Embracing Freedom and Shalom This Christmas Eve

 

Summary

On this Christmas Eve, we gather to reflect on the profound gifts that the birth of Jesus Christ brings into our lives: freedom and shalom. These gifts are not just abstract concepts but are deeply intertwined with the core of our existence, addressing the fears and oppressions that often bind us. The Christmas story, while familiar, is a powerful narrative of liberation and peace, speaking directly to a world gripped by fear. Fear, as we know, is a universal experience, manifesting in various forms such as fear of failure, loneliness, or the unknown. It can lead us to chase after things that ultimately leave us empty and exhausted. Yet, the message of Christmas is a bold declaration to "fear not," for in Christ, we find the antidote to our deepest anxieties.

The gifts of Christmas—freedom and shalom—are transformative. Freedom in Christ is not merely about forgiveness but about liberation from the chains of sin and fear. It is about living a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, free from the oppressors that seek to enslave us. This freedom is beautifully captured in the hymn "O Holy Night," which speaks of breaking the chains of oppression. Similarly, shalom, the Hebrew concept of peace, goes beyond the absence of conflict. It is about wholeness, completeness, and flourishing in every aspect of our being. Jesus offers us this peace, a peace that the world cannot give, restoring our minds, bodies, and souls.

As we celebrate this holy night, let us embrace these gifts. When we sing "Silent Night," let it be a moment to claim the shalom of Christ in our hearts. And as we partake in communion, let us remember the sacrifice that makes this freedom and peace possible. May the light of Christ, symbolized by the candles we hold, illuminate our lives and be shared with others, spreading love, hope, and joy in a world that desperately needs it.

Key Takeaways:

1. Freedom from Fear: Christmas is a powerful reminder to "fear not," as Jesus' birth brings freedom from the fears that bind us. This freedom is not just about forgiveness but liberation from the chains of sin and fear, allowing us to live empowered by the Holy Spirit. [48:59]

2. The Gift of Shalom: Shalom, or peace, is more than the absence of conflict; it is about wholeness and flourishing. Jesus offers us this peace, restoring our minds, bodies, and souls, and bringing true harmony to our lives. [51:56]

3. The Cycle of Fear and Sin: Fear and sin feed into each other, creating a cycle that enslaves us. Christmas addresses this by offering freedom and peace, breaking the cycle and allowing us to live life to the fullest. [46:43]

4. Christ as the New Joshua: Jesus is the new and greater Joshua, leading us into true freedom and the promises of God. He defeats sin not with a sword but with sacrificial love, offering us a new life. [50:05]

5. Embracing the Light of Christ: The light of Christ, symbolized by the candles we hold, is a reminder to share His love, hope, and peace with others. As we pass the flame, we are called to spread these gifts in our lives and the world. [01:14:36]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction and Greetings
- [02:30] - Church Announcements
- [05:00] - Passing the Peace of Christ
- [10:00] - The Gifts of the Magi
- [15:00] - The Christmas Story and Fear
- [20:00] - Fear and Its Impact
- [25:00] - The Declaration of "Fear Not"
- [30:00] - The Dual Gifts of Christmas
- [35:00] - Freedom in Christ
- [40:00] - Understanding Shalom
- [45:00] - The Light of Christ
- [50:00] - Communion Invitation
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
- [01:00:00] - Candle Lighting and Silent Night

