.[7]

Joy is understood when you have to trust and are thankful.
 
LUKE 2
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered.

• God used the decree of a pagan emperor to fulfill the prophecy of Micah 5:2 - 2 Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. [8]

2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.

• Censuses were only taken for the purpose of enlisting military and registering property owned for the purposes of taxes. It is possible, the only reason they had to travel was because Joseph owned land in Bethlehem.

6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.

• One should not romanticize the occupation of shepherds.
• In general shepherds were dishonest and unclean according to the standards of the law.
• They represent the outcasts and sinners for whom Jesus came.
• Such outcasts were the first recipients of the good news.[9]
• Shepherds were out in the fields with their flocks usually during the months of March to November. [10]

9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!

• How amazed the angels must have been when they saw the Creator born as a creature, the Word coming as a speechless baby.[11]

15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told. [12]

• Returned to their old jobs as new men!
• When you experience the Messiah… you will never be the same.

 
GALATIANS 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.[13]

JOHN 16
20 Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. 22 So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you.
23 “In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.[14]
 
NOEL – Chris Tomlin – “Adore”
– Featuring Lauren Daigle (4:17)
Start – 0:00
First note – 0:03
0:10 - Love incarnate, love divine
Star and angels gave the sign
Bow to babe on bended knee
The Savior of humanity
Unto us a Child is born
He shall reign forevermore
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
 
0:51 - Noel, Noel
Come and see what God has done
Noel, Noel
The story of amazing love!
The light of the world, given for us
Noel – 01:29
 
01:33 - Son of God and Son of man
There before the world began
Born to suffer, born to save
Born to raise us from the grave
Christ the everlasting Lord
He shall reign forevermore
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
 
2:14 - Noel, Noel
Come and see what God has done
Noel, Noel
The story of amazing love!
The light of the world, given for us
Noel – 2:52
 
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!
15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.[15]
 
3:24 - Noel, Noel
Come and see what God has done
Noel, Noel
The story of amazing love!
The light of the world, given for us
Noel, Noel – 4:10

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Php 1:3–6). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Php 1:12–20). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Lk 1:5–17). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.
[5] Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Lk 1:39–55). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Runge, S. E. (2011). High Definition Commentary: Philippians (Php 1:18–20). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[8] Christian Standard Bible (Mic 5:2). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Stein, R. H. (1992). Vol. 24: Luke. The New American Commentary (108). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[10] Stein, R. H. (1992). Vol. 24: Luke. The New American Commentary (108). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Lk 2:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[12] Christian Standard Bible (Lk 2:1–20). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Christian Standard Bible (Ga 5:22–26). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[14] Christian Standard Bible (Jn 16:20–24). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[15] Christian Standard Bible (Lk 2:1–18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

Lily Getchell -
THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Luke 2:1-20
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
 
THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGELS
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!
15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.[1]
 
Video: Leavener Kids (2010)
Questions to Lily:

• How has your Christmas list changed in the last 10 years?
• Your Grandfather would be 75 tomorrow… Your 2nd Christmas without him… What do you think his last Christmas list looked like… or even now?
• Of the story you read this morning… what character(s) do you most relate to at this point in your life?

 
Main Characters of the Christmas Story

• Jesus
• Mary
• Joseph
• Shepherds
• Angel of the Lord
• Magi – Wise Men
• Herod

 
How did each character respond?
Mary – song in Luke 1 – worship – thanksgiving

• Luke 1:46-55

46 And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. 50 His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. 51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors.[2]
 
Joseph – Matthew 1:18-25
18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.
20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25 but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus.[3]

• honor & obedience (engagement was a legally binding commitment)

Shepherds - Luke 2:8-18
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.[4]

• One should not romanticize the occupation of shepherds.
• In general shepherds were dishonest and unclean according to the standards of the law.
• They represent the outcasts and sinners for whom Jesus came. Such outcasts were the first recipients of the good news.[5]
• scared but obedient – boldness – told everyone – first evangelist.

Magi – wise men – astrologers - new age mentality – Matthew 2: 1-12
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.
5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah:
Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”
7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.[6]
– Seekers checking things out – We like questions at Leavener.
 
Herod – Matthew 2:16
16 Then Herod, when he realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men.[7]

• paranoid – prideful – jealousy – some of you were drug here – you would rather remain king and lord over your own life.
• Christianity is not about rules and religion… he entered into that system and wrecked it.

