Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Reasons for Rejoicing at Christmas Selected Scriptures Joy: “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” Joy is a common theme in both Christian and secular versions of Christmas

Secular Perspective of Christmas Secular = of the world = not religious, sacred or spiritual Rejoice over the gathering of family and friends Rejoice over a holiday romance Rejoice over getting a day off work - or getting holiday pay

Secular Perspective of Christmas Rejoice over fun winter activities and seasonal traditions - including the creative mythologies Rejoice over gifts - both giving and receiving

Evidence of the Dominance of the Secular Perspective of Christmas Avoidance of mentioning Christmas – Happy Holidays!

Evidence of the Dominance of the Secular Perspective of Christmas Government entities that ban references to Christmas in the public square The state is supposed to be blocked from interfering with the free exercise of religion, not the opposite

Evidence of the Dominance of the Secular Perspective of Christmas How professing Christians celebrate it Many churches cancelled their services in 2005 & 2011 because Christmas day was a Sunday

Religious Perspective of Christmas The creche scene The danger is romanticized version losing sight of the reality of what occurred

Religious Perspective of Christmas Christmas Traditions The danger is forgetting their purpose and meaning

Religious Perspective of Christmas Church celebrations The danger is socialization replacing fellowship

Religious Perspective of Christmas Charitable giving The danger is for religious organizations to forget the gospel as part of their purpose

Believer’s Perspective of Christmas Selected Scriptures Believers can enjoy the same or similar activities as anyone, but they have deeper meaning in the truth caivrw / chairō = inward joy with cause often finding outward expression and a desire to share

Joy of Zacharias & Elizabeth Luke 1:8f Gabriel tells Zacharias that he and Elizabeth will have a son Luke 1:41-45 John in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy over Jesus in Mary’s womb Elizabeth recognizes Jesus is Lord though still in Mary’s womb - rejoicing the incarnation has taken place

Joy of Mary Luke 1:46-55 Her soul exalts in the Lord, her spirit rejoices in God her savior Luke 1:48-49. Mary rejoices that God has chosen her to be the mother of the Messiah

Joy of Mary Luke 1:46-55 Luke 1:50-55. Mary rejoices over God’s character, fulfillment of prophecy & what He will through Messiah

Joy of the Shepherds Luke 2:7-20 Nearby shepherds are startled by an angel and heavenly host The shepherds go see Jesus in the manger - then return glorifying & praising for what they heard & saw

Joy of the Shepherds Luke 2:7-20 They rejoiced over the identity of the child in the manger - “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Multiple prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus’ birth which brought hope to Israel and all mankind

The Joy of the Magi Matthew 2:1-12 Religious and political king makers from the Persian empire Due to Daniel’s influence in the sixth century B.C. , they would have known Jewish prophecy Numbers 24:17 - They noticed some sort of special star that appeared in conjunction with Jesus’ birth

The Joy of the Magi Matthew 2:1-12 They arrived in Jerusalem looking for “He who is born King of the Jews” for they saw His star As they traveled to Bethlehem, they saw the star again and “rejoiced with exceeding great joy”

The Joy of the Magi Matthew 2:1-12 These Gentiles worship Jesus and brought Him gifts indicating they understood He was more than a king

Conclusions Christians rejoice at Christmas is because God became a man in Jesus and the plan of redemption began Christians also rejoice because Jesus fulfilled the rest of the prophecies and fulfilled the plan of redemption

Conclusions Christians rejoice because our names are written in the book of life - and Jesus will take us to heaven

Conclusions We rejoice with friends and family because we want to share We give gifts in reflection of the greatest gift ever given - Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior Have you received God’s gift?

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