Rediscovering the True Meaning of Christmas
Summary
In reflecting on the essence of Christmas, it's easy to get caught up in the material aspects and lose sight of its true meaning. As a child, I vividly remember the disappointment of not receiving the gift I desperately wanted—a race car track. This childhood memory serves as a reminder of the selfish tendencies we all struggle with, especially during the holiday season. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, yet we often make it about ourselves, our desires, and our expectations.
Isaiah 9:6 reminds us of the profound gift given to us: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." This verse speaks to the heart of Christmas, emphasizing that Jesus came to us because we could not reach God on our own. The birth of Jesus is a testament to God's love for humanity, a love so deep that He sent His only Son to bridge the gap between us and Him. This is the true gift of Christmas, one that surpasses any material possession.
As we navigate the holiday season, it's crucial to shift our focus from ourselves to others, embodying the spirit of giving, forgiveness, and love. The lists we make should reflect a heart for service and compassion, echoing the teachings of Jesus. Christmas is not just a time for celebration but a call to action, to live out the message of Christ in our daily lives.
The ultimate gift was given by God the Father—His Son, Jesus Christ. This gift changed the world and continues to transform hearts. As we give and receive gifts, let us remember the greatest gift of all and strive to make Jesus the center of our celebrations. Let us acknowledge Jesus as the King of Kings, whose birth divided humanity into those who believe and those who do not. This Christmas, may we recognize no king but Jesus and make room for Him in our hearts and lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Selfishness and Gratitude: Reflecting on childhood disappointments can reveal our ongoing struggle with selfishness. Christmas is a time to appreciate what we have and to focus on the blessings we receive, rather than what we lack. This season, let us strive to cultivate gratitude and selflessness in our hearts. [35:53]
- The True Gift of Christmas: Jesus came to us because we could not reach God on our own. This is the essence of Christmas—a divine gift that surpasses all others. As we celebrate, let us remember that the birth of Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's love for humanity. [43:27]
- Living Out the Message of Christ: Christmas is not just a time for celebration but a call to action. We are called to embody the teachings of Jesus by serving others, forgiving, and loving unconditionally. Let our actions reflect the true spirit of Christmas. [38:13]
- Jesus, the King of Kings: Jesus' birth divided humanity into those who believe and those who do not. Recognizing Jesus as the King of Kings means acknowledging His sovereignty and making Him the center of our lives. This Christmas, let us declare, "No king but Jesus." [48:35]
- Making Room for Jesus: Amidst the busyness of the holiday season, it's essential to make room for Jesus in our hearts and lives. Let us prioritize worship and reflection, ensuring that our celebrations honor the true meaning of Christmas. [01:01:25]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[33:30] - Childhood Christmas Disappointment
[34:20] - Learning Gratitude
[35:10] - The Lesson of Selfishness
[35:53] - Struggling with Selfishness
[36:56] - The Essence of Christmas
[37:37] - Christmas Lists and Priorities
[38:13] - Living Out Christ's Message
[39:14] - Celebrating Jesus
[40:09] - Prayer and Reflection
[40:59] - Context of Isaiah 9
[42:36] - Unto Us a Child is Born
[43:27] - The True Gift of Christmas
[44:48] - Personal Reflection on God's Love
[47:17] - The Greatest Gift
[48:35] - Jesus, the King of Kings
[59:13] - Invitation to Know the King
[01:00:36] - Prayer and Surrender
[01:01:25] - Making Room for Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 9:6: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Observation Questions:
1. What was the childhood gift that the pastor wanted but did not initially receive, and how did this experience relate to the theme of selfishness during Christmas? [33:30]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Isaiah 9:6 in understanding the true meaning of Christmas? [40:59]
3. How does the pastor describe the difference between the worldly view of Christmas and the biblical view as presented in Isaiah 9:6? [36:56]
4. What does the pastor suggest is the ultimate gift given by God, and how does it compare to material gifts we exchange during Christmas? [47:17]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pastor's childhood story illustrate the struggle with selfishness, and what lesson was intended to be learned from it? [35:10]
2. In what ways does Isaiah 9:6 emphasize the divine nature of Jesus and His role in God's plan for humanity? [40:59]
3. How does the sermon suggest that recognizing Jesus as the "King of Kings" should impact our daily lives and priorities, especially during the Christmas season? [48:35]
4. What does the pastor mean by saying that Christmas is a "call to action," and how does this relate to the teachings of Jesus? [38:13]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt disappointed by not receiving something you wanted. How can you use that experience to cultivate gratitude and selflessness this Christmas? [33:30]
2. How can you make Jesus the center of your Christmas celebrations this year? What specific actions can you take to ensure that your focus remains on Him? [36:56]