 
Angel of the Lord - Luke 2:9-14
9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors![8]

• How amazed the angels must have been when they saw the Creator born as a creature, the Word coming as a speechless baby.[9]

 
Grace >
Heartfelt response >
God’s kindness leads to repentance >
Change of mind >
The baby’s message >
Change your minds >
The Messiah is here.
 
Would the Jews embrace Jesus?
A few… but not the masses.
They would not give up religion or the Law for freedom.
 
Men and women who followed were totally transformed.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Lk 2:1–20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Lk 1:46–55). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mt 1:18–25). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Lk 2:8–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke (Vol. 24, p. 108). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mt 2:1–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mt 2:16). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Lk 2:9–14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 176). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

-Today, in this room, we have many situations, many feelings and emotions and much truth.
- I pray that God will give you faith enough to hear His message for you today.
CHRISTMAS STORY
LUKE 2:1-20
1 At that time a decree was issued by Augustus Caesar: a census was to be taken of the whole world. 2(This was the first census, before the one when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3So everyone set off to be registered, each to their own town. 4Joseph too, who belonged to the house and family of David, went from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judaea, David’s city, 5to be registered with his fiancée Mary, who was pregnant.
6So that’s where they were when the time came for her to give birth; 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

• Think about this… who is the only person in the whole world that absolutely knows that Mary was a virgin… Mary.
• Sounds like a great story… but come on…
• Mary was a teenager… was she questioning there was another way to become pregnant? Drinking the water… just time together… ha… even the power sin probably messed with Mary.
• But she knew! She knew Jesus was special.
• Mark 3:20-21 - Jesus entered a house, and the crowd gathered again so that they were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard this, they set out to restrain him, because they said, “He’s out of his mind.”[1]

She wrapped him up and put him to rest in a feeding-trough, because there was no room for them in the normal living quarters.
8There were shepherds in that region, out in the open, keeping a night watch around their flock. 9An angel of the Lord stood in front of them. The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10‘Don’t be afraid,’ the angel said to them.

• Fear: is projecting into the future something negative that has not occurred yet.
• Fear (the idea of fear) is a real thing.
• Fear is a feeling/emotion.
• Feelings and emotions aren’t always true.
• Think about past fears:
• Cold War – Nuclear Bombs – Bomb Shelters
• UFO’s & Aliens
• NASA’s Space Station crashing to earth
• Killer bees – Murder Hornets
• Y2K – Computers
• 911 – TSA Changes – More paperwork - Time
• Think about McDonald’s commercials in the past few years… Where is Ronald? Clowns – The great clown purge
• Drone Armies
• Phobias - A phobia is an irrational fear of something that’s unlikely to cause harm. The word itself comes from the Greek word phobos, which means fear or horror.
• Some phobias…
• Alektorophobia, fear of chickens
• Onomatophobia, fear of names
• Pogonophobia, fear of beards
• Nephophobia, fear of clouds
• Cryophobia, fear of ice or cold
• Octophobia, fear of the figure 8
• Ephebiphobia, fear of teenagers
• Panaphobia? Fear of pandemics
  
  
• There was no fear in creation
• Fear immediately occurred in Genesis 3
• It was never intended here on earth
• Bible verses about fear:
• Isaiah 41:10 – Do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.[2]+

• Matthew 14:25-27 -  Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear.
• Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”[3]
• Mark 5:36 – When Jesus overheard what was said, he told the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.”[4]
• Luke 12:6-7 - Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7 Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. [5]
• John 14:27-29 - “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe.[6]
• Romans 8:37-39 – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.[7]
• Fear is not going away
• How do you deal with fear?
• If fear is not going away, how do you deal with it?
• This is the real Christmas gift.

