Reexamining Christmas: Christ's Role in Our Celebrations

Is Christ Still in Christmas

Today I want to ask you the question, is Christ still in Christmas.

• For the majority of the existence of man on earth there was no Christmas because Christ was not here. But as time has evolved we have a supposed celebration of the birth of Christ.

• My challenge today is that many people want the celebration without a relationship.

• Statistics say that we are a majority Christian country. But there is a big difference between saying we a Christians and actually living out the reality.

Christmas Realities

• We are not sure Christmas is even in December, one scholar supposes it being placed in December to offset the pagan celebrations. Some say it nine months after advent. The bottom line is if God wanted us to know, it would be in his book. They placed it December to change the focus off of paganisms worship and place it on GOD

• Most Americans celebrate Christmas but don't celebrate Christ.

• Most people are stressed out during this season-shopping, faking, discouraged

• The wise men brought Gifts, and we expect gifts

• We focus on the gifts that are under the tree versus the gift that hung from the tree

• We have commercialized the season- all the holidays throughout the year

• According to a Gallup poll, 93% of Americans participate in Christmas, a figure that has remained fairly steady over the past few decades.

• Overall, an estimated 45% of the world population celebrates Christmas in some way or another.

• Most spend more on Christmas gifts for others than they give to the work of Christ.

• The statistics show we are losing our faith in Jesus

Christmas is not about:

• Santa Claus

• It's not about reindeers

• Its not about eggnog

• It's not about gift exchanges

• It's not about shopping

• Christmas trees

• Greeting cards

• Stockings

• Ice skating

• Sleigh rides

• Caroling

• Lights and decor

• Snowmen

• Advent calendars • Santa Tracker

Why Jesus came - He was the fulfillment of prophecy

Seven hundred years after King Ahaz, a virgin from Nazareth named Mary was engaged to Joseph. Before they were married, an angel visited Joseph to confirm that Mary had conceived a child through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20–21). When the child was born, they were to name Him Jesus. Matthew, understanding the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, delivers this inspired revelation: "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')" (Matthew 1:22–23).

Isaiah 7:14 (AMP)

14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us).

Isaiah 8:8 (AMP)

8 "Then it will sweep on into Judah; it will overflow and pass through [the hills], Reaching even to the neck [of which Jerusalem is the head], And its outstretched wings (the armies of Assyria) will fill the width of Your land, O Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23 (AMP)

23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel"—which, when translated, means, "God with us."

WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF JESUS' BIRTH?

Why did Jesus come as an infant? | Hebrews 9:22 (AMP) | Hebrews 4:15-16 (AMP)

Jesus had to be born as a man so that his sacrifice would be worth all mankind.

Hebrews 9:22 (AMP)

22 In fact under the Law almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness [neither release from sin and its guilt, nor cancellation of the merited punishment].

• Jesus had to become flesh and blood so that he could give his innocent blood for our sins. There is no other way to become flesh and blood than to be born like all men have been born, as a child.

• Jesus came to die.

• Jesus was born as an infant so that he could be the perfect sacrifice for all the sins of the world.

Hebrews 4:15-16 (AMP)

15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. 16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God's gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].

Why did he come to Earth? | Hebrews 10:10-14 (AMP)

A. Jesus came to redeem us and reconcile us back to God.

B. We were lost in our sins, slaves to our old, sinful nature. We needed redemption.

C. Jesus is our redeemer.

D. Our sin separates us from God and sends us on a pathway to eternal death called hell.

E. God cared so much about us that he was not willing just to sit back and let us go to hell.

F. God sent his son to Earth to redeem us back to himself. There was no other way.

Hebrews 10:10-14 (AMP)

10 And in accordance with this will [of God] we [who believe in the message of salvation] have been sanctified [that is, set apart as holy for God and His purposes] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) once for all.11 Every priest stands [at his altar of service] ministering daily, offering the same sacrifices over and over, which are never able to strip away sins [that envelop and cover us]; 12 whereas Christ, having offered the one sacrifice [the all-sufficient sacrifice of Himself] for sins for all time, sat down [signifying the completion of atonement for sin] at the right hand of God [the position of honor], 13 waiting from that time onward until his enemies are made a footstool for His feet.14 For by the one offering He has perfected forever and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified [bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity].

What does the purpose of his birth have to do with us?

• We must sign the check. We must receive the gift of salvation. It is made out to us. When we confess Jesus as the Lord of our life, we are saying that we are willing by faith to receive him as our Lord. Our confession of him as Lord is our willingness to receive his free gift of salvation. His birth is the beginning of our life. The choice is ours. Will you sign the check?

#1 Salvation - 1 Timothy 1:15-20 (MSG)

15-19 Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.

#2 The Word Became Flesh – John 1:14-18 (AMP)

• The Gospel of John beautifully describes the Incarnation: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. . .No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known" (John 1:14–18).

John 1:14-18 (AMP)

14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception). 15 John testified [repeatedly] about Him and has cried out [testifying officially for the record, with validity and relevance], "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I and has priority over me, for He existed before me.'" 16 For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]. 17 For the Law was given through Moses, but grace [the unearned, undeserved favor of God] and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God [His essence, His divine nature] at any time; the [One and] only begotten God [that is, the unique Son] who is in the intimate presence of the Father, He has explained Him [and interpreted and revealed the awesome wonder of the Father].

Discussion Questions

Opening Reflection

1. What does Christmas mean to you personally? How has that meaning changed over the years?
2. Do you agree that many people want the celebration without the relationship? What examples have you seen of this?

Christmas Realities

1. How do you handle the stress of the Christmas season? What tends to pull your focus away from Christ during this time?
2. The sermon mentions we "focus on the gifts that are under the tree versus the gift that hung from the tree." How can we practically shift this focus in our families?
3. What's the difference between celebrating Christmas and celebrating Christ? How can we tell which one we're doing?

Purpose and Prophecy

1. Why was it important that Jesus came as an infant rather than appearing as a grown man? How does this impact your understanding of God's plan?
2. Read Hebrews 4:15-16 again. How does knowing that Jesus experienced every temptation we face change how you approach Him in prayer?
3. The sermon states "Jesus came to die." How does this purpose shape how we should view Christmas?

Personal Application

1. The sermon uses the metaphor of "signing the check" for salvation. Have you signed that check? If yes, share that moment. If no, what's holding you back?
2. What does it mean practically to put Jesus "first and foremost" while still enjoying Christmas traditions?
3. Looking at the list of what "Christmas is not about," which of these things tend to become too important in your celebration? How can you rebalance?

Going Deeper

1. The statistics show 93% of Americans celebrate Christmas but "most Americans celebrate Christmas but don't celebrate Christ." Why do you think this disconnect exists?
2. How can we as believers help others see Christ in Christmas without being preachy or judgmental?
3. The sermon mentions that "most spend more on Christmas gifts for others than they give to the work of Christ." How does this challenge you personally?

Family and Community

1. What traditions could your family start (or stop) to keep Christ at the center of Christmas?
2. How can our church community better demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas to our neighbors?
3. For parents: How do you handle the "Santa question" while keeping Jesus as the focus?

Closing Challenge

1. If someone watched your Christmas celebration, would they know Christ is in your Christmas? What would give it away?
2. What one change will you make this Christmas season to ensure Christ remains central?
3. How can we maintain this Christ-centered focus beyond just the Christmas season?

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