Rediscovering Hope in the Christmas Incarnation
Summary
In this season of reflection and celebration, we are reminded of the traditions that shape our lives and the wonder that the Christmas story brings. As we gather with family and friends, sharing meals and exchanging gifts, it is crucial to keep Jesus at the forefront of our hearts. The incarnation of Christ is not just a historical event but a profound mystery that invites us to rediscover the wonder of God becoming man. This season, let us remember that Jesus, the Word of God, was present at the creation of the world and that His coming was not an afterthought but a divine plan from the beginning.
The incarnation is the heartbeat of creation, a pivotal moment that echoes through eternity. It is a reminder that Jesus was not a last-minute solution but has always been part of God's eternal plan. The prophecies of Isaiah and other prophets foretold the coming of a Messiah, a child who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This child, born in humble circumstances, would carry the government of a cruciform kingdom on His shoulders, a kingdom not of political power but of sacrificial love.
Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel and her acceptance of God's plan is a testament to the hope and faith we are called to embody. Just as Mary carried the Son of God, we too carry His presence within us. The vision of hope as a bucket of honey reminds us that our lives should leave a sweet, sticky residue of hope on everything we touch. Our hope is not a wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
As we reflect on the incarnation, let us adopt a posture of confident hope, much like a bended knee in anticipation of a wedding. The word "Maranatha" encapsulates this hope, meaning "Our Lord has come" and "Lord Jesus come." It is a call to live in the tension of the already and the not yet, trusting that God, who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion. Let us be a people marked by hope, confident in the steadfast love of God, and eager for His return.
Key Takeaways:
1. Rediscovering Wonder: The Christmas season invites us to rediscover the wonder of the incarnation, where God became man. This is not just a historical event but a divine mystery that should captivate our hearts and minds, reminding us of God's eternal plan and presence. [03:37]
2. The Eternal Christ: Jesus was not a last-minute solution but has always been part of God's eternal plan. The incarnation is the heartbeat of creation, a pivotal moment that echoes through eternity, reminding us of the divine love and purpose that underpins our existence. [04:47]
3. Hope as a Lifestyle: Our hope as Christians is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This hope should permeate our lives, leaving a sweet residue on everything we touch, much like honey. [12:24]
4. Maranatha - A Posture of Hope: The word "Maranatha" encapsulates the tension of the already and the not yet, calling us to live in confident hope of Christ's return. It is a reminder to adopt a posture of anticipation and trust in God's promises. [15:30]
5. Confident in God's Love: As we reflect on the incarnation, we are reminded of God's steadfast love and faithfulness. Our hope is anchored in the assurance that God, who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion, inviting us to trust and rest in His promises. [17:30]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Reflecting on Traditions
[02:30] - Restoring Wonder in the Incarnation
[03:37] - The Eternal Word
[04:47] - The Incarnation's Significance
[06:00] - Prophecies of the Messiah
[08:01] - Mary's Encounter with Gabriel
[09:30] - The Vision of Hope
[12:24] - The Birth of Hope
[13:45] - Confident Hope in Christ
[15:30] - Maranatha: Our Posture of Hope
[17:30] - Trusting in God's Steadfast Love
[18:30] - Closing Reflections
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 1:1-3
2. Isaiah 9:6
3. Luke 1:30-31
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Observation Questions:
1. According to John 1:1-3, how is Jesus described in relation to creation? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on Jesus being present from the beginning? [03:37]
2. In Isaiah 9:6, what titles are given to the Messiah, and how do these titles reflect the nature of Jesus as discussed in the sermon? [08:01]
3. What was Mary’s initial reaction to the angel Gabriel’s message in Luke 1:30-31, and how does this reflect the theme of hope and faith in the sermon? [08:01]
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of the incarnation in relation to God’s eternal plan? [04:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding Jesus as the "Word" in John 1:1-3 deepen our appreciation of the incarnation as more than just a historical event? [03:37]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of Jesus’ kingdom as described in Isaiah 9:6, and how does this contrast with worldly expectations of power and authority? [08:01]
3. How does Mary’s acceptance of God’s plan in Luke 1:30-31 serve as a model for believers today in embodying hope and faith? [08:01]
4. The sermon mentions the phrase "Maranatha" as a posture of hope. How does this concept challenge or encourage believers in their daily walk with Christ? [15:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a tradition you have during the Christmas season. How can you ensure that Jesus remains at the forefront of your heart during these celebrations? [03:37]
2. The sermon speaks of hope as a "bucket of honey" that leaves a sweet residue. What practical steps can you take to spread hope in your community this week? [12:24]
3. Consider the titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6. Which of these titles resonates most with you, and how can it influence your understanding of Jesus’ role in your life? [08:01]
4. How can you adopt a posture of "Maranatha" in your daily life, living in the tension of the "already and the not yet"? What specific actions can you take to express this hope? [15:30]
5. Think about a time when you felt God’s presence in a profound way, similar to Mary’s experience. How can you cultivate that sense of wonder and hope in your current circumstances? [08:01]
6. The sermon emphasizes the eternal nature of Christ. How does this understanding impact your view of current challenges or uncertainties in your life? [04:47]
7. In what ways can you actively trust in God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, as described in the sermon, especially when facing difficult situations? [17:30]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Rediscovering the Divine Mystery
The Christmas season is a time to rediscover the profound mystery of the incarnation, where God became man. This event is not merely a historical occurrence but a divine mystery that should captivate our hearts and minds. It reminds us of God's eternal plan and presence, inviting us to reflect on the wonder of the incarnation. The incarnation is a pivotal moment that echoes through eternity, reminding us of the divine love and purpose that underpin our existence. As we gather with family and friends, sharing meals and exchanging gifts, it is crucial to keep Jesus at the forefront of our hearts. [03:37]
"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." (John 1:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally create moments of wonder and reflection on the incarnation in your daily life this Christmas season?
