The True Essence of Christmas: The Incarnation of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Authentic Celebration of Christmas

Christmas can be celebrated in various ways, but the most authentic celebration is theological, recognizing the incarnation of Jesus Christ as the central event. This celebration acknowledges that God became human to save us from our sins. Many people celebrate Christmas hedonistically, indulging in pleasures and self-gratification, or commercially, focusing on Father Christmas and the material aspects of gift-giving. Others celebrate it pietistically, revering the infant Jesus as depicted in the Gospel narratives of Matthew and Luke. However, the true essence of Christmas lies in understanding and honoring the profound mystery of God becoming human through Jesus Christ. This theological celebration is not just about a historical event but about recognizing the divine significance of the incarnation and its impact on our salvation. [03:53]

John 1:14 (ESV): "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus this Christmas from materialism and superficial reverence to truly honoring the incarnation of Jesus Christ in your daily life?

Day 2: The Necessity of the Incarnation

The incarnation of Jesus was necessary because animal sacrifices were insufficient for atonement. Only a sinless human sacrifice could suffice, and Jesus, being sinless, fulfilled this requirement. This act of God becoming human is beyond human comprehension but must be accepted through faith. Throughout history, many religions have attempted to atone for sin through animal sacrifices or good works, but these efforts are inherently flawed and impure. True atonement comes only through Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh. The incarnation underscores the profound theological truth that God, in His infinite love and mercy, provided the perfect sacrifice for our sins through Jesus Christ. [07:40]

Hebrews 10:4-5 (ESV): "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 'Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your faith in the necessity of Jesus' incarnation and sacrifice for your atonement?

Day 3: The Word Made Flesh

The Gospel of John presents Jesus as the Word, emphasizing His eternal existence, co-equality with God, and divine nature. The Word, who was with God and was God, became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing the glory of God. This glory is full of grace and truth, characteristics that Jesus embodied perfectly. John's Gospel was written to address the philosophical and religious beliefs of the Roman and Greek audiences, presenting Jesus as the ultimate intermediary between God and humanity. By understanding Jesus as the Word made flesh, we can grasp the profound mystery of the incarnation and its significance in revealing God's glory and character to us. [19:15]

John 1:1-2 (ESV): "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God."

Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the Word made flesh change your understanding of His role in your life and relationship with God?

Day 4: The Inadequacy of Human Efforts

Many religions attempt to atone for sin through animal sacrifices or good works, but these are inherently flawed and impure. True atonement comes only through Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh. Our best efforts are like filthy rags before God, and only through Jesus can we find true redemption. This understanding highlights the inadequacy of human efforts in achieving salvation and the necessity of relying solely on Jesus Christ for atonement. By acknowledging our limitations and embracing the grace offered through Jesus, we can experience true redemption and a restored relationship with God. [13:18]

Isaiah 64:6 (ESV): "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."

Reflection: What areas of your life are you relying on your own efforts for redemption, and how can you surrender these to Jesus?

Day 5: The Glory of Jesus Christ

The glory of Jesus Christ is everything that is deity. The Word became flesh, and we beheld His glory, full of grace and truth. This glory is the manifestation of God's presence and character, and it is through Jesus that we can truly understand and experience God's grace and truth. As we celebrate Christmas, we must focus on the true essence of the holiday: the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This celebration should not be about materialism or superficial reverence but about recognizing and honoring the profound mystery of God becoming human to save us from our sins. By beholding the glory of Jesus, we can experience the fullness of God's grace and truth in our lives. [25:18]

2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV): "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek to behold and reflect the glory of Jesus Christ in your daily interactions and decisions?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Christmas is celebrated in various ways, but only one way truly honors its divine significance. Some people celebrate Christmas hedonistically, indulging in pleasures and self-gratification. Others commercialize it, focusing on Father Christmas and the material aspects of gift-giving. A third group celebrates it pietistically, revering the infant Jesus as depicted in the Gospel narratives of Matthew and Luke. However, the most authentic celebration is theological, recognizing the mystery and miracle of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This celebration acknowledges that God, who exists in three persons, became human through Jesus Christ. This incarnation is not just a historical event but a profound theological truth that underscores the essence of Christmas.

The incarnation was necessary because animal sacrifices, as practiced by the Israelites, were insufficient for atonement. Only a sinless human sacrifice could suffice, and Jesus, being sinless, fulfilled this requirement. This act of God becoming human is beyond human comprehension but must be accepted through faith. Many religions attempt to atone for sin through animal sacrifices or good works, but these are inherently flawed and impure. True atonement comes only through Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh.

The Gospel of John uniquely presents Jesus as the Word, emphasizing His eternal existence, co-equality with God, and divine nature. John’s Gospel was written to address the philosophical and religious beliefs of the Roman and Greek audiences, presenting Jesus as the ultimate intermediary between God and humanity. The Word, who was with God and was God, became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing the glory of God. This glory is full of grace and truth, characteristics that Jesus embodied perfectly.

As we celebrate Christmas, we must focus on the true essence of the holiday: the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This celebration should not be about materialism or superficial reverence but about recognizing and honoring the profound mystery of God becoming human to save us from our sins.

###

Key Takeaways

1. equality with God, and divine nature. The Word, who was with God and was God, became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing the glory of God. This glory is full of grace and truth, characteristics that Jesus embodied perfectly. [19:15]
4. The Inadequacy of Human Efforts: Many religions attempt to atone for sin through animal sacrifices or good works, but these are inherently flawed and impure. True atonement comes only through Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh. Our best efforts are like filthy rags before God, and only through Jesus can we find true redemption.

