Luke 2:8-20

I. FIRST, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND DISCOVER THE MAIN PARTS Luke 2:15,16

A. A MERRY CHRISTMAS BEGINS WITH AN EVENT THAT WAS A MOMENTOUS STORY The miracle of Christmas is not a mere legend, or parable, or some pious myth. The Actual Date of Christmas Eastern Christians celebrate on January 6 th Some say Jesus was born in the Spring.

A DOCUMENTED STORY OF A SUPERNATURAL POWER, YET AUTHENTIC “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 14: God clothed Himself with flesh and blood. Jesus was born to die and become the Savior of the world. He was the Anointed One, meaning Christ. He is the Lord of all Lords. Jesus is the reason behind the gift we have purchased.

B. A MERRY CHRISTMAS ALSO HAS SOME UNPLEASANT PARTS Decree of Caesar to take a censes People had to travel to their home town to be counted. Mary and Joseph had to travel in Mary’s condition. Gossip in Nazareth about Mary who was not married and having a child.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS ALSO HAS SOME UNPLEASANT PARTS The overcrowded inn at Bethlehem. Great spiritual apathy of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Rage of Herod who was trying to murder Jesus by taking the lives of every male child under the age of 2. Poverty and oppression

A MERRY CHRISTMAS ALSO HAS SOME UNPLEASANT PARTS Bitter misunderstanding Malicious rumors Loneliness Heartless rejection Madness

GOD BECAME MAN WITHOUT CEASING TO BE GOD “No one has a right to believe in the incarnation at all, who has not first found it incredible” Archbishop William Temple

II. SECOND, GET SOMEONE ELSE TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE Luke 2:17

A. BY SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF GOOD NEWS “Be not afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy… for you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” God’s love provided a remedy for the ruin of our sin. “The Son of man came… to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

“You shall call his name Jesus (meaning Jehovah is salvation) for he will save his people from their sins.” The crib and the cross are of the same wood. There was a scandal at the crib, and at the cross.

B. WE SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF DELIVERANCE What people want and need more than anything is a deliverance from the sins and habits of life. The only thing that will generate a new motive, new desires, and a new power in their lives is a Savior who can identify with their hurt and pain. They need someone who can lift them above the self defeat, the emptiness, and nagging frustration of self defeat.

III. THIRD, TAKE TIME TO THINK IT THROUGH Luke 2:18,19

A. IF WE THINK IT THROUGH WE WON’T GET DISTRACTED WITH THE COMMERCIALISM Commercialism… is when we get the true meaning of Christmas lost in the hustle and bustle. is when we add to the season the things that distract us. Assembling Christmas means we think it through so we can come out with the right perspective of Christ and His purpose for us.

B. IF WE THINK IT THROUGH WE WON’T THROW AWAY ANY PARTS v.19 Mary “Kept all these things…” “pondered them in her heart.” “kept” Mary remembered the events of that night and meditated on those things.

EVERY DETAIL THAT SURROUNDS CHRISTMAS IS IMPORTANT If one detail is lost we loss the meaning of the whole. “Kept” – “to observe to celebrate.” As we observe we have to center our traditions around things that remind us of that one event on the first Christmas Day.

IV. FOURTH, DON’T STOP UNTIL THE JOB IS DONE Luke 2:20

A. COMPLETING THE JOB DEMANDS A POSITIVE RESPONSE OF FAITH The shepherds received the message by faith and responded with an immediate obedience. The shepherds went back to their jobs changed. WILL WE ALLOW CHRISTMAS TO MAKE A POSITVE DIFFERENCE IN OUR FAITH?

B. COMPLETING THE JOB DEMANDS A NEW COMMITMENT Commitment begins with believing the truth about Christ. THE SHEPHERDS WERE… patient in finding Christ. considerate and appreciative of the Christ child. quick to worship and not judge the facts. humble and trustful. thankful and contented to listen to the truth.

MAKING THE COMMITMENT “We’re playing games while Satan plays for keeps.” Dr. Jay Strack I challenge you to stop this year and read the instructions carefully and discover the true meaning of a Merry Christmas.