Christmas: The Historical Reality of Christ's Birth

 

Summary

In reflecting on the significance of Christmas, it is crucial to emphasize the historical reality of the Christian faith. The decree from Caesar Augustus, as mentioned in the Gospel of Luke, serves as a reminder that the events surrounding the birth of Jesus are not mere myths or psychological teachings but are rooted in historical fact. This historical grounding is essential because it distinguishes Christianity from mere philosophical or psychological teachings that aim to make people feel better or live better lives. The Christian faith is not just about noble teachings; it is about the concrete event of God entering human history.

The birth of Jesus is a manifestation of the eternal God entering time. This event is not just a story but a pivotal moment in history that divides time itself. Jesus' coming marks the end of an old era and the beginning of a new one, as evidenced by the way we measure time: BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini, in the year of our Lord). This division underscores the centrality of Christ's birth in the history of the world.

Moreover, the timing of Jesus' birth, described as "late in time" by Charles Wesley, is significant. It demonstrates that God allowed humanity to exhaust its attempts to save itself through various civilizations and philosophies before sending His Son. This timing shows that human efforts are insufficient for salvation, and only through Christ can redemption be achieved.

Finally, the birth of Jesus is not the end of the story. He came into time, lived, died, rose again, and ascended into eternity. Yet, He remains concerned with time and will return to end time, bringing about a new, perfect universe. This hope is central to the Christian faith, offering assurance that God is in control and that His plans will ultimately prevail.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Christian faith is grounded in historical facts, not myths or psychological teachings. The decree from Caesar Augustus and the birth of Jesus are historical events that affirm the reality of God's intervention in human history. This historical grounding is essential for understanding the true nature of Christianity. [00:13]

2. Jesus' birth is a manifestation of the eternal God entering time. This event is not just a story but a pivotal moment in history that divides time itself, marking the end of an old era and the beginning of a new one. This division underscores the centrality of Christ's birth in the history of the world. [09:21]

3. The timing of Jesus' birth, described as "late in time," demonstrates that God allowed humanity to exhaust its attempts to save itself before sending His Son. This timing shows that human efforts are insufficient for salvation, and only through Christ can redemption be achieved. [17:52]

4. Jesus' coming is the center of time, dividing history into BC and AD. This division highlights the transformative impact of His birth on the world, changing everything and marking a new era in human history. [29:46]

5. The birth of Jesus is not the end of the story. He will return to end time, bringing about a new, perfect universe. This hope is central to the Christian faith, offering assurance that God is in control and that His plans will ultimately prevail. [33:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Historical Context of Christmas
- [00:31] - The Importance of Historical Facts
- [01:44] - Misconceptions About Christianity
- [03:10] - The Danger of Reducing Christianity to Psychology
- [05:02] - The Fallacy of Mere Teaching
- [06:43] - The Hopelessness of Human Effort
- [08:13] - Celebrating a Historical Event
- [09:21] - Jesus' Relationship to Time
- [10:40] - The Eternal Word
- [13:11] - The Mystery of the Trinity
- [17:52] - Late in Time, Fullness of Time
- [21:32] - Human Stubbornness and Divine Timing
- [25:35] - The Supremacy of God's Plan
- [29:46] - Jesus as the Center of Time
- [33:49] - The Promise of His Return

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 2:1 - "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world."
2. John 1:1-14 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
3. Galatians 4:4-5 - "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship."

