What is Christmas ?

How and Why do you Celebrate Christmas ?

Christmas was added to the Christian calendar.

Celebrating Christmas is a liberty, not doctrine .

Romans 14: 5-9 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

Therefore, Christmas is not a religious test. It’s not a sin if you happen to get it wrong.

part of the overarching theme of the whole bible. I. Our Savior’s birth is part of the overarching theme of the whole bible.

The birth of Jesus was preplanned. I Peter 1: 20-21 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

The good news of His birth was first proclaimed to Satan. Genesis 3: 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel.

The birth of Jesus was one of the promises made to Abraham. Genesis 12: 15 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. ( Gen 22: 18 )

All of the prophets spoke of the coming of the Christ to earth. Isaiah 9: 6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ( cf- Acts 10:43 )

II. God was born of a woman to enable Him to die.

God / Jesus became flesh so He could die to pay the penalty for our sin. Romans 6: 23 – The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life … Hebrews 9: 22 – And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

More than an animal sacrifice was required to substitute for a man; how much more for all men. Hebrews 10: 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

God came to earth in the form of a man to pay the penalty for man’s sins. John 1: 29 – The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”   Mark 10: 45 – For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

The angels identified the birth of Jesus as the arrival of the Savior. Matthew 1: 21 – “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus ( Joshua, Savior ), for He will save His people from their sins.” Luke 2: 10-11 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

to be an offering to pay the penalty for your sins. III. God sent His son Jesus to be an offering to pay the penalty for your sins.

Jesus did not come into existence when he was born of Mary. John 1: 1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus left Heaven voluntarily to become the Savior of mankind. Philippians 2: 5-8 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

God sent Jesus according to a specific timetable to do a specific task. Galatians 4: 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

What is the fullness of time ? Deut. 29:29 He came at a unique time in history. a. Global citizenship … safe passage b. Global language ... koine Greek c. Global transportation … Roman safety d. Global peace … 200 years e. Global decadence f. Global expectancy

received by some with joy and reverence, but rejected by others. IV. Even today Jesus is received by some with joy and reverence, but rejected by others.

Luke 2: 15-17 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

Wise men came from far away in the East to worship Jesus. They had been watching for His coming. Dan 2

Daniel 2

Herod tried to kill Jesus to prevent His rule.

Which response is yours ? - Seek Him like the shepherds - Worship Him like the Magi - View Him as a rival ruler

Today we rejoice at His coming .. Come to Him !

Remember – He came and died to pay the penalty for your sins.

Jesus viewed dying for you as joy. Live for Him. Hebrews 12:1-2 Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.