1. The Gospel According to Scrooge
Rev. Robert J. Smith
Pastor
Colonial Hills Baptist Church

2. Matthew 1:18-20
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:18-20 (KJV)

3. Matthew 2:11-15
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

4. Matthew 2:11-15
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Matthew 2:11-15 (KJV)

5. Matthew 2:19-21
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20  Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. 21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. Matthew 2:19-21 (KJV)

6. Review of Series Christmas in the Gospels
Last week -Mark
Today -Matthew
Luke
John

7. The Spirit of Christmas Past
Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost

8. The Spirit of Christmas Past
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 2 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)

9. The Spirit of Christmas Past
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

10. The Spirit of Christmas Past
6   This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

11. The Spirit of Christmas Past
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11   She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:3-11 (KJV)

12. The Spirit of Christmas present
Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

13. The Spirit of Christmas present
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (KJV)

14. The Spirit of Christmas Future
“Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead,” said Scrooge. “But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change…”

15. The Spirit of Christmas Future
Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

16. The Spirit of Christmas Future
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year, I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. Ebenezer Scrooge

17. The Spirit of Christmas Future
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22 (KJV)

18. The Spirit of Christmas Future
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 1 Corinthians 9:23 (KJV)

19. Conclusion
And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! As Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!