Understanding Christmas Through the Lens of the Cross

 

Summary

In reflecting on the significance of Christmas, it is essential to view it through the lens of the cross of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, emphasizes that he glories not in the birth of Christ but in His death on the cross. This perspective is crucial because the world often embraces the birth of Christ, idealizing and sentimentalizing it, while rejecting the profound implications of His death. The cross is the center of everything; it is the key to understanding not only the life of Christ but also the purpose of His coming into the world.

The birth of Christ cannot be fully understood without considering His death. The Old Testament prophecies consistently point to a suffering Messiah, one who would bear the sins of humanity. From the very first prophecy in Genesis, which speaks of the seed of the woman bruising the serpent's head, there is an indication of suffering and victory through pain. This theme runs throughout the Old Testament, culminating in the prophetic vision of Isaiah 53, which describes a Messiah who is wounded for our transgressions.

The incarnation of Christ, His being made a little lower than the angels, was for the express purpose of suffering and death. This was not merely to teach or to set an example, but to fulfill the law of God and to bear the punishment for sin. The cross is the focal point of Christ's mission, the reason for His birth, and the means by which salvation is accomplished. It is through His death that the power of sin and death is broken, and humanity is offered redemption.

The journey of the Son of God from the glory of heaven to the depths of the cross is a testament to the grace of God. It is in the cross that the love of God is most profoundly demonstrated, as Christ willingly descends to the lowest point to lift humanity to the heights of glory. Therefore, to truly understand Christmas, one must see it in the light of Calvary, recognizing that the birth of Christ is inseparable from His sacrificial death.

Key Takeaways:

- The Apostle Paul glories in the cross of Christ because it is the center of everything, the key to understanding life, God's purposes, and the future. Without the cross, we cannot fully grasp the significance of Christ's birth or His mission. [02:27]

- The Old Testament consistently points to a suffering Messiah, indicating that the birth of Christ is intrinsically linked to His death. Prophecies like those in Genesis and Isaiah foreshadow a deliverer who would suffer for humanity's sins. [12:32]

- The incarnation of Christ was for the purpose of suffering and death, not merely to teach or set an example. His death on the cross fulfills the law of God and provides the means for humanity's salvation. [24:10]

- The journey of Christ from the glory of heaven to the depths of the cross is a profound demonstration of God's grace. It is through His death that the power of sin and death is broken, offering redemption to humanity. [51:39]

- To truly understand Christmas, one must view it in the light of Calvary. The birth of Christ is inseparable from His sacrificial death, and it is in the cross that the love and purpose of God are most clearly revealed. [25:29]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Galatians 6:14
[00:32] - The Significance of the Cross
[01:18] - The World's View of Christmas
[02:09] - The Cross as the Center of Everything
[03:00] - Understanding Christmas Through the Cross
[04:28] - The World's Misunderstanding of Christmas
[06:09] - The Unique Birth of Christ
[07:40] - The Birth and Death of Christ
[08:46] - Old Testament Prophecies
[10:03] - The First Prophecy in Genesis
[12:00] - The Promise of a Deliverer
[13:19] - Isaiah 53 and the Suffering Messiah
[15:39] - John the Baptist's Declaration
[20:31] - The Cross as the Object of the Incarnation
[25:12] - The Meaning of the Incarnation
[29:19] - The Purpose of Christ's Coming
[33:13] - The Necessity of the Cross
[35:22] - The Cross Explains the Incarnation
[40:37] - The Cross and Christ's Life
[47:02] - The Hour of Christ's Death
[51:39] - The Journey of the Son of God
[55:32] - Conclusion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 6:14 - "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
2. Genesis 3:15 - "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
3. Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Galatians 6:14, what does Paul choose to glory in, and why is this significant in the context of the sermon? [01:03]

2. How does Genesis 3:15 foreshadow the coming of Christ and His mission, as discussed in the sermon? [10:03]

3. What does Isaiah 53:5 reveal about the nature of the Messiah's mission, and how does this connect to the sermon’s emphasis on the cross? [13:19]

4. How does the sermon describe the world's view of Christmas, and what is the danger of this perspective? [04:28]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does the sermon suggest that understanding the cross is essential to understanding the true meaning of Christmas? [03:00]

2. How does the sermon explain the relationship between the Old Testament prophecies and the mission of Christ? What does this imply about the continuity of the biblical narrative? [08:46]

3. In what ways does the sermon argue that the incarnation of Christ was primarily for the purpose of His death? How does this challenge common perceptions of Christmas? [20:31]

4. How does the sermon interpret the Apostle Paul's statement in Galatians 6:14 about glorying in the cross, and what implications does this have for understanding the Christian faith? [48:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal understanding of Christmas. How has this sermon challenged or deepened your perspective on the holiday? [03:00]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of viewing Christmas in light of the cross. How can you incorporate this perspective into your holiday traditions and conversations with others? [25:29]

3. Consider the Old Testament prophecies discussed in the sermon. How do these prophecies enhance your appreciation of the continuity and depth of the biblical narrative? [08:46]

4. The sermon suggests that the world often sentimentalizes Christmas. How can you guard against this tendency in your own life and focus on the true significance of Christ's birth and death? [04:28]

5. How does the understanding that Christ's incarnation was for the purpose of His death impact your view of His teachings and example? How might this influence your daily walk with Christ? [20:31]

6. In what ways can you glory in the cross of Christ in your daily life, as Paul did? What practical steps can you take to make the cross central to your faith and actions? [48:12]

7. Reflect on the journey of Christ from heaven to the cross as described in the sermon. How does this journey inspire you to live out your faith with humility and purpose? [49:32]

Devotional

Day 1: The Cross as the Center of Everything
The Apostle Paul emphasizes the centrality of the cross in understanding the life and mission of Jesus Christ. While the world often focuses on the birth of Christ, idealizing it without acknowledging the significance of His death, Paul glories in the cross. The cross is not just a symbol of suffering but the key to understanding God's purposes and the future. Without the cross, the birth of Christ loses its profound meaning, as it is through His death that salvation is accomplished. The cross is the focal point of Christ's mission, the reason for His birth, and the means by which humanity is offered redemption. [02:27]

Galatians 6:14 (ESV): "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from the world's view of Christmas to a deeper understanding of the cross's significance in your life today?