Observation Questions:
1. What historical event does Luke 2:1 describe, and why is it significant in the context of the sermon? [00:13]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between Jesus and time, particularly in reference to John 1:1-14? [10:40]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "late in time" as used by Charles Wesley? [17:52]
4. How does the sermon explain the division of time into BC and AD, and what does this signify about Jesus' birth? [29:46]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the historical grounding of the Christian faith, as emphasized in the sermon, affect the way believers understand their faith? [02:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that human efforts are insufficient for salvation, and how does this relate to the timing of Jesus' birth? [22:34]
3. What does the sermon imply about the transformative impact of Jesus' birth on the world and history? [31:25]
4. How does the sermon describe the hope and assurance offered by the promise of Jesus' return? [33:49]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the historical reality of Jesus' birth. How does this understanding impact your personal faith journey and daily life? [02:00]
2. Consider the idea that human efforts are insufficient for salvation. In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than seeking Christ's redemption? [22:34]
3. The sermon highlights Jesus as the center of time. How can you make Jesus the center of your daily decisions and priorities? [29:46]
4. The promise of Jesus' return offers hope and assurance. How can you live in a way that reflects this hope in your interactions with others? [33:49]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of historical facts in Christianity. How can you engage with others who may view Christianity as merely philosophical or psychological? [02:00]
6. Reflect on the division of time into BC and AD. How does this historical division challenge you to view your own life in terms of "before Christ" and "after Christ"? [31:25]
7. How can the understanding of God's perfect timing, as discussed in the sermon, help you trust in God's plan for your life, especially during times of waiting or uncertainty? [26:40]

Devotional

Day 1: Christianity's Historical Foundation
The Christian faith is deeply rooted in historical events, distinguishing it from myths or mere philosophical teachings. The decree from Caesar Augustus, as mentioned in the Gospel of Luke, serves as a testament to the historical reality of Jesus' birth. This grounding in history is crucial because it affirms the reality of God's intervention in human history. Christianity is not just about noble teachings or psychological insights; it is about the concrete event of God entering human history. This historical foundation is essential for understanding the true nature of Christianity, as it provides a solid basis for faith and belief. [00:13]

"In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord." (Luke 1:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing the historical context of Jesus' birth strengthen your faith today? Can you identify a specific area in your life where this historical grounding provides assurance?


Day 2: The Eternal Enters Time
The birth of Jesus is a profound manifestation of the eternal God entering time. This event is not just a story but a pivotal moment in history that divides time itself, marking the end of an old era and the beginning of a new one. The division of time into BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) underscores the centrality of Christ's birth in the history of the world. This transformative moment highlights the significance of Jesus' coming, as it changed the course of history and continues to impact the world today. [09:21]

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways does the division of time by Jesus' birth impact your understanding of history and your personal timeline? How can you live in a way that reflects the new era Jesus inaugurated?


Day 3: The Timing of Redemption
The timing of Jesus' birth, described as "late in time," demonstrates that God allowed humanity to exhaust its attempts to save itself before sending His Son. This timing shows that human efforts are insufficient for salvation, and only through Christ can redemption be achieved. The arrival of Jesus at the "fullness of time" signifies that God's plan for salvation was perfectly orchestrated, highlighting the futility of human efforts and the necessity of divine intervention for true redemption. [17:52]

"For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near." (Hebrews 10:1, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you relied on your own efforts for salvation or fulfillment. How can you shift your focus to rely more on Christ's redemptive work today?


Day 4: Jesus as the Center of Time
Jesus' coming is the center of time, dividing history into BC and AD. This division highlights the transformative impact of His birth on the world, changing everything and marking a new era in human history. The centrality of Christ's birth in the timeline of history underscores the profound influence of His life and teachings, which continue to shape the world and individual lives. Recognizing Jesus as the center of time invites believers to align their lives with His purposes and to view history through the lens of His redemptive work. [29:46]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: How does viewing Jesus as the center of time influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make to ensure that Christ remains central in your life?


Day 5: The Promise of His Return
The birth of Jesus is not the end of the story. He will return to end time, bringing about a new, perfect universe. This hope is central to the Christian faith, offering assurance that God is in control and that His plans will ultimately prevail. The promise of Jesus' return provides believers with a future hope, encouraging them to live with an eternal perspective and to trust in God's sovereign plan for the world. This assurance of a new creation invites believers to live with purpose and anticipation, knowing that God's ultimate plan will be fulfilled. [33:49]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways does the promise of Jesus' return shape your outlook on the future? How can you live today in anticipation of the new, perfect universe He will bring?

