“Heaven is Open” (SERIES: Why Christmas?) “Heaven is Open” (SERIES: Why Christmas?) 2 ND Corinthians 8:9

"With Sweet Shouting" Johann Sabastian Bach / John Mason Neale "Good Christian Men Rejoice" "With Sweet Shouting" Johann Sabastian Bach / John Mason Neale "Good Christian Men Rejoice" (1 st stanza): (1 st stanza): “Good Christian men, rejoice, With heart and soul and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today. Ox and ass before Him bow, He is in the manger now; Christ is born today, Christ is born today!” “Good Christian men, rejoice, With heart and soul and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today. Ox and ass before Him bow, He is in the manger now; Christ is born today, Christ is born today!”

(2 nd stanza): (2 nd stanza): “Good Christian men, rejoice, With heart and soul and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss; Jesus Christ was born for this! He hath opened the heavenly door, And man is blessed forever more. Christ was born for this, Christ was born for this!” “Good Christian men, rejoice, With heart and soul and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss; Jesus Christ was born for this! He hath opened the heavenly door, And man is blessed forever more. Christ was born for this, Christ was born for this!”

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." (2 nd Corinthians 8:9) "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." (2 nd Corinthians 8:9)

Three Reasons to Celebrate Christmas: Three Reasons to Celebrate Christmas: I. SEE THE GLORY OF GOD I. SEE THE GLORY OF GOD "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich..." (v.9a)

"The Mighty God." (Isaiah 9:6) "The Mighty God." (Isaiah 9:6)

Colossians 1:16 "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." Colossians 1:16 "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him."

II. EXPERIENCE THE GRACE OF GOD II. EXPERIENCE THE GRACE OF GOD "Yet for your sakes He became poor." (v.9b)

Philippians 2:5-7 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men." Philippians 2:5-7 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men."

“ The wrong side of the tracks”

“The foxes have holes and the birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

III. ENJOY THE GOODNESS OF GOD III. ENJOY THE GOODNESS OF GOD "That you, through His poverty, might become rich." (v.9c) (v.9c)

"This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I Am well pleased." "This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I Am well pleased."

“Nearer, nearer to my Lord, Nearer I cannot be; For in the Person of His Son, I am as near as He.” “Nearer, nearer to my Lord, Nearer I cannot be; For in the Person of His Son, I am as near as He.”

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ..." (Romans 8:16-17a) "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ..." (Romans 8:16-17a)

(last stanza): “Good Christian men, rejoice, With heart and soul and voice; Now you need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all, To gain His everlasting hall, Christ was born to save, Christ was born to save!” (last stanza): “Good Christian men, rejoice, With heart and soul and voice; Now you need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all, To gain His everlasting hall, Christ was born to save, Christ was born to save!”

“Heaven is Open”