1. The Christmas Story

2. TITLE: The Birth of Christ TEXT: Luke 2:1-2:21 THEME: Rising above the familiarity of Christmas

3. The Christmas Story

4. The danger we face each year is simply familiarity: knowing the story all too well, so well in fact that we miss its wonder.

5. The challenge for all of us is to not let or faith, and our excitement about the significance of Christmas, lead to indifference or contempt.

6. Martin Luther The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.

7. The Christmas Story

8. I. The Birth of Christ Resulted in Praise

9. C.S. Lewis “I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed.”

10. The Christmas Story

11. II. The Birth of Christ Resulted in Great News

12. The Good News They brought good news of great joy.

13. The Good News They brought good news of great joy. They brought good news concerning peace.

14. The Christmas Story

15. III. The Birth of Christ Resulted in Glory

16. Christ’s birth results in glory because we can experience it personally.

17. The incarnation of Christ, His birth in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago was only the first of two visits Christ will make to earth.

18. The Christmas Story

19. "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas." He totally missed the big news--man had flown!

20. The Christmas Story

21. Do not miss the wonder of the birth of Christ. Do not allow familiarity to rob you of the joys God has for you. He is worthy of your praise today.

22. The Christmas Story