2. The Whole Christmas Story
“The Story Before the Story”

3. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
“God saw all he had made, and it was very good” Genesis1:1, 31 NIV

4. Setting things in Motion
In the beginning God created
He created a perfect world – Genesis 1:1-25, 31
He created a perfect man – Genesis 1:26 - 2:25
Everything God had made was very good – Genesis 1:31

5. Setting things in Motion
The rise and fall of man
Man was given great power and freedom! – Genesis 1:26 – 2:25
Man sinned and there were huge consequences! Genesis 3:1-24
From that time on, there would be constant conflict between good and evil – Genesis 3:15

6. Setting things in Motion
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 NIV

7. Setting things in Motion
God’s promise of hope
From the offspring of woman, One would rise up to defeat Satan – Genesis 3:15
The Old Testament is the unfolding of this story

8. “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest of care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.” Peter 1: NIV

9. The Plan Revealed Specific details were given in prophecy
When He would come – Daniel 9:25; Galatians 4:4
His linage – Isaiah 11:1-2; Matthew 1:2-17
The place He would be born – Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:4-7
His miraculous birth – Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23
God revealed His Plan in great detail!

10. The Plan Revealed But only in bits and pieces
Like a puzzle that has to be put together before you can see the whole picture – 1 Peter 1:10-12
God had a purpose for keeping it a mystery – Ephesians 3:7-11

11. “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5 NIV

12. The Timing When the time had fully come – Galatians 4:4
The timing had to be right in ever way! – Galatians 4:4
Most importantly, it had to be right spiritually – Ephesians 1:9-10

13. The Timing God has a time table! He’s revealed His Plan to us
He has appointed a Day to Judge the world – Acts 17:30-31; 2 Peter 3:9
NOW is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation – 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:36-41

14. “As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For He says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” Corinthians 6:1-2 NIV