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Christmas Message 2020 - The Christmas Revolution - Part 3 - Conclusion
- Matt. 9.1:18-25
- Luke 1:35-38, 56
- Luke 2:4-7
- Luke 1:46-55
In the last two weeks we looked at Joseph and Mary’s story and we saw that the first Christmas for them was anything but joyful, serene, and put nicely together as our Christmas cards and nativity scenes depict that event today. Now we conclude the story by looking at ourselves and God.
Our story and the Christmas Story
Luke 1:46-55 - “And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done a great thing for me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Mary sang a Song the day the angel brought her news that God had chosen to use her to accomplish His Great Plan to redeem the world. Mary’s song is called The Magnificat; but, the words to Mary’s song are not easy lyrics filled with peace and good will.
Mary’s song is about a Revolution. A Revolution of Change. Her Child would bring a sword before He would ever bring peace. Her child would usher in change, and change is costly. He would interrupt our neatly ordered lives as He did theirs.
Her song included God scattering the proud...
- God casting down the mighty from their self-made thrones,
- God exalting people who are presently being overlooked and pushed around,
- God filling the hungry with the things which they lack while God sends the rich away empty.
Christmas is about God helping Israel who now was in captivity.
Christmas is about Revolution: God restoring correct order to a world system which had forgotten who He was.
The present, which God had wrapped inside of Mary’s womb to give to the world - causes division, hostility, and conflict.
Wars would be fought against him. His people would be a people who would be hated.
His birth would begin a new world order - an invisible and eternal realm which would have to fight its way into the lives of man.
Christmas is not about neat little candlelight services, festive parties, or the exchanging of gifts.
- Christmas is about God at work in your life.
- Christmas is about God using you as a vessel to communicate His love for others.
- It is about being expendable.
- It is about uncomfortable change.
- Christmas can get messy, dirty, and unpleasant as Christ invades our space.
God’s gift turned Mary and Joseph’s world upside down. I wonder if we have become so adjusted to living in a right-side up world, that we miss the true meaning of Christmas. It wasn’t a seasonal thing... it’s a life-changing thing.
Man, unless you haven’t noticed, when God comes into your world - your life changes (period); and it leaves you different - forever different.
I’m not sure the Christmas Story would be complete unless we discussed God’s story. I wonder how God feels about our Christmas celebrations? Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Christ.
When we have birthdays, we expect to receive gifts from other people. When Christ’s birthday is celebrated... we give gifts to ourselves. Something seems to be out of place here.
Why is it – Christmas has become about US... instead of about HIM?
Some of the people in Mary and Joseph’s world would have liked for them to abort God’s plan... because it was too disruptive. It was too high a price for them to pay. The Gift was UNWANTED... UNDESIRED...AND MISUNDERSTOOD.
The consensus of the people around MARY AND JOSEPH was negative but they didn’t let the opinion and criticism of others keep them from obeying God.
Detours and disruptions in life never come at a convenient time. We all hate delays. We often react to disruptions and detours with “knee-jerk” reactions... [instead of trusting God’s timing, God’s planning, and God’s purpose]... we stick to our own understanding.
The worst thing that could have happened in Joseph’s world would have been for him to trust his own feelings. Joseph could have closed his heart to God’s plan and forfeited his part in God’s awesome plan of giving birth to the savior... but he didn’t.
I love Mary and Joseph’s response to this detour in their lives. Joseph trusted God. And Mary praised God and rejoiced over the fact that God chose her.
WE are talking about the Ultimate Gift. We are talking about what happens when Christ is birthed in our hearts.
The gift of eternity doesn’t mix well with our earthly planning... but if YOU WILL MAKE ROOM FOR THE GIFT OF GOD... it will radically change your life for eternity.
The issue is not how other people respond to this gift; the issue is how you will respond to this gift.
Will you accept Christ’s invasion into your world if it means that all of your plans are re-routed?
Will you make a place for God too intrude into your neatly organized world if it means that His intrusion is the secret to your salvation? What price would you place on the perfect gift?
This is the time when we celebrate the birth of Christ. On birthday’s we give people gifts. But Jesus didn’t come to be served, He came TO serve. And Ya know what He wants for His birthday?? YOU! (and if He’s already got you, He wants more of you)
He wants you to accept His free gift of Salvation and drink from the water of life... A gift isn’t received until you take it and open it. Are you ready to open the most radical Christmas present ever??? Jer. 33:3 - “Call unto me and I will answer you...”
If you would like to talk with someone about accepting this free gift of salvation, I would love the opportunity to talk with you. You can contact me through the information given on this page, or private message me anytime.
God bless you all and merry Christmas!
Last Update: Jan 03, 2021 3:47 pm CST
