Christmas: Celebrating God's Promise and Redemption
Summary
In this message, we explore the profound significance of Christmas, focusing on the promise of God’s coming as foretold in Malachi 3:1. Christmas is not merely a time for decorations, music, and gifts, but a celebration of the fulfillment of God's promise to come to us. This season should remind us of the miraculous event of God becoming flesh, not just as a baby in a manger, but as the eternal Creator and Sustainer of life. Jesus, who existed before time, came to earth to redeem and restore humanity, offering us eternal life.
The anticipation of Christmas should be a reflection of the anticipation of the Messiah's arrival, a promise kept by God. The nativity scene, often depicted in Christmas traditions, is a powerful reminder of the day God entered His creation. Jesus was not just a child born to Mary and Joseph; He was God incarnate, the Creator stepping into His creation to bring light and life to a world overshadowed by sin and death.
We are reminded that Jesus is not only God but also the Creator and Sustainer of all things. His coming was not to bring punishment but to offer redemption and reconciliation. The miracle of Christmas is that God came to us, not to condemn, but to save and restore. This message encourages us to look beyond the commercialization of Christmas and focus on the true reason for the season: the coming of God in the flesh to bring eternal life to humanity.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Promise of His Coming: Christmas is a celebration of God's promise fulfilled. It is a reminder that God kept His word by sending Jesus, the Messiah, to redeem and restore humanity. This promise is not just historical but ongoing, as we anticipate His return. [01:59]
2. Jesus as Eternal God: Jesus' birth was not the beginning of His existence. He is eternal, the Word who was with God and was God. Recognizing Jesus as God incarnate helps us recapture the awe and wonder of Christmas, moving beyond mere tradition to deep spiritual reflection. [13:31]
3. The Creator Among Us: The miracle of Christmas is that the Creator entered His creation. Jesus, through whom all things were made, came to dwell among us, offering a profound connection between the divine and the human. This truth challenges us to see Christmas as a divine intervention in history. [21:22]
4. The Giver of Life: Jesus came to offer eternal life, a gift that transcends the temporary joys of the season. His life brought light to a world in darkness, and His presence sustains us. Embracing this gift means experiencing the fullness of life that only God can provide. [27:02]
5. A Call to Reflection and Response: Christmas invites us to reflect on our relationship with God and respond to His offer of salvation. It is a time to remember that God came not to condemn but to save, offering us a place in His family. This season, let us focus on the miracle of God's love and grace. [34:34]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:59] - Christmas Anticipation
- [04:07] - The Nativity Scene
- [05:18] - The Miraculous Nature of Christmas
- [06:08] - Beyond Secular Celebrations
- [07:11] - The Promise Fulfilled
- [08:39] - God's Purpose in Coming
- [10:37] - Prophecies of the Messiah
- [11:38] - The Limitations of the Law
- [12:32] - Jesus: More Than a Man
- [13:31] - The Eternal Word
- [16:24] - Debating the Divinity of Jesus
- [18:21] - Jesus: The Beginning and the Ruler
- [20:27] - God Became Flesh
- [21:22] - The Creator Among Us
- [23:39] - Recognizing the Creator
- [25:45] - Humanity's Blindness
- [27:02] - The Giver of Life
- [29:01] - The Miracle of Christmas
- [30:44] - The True Reason for the Season
- [32:13] - God's Love and Grace
- [34:34] - Invitation to Salvation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Malachi 3:1
- John 1:1-5
---
Observation Questions:
1. According to Malachi 3:1, who is the messenger, and what is his role in preparing the way for the Lord? [00:00]
2. In John 1:1-5, what does it mean that "the Word was with God, and the Word was God"? How does this passage describe Jesus' role in creation? [13:31]
3. The sermon mentions that Jesus' coming was not to bring punishment but to offer redemption and reconciliation. How is this reflected in the nativity scene and the Christmas story? [08:39]
4. What are some of the ways the sermon suggests we can move beyond the commercialization of Christmas to focus on its true meaning? [06:08]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the promise of God's coming in Malachi 3:1 relate to the anticipation of the Messiah's arrival during the Christmas season? [01:59]
2. In what ways does recognizing Jesus as the eternal Word, as described in John 1:1-5, deepen our understanding of the Christmas story? [13:31]
3. The sermon emphasizes Jesus as the Creator who entered His creation. How does this perspective challenge or enhance the traditional view of the nativity scene? [21:22]
4. How does the concept of Jesus as the Giver of Life, offering eternal life, contrast with the temporary joys often associated with the Christmas season? [27:02]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal anticipation of Christmas. How can you shift your focus from the commercial aspects to the spiritual significance of the season? [06:08]
2. The sermon highlights Jesus as the eternal God who came to redeem and restore. How can this understanding influence your daily life and interactions with others during the Christmas season? [13:31]
3. Consider the idea of Jesus as the Creator among us. How can this truth inspire you to see God's presence in your everyday surroundings and relationships? [21:22]
4. In what ways can you embrace the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers, and how can this perspective change your approach to challenges and difficulties? [27:02]
5. The sermon calls for reflection and response to God's offer of salvation. What steps can you take this Christmas to deepen your relationship with God and share His love with others? [34:34]
6. How can you incorporate the true meaning of Christmas into your family traditions and celebrations this year? [30:44]
7. Think about a specific area in your life where you need redemption or restoration. How can you invite Jesus into that area to bring healing and transformation? [08:39]
Devotional
Day 1: The Fulfillment of God's Promise
Christmas is a profound reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to send a Savior. This promise, foretold in Malachi 3:1, was realized in the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Christmas is not just a historical event but an ongoing testament to God's commitment to redeem and restore humanity. As we celebrate this season, we are invited to reflect on the anticipation of the Messiah's arrival and the joy of a promise kept. This anticipation is not only about looking back but also looking forward to His promised return. The nativity scene serves as a powerful symbol of the day God entered His creation, not just as a child born to Mary and Joseph, but as God incarnate, bringing light and life to a world overshadowed by sin and death. [01:59]
Malachi 3:1 (ESV): "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts."