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Christmas Eve Sermon

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 2:10-11 - "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'"
2. John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
3. Isaiah 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Observation Questions:
1. What are the two main gifts that the birth of Jesus brings into our lives according to the sermon? [44:20]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "shalom"? [51:56]
3. What role does fear play in the Christmas story as discussed in the sermon? [45:17]
4. How is Jesus compared to Joshua in the sermon, and what significance does this have? [48:59]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that fear and sin are interconnected, and how does Christmas address this cycle? [46:43]
2. How does the sermon explain the difference between worldly peace and the peace that Jesus offers? [51:56]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of embracing the light of Christ in our lives and sharing it with others? [01:14:36]
4. How does the sermon interpret the significance of the gifts of the Magi in relation to Jesus' role and mission? [40:56]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a fear that has been holding you back. How can the message of "fear not" from the Christmas story help you confront this fear? [45:17]
2. In what areas of your life do you feel a lack of peace or wholeness? How can you invite the shalom of Christ into these areas? [51:56]
3. Consider a time when you felt enslaved by sin or fear. How can the gift of freedom in Christ empower you to break free from these chains? [48:59]
4. How can you actively share the light of Christ with someone in your life this week? What specific actions can you take to spread love, hope, and joy? [01:14:36]
5. During this Christmas season, how can you make the message of sacrificial love and peace central to your celebrations and interactions with others? [54:32]
6. As you sing "Silent Night" or "O Holy Night," what personal commitments can you make to embrace the freedom and peace offered by Jesus? [52:59]
7. How can you use the concept of shalom to bring harmony and completeness to your relationships and community? [51:56]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Freedom from Fear in Christ
The birth of Jesus Christ is a profound declaration to "fear not," offering freedom from the fears that bind us. This freedom is not merely about forgiveness but liberation from the chains of sin and fear, allowing us to live empowered by the Holy Spirit. Fear manifests in various forms, such as fear of failure, loneliness, or the unknown, and can lead us to chase after things that ultimately leave us empty and exhausted. Yet, in Christ, we find the antidote to our deepest anxieties, enabling us to break free from the cycle of fear and sin. This liberation is beautifully captured in the hymn "O Holy Night," which speaks of breaking the chains of oppression. As we embrace this freedom, we are called to live a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, free from the oppressors that seek to enslave us. [48:59]

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific fear that has been holding you back. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you to overcome this fear today?


Day 2: Embracing the Gift of Shalom
Shalom, the Hebrew concept of peace, is more than the absence of conflict; it is about wholeness, completeness, and flourishing in every aspect of our being. Jesus offers us this peace, restoring our minds, bodies, and souls, and bringing true harmony to our lives. This peace is not something the world can give, but a divine gift that transforms us from within. As we celebrate Christmas, we are invited to claim the shalom of Christ in our hearts, allowing it to permeate every area of our lives. This peace enables us to live in harmony with ourselves, others, and God, fostering a sense of completeness and well-being that transcends circumstances. [51:56]

"And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever." (Isaiah 32:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need Christ's shalom to bring wholeness and peace? How can you actively seek this peace today?


Day 3: Breaking the Cycle of Fear and Sin
Fear and sin feed into each other, creating a cycle that enslaves us. Christmas addresses this by offering freedom and peace, breaking the cycle and allowing us to live life to the fullest. The message of Christmas is a bold declaration to "fear not," as Jesus' birth brings liberation from the fears that bind us. This freedom is not just about forgiveness but about living a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, free from the oppressors that seek to enslave us. By embracing the gifts of freedom and shalom, we can break free from the cycle of fear and sin, experiencing the fullness of life that Christ offers. [46:43]

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a pattern of sin or fear in your life. What steps can you take today to break this cycle and embrace the freedom Christ offers?


Day 4: Christ as the New Joshua
Jesus is the new and greater Joshua, leading us into true freedom and the promises of God. He defeats sin not with a sword but with sacrificial love, offering us a new life. As the new Joshua, Christ leads us into the promised land of spiritual freedom and peace, fulfilling God's promises through His life, death, and resurrection. This new life is marked by liberation from sin and fear, allowing us to live in the fullness of God's grace and love. By following Christ, we are invited to experience the true freedom and peace that He offers, living as heirs to the promises of God. [50:05]

"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 can you follow Christ as your leader into the promises of God today? What does living as a new creation look like in your daily life?


Day 5: Sharing the Light of Christ
The light of Christ, symbolized by the candles we hold, is a reminder to share His love, hope, and peace with others. As we pass the flame, we are called to spread these gifts in our lives and the world. The light of Christ illuminates our lives, dispelling darkness and bringing hope to a world in need. As we embrace this light, we are invited to share it with others, spreading love, hope, and joy in our communities and beyond. By living as bearers of Christ's light, we can make a difference in the world, reflecting His love and peace to those around us. [01:14:36]

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the light of Christ today? How can you intentionally share His love and hope with them?