Quotes


Now there are two main wrong attitudes to this at the present time. The one is there's nothing new about this, of course, but I have to mention it because it is still being repeated as if it were something new. The one is to deny the facts altogether and to say that these are fairy tales or what they now call myths, by which they mean not so much that they didn't happen at all and that there's nothing here as that these are just stories which are meant to convey some great and profound truth. [00:02:14]

But there is a second attitude, and to me, this second one is even worse than the first. The first is, in a sense, ridiculous because secular history itself recognizes and acknowledges these facts, as I'm going to show you in a moment. But this second attitude, I feel, is worse, and it is the attitude that says this: it doesn't matter whether these things did happen or not. [00:03:03]

You see, the first view says that they didn't happen. The second view says it doesn't matter whether they happened or not because they say whether these events literally took place, and we've got to dismiss the stories of the birth in Bethlehem in the stable of the inn and so on, whether it matter or happened or not really doesn't matter at all because we still have this wonderful teaching, and this is the thing that matters and that counts. [00:03:28]

Well, now that, of course, is, as I say, the very worst form of denial of the Christian faith. To start with, it's got no answer at all to those who reject the whole of Christianity in terms of psychology. It plays straight into their hands. It likewise has no answer to give to the cults that are around and about us at the present time. The cults can do people a lot of good, and they do it simply in terms of suggesting a certain teaching. [00:05:02]

Now, the fallacy, of course, behind all that kind of attitude is this: that it reduces the Christian message to a teaching, to an elevating teaching, an uplifting teaching, a very noble teaching, but after all, it's nothing but a teaching. That's their attitude, that what we've got here is a point of view with regard to life, an attitude to life, an excellent attitude, and that this is the thing that the world needs. [00:05:56]

We are here this morning to celebrate a fact, to celebrate an event. In those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus. This is a history book. It's as much a history book as any other history book, and here we are reminded that we're in the realm of concrete facts and events. And what I want to do now, very briefly and hurriedly, is to give you a number of thoughts or ideas or principles, if you like, which you can think out for yourselves and work them out at leisure concerning this whole matter of the relationship of the Lord Jesus Christ to time. [00:08:26]

Now, that's the thing that is emphasized by Christmas Day, that at a given point in history, the Son of God came into this world. Now, that's not an idea, that's not a psychological suggestion or teaching, that's an event, it's a fact. And you see, this record and the other records will insist upon our observing the detailed facts of history. They even tell us here this taxing was first made when Cenius was governor of Syria, and you can check that. [00:09:16]

The first thing it tells us about him always is that he was before time. In the beginning was the Word, and beginning there, remember, means before the beginning, when there was no beginning. It's before the beginning, that means eternity, that means that he always was, that there was never a time when he wasn't. Now, this is the fundamental proposition of the Christian faith. [00:10:42]

We are not here to celebrate the birth of a great man. It's all right to celebrate the births of great men and all concerning their lives and their activities, but that is not what we are doing. We are here to commemorate, to bring to mind, to think again of the coming of the Eternal Son of God out of the eternity into time. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [00:11:21]

He came because of the state of the world, because of the state of mankind. He came to redeem. He said himself, the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost. But the question that people often ask is this: why didn't he come earlier? You read the account of the creation of man, how he was made in the image of God and that he was perfect, and God put him into a perfect environment. [00:18:22]

The world has been trying to put itself better by means of teaching for so long, and patently it can't do it. And so if we are left this morning with nothing but an exhortation or a stimulus or the psychological suggestion of noble and wonderful teaching, well, the end is that we are still left to ourselves, and you and I have got to do it. We've got to take up this teaching, we've got to remind ourselves of it constantly, and we've got to be repeatedly putting it into practice. [00:07:10]

He will again enter into this world. He will again break into time. What will be his relationship to time then? Oh, he will come then to end time, and time shall be no more. He's going to wind up time, finish it, bring an end to the universe as we know it, and then he will reign from pole to pole, and all in Earth and Heaven and under the sea and everywhere will bow the knee to him and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. [00:33:57]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?