Reflection: What promise from God are you holding onto today, and how does the fulfillment of His promise in Jesus encourage you to trust Him more deeply?
Day 2: Jesus, the Eternal Word
The birth of Jesus was not the beginning of His existence. He is the eternal Word, who was with God and was God, as described in the opening of John's Gospel. Recognizing Jesus as God incarnate helps us recapture the awe and wonder of Christmas, moving beyond mere tradition to deep spiritual reflection. This understanding challenges us to see Christmas not just as a festive season but as a celebration of the eternal God entering time and space to dwell among us. Jesus' incarnation is a profound mystery that invites us to worship and adore Him, acknowledging His divinity and eternal nature. [13:31]
John 1:1-3 (ESV): "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made."
Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the eternal Word change the way you approach the Christmas season this year?
Day 3: The Creator Among Us
The miracle of Christmas is that the Creator entered His creation. Jesus, through whom all things were made, came to dwell among us, offering a profound connection between the divine and the human. This truth challenges us to see Christmas as a divine intervention in history, where God Himself stepped into the world He created to bring redemption and reconciliation. The incarnation of Jesus is a testament to God's love and desire to be intimately involved in our lives. As we reflect on this miracle, we are invited to see the world through the lens of God's presence and purpose, recognizing His handiwork in all things. [21:22]
Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge and celebrate the presence of the Creator in your daily life, especially during this Christmas season?
Day 4: The Gift of Eternal Life
Jesus came to offer eternal life, a gift that transcends the temporary joys of the season. His life brought light to a world in darkness, and His presence sustains us. Embracing this gift means experiencing the fullness of life that only God can provide. Christmas invites us to look beyond the commercialization and focus on the true reason for the season: the coming of God in the flesh to bring eternal life to humanity. This gift is not just for the future but impacts our present, offering hope, peace, and joy that surpasses all understanding. [27:02]
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: How can you embrace and share the gift of eternal life with others during this Christmas season?
Day 5: Reflecting on God's Love and Grace
Christmas invites us to reflect on our relationship with God and respond to His offer of salvation. It is a time to remember that God came not to condemn but to save, offering us a place in His family. This season, let us focus on the miracle of God's love and grace, which was demonstrated through the incarnation of Jesus. As we celebrate, we are called to respond to His love by extending grace and compassion to others, embodying the message of Christmas in our actions and interactions. This reflection is an invitation to deepen our faith and live out the transformative power of God's love in our daily lives. [34:34]
Titus 3:4-5 (ESV): "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you demonstrate God's love and grace to those around you this Christmas?
Quotes
"Jesus existed eternally before he became flesh. And we have to recapture the truth that Jesus is God. And that Christmas is a story about God coming to the world. And when we do that, we'll rediscover the awe of Christmas. We'll shed the commercialization, we'll break away from even traditions, and we'll focus on the real, true reason why this is such a significant day." [00:05:37] (26 seconds)
"Jesus was born to change the world. And sometimes it's easy for us to forget that. And that's why today I feel led to talk to you today about the reason why Christmas is so miraculous. Because we have to be reminded that Christmas is not just a season for parties and gifts. And it's not just, it's not actually the beginning of Jesus's story." [00:04:18] (20 seconds)
"Your life right now, your breath, your very existence is being held together by God. The sun is hung in its place by God. The oceans are given their boundary by God. There is nothing that can transgress the rule of God. God is holding all things together. And on Christmas, the Creator stepped down into creation." [00:22:26] (23 seconds)
"The only reason why you and I can continue to live is because God not only gives life, but He sustains it. Psalm 54, verse 4 in the New American Standard says, Behold, God is my helper, the Lord is the sustainer of my soul. You have life, I have life. But do I have the life of God?" [00:27:13] (20 seconds)
"Christmas is the time that God came to his creation to bring life, to bring light, to make all things new. And there still remains a promise because we know that it's not completely done. The work is not complete. It's not completed. And that promise is he's coming again." [00:31:39] (24 seconds)
"Father, as we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, Lord, we can't help but be in awe. The God of all the universe, the creator, the giver and sustainer of life came to us because he loved us. He didn't come to punish. He didn't come to kill. He didn't come to destroy. He came to give. He came to love." [00:33:05] (31 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 15, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?