‘Look: I’ve got good news for you, news which will make everybody very happy. 11Today a saviour has been born for you—the Messiah, the Lord!—in David’s town. 12This will be the sign for you: you’ll find the baby wrapped up, and lying in a feeding-trough.’
13Suddenly, with the angel, there was a crowd of the heavenly armies. They were praising God, saying,
14‘Glory to God in the highest,
and peace upon earth among those in his favour.’
15So when the angels had gone away again into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Well then; let’s go to Bethlehem and see what it’s all about, all this that the Lord has told us.’
16So they hurried off, and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the feeding-trough. 17When they saw it, they told them what had been said to them about this child. 18And all the people who heard it were amazed at the things the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured all these things and mused over them in her heart.
20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them.[8]

• 17When they saw it, they told them what had been said to them about this child.
• Think about the transition of emotions at this point.
• The angel said “do not fear” – yah… right
• The whole journey there was full of fear and doubt.
• But that moment… the shepherds laid on eyes on baby Jesus, the Savior of the World… all fear was gone.
• Their emotions immediately changed from fear to complete joy.
• How do you deal with fear… if it is not going away?
• Fear is met head on in the head.
• Set your feelings to the side and trust what you know.
• Let your knowledge impact your feelings.
• Don’t let your feelings impact your knowledge.
• Knowing > Feelings
• Think about it this week… I am not asking you to dismiss your feelings… because you can’t.
• But think about it this week when you catch yourself saying, “I feel like…”
• Can you actually say, “I know…”

 
Believe

• We teach our kids from an early age to believe in a man that can fly through the sky with 8 tiny reindeer and packages enough for all the kids in the world.
• Then this man makes it to every home all over the world in one night, shimming down chimneys and eating cookies and milk at every stop.

 

• What if we teach them to believe in a man who came to save the whole world but he was born outside in a feeding trough.
• This same man walked on water, healed the sick, turned water into wine and raised people from the dead.
• This same man became a sacrifice for all of our sins so that we might have an abundant life in world of chaos.
• The same man who died and rose again so the Spirit could come here and reside within our mortal bodies.

 
 Residence

• On Facebook, I share about this building… how it has basically been given to us for the last 12.5 years.
• God provided a place for us to gather… free of charge.
• That night in Bethlehem, God provided a feeding trough for the Savior of the World to be born… His very own Son… assuming it was free of charge.
• Today, God has provided a place for His Spirit to dwell. It didn’t cost you a dime… but it cost Him His only Son.
• You my friend, have become the dwelling place for the Spirit of God here on earth.
• There is no greater gift this Christmas.

 

• Today we celebrate Christmas and Easter as we do every day.

 
Lord’s Supper
Jesus said something like this, “When you gather… remember what I did for you.”

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mk 3:20–21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Is 41:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mt 14:24–27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mk 5:36). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Lk 12:5–7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Jn 14:27–29). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 8:37–39). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Lk 2:1–20). London: SPCK.

Christmas Prophecies

• Probability vs absolute truth
• 12 3 4 5 6 = 10
• 12+3-4+5-6=10

 

• Aristotle. - “To say of what is that it is not, or of what is not that it is, is false, while to say of what is that it is and of what is not that it is not is true.”
• C. S. Peirce. – “The object of reasoning is to find out, from the consideration of what we already know, something else which we do not know. Consequently, reasoning is good if it be such as to give a true conclusion from true premises, and not otherwise.”
• W. Blake – “Truth can never be told so as to be understood, and not be believed.”

 

• Because of our limitations in this world, we are forced to draw conclusions and make decisions based on the likelihood the knowledge we possess is true, and not on the absolute certainty it is true.
• More specifically, we base the level of credibility of knowledge we obtain (in any given situation) using probability — not certainty.
• It is practical and serves us well.
• The alternative way of conducting our lives would be impractical, paralyzing, and most likely impossible —   any sort of progress would be anyway.

 
Promised through the Seed of a Woman
Genesis 3:15
15 I will put hostility between you and the woman,
and between your seed and her seed. [1]
Galatians 4:4-5
4 When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.[2]
 
Promised before Jewish Judicial Power was lost
Genesis 49:10
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah
or the staff from between his feet
until He whose right it is comes
and the obedience of the peoples belongs to Him.[3]

• If Jesus was born around 4 BC… Jews didn’t lose judicial power until the Roman courts took over in 7 AD.
• Jewish Sanhedrin could no longer pronounce the death penalty.

