Recognizing the True Meaning of Christmas

Devotional

Day 1: The Historical Impact of Jesus' Birth

The birth of Jesus Christ is not just a theological concept but a historical event that has profoundly influenced the world. This event is so significant that it has altered the way we measure time, marking the division between B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini, "in the year of our Lord"). The observance of the Sabbath was transformed into the Lord's Day, Sunday, in recognition of Jesus' resurrection. This change underscores the profound impact Jesus has had on religious practices and societal norms. Yet, despite these historical changes, many people fail to recognize the full significance of Jesus' birth and its implications for the Christian faith. Understanding this event is crucial for a deeper appreciation of the Christian narrative and its transformative power. [01:52]

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."

Reflection: How does recognizing the historical impact of Jesus' birth change the way you view your daily life and the world around you?

Day 2: The True Meaning of Christmas

Many people celebrate Christmas without understanding its true meaning, focusing on the holiday's festivities rather than the divine event it commemorates. This oversight reflects a broader spiritual blindness that prevents people from recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. The story of Jesus' birth in a stable, due to there being no room at the inn, symbolizes the world's indifference and ignorance towards the divine nature of this event. Even today, people often overlook the profound implications of Jesus' coming, failing to grasp the hope and salvation He offers. Recognizing the true meaning of Christmas is essential for experiencing the fullness of its joy and significance. [05:13]

Luke 2:10-11 (ESV): "And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from the commercial aspects of Christmas to its true meaning in your personal celebrations this year?

Day 3: Misunderstanding the Messiah

The Jews and Samaritans had false expectations of the Messiah, anticipating a political or military leader who would deliver them from oppression. This misunderstanding led to their failure to recognize Jesus when He came. The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well highlights this inexcusable failure to recognize the Messiah. Despite the prophecies and expectations, their preconceived notions blinded them to the truth. This serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and believing the Scriptures to truly know Jesus. It challenges us to examine our own expectations and ensure they align with the biblical revelation of who Jesus is. [12:18]

John 4:25-26 (ESV): "The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.' Jesus said to her, 'I who speak to you am he.'"

Reflection: What preconceived notions about Jesus might be preventing you from fully recognizing Him in your life today?

Day 4: Spiritual Blindness and Divine Revelation

Spiritual blindness is a result of sin, and only through divine revelation can we truly know Jesus. Humanity's inability to recognize Jesus is not just a historical issue but a spiritual one. Jesus reveals Himself to those who are open and honest about their need for Him. This revelation is a gift of the Holy Spirit, opening our eyes to the truth of who Jesus is. It is through this divine revelation that we can overcome our spiritual blindness and experience a transformative relationship with Him. Recognizing our need for divine revelation is the first step towards spiritual awakening and growth. [27:23]

Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV): "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a posture of openness and honesty before God to receive His divine revelation in your life?

Day 5: Jesus' Offer of Salvation to All

The message of Christmas is one of hope and salvation for all, regardless of status or past sins. Jesus came not for the righteous but for sinners, offering a new life to those who admit their need and believe in Him. This offer of salvation is a gift available to everyone, inviting us to experience transformation and renewal. The question for each of us is whether we have recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior, and have allowed Him to transform our lives. Embracing this offer requires humility and a willingness to acknowledge our need for a Savior. [38:40]

Titus 3:4-7 (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, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to fully embrace Jesus' offer of salvation and allow Him to transform your life?

Sermon Summary

On this Christmas morning, we gather to commemorate the most significant event in human history: the birth of Jesus Christ. This is not merely a philosophical idea or a teaching but a historical fact that has changed the course of history. The birth of Jesus is the turning point of all history, recognized by both believers and secular historians. His coming has altered our calendars and even the observance of the Sabbath, transforming it into the Lord's Day, Sunday. This change signifies the profound impact of Jesus on the world, yet many fail to grasp its full significance.

The world today, much like at the time of Jesus' birth, often overlooks the true meaning of this event. Many people, even those who celebrate Christmas, do not recognize the profound implications of Jesus' coming. The story of Jesus' birth in a stable because there was no room at the inn is a reflection of the world's indifference and ignorance. People were unaware of the divine nature of the event unfolding before them, just as many remain unaware today.

The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well illustrates the inexcusable failure to recognize the Messiah. Despite the prophecies and expectations, the Jews and Samaritans had false ideas about the Messiah, expecting a political or military leader. This misunderstanding led to their failure to recognize Jesus when He came. The root of this issue lies in a lack of true understanding and belief in the Scriptures.

The inability to recognize Jesus is not just a historical issue but a spiritual one. Humanity is spiritually blind, and only through divine revelation can we truly know Him. Jesus reveals Himself to those who are open and honest about their need for Him. This revelation is a gift of the Holy Spirit, opening our eyes to the truth of who Jesus is.