Day 2: The Suffering Messiah Foretold
The Old Testament consistently points to a suffering Messiah, indicating that the birth of Christ is intrinsically linked to His death. Prophecies like those in Genesis and Isaiah foreshadow a deliverer who would suffer for humanity's sins. From the very first prophecy in Genesis, which speaks of the seed of the woman bruising the serpent's head, there is an indication of suffering and victory through pain. This theme runs throughout the Old Testament, culminating in the prophetic vision of Isaiah 53, which describes a Messiah who is wounded for our transgressions. [12:32]

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

Reflection: How does understanding the prophecies of a suffering Messiah change your perspective on the purpose of Christ's birth and death?


Day 3: The Incarnation's Purpose
The incarnation of Christ was for the express purpose of suffering and death, not merely to teach or set an example. His death on the cross fulfills the law of God and provides the means for humanity's salvation. The journey of Christ from the glory of heaven to the depths of the cross is a profound demonstration of God's grace. It is through His death that the power of sin and death is broken, offering redemption to humanity. The incarnation is not just about God becoming man but about God taking on human form to accomplish the ultimate sacrifice. [24:10]

Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV): "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."

Reflection: What does it mean for you personally that Christ's incarnation was specifically for the purpose of suffering and death?


Day 4: The Journey of Grace
The journey of the Son of God from the glory of heaven to the depths of the cross is a testament to the grace of God. It is in the cross that the love of God is most profoundly demonstrated, as Christ willingly descends to the lowest point to lift humanity to the heights of glory. This journey is not just a historical event but a continuous invitation to experience God's grace in our lives. The cross is where the love and purpose of God are most clearly revealed, offering redemption and a new life to all who believe. [51:39]

Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV): "But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Reflection: How can you embrace the grace of God in your daily life, recognizing the depth of Christ's journey for your redemption?


Day 5: Christmas in the Light of Calvary
To truly understand Christmas, one must view it in the light of Calvary. The birth of Christ is inseparable from His sacrificial death, and it is in the cross that the love and purpose of God are most clearly revealed. Christmas is not just a celebration of a birth but a recognition of the mission that began in a manger and culminated on the cross. By seeing Christmas through the lens of Calvary, we are reminded of the profound love and sacrifice that defines our faith and offers us hope and redemption. [25:29]

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Reflection: How can you celebrate Christmas this year in a way that honors the sacrificial love and purpose of Christ's coming?

Quotes


The world is ever ready to glory in the birth of Christ but what it hates is the death of Christ so there is a very real significance in this statement of the great apostle that he glorious in the cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [00:01:18]

The cross, the death of Our Lord upon the cross has always been an offense, it's always been a stumbling block, but it's the thing in which the great Apostle glories and the reason he does so as I've been trying to show is this that he finds in the cross the center of everything. [00:01:47]

Everything comes out of the Cross everything that he is crucified to the world and the world unto him and so on everything that he is everything that he's received everything he hopes to be it all he says comes out of the Cross and indeed he goes further and says this that he now sees everything and understands everything in the light of the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. [00:02:09]

The Old Testament is rarely a book of prophecies, oh but you said there's a lot of history in it of course but the history is really bound up with this prophecy even the history of the Jews which takes up the bulk of the Old Testament it's nothing but a preparation for this person that's the case which is made by the Old Testament itself. [00:08:56]

The very first prophecy that is given in the Bible about the coming of The Babe of Bethlehem into this world is found in the third chapter of the Book of Genesis you remember don't you how men sinned and fell and having sinned having fallen the men and the woman realized their guilt and their unworthiness and they felt a sense of Shame. [00:09:56]

The seed of the woman shall bruise the Serpent's head now that's why we rejoice in Christmas God has promised that he's going to send a deliverer into the world you see because of sin there is going to be this Perpetual Warfare between man and evil man and the devil that's the cause of all the misery and the unhappiness of the centuries. [00:11:51]

The incarnation of Christ was for the purpose of suffering and death, not merely to teach or set an example. His death on the cross fulfills the law of God and provides the means for humanity's salvation. [00:24:10]

The journey of Christ from the glory of heaven to the depths of the cross is a profound demonstration of God's grace. It is through His death that the power of sin and death is broken, offering redemption to humanity. [00:51:39]

To truly understand Christmas, one must view it in the light of Calvary. The birth of Christ is inseparable from His sacrificial death, and it is in the cross that the love and purpose of God are most clearly revealed. [00:25:29]

The cross is the very lowest point of the Journey of the Son of God it is the focal point of his humiliation it is the lowest depths that he ever reached have you ever thought about the Journey of the Son of God here it is he starts from eternity he was in the form of God he was God God the son the word that was in the beginning with God. [00:49:33]

He was born in order that he might die it is the cross that explains the Incarnation I don't see why he should be made a little L than the angel unless I understand the message of the cross the evil of the world and the evil in my own heart and the righteousness of God and His holy law and the absolute necessity of a sacrifice and atonement a substitute for me and for my sins. [00:34:22]

The Apostle Paul glories in the cross of Christ because it is the center of everything, the key to understanding life, God's purposes, and the future. Without the cross, we cannot fully grasp the significance of Christ's birth or His mission. [00:02:27]

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Transcript
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