 
Promised through the Seed of Abraham
Genesis 22:18
(15) Then an angel of the Lord called to Abraham…
18 And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed My command.” [4]
Matthew 1:1
1 The historical record of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:[5]
 
Promised through the Seed of a line of Jewish Patriarchs
Genesis 21:12 – Line of Isaac
12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be concerned about the boy and your slave. Whatever Sarah says to you, listen to her, because your offspring will be traced through Isaac[6][7]
 
Jeremiah 23:5-6 – Line of David
5 “The days are coming” —this is the Lord’s declaration--
“when I will raise up a Righteous Branch of David.
He will reign wisely as king
and administer justice and righteousness in the land.
6 In His days Judah will be saved,
and Israel will dwell securely.
This is what He will be named:
Yahweh Our Righteousness. [8]
 
Isaiah 11:1-2 – Line of Jesse
1 Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him --
a Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
a Spirit of counsel and strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. [9]
 
Numbers 24:17 – Line of Jacob
17 I see him, but not now;
I perceive him, but not near.
A star will come from Jacob,
and a scepter will arise from Israel. [10]
 
Micah 5:2 – Line of Judah
2 Bethlehem Ephrathah,
you are small among the clans of Judah;
One will come from you
to be ruler over Israel for Me.
His origin is from antiquity,
from eternity.[11]
 
Luke 3:31-34
31 son of Nathan, son of David (Jeremiah 23:5-6),
32 son of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1-2), son of Obed,
son of Boaz, son of Salmon,
son of Nahshon, 33 son of Amminadab,
son of Ram, son of Hezron,
son of Perez, son of Judah, (Micah 5:2)
34 son of Jacob (Number 24:17), son of Isaac (Genesis 21:12), [12]
 
Born in Bethlehem
Micah 5:2
2 Bethlehem Ephrathah,
you are small among the clans of Judah;
One will come from you
to be ruler over Israel for Me.
His origin is from antiquity,
from eternity.[13]
Matthew 2:1
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, [14]
 - 2 Bethlehem’s – Sea of Galilee & near Jerusalem.
 
Born of a Virgin
Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.[15]
Matthew 1:18
18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.[16]
 
Worshipped by Shepherds
Psalm 72:9
9 May desert tribes kneel before him
and his enemies lick the dust. [17]
Luke 2:8-12
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” [18]
 
Presented Gifts by Kings who Worshipped Him
Psalm 72:10-11
10 May the kings of Tarshish
and the coasts and islands bring tribute,
the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
11 Let all kings bow down to him,
all nations serve him. [19]
Matthew 2:11
11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh[20]
 
Weeping for Children wo will be Killed
Matthew 2:16-18
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the male children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
18 (Jeremiah31:15) A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
and she refused to be consoled,
because they were no more.[21]
 
Flight to Egypt
Hosea 11:1
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called My son. [22]
 Matthew 2:13-14
13 After they were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to destroy Him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and His mother during the night, and escaped to Egypt.[23]
 
Son of God
Psalm 2:7
7 I will declare the Lord’s decree:
He said to Me, “You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father.[24]
 Matthew 3:17
17 And there came a voice from heaven:
This is My beloved Son.
I take delight in Him! [25]
 
Called the Lord
Psalm 110:1
1 This is the declaration of the Lord
to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
until I make Your enemies Your footstool.”[26]
 Luke 2:11
17 Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.[27]
 
Jesus’ Pre-Existence
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For a child will be born for us,
a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 The dominion will be vast,
and its prosperity will never end.
He will reign on the throne of David
and over his kingdom,
to establish and sustain it
with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.[28]
 Colossians 1:17
17 He is before all things,
and by Him all things hold together. [29]
 
Shall Be Immanuel (God With Us)
Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.[30]
Matthew 1:23
23 See, the virgin will become pregnant
and give birth to a son,
and they will name Him Immanuel, [31]
 

• These cannot all come to pass by chance.
• In 1969, Professor Peter Stoner took eight of those prophecies, eight of them...born in Bethlehem, preceded by a messenger, riding on a donkey, betrayed by a friend, sold for 30 pieces of silver, money used to buy a potter's field, silent as a lamb, hands and feet pieced.
• Had his math students do a study of the science of probability. They came up with one chance in ten to the seventeenth power...that's one chance in ten with seventeen zeroes after it.
• And interestingly enough, some years later his grandson went back to the problem and decided it was actually ten to the eighteenth power. I'm not sure where that distinction lies.
• Cover Texas with silver dollars… have a blind man pick 1 pre-marked silver dollar out of the whole bunch.