The message of Christmas is one of hope for all, regardless of status or past sins. Jesus came not for the righteous but for sinners, offering salvation to all who are willing to admit their need and believe in Him. This Christmas, the question for each of us is whether we have recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior, and have allowed Him to transform our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. The birth of Jesus is a historical fact that has profoundly impacted the world, changing calendars and religious observances. Recognizing this event's significance is crucial for understanding the Christian faith. [01:52]
2. Many fail to grasp the true meaning of Christmas, focusing on the holiday rather than the divine event it commemorates. This oversight reflects a broader spiritual blindness that prevents people from recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. [05:13]
3. The Jews and Samaritans had false expectations of the Messiah, leading to their failure to recognize Jesus. This highlights the importance of understanding and believing the Scriptures to truly know Him. [12:18]
4. Spiritual blindness is a result of sin, and only through divine revelation can we truly know Jesus. This revelation is a gift of the Holy Spirit, opening our eyes to the truth of who Jesus is. [27:23]
5. Jesus offers hope and salvation to all, regardless of status or past sins. He came not for the righteous but for sinners, offering a new life to those who admit their need and believe in Him. [38:40]
** [38:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to the Gospel of John
[00:35] - The Significance of Christmas
[01:16] - Historical Impact of Jesus' Birth
[02:29] - Jesus: The Turning Point of History
[03:06] - The Change from Sabbath to Sunday
[04:23] - The World's Indifference
[05:35] - The Story of No Room at the Inn
[06:40] - Misunderstanding the Messiah
[08:02] - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
[10:15] - The Inexcusable Failure to Recognize
[12:18] - False Expectations of the Messiah
[15:39] - The Importance of Scripture
[18:24] - Spiritual Blindness and Revelation
[22:53] - The Hope of Christmas
[27:23] - Divine Revelation and Understanding
[38:40] - Jesus' Offer of Salvation to All

Sermon Clips

"We are ever so much in danger of forgetting that we are dealing with facts dealing with history there is no greater danger than to regard the Christian faith the Christian message just a philosophy just a teaching so it's really good that we should constantly remind ourselves but all we have involved we hoped and all we hold on to is based solidly upon facts." [00:01:16]

"People are not Christian called this year 1966 point of they do so well it is because of the birth of the baby of Bethlehem he's changed our calendars nothing has remained as it was before he came he's the turning point of all history and this is recognized by secular historians as well as by others." [00:02:29]

"The world remains very much as it was when he was born into it I think that passage which we read at the beginning where we read about him being born in a stable why well the reason is given because there was no room for them in the inn." [00:04:23]

"The extraordinary thing therefore that comes to us all as a question in this do we realize this do we event as we should the significance of this great and momentous event which we have met together to come in Britain which in a sense we meet together to commemorate every Lord's Day every Sunday every first day of the week." [00:04:43]

"The Jews and Samaritans had false expectations of the Messiah, leading to their failure to recognize Jesus. This highlights the importance of understanding and believing the Scriptures to truly know Him." [00:12:18]

"Now as we have so often seen the trouble with the Jews was that their notion of the Messiah was a political one or a military they were expecting a great king so they were expecting to be born in some great tennis they were expecting some extraordinary and unusual something to announce is coming in their way of regarding the unusual." [00:14:23]

"Now this is to me the most important principle for this reason that this is still the explanation of why people don't believe in him and don't realize who is have the significance of his coming this is the tragedy in a sense of the whole the human race that we will not face the facts we take out ideas and then we manipulate them according to our own concepts and our own philosophies and thinking." [00:18:24]

"Revelation from God I am he no one ever comes to know this person except he gives the revelation we are blinded by sin now God you see a game gives it sometimes directly in the way I've shown you then he himself does it directly he did it here with this woman he did it in his teaching things he claims for himself." [00:27:23]

"There is hope from the woman of Samaria living in sin in choix in even it is to her he gives this blessed word of hope he's the opposite of re-season is the opposite of self-righteousness they that are ho he says have no need of a physician but they that are sick." [00:38:40]

"All the demands I say is that we recognize our need that we stop defending ourselves and explaining that we admit our carrier our need honestly then do listen to him and all he tells us believe it and give ourselves the and he will give us life life more abundant life which his life indeed he came into the world that we might have this life." [00:41:07]

"Here is the question has he revealed himself to you have you heard him whisper ah and we do hope that you've been helped by the preaching of dr. Martin lloyd-jones all of the sermons contained within the MLJ trust audio library are now available for free download you may share the sermons or broadcast them however because of international copyright please be advised that we are asking first that these sermons never be offered for sale by a third party and second that these sermons will not be edited in any way for length or to use as audio clips you can find our contact information on our website at MLJ trust org." [00:41:52]

"He's the proof of the fact that all God's promises are sure I know that Messiah cometh yes the prophesies the promises running through the whole of the Old Testament are yummy whatever God promises he always performs for His mercies a and your ever faithful ever sure the birth of this babe with Liam is a guarantee that all God's promises are going to be honored none of them will ever fail read the Bible get hold of the promises of God believe them they are sure they will never fail." [00:36:00]

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