3. In what ways can you embody the spirit of giving, forgiveness, and love during the holiday season? Identify one person or group you can serve this Christmas. [38:13]
4. How can you acknowledge Jesus as the "King of Kings" in your life? What changes might you need to make to prioritize His sovereignty in your daily decisions? [48:35]
5. Amidst the busyness of the holiday season, what practical steps can you take to make room for Jesus in your heart and life? Consider setting aside specific times for worship and reflection. [01:01:25]
6. How can you use the story of Jesus' birth to share the message of God's love with someone who may not know Him? Identify one person you can reach out to this Christmas. [42:36]
7. Reflect on the gifts you plan to give and receive this year. How can you ensure that these exchanges honor the true meaning of Christmas and reflect the ultimate gift of Jesus? [47:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating Gratitude Over Selfishness
Reflecting on childhood disappointments can reveal our ongoing struggle with selfishness. Christmas is a time to appreciate what we have and to focus on the blessings we receive, rather than what we lack. This season, let us strive to cultivate gratitude and selflessness in our hearts. [35:53]
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt disappointed by unmet expectations. How can you shift your focus to gratitude and recognize the blessings in that situation today?
Day 2: Embracing the Divine Gift of Jesus
Jesus came to us because we could not reach God on our own. This is the essence of Christmas—a divine gift that surpasses all others. As we celebrate, let us remember that the birth of Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's love for humanity. [43:27]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the ultimate gift change your perspective on the material gifts you give and receive this Christmas?
Day 3: Living Out Christ's Message Through Action
Christmas is not just a time for celebration but a call to action. We are called to embody the teachings of Jesus by serving others, forgiving, and loving unconditionally. Let our actions reflect the true spirit of Christmas. [38:13]
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one specific way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can this act of service reflect the love and teachings of Jesus?
Day 4: Recognizing Jesus as the King of Kings
Jesus' birth divided humanity into those who believe and those who do not. Recognizing Jesus as the King of Kings means acknowledging His sovereignty and making Him the center of our lives. This Christmas, let us declare, "No king but Jesus." [48:35]
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." (Philippians 2:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: What areas of your life are you holding back from fully surrendering to Jesus' kingship? What steps can you take to make Him the center of those areas?
Day 5: Making Room for Jesus Amidst the Busyness
Amidst the busyness of the holiday season, it's essential to make room for Jesus in our hearts and lives. Let us prioritize worship and reflection, ensuring that our celebrations honor the true meaning of Christmas. [01:01:25]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: In the midst of your holiday plans, how can you intentionally create space for worship and reflection on Jesus' birth this week?
Quotes
If you look closely at that list, though, most of those things are about us, aren't they? Orrin Arnold made a list. Look like this. Christmas, to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To your friend, your heart. To a customer, service. That would be amazing during Christmas time, wouldn't it? To all charity. To every child, a good example. And to yourself, respect. That list is all about others. [00:37:58] (31 seconds)
Steve Maraboli is quoted as stating this. You want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Forgive the guilty. Welcome the unwanted. Care for the ill. Love your enemies. And do unto others as you would have done unto you. [00:38:29] (17 seconds)
Celebrating Jesus is not about us, but all about him. And so we need to remember that and be reminded of that. So we're going to start that this morning. Isaiah chapter 6, verse 9. You just heard it on the video. The Word of God says, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. [00:39:27] (19 seconds)
God's people had drifted from God again. Their relationship with God was not good. They were more concerned about life and about living. And about what they had and what they didn't have. And what they thought God should be doing and what he wasn't doing. They were more concerned about all those things. Basically, they were sinning against the God. [00:41:38] (20 seconds)
Jesus came to us because we cannot get to him on our own. Let me ask you a question. Do you remember the day? Do you remember the time that you understood that God came unto you? Do you remember that? I do. [00:44:30] (18 seconds)
Jesus left heaven to come for our benefit. In fact, Jesus said in John 3 .13, no one has ascended to heaven but he has ascended to heaven. He who came down from heaven, that is the son of God who is in heaven. [00:44:05] (16 seconds)
Jesus coming as the son of God would forever change the world and he would change the world and he would change the world and he would change the hearts of mankind. Jesus coming as the son of God would forever change the hearts of mankind. [00:51:03] (9 seconds)
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