 
But here is the “proof in the pudding.” (You have to eat the pudding to know what is in it.)
Colossians 1:27
27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.[32]

[1] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ge 3:15). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ga 4:4–5). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ge 49:10). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ge 22:18). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 1:1). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ge 21:12). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ge 22:18). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Je 23:5–6). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Is 11:1–2). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Nu 24:17). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mic 5:2). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Lk 3:31–34). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mic 5:2). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[14] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 2:1). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[15] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Is 7:14). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[16] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 1:18). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[17] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ps 72:9). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[18] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Lk 2:8–12). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[19] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ps 72:10–11). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[20] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 2:11). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[21] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 2:16–18). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[22] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ho 11:1). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[23] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 2:13–14). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[24] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ps 2:7). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[25] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 3:17). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[26] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ps 110:1). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[27] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Lk 2:11). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[28] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Is 9:6–7). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[29] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Col 1:17). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[30] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Is 7:14). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[31] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 1:23). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[32] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Col 1:27–28). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

The ABCs of Christmas from Luke 2
A - Angels from the realms of glory, Telling of the Christmas story.
B - Bethlehem beckons with joyful accord; Come hither, come see and worship the Lord.
C - Christ was born on Christmas Day, Asleep in a manger, a bed made of hay.
D - Divine and holy is Thy Birth; Angels give flight o'er all the earth.
E - Everlasting Father Lord of all, Look with mercy and love on us all.
F - "Fear not," said the angel, one night long ago. "I bring good tidings, to earth below."
G - "Glory to the Son," we sing, "Christ is our Prophet, Priest and King."
H - Heavenly hosts, their watch are keeping, Precious child so sweetly sleeping,
I - Immanuel, we sing Thy praise, Thou Prince of Life, Thou Fount of Grace.
J - Joy to the world, the Lord is come, Born in a manger, God's only Son.
K - King of Kings, prophets foretold, Now all men His love behold.
L - Love is a gift He gives to all. To each of us, both great and small.
M - Messiah and Savior--for this He came-- Live in our hearts and there remain.
N - Night so holy, silent and still, Proclaiming joy, peace and good will.
O - Odors of Edom and offerings divine, Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine.
P - Peace on earth, good will from heaven, Souls redeemed and sins forgiven.
Q - Quietly He came to earth To give us all a second birth.
R - Rejoice, give thanks and loudly sing, Glory to the New-born King.
S - Shepherds watched their flocks by night While Wise Men followed the heavenly light.
T - Tidings of great joy I bring; Good news from heaven the angels sing.
U - Unto us a Child is born On this happy Christmas Morn.
V - Virgin-born, Immanuel, Let every tongue Thy praises tell.
W - Wise Men from the East, they came To worship and praise His holy name.
X - X is for Christ when in Greek it is read, A Savior, the Lord, so the angel said.
Y - Yonder shines brightly the heavenly star Showing the way to those from afar.
Z - Zeal was bestowed on God's only Son From His childhood years till His work was done.
(Donna O'Briant ©1997 Compliments of Joni and Friends PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376 www.joniandfriends.org)

There is a verse that for me sums up the real meaning of Christmas better than any verse in the Bible.
 
It is just one verse tucked away in a forgotten corner of the New Testament.
2 Corinthians 8:9 - "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.”
 
That sentence sums up the great truth behind Jesus’ birth.
 
  A — He Was Rich
Forbes list of the 400 richest people in America. Here’s the top 13 from that list:
1. Bill Gates
Net Worth: $81B
Source of wealth: Microsoft
2. Jeff Bezos
Net Worth: $67B
Source of wealth: Amazon.com
3. Warren Buffett
Net Worth: $65.5B
Source of wealth: Berkshire Hathaway
4. Mark Zuckerberg
Net Worth: $55.5B
Source of wealth: Facebook
5. Larry Ellison
Net Worth: $49.3B
Source of wealth: Oracle
6. Michael Bloomberg
Net Worth: $45B
Source of wealth: Bloomberg LP
7. Charles Koch
Net Worth: $42B
Source of wealth: diversified
7. David Koch
Net Worth: $42B
Source of wealth: diversified
9. Larry Page
Net Worth: $38.5B
Source of wealth: Google
10. Sergey Brin
Net Worth: $37.5B
Source of wealth: Google
11. Jim Walton
Net Worth: $35.6B
Source of wealth: Wal-Mart
12. S. Robson Walton
Net Worth: $35.5B
Source of wealth: Wal-Mart
13. Alice Walton
Net Worth: $35.4B
Source of wealth: Wal-Mart
 