Quotes

"Now, after gold, there was frankincense. Frankincense is a gift for worship. Why? Because there's a high-quality incense. When it was burned, this oil was burned, it would symbolize the prayers and praise that were rising to God. And we believe, and Christians believe, that Jesus Christ is the high priest. We don't need an earthly priest or high priest. We have Jesus who reconciles and repairs all of humanity and brings this shalom, this peace, to our relationship with God." [00:42:44] (40 seconds)


"This is foretelling of what Christ will find himself on a cross, dying for each and every one of us, that they used to take this spice and they would anoint the dead bodies with this. Again, foreshadowing that sacrificial death on a cross. God was displaying his true love on a cross for each and every one of us. It was his depth of love for all of creation. The Christmas story. It's so well known." [00:43:42] (29 seconds)


"We have fear of failure in our lives. We have fear of not being enough in our life. We have fear of being alone, or we have fear of the unknown. We have a fear of the future. Not being in control of our future, or even the present moment. Some of us even have a deep fear of God." [00:44:32] (21 seconds)


"We tend to be fearful, so we chase after approval, or we chase after power, or perfection, or safety, or happiness, or comfortableness, or just some sort of status in life. Now, we chase after these things, and that ultimately leaves us empty sometimes, isolated, fearful. And fear, fear can be exhausting." [00:46:12] (31 seconds)


"Sin and fear is a great oppressor. It actually enslaves us to, you know, all sorts of thoughts and issues in our life. And it stops us from truly living life to the fullest. You could say it's a great occupier. It occupies and takes up particular space in our life, and it creates this space and this distance and disconnect between us and God." [00:48:02] (26 seconds)


"Think about sin and fear are great oppressors. They are enslavers. And people tend to make Christmas all about forgiveness. Forgiveness is great, but that just brings people back to zero. And the old covenant could bring you back to zero with a sacrificial system. But Christmas is a gift of freedom, because zero doesn't remove the problem." [00:49:39] (31 seconds)


"Well, the Jewish concept of peace, shalom, goes beyond the absence of conflict. We often think if there's no conflict, then you have peace. That's not exactly the Hebrew understanding. That's not what Jesus would have thought about or even said when he talked about peace. He would be talking about wholeness. Shalom is wholeness. It is flourishing. It is completeness." [00:51:10] (26 seconds)


"To these songs that we love so much, actually speak about the two dual gifts of Christmas, this beautiful gift of freedom, but also shalom in our life. See, God's grace was born in a manger. There was one baby boy with a message of love and hope, and he gifted freedom and shalom. Because where sin enslaves you, Jesus, brings freedom. And where fear disrupts your life, Jesus can calm it. And where life feels incomplete, Jesus brings true shalom." [00:53:19] (42 seconds)


"Reclaim that freedom of Christ in your life. And when you sing Silent Night later on, the service, as we close up the service, and those candles are shining, the faces of all the people around us, I would love for us to claim the shalom of Christ, the peace of Christ in our hearts. Let those songs be a faith response to Jesus this evening." [00:53:59] (27 seconds)


"Thank you for offering us freedom, the gift of Christmas. Thank you for offering us more than just freedom, but also shalom. We can have true peace. In our lives, in our beings, our heart, our mind, our souls, our emotions. I just pray, Lord, as we continue to move towards communion, and we see your songs sung, and we sing Silent Night at the end, I just pray that we claim all those things that you've offered to gifts to us. Jesus' name we pray, all these things. Amen and amen." [00:54:46] (37 seconds)


"This candle christ's candle and the light in which it holds is the symbol that jesus christ is the light of the world and in just a moment as i light my candle off the christ candle that has already lit all the other candles in here it will again be a flame that will light yours and his light is shared with each one of us as we pass the flame we need to remember that his love and his hope and his peace and his joy though shouldn't just remain with us they should be passed on and shared with others in our lives in our lives in our lives in our lives in our lives in our lives in our lives in our world so just some quick instructions as well about this just remember as we come out to light your candle please bring your unlit candle to the lit candle because that will keep wax from falling on yourself so remember that as you pass it down the row but also uh we'll tell you when to extinguish those later on but we're gonna just enjoy silent night we're gonna listen to it then we'll begin to sing it together as the light begins to fill the room you" [01:14:36] (75 seconds)


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Transcript
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