5. The Glory of Jesus Christ: The glory of Jesus Christ is everything that is deity. The Word became flesh, and we beheld His glory, full of grace and truth. This glory is the manifestation of God's presence and character, and it is through Jesus that we can truly understand and experience God's grace and truth.

### [19:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:35] - The Four Types of Christmas Celebrations
[03:53] - The Authentic Celebration
[05:32] - The Mystery and Miracle of the Incarnation
[07:40] - The Necessity of the Incarnation
[09:19] - Beyond Human Comprehension
[11:12] - The Limitlessness of God
[13:18] - The Inadequacy of Human Efforts
[14:52] - The Gospel Writers' Perspectives
[16:21] - John's Unique Presentation of Jesus
[17:43] - The Eternal Word
[19:15] - The Word with God
[20:18] - The Word Was God
[23:43] - The Word Became Flesh
[25:18] - The Glory of Jesus Christ
[27:31] - Full of Grace and Truth
[29:45] - Which Christ Are You Celebrating?

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, what are the four types of Christmas celebrations? ([02:35])
Why was the incarnation of Jesus necessary, as explained in the sermon? ([07:40])
How does the Gospel of John present Jesus, and what is the significance of Him being the Word? ([19:15])
What does the sermon say about the inadequacy of human efforts to atone for sin? ([13:18])

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" in John 1:14? How does this relate to the concept of the incarnation discussed in the sermon? ([23:43])
How does the necessity of a sinless human sacrifice, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:4-7, deepen our understanding of Jesus' role in atonement? ([07:40])
In what ways does the sermon suggest that human efforts, whether through animal sacrifices or good works, are insufficient for true atonement? ([13:18])
How does the sermon describe the glory of Jesus Christ, and what does it mean for us to behold His glory? ([25:18])

Application Questions

Reflect on the four types of Christmas celebrations mentioned in the sermon. Which type have you most closely identified with in the past, and how can you shift towards a more theological celebration this year? ([02:35])
The sermon emphasizes the necessity of the incarnation for true atonement. How does this understanding impact your view of Christmas and your faith in Jesus? ([07:40])
Considering the inadequacy of human efforts for atonement, what steps can you take to rely more on Jesus' sacrifice rather than your own works for your spiritual growth? ([13:18])
The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Word made flesh. How can you incorporate this truth into your daily life and worship? ([19:15])
The glory of Jesus Christ is described as full of grace and truth. How can you strive to embody these characteristics in your interactions with others? ([25:18])
Reflect on the idea that our best efforts are like filthy rags before God. How does this perspective change the way you approach your relationship with God and your acts of service? ([13:18])
The sermon challenges us to focus on the true essence of Christmas. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your Christmas celebration honors the incarnation of Jesus Christ? ([29:45])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "If you don't believe that God became incarnate, you are saying God is limited. God cannot do everything. We know and believe that he can't do anything. And beloved, by the way, we know that not because we are brilliant, we know that because we believe that. It's not something you're going to work out like a math sum. It's something you're going to have to believe." [11:12] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You know, we have a problem. We are still ugly human beings. Still want our own way in life. Still full of fight. Still full of greed. Still full of everything that is not right. There's no grace. We are not like Christ who became nothing. And says something like this. If they want to win the battle, let them win as long as before God my slate is clean, full of grace." [27:31] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "He doesn't lie. He's not a charlatan. He's not a pretender. Now. Let's have a moment of quiet requests. As we close, which Christ are you celebrating? Someone who's got a Christmas hat on? You know, I was watching a video just now, before I came home, about a church, oh, they sing beautifully, that church. I won't tell you who they are, because you might want to listen to them and not listen to me singing after that." [28:44] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The last celebration is the authentic one. And those of us who celebrate it, and I presume all of us tonight, yeah, celebrate it. If you don't celebrate it this way, you need Jesus. But this one is based on a theological belief and understanding that at Christmas God came with the mystery of the, through the mystery of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. What it means is this is God. But God became. What he was not." [03:53] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The mystery of Christ's incarnation, like I said, is mysterious and miraculous. Now two weeks ago, we began learning why it is that the incarnation had to take place. Why it happened. Why it happened, the incarnation of Christ. In the book of Hebrews, we learn that the nation of Israel made atonement for their sins through animal blood sacrifices, and through the intermediary of a priest. But in Hebrews chapter 10, verse number 7, God, through the apostle Paul, who writes the book of Hebrews, said that it is impossible for the blood of animal sacrifices to take away sin." [07:40] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The Word became flesh, and we beheld his deity. We beheld his glory. We couldn't take our eyes off him. Oh, beloved, I wish I had the zeal and the energy to look at Christ daily. In and day out. But when I start doing that at my age, I fall asleep. But these apostles, they beheld his glory. And now listen to this. It is the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." [25:18] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Now, there's a difference between us who were born as humans and Christ who was begotten of God. A lot of people don't. They don't understand. They say we are begotten. No, no, no. We're not begotten. We are born. Christ was not born. He was begotten. He came from out of God himself. He was begotten. And he became out of God because he is the glory of God. And we beheld the Father. The glory of God. And we beheld the Father through him." [26:32] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "He did not accept the animal sacrifice, but he was prepared to accept a human sacrifice. Not any human sacrifice. Only one human sacrifice. And that is Christ. Because Christ was sinless. He was without sin. And so, a human without sin needed to become the sacrifice. And that's what happened in the case of Christ. God left or Christ left his spirit Trinitarian or second person being, and he became a human." [09:19] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?