After further perusing the entire list, I can report two things to you:

1. I am not on that list.
2. I don’t know anyone who is.

I know some wealthy people, but I don’t know any billionaires. You see, there are several categories of richness.
- The Average Rich fly first class.
- The Medium Rich charter a jet.
- The Super Rich own the jet.
- The Incredibly Rich own the airline.
- But Jesus Christ owns the skies.
- When the Bible says, "He was rich," it is speaking of what he had before he left heaven to come to earth.
 - All the glory of God radiates from him (Hebrews 1:3). - He shared glory with the Father before the world began (John 17:5).
- All things were created through him (John 1:3).
- All things hold together in him (Colossians 1:17).
- He upholds all things (Hebrews 1:3).
- He is the ruler of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5).
- Before he was born, he was the Mighty God and the Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6).
 
Luke 2:11 tells us the true identity of the babe in the manger: “For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord”.

Suppose you thought about it this way: Take the ten richest men and women who ever lived . . .
And the ten most powerful rulers who ever ruled . . . Add the ten wisest men who pondered life's questions. Throw in the mightiest generals who ever went to battle . . .
Add the ten ten strongest athletes in every sport . . . And the ten most mesmerizing orators . . .
Plus the ten greatest political leaders . . .
And any ten other great men and women left on the earth . . .
Throw in ten top Super Heroes
Calculate their accumulated wealth . . . power . . . influence . . . skill . . . genius . . . wisdom . . . insight . . . ability.
Whatever that vast sum comes to, Jesus had more in heaven.
-No man or collection of men could come close to him.
- He was rich.
- He didn't leave heaven in search of riches.
- All the money in the universe was his for the asking.
- Theologians speak of the pre-existence of Jesus Christ. That simply means that before Bethlehem, the Son of God existed from all eternity in heaven.
- Not as a pauper or a beggar, but in glorious splendor. That's the A of the ABC's of Christmas--He Was Rich.
- But that is only part of the story. Christmas begins with what happens next.
 
  B — He Became Poor
What does it mean? He was rich in eternity. He became poor in time.
He left heaven for a remote village in a forgotten province, to join a despised race, to be born of an obscure teenage peasant girl in a stable, wrapped in rags, placed in a feeding trough instead of a crib.
This much we all know.
-But notice the verb—He became poor. Not, he was made poor. That's what happens to us. We are made poor by circumstances.
- But he himself, of his own free will, became poor. That's something we would never do.
- He voluntarily gave up the riches of heaven for the poverty of earth.
- He who was richer than any man has ever been gave it up freely and became poorer than any man has ever been.
- We understand riches. And we understand poverty. But to choose poverty is beyond us and something we would never do. 
- But that is the heart of the gospel. The richest person in the universe, of his own free will, became poorer than the poor.

-Theologians also have a word for this. They call it the incarnation.
-The idea comes from John 1:14 which says, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." I love how The Message puts it: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”
-Jesus left the glories of heaven to move into our neighborhood and become just like us.
-He knows what we’re going through because he has lived here himself.

-In what sense did Christ become poor?
- He left the glories of heaven for the sadness of earth. - He stooped to enter the world through a mother’s womb.
- He became a dependent creature.
- He endured rejection and ridicule.
- He refused to return evil for evil.
- He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

Read this from Ray Pritchard:
Two thousand years ago, a man was born contrary to the laws of life. He lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity. He was the child of a peasant woman and worked in a carpenter’s shop until he was 30. Then for three years he was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home, never wrote a book, never held public office. He never went to college and never set foot in a big city. He never traveled 200 miles from the place where he was born.
He possessed none of the usual traits that accompany greatness. He had no credentials but himself. In his infancy he startled a king; in childhood he puzzled doctors; in manhood he ruled the course of nature, walked upon the billows as if on pavement, and hushed the sea to sleep. He healed the multitudes without medicine and made no charge for his service.
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed on a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth—his coat. When he was dead, he was taken down and laid in a borrowed tomb.