Day 2: The Eternal Plan of Christ
Jesus was not a last-minute solution but has always been part of God's eternal plan. The incarnation is the heartbeat of creation, a pivotal moment that echoes through eternity. It is a reminder that Jesus was not a last-minute solution but has always been part of God's eternal plan. The prophecies of Isaiah and other prophets foretold the coming of a Messiah, a child who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This child, born in humble circumstances, would carry the government of a cruciform kingdom on His shoulders, a kingdom not of political power but of sacrificial love. [04:47]
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days." (Micah 5:2, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you align your life with the eternal plan of Christ, focusing on sacrificial love rather than worldly power?
Day 3: Living a Life of Hope
Our hope as Christians is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This hope should permeate our lives, leaving a sweet residue on everything we touch, much like honey. Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel and her acceptance of God's plan is a testament to the hope and faith we are called to embody. Just as Mary carried the Son of God, we too carry His presence within us. The vision of hope as a bucket of honey reminds us that our lives should leave a sweet, sticky residue of hope on everything we touch. [12:24]
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively spread hope in your community today, leaving a "sweet residue" of Christ's love in your interactions?
Day 4: Maranatha - Living in Anticipation
The word "Maranatha" encapsulates the tension of the already and the not yet, calling us to live in confident hope of Christ's return. It is a reminder to adopt a posture of anticipation and trust in God's promises. As we reflect on the incarnation, let us adopt a posture of confident hope, much like a bended knee in anticipation of a wedding. "Maranatha" means "Our Lord has come" and "Lord Jesus come," inviting us to live in the tension of the already and the not yet, trusting that God, who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion. [15:30]
"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." (Revelation 22:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to live in anticipation of Christ's return, embodying the hope and trust of "Maranatha" in your daily life?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Steadfast Love
As we reflect on the incarnation, we are reminded of God's steadfast love and faithfulness. Our hope is anchored in the assurance that God, who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion, inviting us to trust and rest in His promises. The incarnation is a testament to God's unwavering love and commitment to His creation. It is a call to be a people marked by hope, confident in the steadfast love of God, and eager for His return. [17:30]
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust more deeply in God's steadfast love and faithfulness, and how can you begin to do so today?
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Quotes
I don't know about you, but this season, often I have felt like as I have grown older, it's not the same as it was when I was eight years old, right? The wonder in the Christmas season has changed. Now maybe you are at an age where the wonder that you have is now wonder for your kids or your grandkids or your loved one. Wonder has changed. And I felt a challenge from the Lord that he wants to restore wonder in the incarnation story for us again. [00:01:18] (32 seconds)
If you aren't aware, in the beginning was the word. That Greek word for word is logos, which can actually be a mathematical term. That we can translate to logic or reason. So Jesus is the word of God, but it's also the logic and reason of God as well. Colossians 1 says, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. [00:02:48] (30 seconds)
See, through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. That's Hebrews 11 verse 3. See, throughout creation we see God speaking. In Genesis 1 verse 3, And God said, let there be light. God speaking in that phrase is literally using Jesus. As an instrument to create. When God said, when God spoke, Jesus are the words that he used as an instrument to create. So when God said, let there be light, Jesus was there. [00:03:52] (37 seconds)
See, there is a definitive point. There is a definitive point where Jesus put on flesh and stepped into our time. Where God stepped out of eternity to step into our temporary to invite us into eternity again. See, the incarnation, a lot of the church fathers believe that the incarnation and the cross are the very access point in which everything is surrounded. In other words, it is the very heartbeat of all of creation. The incarnation and the cross. [00:05:42] (32 seconds)
One of the things that I have loved in our church is we have been going through messianic prophecies in Advent. If you have not been here or you have not heard them, I strongly encourage you to go to YouTube and find them. It has been, anybody else with me? It has been an absolute joy to just be sitting in them and just sitting in wonder as we have been waiting in contemplation for the coming of a Messiah. [00:06:51] (23 seconds)
See, I find that phrase already such a paradox. It's already God transforming our thinking that in this very same verse, God would be born a child yet still be called Everlasting Father. Still be called Wonderful Counselor, though it be true. I love that Isaiah also depicts the government upon his shoulders. Pastor Max said it's so awesome this past Sunday that if this was a fake story, why wouldn't we put Jesus in amongst kings and princes? [00:08:01] (35 seconds)
See, I've been thinking about Mary and just what she felt like on that night that the angel Gabriel came to her. I wonder what she felt like as she sat in her bed before she felt any physical change, before she felt any morning sickness, before she felt a kick in her stomach. I wonder what she felt as she laid there. And you know, I feel like those who have Jesus in their heart know what it felt like. [00:10:18] (27 seconds)
See, it was the day that hope was born. It was the incarnation of hope that God would become man, that God would be made a child. He would be born in a feeding trough. He would be born with farm animals. He would be born with animals around him, yet being the hope of the world. All of creation awaiting the birth of the Messiah has finally come. See, the thing about hope is our hope as Christians is not the same as the hope of the world. [00:12:42] (33 seconds)
But I believe on a bended knee, full of hope and full of love, we look at our Savior and we say, Maranatha. It is a word that Paul uses to close out his first letter to the Corinthian church. And simply, that word means, Our Lord has come. But also, it means, Lord Jesus come. Our Lord has come. Lord Jesus come. And I feel like, the Lord is wanting to restore hope again. [00:15:30] (33 seconds)
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