How to Celebrate Christmas
Scripture: Luke 2:120, Christ is Born
1) And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2) This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3) So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5) to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6) So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7) And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Angels Announce Jesus to the Shepherds
8) Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9) And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10) Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11) For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12) And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14)"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
The Shepherds Visit Jesus
15) So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16) And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17) Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18) And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20) Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
1) And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2) This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3) So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5) to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6) So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7) And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Angels Announce Jesus to the Shepherds
8) Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9) And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10) Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11) For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12) And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14)"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
The Shepherds Visit Jesus
15) So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16) And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17) Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18) And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20) Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Introduction: During this season of shopping and entertaining, let's remember why Christmas is celebrated in the first place. We decorate our homes, send out cards, visit friends, buy presents, and go caroling. Some celebrate a portion of Christmas Day watching football games. For some, it's a time for drinking and partying. But this is a holiday to honor the fact that God sent His Son to be born in a manger and to become our Savior.
As Christians, we should celebrate in a unique way. I'd like to suggest four responses to the birth- day of Christ based on today's passage.
1. By Witnessing About Christ (v. 17). 17) Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
The shepherds "made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child." We're to make Him known to those around us and help them understand that He came as a Savior. There are many opportunities available during Christmas. We can witness through the cards we send out. We witness by how we decorate our homes. We witness through the seasonal music we sing. And we witness by inviting people to attend church services with us. Many will come at this season of the year that would never darken our doors otherwise. Be intentional about sharing Christ this Christmas.
As Christians, we should celebrate in a unique way. I'd like to suggest four responses to the birth- day of Christ based on today's passage.
1. By Witnessing About Christ (v. 17). 17) Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
The shepherds "made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child." We're to make Him known to those around us and help them understand that He came as a Savior. There are many opportunities available during Christmas. We can witness through the cards we send out. We witness by how we decorate our homes. We witness through the seasonal music we sing. And we witness by inviting people to attend church services with us. Many will come at this season of the year that would never darken our doors otherwise. Be intentional about sharing Christ this Christmas.
2. By Wondering at Christ (v. 18). 18) And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Those who heard the shepherds wondered at the things told them. I was reminded this week of a word seldom used today: muse. It means sit back, meditate, and think. The word amuse adds the negative prefix which means "to not muse." Amusements are those things that keep us from thinking seriously about anything. Christmas is a wonderful time for amusement, yet when those in Luke 2 heard about Jesus they mused on Him. Think about it! Here is a story of purity wrapped up in the birth of a Child born to a young mother. Here is joy amidst seeming tragedy. Here is a great announcement to a lowly group of shepherds. Here is a Baby born to die. Here is a King born in stable to poor parents, yet was God manifest in flesh. ,
Those who heard the shepherds wondered at the things told them. I was reminded this week of a word seldom used today: muse. It means sit back, meditate, and think. The word amuse adds the negative prefix which means "to not muse." Amusements are those things that keep us from thinking seriously about anything. Christmas is a wonderful time for amusement, yet when those in Luke 2 heard about Jesus they mused on Him. Think about it! Here is a story of purity wrapped up in the birth of a Child born to a young mother. Here is joy amidst seeming tragedy. Here is a great announcement to a lowly group of shepherds. Here is a Baby born to die. Here is a King born in stable to poor parents, yet was God manifest in flesh. ,
"In the presence of such a holy miracle, there can be no fitting attitude of the human intellect but that of acceptance of the truth without any attempt to explain the mystery."
3. By Waiting Before Christ (v. 19). 19) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
3. By Waiting Before Christ (v. 19). 19) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
We also celebrate Christmas by waiting before Christ, even as Mary pondered all these things in her heart. You say, "Isn't that what you were just saying?" Well, the word ponder is even more intense than wonder. It means to explore beneath the surface and to contemplate, trying to understand. Mary pondered and treasured them up. She committed them to memory. She was a woman who thought deeply about what was happening in her life. It's easy to become so busy between Thanksgiving and Christmas that we don't spend time in personal Bible study and prayer. We can let the outward celebrations of the holiday take us away from the one thing that could mean the most to us as Christians. We have to make time for waiting before God.
4. By Worshiping Christ (v. 20). 20) Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
4. By Worshiping Christ (v. 20). 20) Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God. I believe Christmas brings tremendous opportunities for glorifying God as we sing our carols, as we pray personally, quietly praise Him, and publicly worship. To celebrate Christmas as Christians, we've got to take a step back from the busyness of the season and the materialism of the world and focus on Him!
Conclusion: Years ago in a European country, a christening took place for a baby who had been born to royalty. As the guests arrived, a servant met them at the door and took their wraps. Eventually someone asked,
Conclusion: Years ago in a European country, a christening took place for a baby who had been born to royalty. As the guests arrived, a servant met them at the door and took their wraps. Eventually someone asked,
"Where's the baby?"
The nurse was sent to fetch him, but she couldn't find him. Finally, a guest recalled having seen the baby in the bed where the coats had been placed. The parents were horrified to find there the lifeless form of their son who had been smothered under the pile of coats. What irony. The real purpose of the gathering had been forgotten and the one to be honored was killed. I wonder if that isn't true for many at this time of year. Jesus is our celebration. He is our Honored One. He is our King. This year let's honor Him by witnessing, wondering, waiting before Him and worshiping Him!
posted by Fisherman For Christ at 12/19/2006 01:19:00 AM
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