-Why would Jesus choose to live this way? The answer is simple and profound. He became like us because that was the only way he could save us.
- He didn't mail a letter or shout from heaven.
- He did the one thing we could understand. God himself came down and entered the human race.
- He became poor like us so that forever we would hear him saying, "I love you."
- No one forced him to do this. No one took the crown of heaven from his brow.
- No one removed him from the throne.
- No one stripped him of his royal robes.
- He removed his crown of glory that he might wear the crown of thorns.
- He left his heavenly throne that he might lie in a feeding-trough.
- He exchanged his royal robes for swaddling clothes.
- No one forced poverty upon him.
- He gave up the glories of heaven for the misery of earth that we might share the glories of heaven with him. 
- If Christ had been born in a palace, the poor would always wonder if God cared about them.
- If Christ had been born with the riches of the world, we would think he took advantage of being God’s Son.
 
- What do we see at Bethlehem?
- A frightened father, an exhausted mother, a dirty stable in wintertime, swaddling clothes and a feeding trough.
- There he is, ignored by the mighty and powerful—the Deity in Diapers.
- Immanuel—God with us. It's so simple that you know it must be true.
- Only God would have done it that way. That's the B of the ABC's of Christmas—He Became Poor There is one more truth about Christmas we must know if we are to discover the true meaning of this day.
 
C  — That We Might Become Rich
Here is the purpose of Christmas. He came so that we who were poor might become rich. How does that happen?
Abraham was credited grace.
We were given the gift of grace.
All the grace of God is available to me by virtue of my relationship with Jesus Christ. Think of it. All the riches . . . all the power . 
- All the prestige of his good name is mine.
- But someone will say, "You don't deserve that."
- Indeed I didn't. That's the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. If I deserved it, I wouldn't need Jesus. But through my life in Jesus Christ & Jesus Christ in me, suddenly I am a rich man.
 
- The theologians have a word for this as well. They call it the doctrine of imputation. It's what happens when I come to Jesus Christ.
- He takes my sin, and I take his righteousness. I don't earn it; it is imputed to me. It is gifted to my account. That's grace by association.
- When I come to Jesus Christ, I come as a pauper in the spiritual realm. My hands are empty, my pockets bare, I have nothing to offer, no claim to make.
- All my good works are as filthy rags; my resume is filled with failure.
- All my life I have gone two steps forward and three steps back.
 
-But when I come to Christ, I am fed, clothed, filled, forgiven, crowned with every good thing. He takes away my rags and puts around me the robe of his righteousness.
- Everything that was against me is gone.
- Everything I lacked, I now have.
- Once I was poor. Now I am rich.
- That's the grace of God.
- And it happened because of Christmas.
- He who was rich became poor for my sake that I through his poverty might become rich.
- Most of us don’t feel rich. I have already mentioned that my name is nowhere on the list of billionaires. But what of it?
 
Here, then, are the ABC's of Christmas: A — He was rich B — He became poor C — That we might become rich That's the true meaning of Christmas. Let us rejoice this year that these things are true, and let us teach them to our children and grandchildren that they may know what this season is all about.
 
Because Christ became poor, we are now the richest people in the world. 
 http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/the-abcs-of-christmas-2015-edition

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Alpha and Omega.
Desire of All Nations.
Firstborn from the Dead.
Master.
Light of the World.
Bread of Life.
Water of Life.
I Am.
The Door.
The Way, the Truth, the Life.
The Resurrection and the Life.
Chief Cornerstone.
Captain of our Salvation.
Lord of the Hosts of Heaven.
Author and Finisher of our Faith.
Faithful and True Witness.
Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
King of Kings.
Lord of Lords.
 
He’s the King of Righteousness.
He’s the King of Glory.
No means of measure can define His limitless love.
He’s enduringly strong.
He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
He’s God’s Son.
He’s the sinner’s Saviour.
He’s the centrepiece of civilization.
He is the loftiest idea in literature.
He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He strengthens and sustains.
He guards and He guides. He heals the sick.
He cleansed the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He blesses the young.
He’s the key to knowledge.
He’s the wellspring of wisdom.
His life is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
And His yoke is easy. And His burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you. Yes…
He’s indescribable!
He’s incomprehensible.
He’s invincible.
He’s irresistible.
You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him.
Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him.
Yeah! That’s my King, that’s my King.
(Adapted from "My King" sermon by Dr. S.M. Lockridge)
 
Lord Jesus, what miracles you have done.    We were naked, and you clothed us.    We were hungry, and you fed us.    We were thirsty, and you gave us living water.    We were poor, and you made us rich.    We were guilty, and you forgave us.    We were lost, and you found us.    We were dying, and you saved us. Glory to your name forever!  Amen.