Complementing Christmas
Hey Hey Harvest South Bay!
Merry Christmas – AGAIN! The tree is up, the lights are on, and we’ve had a great Advent season so far. I hope that this brief mini-series on Christ’s birth has been not only educational, but spiritually advancing for you. The study of God’s Word has shifted my thoughts on how I usually approach Christmas and how to think on Christ’s birth.
Here are this week’s sermon notes. An announcement for our annual Christmas celebration will be following in the next email so it doesn’t get lost in all of the text!
Spend time with family and friends, reflecting on Christ and His salvation this season. Don’t get caught up in shopping or Christmas cards or decorating!
In Christ,
Byron
Harvest South Bay December 14th, 2008
Complementing Christmas
Advent Season 2008
Matthew 2:1-23
The Christmas Story: After Jesus is Born
The Magi ascertain that the King of the Jews is going to be born so they come to Jerusalem- the capital of the Jews- to seek for Him. Herod catches wind of this and inquires of Jewish religious scholars as to where this King is to be born. He then secretly calls the Magi to himself and asks them to find the King in Bethlehem for him so that he can join them in worshiping Him.
The Magi follow the indications from the star and find Jesus. They worship Him and offer their gifts. After, being warned by angels that Herod’s intent is not pure, they sneak away without giving Herod the location of the Christ. Joseph also is informed by an angel about Herod’s plan to kill the Child and so he departs for Egypt. Enraged that the Magi have not fallen for his deception, Herod tries to insure that the prophesied King does not survive: He slaughters all of the male children under the age of two.
Joseph receives guidance again when Herod dies that it is safe to return to Israel. He settles in Nazareth.
When we think of Christmas:
1. Christ’s Birth Was Opposed by Sin. The narrative tells of the great opposition to the birth of Jesus: that Jesus’ Kingdom is opposed by the existing kingdom and will continue to face opposition because of the sinful nature of the world.
2. Christ’s Birth Brings Salvation. The Nativity story is fundamentally a story of salvation. Like Old Testament narratives which told of deliverance from opposition, this narrative tells of deliverance from Herod to underscore that God Himself is a saving God. So, we are to turn our eyes not only on the birth of Christ when thinking of Christmas, but on the fulness of Salvation.
Weekly Application Exercises
1. During the season of Advent, when greeted with wishes of love or peace or hope, connect those well-wishes mentally with your salvation in Christ. Cultivate a meditation on not only the incarnation, but on God’s saving work as a whole during Christmastime.
2. Memorize 2 Tim 3:12. Especially during this week, spend some time determining how to be both full of grace and a representative of God’s truth in a sinful world. Purpose to speak to a friend, relative or co-worker about the gospel as the new year begins.
More applications!
1. Take some time to meditate this season on a life without Christmas: not just the holiday and it’s associated celebrations but life without salvation. How would your life be different? Thank God that Christmas commemorates His work not only in the world, but also in each of our lives.
2. Christ is the ultimate gift, given to us. Think of someone who you know who you could be giving the gift of Christ to this year. Plan how you will wrap, present and prepare this gift for giving this year. It’s already been paid for!
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